There are many outstanding achievements by Pinellas County elementary, middle and high school students, some of whom have overcome major emotional, physical and economic obstacles to reach their goals. The Education Foundation, along with business and community sponsors, honors these accomplishments every year through student recognition programs.

More than 500 elementary, middle and high school students are recognized through the annual PRIDE Awards, sponsored by DITEK. Award categories for elementary school students cover writing, social studies, science and math. Categories for secondary students include achievement in foreign languages. An awards program at Ruth Eckerd Hall is held in May of each year in honor of PRIDE students.

Sponsored by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and DITEK, and underwritten by the Education Foundation, "Yes I Can!" is an international program honoring children who have overcome emotional and physical obstacles to succeed in academics, arts, athletics, independent living skills, community service, extracurricular activities and employment. Thirty Pinellas County students are recognized each year during the annual awards breakfast.

The students eligible for the Joseph L. Carwise Minority Achievement Awards must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0. This program recognizes the achievements of students between third and twelfth grade and requires high school students to complete a required essay. The Joseph L. Carwise Minority Achievement Awards honor African-American students from North Pinellas County under the auspices of the Superintendent's Minority Advisory Committee.

The necessary funding for schools to have the opportunity to develop their own student recognition awards and programs is made possible through School Enhancement Grants.

The annual Honors Breakfast, sponsored in 2003 by Brighthouse Networks, recognizes:

• National Merit Semi-finalists, based on an outstanding academic record, endorsement from the student's high school and PSAT scores
• Achievement Scholars, designated for African-American students based on high academic standards, school endorsement and personal activities and goals
• National Hispanic Scholarship, based on qualifying PSAT score and student achievement