Amanda Anseeuw

Doctor Trey Conner

October 1, 2008

Exploring Academy Prep: Center for Education

Why is this topic interesting?

Academy Prep Center (School) is interesting because it is funded completely by donations. Where can academically gifted poverty stricken children go for a better education? Electives should always be offered in school.

How is this school funded?

“The Academy Prep Foundation Incorporated was established in 1996, is responsible for replicating Academy Prep Centers, overseeing Center and Graduate Support operations, and serving as a funding vehicle for the Centers and Graduate Support program. The Foundation is the custodian of all unrestricted and restricted funds for the benefit of the Centers, the Graduate Support Programs and the Foundation. The Centers operate according to an annual budget, and distributions are made from the Foundation to the Centers on a quarterly basis. Unrestricted contributions may be used to fund the operations of the Centers and the Foundation, and to replicate additional Centers.” (academyprep.org)

Businesses provide funds toward financial scholarships, sponsor events, underwrite programs and provide capital, making them eligible for tax refunds, for facilities. A brief listing of businesses: Blimpie, Burger King, Dollar General, Home Shopping Network, Progress Energy, Southern Wine and Spirits, and Subway. The Bank of America, The Columbia Restaurant and Raymond James Financial are classified as capital contributors.

Individuals financially support Academy Prep by paying to attend special events, writing checks, paying with credit cards, establishing trusts, allotting a specific amount to be withdrawn every month through an electronic transfer, assigning life insurance policies, and by naming the school as a beneficiary in a will.

Who is selected to attend? When can students apply?

The Academy Prep acceptance process is similar to applying for a college scholarship, some of us are able to relate and therefore remember the time consuming and thoughtful procedure.

Fill out application.

Answer questions in each section.

Submit.

The Academy Prep application lists qualifications: “only children entering fifth or sixth grade are allowed to apply, qualify for the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch Program, show from prior standardized testing an average to above average ability, show on an admission test the ability to succeed in a rigorous academic program, demonstrate consistently in actions the character to be a good citizen both of the school community and the of world community, demonstrate a commitment to succeed.” (prep.org)

Following application submittal, the guidance counselor, Anita Wash-Morrow, conducts an interview with the family: parent(s) and prospective student. After that, all submitted material is meticulously examined by the Director of Development, Betsy Draper. If student meets criteria, then the prospective student is invited to attend Academy Prep summer camp. Finally, the prospective student is offered a full scholarship to Academy Prep, if selected at the closing ceremony of camp. Remember, the student and parent accept the scholarship together!

Where are students now?

Graduates are attending prestigious schools, most with full scholarships, nationwide: Eckerd College, Webber, St. Pete Catholic High School, Jacksonville State University, Admiral Farragut Academy, Berkeley Preparatory School, Naval Academy, University of Florida, Academy of the Holy Names. “95% of Academy Prep Alumni are in high school, college or have started their careers.” (academyprep.org) The first class graduated on May 17, 2007.

What classes are offered? Extra Curricular Activities?

Math, science, social studies, English, Spanish, history, geography, art, drama, music, dance and physical education. Extra curricular activities: chess, tennis, dance, karate, golf, drama, soccer, canoeing and “Owning Up.” Owning Up: YMCA-sponsored project that works with our girls and boys on issues related to their coming adolescence. (academyprep.org)

My main concern: How important are electives?

The importance of electives! Electives make school fun and create an interactive environment. Children learn to share and play fair. Their minds are open to creative possibilities. To start, I do not care about basic academic classes at the schools I examine. I already know students are learning the basics--math, reading, writing, science, history--and do not wish to dive into that bomb. I want to know how art and elective classes affect children’s lives.

Exploration of Academy Prep Center of Tampa:

Read text book profile of a civic agency.

Choose to explore agency pertaining to children.

Attend Civic Engagement Fair and learn about Junior Achievement and MENTOR: programs benefitting children.

Tell me father about my Civic Fair day and he responds with, “Well what about Lincoln’s school, Academy Prep?”

Well, what about it? I go online, academyprep.org, and fall in love with the mission statement: “Solid growth and healthy life...represent our community...optimistic future...individual student.” (prep.org)

I focused in on elective importance and offerings when I discovered that 779 students are deprived of the option.

Why do I have questions about this topic?

Children affect our future--their education. Perhaps some of us will not raise children, marry, or start a family after college, but just like the Baby Boomers rely on us to ensure their future, we still depend upon generations, younger than you and me.

Incarnation Private Catholic School is located in Tampa, Florida. The Art teacher, Ms. Hand, normally incorporates art history with hands-on experience. Supplies are provided and the budget is small. In an interview with Carolina Goslee, principal, she states, “Ms. Hand asked the students to talk about Van Gogh. All the little hands went up; they talked about his life. Then, Ms. Hand made an art gallery of the children’s Van Gogh reproductions. It was amazing, what everyone could do. Everybody gets art class every week.”

Monroe Middle School is located in Tampa, Florida. Monroe does not offer an art program. I ask if art ever been offered. Guidance counselor, Donna Grace, replies, “The school offered it when they had an art teacher and even then, art was only offered as a sixth grade elective.” What is the reason for removing the art teacher? Grace responds, “More teachers equals more funds. Funds that we do not have.” If they choose to be artists, the school has no program to nurture their growth. I suggest incorporating art into other classes and to develop a wish list of art supplies for parents to frequently donate and create projects from household trash.

Can Academy Prep serve as the gap closer between private and public education?

The importance for well-balanced child.

Public schools spend time preparing for standardized tests.

What Academy Prep offers, chess champs. Team placed first in the Region and seventh in the Nation!

A Range of Views:

Academy Prep’s mind set resembles a Spartan warrior’s mentality, there is no room for weakness, only the strong survive.

Disabled children are not admitted to Academy Prep. How will a child learn compassion if does not see adversity in the flesh?

What happens when a child is willing to be the student you request, but his or her parent(s) do not wish to participate? Is this a fair way to judge criteria for student acceptance?

Only English speaking--first language--children are accepted. Low income families positively correlate with minority groups. What is the benefit of leaving Latin, Asian and Indian speaking children in the streets of English speaking America without being able to speak English?

Academy Prep is beneficial for the community. Students have mandatory community service trips. There are smart kids in poor neighborhoods.

Barack Obama stated, “We have done scientific research to show that children who learn music do better in math. Kids whose imaginations are sparked by the arts are more engaged in school. Kids who have physical education are more able to pay attention in the classroom. These things aren’t just extras, they are part of a well rounded education.” (Campaign) Academy Prep offers electives for a necessary well rounded and balanced education.

Class should be more than digesting material and throwing it up on exam day.

John McCain believes in, “The ability of all students to access schools of demonstrated excellence, including home. We cannot eliminate options if we wish to keep up with the industrialized world. If school is not changing, students change schools: parents choice.” (Campaign) This type of parental support and involvement is a cornerstone of Academy Prep.

Academy Prep is effective, constructive, and encouraging home-away-from-home schooling, family. This place is awesome! Does college-life ever feel like family? Perhaps USF can resemble home in a club, sport, fraternity or sorority. I want to know more!

What I want to learn about Academy Prep.

Are teachers qualified?

The Head of School, Lincoln J. Tamayo, received his B.A. degree from the university of Notre Dame, his J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law, and his Master’s from Harvard University. Ted McNair teaches history, karate and chess, is a 21-year veteran of the air force, holds a Bachelor and Master’s in Education, is a sixth-degree black-belt former World Karate Champion. I am impressed. The boy’s history teacher, Mr. Ibanez, holds a Master’s in Education. The girl’s science teacher, Nydia Nelson, holds a Master’s in Education. The boy’s math teacher holds a Master’s in Education. The guidance counselor, Anita, holds a Master’s in Social Work. Respectable. The Director of Development, Ms. Draper, holds a Master’s in Education. Drama teacher, Mrs. Gard, continues to pursue her Master’s in School Counseling, the receptionist has a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, the girl’s English teacher, Cristina, holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish, the Volunteer Coordinator holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Notre Dame University.

How can I contribute to the Academy?

Scholarship $14,500 year, one student. Pays for what? Volunteer time: chaperone, tutoring, plan events, check-out and return library books, assist teacher’s in academic classes and extracurricular activities, and design activities to address specific learning needs.

My favorite Academy.

Students clean own--school--for one hour every day.

School days are long, 11 hours, starting at 7:00 a.m. and ending at 6:00 p.m.

Students tutoring sessions for one hour after school.

Breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks--juice and water--are provided daily.

Uniforms! Options are green or white polo with navy pants, shorts, or knee-length skirt. Academy Prep students said, “I don’t like uniforms because I would rather wear jeans.” (Kim, eighth grade student) “I like uniforms because we are all dressed the same.” (Christine, eight grade student) “I like uniforms because the Academy Prep symbol is awesome!” (Preston, sixth grade student) I would like to investigate pros and cons of uniforms in the future.

Careful attention is given to the selection of students and staff.

Teachers can live, on-campus.

Classes are small with 15 students in each.

Boys and girls are educated separately during the school day.

Students who are not on the honor roll attend a supervised study hall in the evenings.

Wide range of electives are mandatory: art, drama, music, dance and physical education.

A school like this could have benefitted some of us when we went through middle school.

Works Cited

Academy Prep Center of Tampa. Website. 7 Sept-2 Oct. 2008 <http://www.academyprep.org/tampa/index.htm>

Barack Obama Campaign Website. Education. 18 Sept. 2008 <http://www.barackobama.com/issues/education/>

Google. Maps. 10 Sept. 2008 <http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=3940+fontainebleau+drive+tampa+florida+33634&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title>

John McCain Campaign Website. Education. 17 Sept. 2008 <http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/19ce50b5-daa8-4795-b92d-92bd0d985bca.htm>