Monroe County Schools Hope To Open By Sept. 25

KEY LARGO, FL — Monroe County schools are scheduled to reopen for students on Monday, Sept. 25, officials said.

The entirety of the Florida Keys archipelago was put under an evacuation order ahead of the Hurricane Irma, and the islands were extensively damaged in the storm. Residents are slowly returning to the islands, but many are discovering that their homes were completely destroyed. Recovery efforts are progressing across the Keys.

"Looking forward to students back in school," tweeted Superintendent Mark Porter. He added that staff will return to school on Sept. 21 and 22. (For more information about the recovery from Hurricane Irma, subscribe for free to the Miami Patch and receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you're outside of Miami, find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Porter previously announced that despite the storm, county school employees would be paid by Sept. 15. "Thanks to payroll team diligence," he added.

Key Largo School posted a picture of its grounds:

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images