Best Ballet School

Speck Fitness Ballet School & Fitness Studio

2600 Glades Circle Unit #300 and #400 www.speckfitness.com

717-440-1515

Speck Fitness Ballet School & Fitness Studio was founded in 2011 by former professional ballerina Rachel Speck. The School focuses on teaching proper technique to aspiring dancers of all ages, whether they want to become professional dancers or just love ballet as a hobby. She makes sure they learn things that will stick with them for life and help them in any career path they take. Rachel received her training from Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and has now also been trained and certified in their proven syllabus, which has created hundreds of professional dancers. She later danced and trained with The Miami City Ballet.

Speck Fitness Ballet School offers the absolute best ballet training focusing on actual technique and not just tricks, competitions, and shows. The school competes at YAGP, UBC, and IBC every. Rachel breaks down each training step in a way that students can comprehend, allowing her to teach perfect technique from the time they are three years old. Each level in the school follows a specific part of her ballet syllabus. Rachel is very hands-on when teaching and teaches most of the classes herself to ensure the highest quality of teaching.

The school produces two shows each year: The Act 2 of the Nutcracker in December and an end-of-the-year showcase in May. This year’s end-of-the-year showcase will be The Sleeping Beauty on Saturday, May 13, at The Miramar Cultural Arts Center.

The Studio also offers a ballet summer intensive camp, which is open to current and new students ages 2 1/2 and up. Guest teachers from Miami City Ballet will join Rachel during the camp. Rachel also offers private lessons and works with students from other dance schools in the area to help improve their technique, pointe work, and more.

Speck Fitness is also a fitness studio and is home to the world-famous workout Tendu Toning®. The workout was created by Rachel as a way for dancers to get more conditioned, but also for the average person to achieve a long, lean ballerina body. Tendu Toning® is derived from her innovative ballet technique combined with weights, resistance, and increased repetitions to maximize results in a short amount of time. Classes are available daily.

Best Early Childhood Education Center

Tree of Life Christian Academy Preschool

1250 SW 160th Avenue www.TreeofLifeAcademy.com

954-440-0174

Tree of Life Christian Academy Preschool is dedicated to providing exceptional care and education to its students. Having won the Best of Weston award ten times, it boasts the highest percentage of graduates in Weston who are able to read at a first-grade level.

The academy offers a unique and advanced learning curriculum, including programs for infants through pre-kindergarten. Along with a bilingual curriculum, students benefit from an Accelerated Reading program and a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) program.

The school’s warm and welcoming classrooms are filled with age-appropriate materials that help to stimulate creativity in each child. Learning centers, such as blocks, dramatic play, housekeeping, manipulatives, art, library, science, sand and water station, music and movement, writing, and computer centers, are available. Tree of Life’s highly trained and certified teachers motivate, encourage, and build on each child’s individual strengths, gifts, and talents to foster a love for learning. The school is equipped with the latest technology, a 1,200 square-foot indoor play area, and four outdoor playgrounds. A nurse and clinic are on site, and organic and natural lunches are served. As a faith-based school, Tree of Life teaches moral and family values based on Christian principles.

Best Day Camp

Camp Gan Israel

18501 Tequesta Trace Park Lane www.chabadofweston.com

954-349-6565

Camp Gan Israel of Weston is part of the largest and fastest growing network of Jewish day camps in the world. Gan Israel enjoys a well-earned reputation as a trendsetter with innovative ideas, creative programs, and new activities.

Children who have come to Gan Israel camp keep coming back, and they always have the same reason: there is nothing like the spirit and warmth of Gan Izzy. At Camp Gan Israel, we know that the children love creative activities, games, trips, sports, and the like; and we ensure that they have a safe, fun, and wholesome summer. But, more importantly than just “a good time”, we know how to give children memories that will last a lifetime.

Our Mini Gan offers a wonderful opportunity for youngsters from 30 months-5 years to have their first experience in a real summer camp. The children are guided in organized activity, play & social skills by loving, patient and caring staff. Our mini gan’ers are growing fast, this is the place to be!

Our picturesque campsite contains beautiful facilities well suited to a full program of sports, games, crafts, dramatics, and other enriching camp activities. Our experienced staffers work to develop skills, confidence, and a sense of fair play within each child.

Best Catholic School

Archbishop McCarthy High School

5451 S Flamingo Road, SW Ranches www.Mccarthyhigh.net

954-434-8820

Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School is a coeducational Roman Catholic school within the Archdiocese of Miami, committed to providing a diverse program of religious, educational, athletic, social, and cultural opportunities, along with community service encounters.

The school’s motto “Manere in Dilectione Christi” - “To abide in the love of Christ” is the cornerstone of its Catholic youth formation tradition. The school aims to foster an individual’s personal relationship with the community and Church by emphasizing moral and ethical lessons alongside science and mathematics. It’s a sentiment echoed by parents of students and graduates.