Icon Prep launched its first school in Tampa in 2018. After working in charter schools around the country, founder Dwayne Raiford returned to his hometown to create a college-prep school inspired by the ethos of HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities). He anticipated opening with 60 students but received hundreds of applications that first year. Icon had a similar experience while opening in Jacksonville in 2022. (100% are eligible for free or reduced lunch and 97% are Black).