NEW SCHOOL ON THE BLOCK: Dr. Kiran

New School on the Block

by Ashley Galfond, Principal at Dr. Kiran C. Patel Elementary School

A new learning adventure awaits elementary students of Tampa Bay in 2022. Dr. Kiran C. Patel Elementary School opens its doors on the Dr. Kiran C. Patel Campus for Innovative Learning in August 2022. We are a notfor-profit, tuition-free public charter school founded on Dr. Patel’s belief that “The best and most valuable gift you can give someone is the gift of education.”

WHAT MAKES DR. KIRAN C. PATEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIFFERENT?

Patel Elementary School’s educational program is a combination of rigorous academic content, Project Based Learning and Social Emotional Learning that focuses on Whole Child Development. Our educational program incorporates hands-on learning and supports a higher degree of student engagement with a focus on the overall wellness of our students from the inside out. Our motto at Patel Elementary is “Healthy Hearts and Minds.”

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS?

Dr. Kiran C. Patel Elementary School is committed to establishing a school climate and culture that is a safe learning environment for students, teachers and families. We believe that students who are embraced within a family school culture focused on the Whole Child, with Social Emotional Learning and Leadership Development, and within a Project Based Learning design, will be well-equipped to succeed in their future endeavors. Project Based Learning, rather than textbook-driven instruction, fosters a deeper learning of academic content and builds a stronger motivation to learn. HOW DO YOU ENSURE A SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?

Patel Elementary School students and staff adhere to the expectations of always promoting the physical and emotional safety of others. Our state-of-the-art building is secure with card entry access-controlled systems, security cameras and an on-site school security officer. Our educators take a Whole Child approach to enhance learning by addressing each student’s social, emotional, physical and academic needs.

HOW IS THE SCHOOL DESIGNED?

With an intentional design of larger innovative classrooms within our beautiful new building, student workspaces are created to allow opportunities for flexible group learning, collaboration, access to technology and independent workstations. Physical well-being is supported through daily opportunities to engage in physical education, recess and brain breaks on our playgrounds, tennis courts, soccer fields and track.

HOW CAN MY CHILD BECOME A PART OF THE DR. KIRAN C. PATEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FAMILY?

We are now accepting kindergarten, first and second grade student applications at www.patelelementary.org. The lottery is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. We officially open and welcome our first students in August 2022. Our inaugural year will include kindergarten through second grade, with an enrollment of 270 students. We will add a grade level each year, until we meet capacity with 652 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Please visit our website for opportunities to tour the school and learn more.

WWW.PATELELEMENTARY.ORG

DOWDELL MIDDLE MAGNET (ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES)

1208 Wishing Well Way, Tampa 33619 813-744-8322; hillsboroughschools.org/dowdell

We bridge passion for the environment with real world learning. Students can take unique environmental and animal science electives. Students learn outdoors with our salt marsh grass nursery and land lab and experience our hydroponics and aquaponics labs. Our partnerships with the Florida Aquarium and surrounding recycling companies helps strengthen our mission to educate students to understand the environment around them and how to help it.

DR. KIRAN C. PATEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 10739 Raulerson Ranch Road, Tampa 33637 813-444-0660; patelelementary.org

Dr. Kiran C. Patel Elementary School is a tuition-free public charter school. Students are provided a well-rounded, rigorous education with an emphasis on Project-Based Learning (PBL). We focus on the Whole Child to promote Leadership Development and Social-Emotional Learning.

DUNBAR ELEMENTARY MAGNET (MEDICAL SCIENCE)

1730 Union St., Tampa 33607 813-276-5677; dunbar.mysdhc.org

We partner with AdventHealth, the Patel Conservatory and USF Health's Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine to create the doctors and nurses of tomorrow. Students participate in show choir, drums and Little Kids Rock band. Student-led inquiry and goal setting help students truly engage in their learning. National Elementary Honor Society, 3-D printing and Genius Hour are other elements that create a great learning experience.

EDUCATED MINDS ACADEMY 10025 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa 33615 813-243-0310; educatedminds.net

We give each child the skills for success in school and in the future. We encourage their young minds through play and hands-on, creative activities as well as encourage the development of physical, social and emotional skills.

FERRELL GIRLS PREPARATORY ACADEMY

(CAMBRIDGE CANDIDATE)

4302 24th St., Tampa 33610 813-276-5608; hillsboroughschools.org/ferrell

As a Cambridge International Magnet School and the only girls-only school in the district, we are dedicated to developing confident, dynamic, educated young women. Our technology-rich, interactive learning campus—including our 1:1 technology program—infuses 21st century tech skills into every student’s learning. Mentoring opportunities and community engagement create well-rounded learners.

FOCUS ACADEMY 304 Druid Hills Road, Temple Terrace 33617 813-443-5558; focusacademytampa.org

Serving ESE students ages 14-22 since 2013, Focus Academy helps special needs students succeed in a safe, caring environment. Our strong academic program is tailored to individual student needs, offering outstanding therapeutic support. We have received the highest academic rating for an ESE center from the State of Florida.

FRANKLIN BOYS PREPARATORY ACADEMY (CAMBRIDGE CANDIDATE)

3915 21st Ave., Tampa 33605 813-744-8108; hillsboroughschools.org/franklin

As a Cambridge International Magnet School and the only boys-only school in the district, we are molding young men of distinction who will achieve greatness. We promote academic achievement, professionalism and self-confidence. Our young men prepare for college in a technology-rich environment with a robotics makerspace and Smart Boards and iPads available for every student. Free after-school Enrichment Academies include debate, golf and Model UN. enrollment: 625 Grades: 6-8 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 652 Class-Size: K-grade 3 18:1, grades 4-5 22:1 Grades: K-grade 5 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 260 Grades: K-5 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 120 Class-Size: 10-15 Grades: Infants to grade 2 Tuition: $100-$225/ week, 3% off when paid by month

Enrollment: 583 Grades: 6-8 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 110 Class-Size: 8-16, 3:1 to 8:1 ratio Grades: 9-12 and post12th grade Transition Program (up to age 22) Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 530 Grades: 6-8 Tuition: FREE

GRECO MIDDLE MAGNET (IB CANDIDATE)

6925 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa 33617 813-987-6926; hillsboroughschools.org/greco

Our school-wide IB candidate program, guided by International Baccalaureate World School principles, works with community partners and the city of Temple Terrace to create a unique IB experience every day. Our school has exceptional programs on campus that allow students to explore their passion, all under the IB program umbrella.

HILLSBOROUGH VIRTUAL K-12 2704 N. Highland Ave., Tampa 33602 813-983-7278; hillsboroughschools.org/virtual

Hillsborough Virtual K-12 offers personalized learning in a structured, yet flexible environment. It is a school choice option in which students learn in a digital space using a web-based curriculum with highly-qualified teachers from Hillsborough County. Students can take part in athletics and extracurricular activities at their zoned school.

HILLSDALE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 6201 Ehrlich Road, Tampa 33625 813-884-8250; hcatampa.org

Hillsdale provides a variety of activities and learning opportunities for our students. Our primary purpose is to help children grow spiritually, socially, physically, intellectually, and creatively in welcoming surroundings as a supplement to the home environment. Our staff will work hard to create a loving, Christian atmosphere for children's development.

HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL 3712 W. El Prado Blvd., Tampa 33629 813-839-0665; htlstampa.org

Holy Trinity Lutheran School is a co-educational school located in the heart of South Tampa. Founded in 1958, HTLS offers an enriching and rewarding academic education in a loving and safe Christian environment. Our mission is to provide Christ-centered academic excellence and care for the whole child that equips them for lifelong learning and service.

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS 5001 Nebraska Ave., Suite A, Tampa 33603 813-467-3004; ideapublicschools.org/regions/tampa-bay

IDEA believes a quality K-12 public education is the key to success in college and life and is committed to helping every student achieve their own success. Personalized learning, critical thinking skills, mastery of core subjects and continued support through college is IDEA’s recipe for success.

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL 2913 John Moore Road, Brandon 33511 813-685-1978; ilsbrandon.com

We have a proven track record, small class sizes, challenging curriculum, Response to Intervention (RTI), advanced classes, band, chorus, Spanish, art, full PE Program, educational field trips, hot lunch program, before and after school care and competitive athletic teams. We are accredited by the NLSA, which is recognized by the Florida Department of Education. We accept Step Up For Students, McKay Scholarships and School Readiness.

INDEPENDENCE ACADEMY 12902 E. U.S. Highway 92, Dover 33527 813-473-8600; iacademies.com

Independence Academy provides a tuition-free, well-rounded college preparatory education. The challenging and rigorous curriculum includes a special concentration on math and science, a technology-rich atmosphere, and a focus on character development preparing students for their secondary education and beyond. Offerings include the Cambridge program for Advanced Studies, Edvantage before and after school program, Tampa Bay’s Grasses in Classes Program and Cognia accreditation. Enrollment: 819 Grades: 6-8 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 3,400 Grades: K-12 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 170 Class-Size: 15 Grades: PreK-grade 7 Tuition: $180/week (preschool) - $7,900

Enrollment: 200 Class-Size: 16 Grades: PreK-grade 5 Tuition: $6,240

Enrollment: 1,600 Class-Size: 18-25 Grades: K-3 & 6-7 in 2022. Each campus will add a grade each year until fully scaled to grades K-12. Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 230 Class-Size: 20-24 Grades: Preschool/VPK to grade 8 Tuition: $6,000-$8,000

Grades: K-8 Tuition: FREE