What School Should You Choose? Corbett

What School Should You Choose? Tips for a Smooth Search

by Courtney Cairns Pastor, Corbett Preparatory School of IDS

The right school ignites a spark in your child. It can help them fall in love with learning, connect with teachers who inspire them, uncover talents and gain confidence.

Finding that school, however, may take a little time.

With so many private, public and charter schools in the Tampa Bay area, it can be overwhelming just figuring out where to start the search process. But fall is the perfect time to begin looking for the following school year. Many schools offer admissions open houses, inviting potential families in for an overview of their programs and a tour of their facilities.

Conducting preliminary research combined with on-campus visits will help you narrow down your school options and identify a good match. These tips will take you through the different phases of your school search and the types of questions you should ask along the way.

BEFORE YOUR VISIT

You can begin looking for a school without even leaving your house. Your first step is to think about your family’s priorities. • What type of school are you interested in? Are you looking for a private independent school, a public education or a school that offers religion classes? Do you want a school that specializes in certain grades or takes your child from preschool to high school?

Does your family value exposure to the arts, global perspectives, athletic opportunities or a commitment to community service? • What makes the most sense for you?

Balance your wish list with practical considerations, such as your commute to work or your hours. What location is ideal for you? Will you need bus transportation to your neighborhood or an extended day program for afternoon child care? • What do others say, and what

does the school say about itself?

Recommendations from friends and neighbors, online searches and advertisements can help you identify the local schools that align with your preferences. Sift through school websites for answers to questions surrounding lunch programs, dress codes, after-school activities, tuition and fees, accreditations and more. You’ll see what academic programs they highlight and the kinds of events on their calendar. School social media sites can give you a feel for daily life on campus and a sense of the school’s approach to teaching and learning, its culture and community.

Once you have honed in on your top choices, it’s time to head to campus for a private tour or to attend an open house.

VISITING CAMPUS

An admissions open house provides families the chance to experience a school firsthand without any pressure. Every school has its own approach to open houses, but generally school leaders share an overview of their programs, educational philosophies and core values before allowing guests to meet some staff and visit classrooms. If the open house takes place during the school day, when Corbett Prep schedules its admissions events, families have a chance to see the school and students in action.

Your earlier research will have given you general information about the school, but visiting campus and meeting faculty members can teach you more about topics important to you. You may want to know about teacher training and the type of professional development the school offers as well as the strategies teachers use for differentiating instruction and engaging students. You can ask about class size and how it affects learning. You can get details about typical schedules and find out how often students attend enrichment or specials classes, how much free play they have daily and whether they include social-emotional learning in addition to academics.

When the time comes for a tour, pay attention to what you see and feel.

• In the classrooms, are students engaged and happy?

Are they sitting in traditional rows of desks or working collaboratively? Are the facilities clean, in good condition and well equipped? • Are there outside spaces available for kids to work or play? How are they used?

Corbett Prep has fields and playgrounds for physical education and play time but also has benches, tables and other spots for reading and lessons outside. • Does the school embrace diversity, and is it reflected in its student body and faculty? • What’s the energy of the school? It may be hard to pinpoint why, but you’ll have a gut feeling about a school.

It’s worth listening to your instincts.

Throughout your visit, keep track of questions you have about what you see and hear. An open house may be too busy for you to find out everything you need, and you may want to return for a personal tour or eventually schedule a time for your child to shadow in a classroom.

The last question is one to ask yourself – is the school a place where you could see your child happy and successful? Ultimately, this is an individual decision. It may take some legwork on your part as a parent as you sift through recommendations and research, but with so many choices, you’re sure to discover a good fit for your family.

BOWERS/WHITLEY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY 13609 N. 22nd St., Tampa 33613 813-558-1750; hillsboroughschools.org/buildingtampastomorrow

COMING 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR! The Bowers/Whitley Career Acceleration Academy will be transformed into our new Building Construction Academy for high school students. Students can participate in A/C Refrigeration, Heating Technology (HVAC), Plumbing, and Welding programs. For more details and the latest updates, please visit hillsboroughschools.org/ buildingtampastomorrow.

CALVARY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL 110 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater 33759 727-449-2247; cchs.us

Calvary offers an advanced college preparatory education in an environment where students are taught a Christian worldview with the Word of God being integrated into each subject. Calvary also offers many extra-curricular activities for your child including athletics, fine arts, SGA, clubs, leadership opportunities and more! Come for a visit today!

CAMBRIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 6101 N. Habana Ave., Tampa 33614 813-872-6744; ccslancers.com

See why we are the #1 rated Christian school in Tampa! Since 1964 we have equipped students with a college preparatory education taught from a biblical worldview. A partnership with CCS provides students with a strong foundation for life and college from a nationally accredited school committed to educating the whole child.

CARROLLWOOD DAY SCHOOL Main Campus - 1515 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa 33613 Preschool Campus - 12606 Casey Road, Tampa 33618 813-920-2288; cdspatriots.org

Carrollwood Day School is a world class co-ed IB school in Tampa celebrating our 40th anniversary this year. Our mission is to create entrepreneurial thinkers for a global society. We provide strong character-based education emphasizing problem-solving skills and philanthropic understanding. CDS fosters the development of the entire student not only in academics, but also ethically, emotionally and through social experience.

CENTER ACADEMY 6710 86th Ave. N., Pinellas Park 33782 727-541-5716; centeracademy.com

Founded in 1968 and Cognia accredited, Center Academy provides a small, safe setting to help students to focus, organize and learn. We work with students in grades 4-12 with ADHD and learning differences and accept FES, Step Up and Tax Credit Scholarships. Dual enrollment and summer programs are available.

CHANNELSIDE ACADEMY OF MATH & SCIENCE 1029 E. Twiggs St., Tampa 33602 813-579-9649; channelsideacademy.com

Students at this tuition-free, public charter school receive a 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.

COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Toddler & Primary Campus, 4930 Webb Road, Tampa 33615; 813-886-2050 Elementary & Middle Campus, 8411 Civic Road, Tampa 33615; 813-886-3969 communitymontessori.org

Community Montessori School provides a prepared environment that responds to the developmental needs of the child and cultivates the unique potential of each individual by adhering to Montessori principles. CMS is a warm, secure community with a high expectation for the quality of thought, work and mastery of content and skill. Enrollment: 150 Grades: 9-12 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 790 Class-Size: 12:1 Grades: 9-12 Tuition: $16,150

Enrollment: 767 Class-Size: 17 Grades: 1 year - grade 12 Tuition: $10,610-$18,062

Enrollment: 1,164 Class-Size: 15-18, ratio 6:1 Grades: ages 2 to grade 12 Tuition: $7,100-$25,500

Enrollment: 90 Class-Size: 18 Grades: 4-12 Tuition: $12,680-$15,180

Grades: K-8 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 125 Class-Size: Average 20 Grades: 18 months-15 years Tuition: $7,500-$10,950

CORBETT PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF IDS 12015 Orange Grove Drive, Tampa 33618 813-961-3087; corbettprep.com

Founded 54 years ago, Corbett Prep offers the International Baccalaureate curriculum for all students. Teachers use research-based strategies to create hands-on learning experiences. Visual and performing arts, team sports, and social-emotional learning curriculum align to develop confident, creative, innovative thinkers with character ready to contribute to the world in a meaningful, positive way. Enrollment: 550 Class-Size: Varies by grade level Grades: PreK-grade 8 Tuition: $13,803-$18,470

CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 317 Milwaukee Ave., Dunedin 34698 727-733-1438; cornerstonechristianfl.org

At Cornerstone Christian School, our mission is to provide quality education in a Christ-Centered environment for the children of our community. We believe that every child has value and purpose. Our job is to help students discover their potential through academic, physical, social and spiritual development. Enrollment: 80 Class-Size: Small teacher-student ratio Grades: PreK to grade 8 Tuition: K-8 $8,100

COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 1850 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater 33759 727-437-0090; myccacademy.org

Countryside Christian Academy's mission is to provide excellence in Christian education while instilling Biblical principles in students' lives that they might impact their society for Christ. Our program is fully accredited and well-balanced, encouraging the development of the whole child: spirit, soul, (mind) and body. Enrollment: 225 Class-Size: 15 Grades: K5-grade 8 Tuition: $9,500+

D.W. WATERS MEDICAL ACADEMY 2704 N. Highland Ave., Tampa 33602 813-233-2655; hillsboroughschools.org/buildingtampastomorrow

COMING 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR! The D.W. Waters Career Acceleration Academy will undergo an exciting transformation over the next year. It is scheduled to become our high school Medical Academy. Some programs slated to be offered include Medical Laboratory Assisting, Electrocardiograph Technician, and Emergency Medical Responder. For more details and the latest updates, please visit hillsboroughschools.org/buildingtampastomorrow.

DOROTHY C. YORK INNOVATION ACADEMY (K-8 MAGNET SCHOOL)

5995 Covington Garden Drive, Apollo Beach 33572 813-533-2400; hillsboroughschools.org/york

York will open as a Project Lead the Way Robotics and Engineering School, where students will participate in hands-on, project-based learning, STEM, arts, and international studies. The Admirals will collaborate in innovative labs with one-to-one technology accessible to explore their interests and prepare them for high school and beyond. Enrollment: 150 Grades: 9-12 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 1,253 Grades: K-8 Tuition: FREE

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.

DUNBAR ELEMENTARY MAGNET (MEDICAL SCIENCE)

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

At Dunbar’s Medical Magnet Program, young scholars experience STEM fields through hands-on curriculum and an interactive House Program. Students explore the human body systems and healthy habits with partners like St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, USF Health and more. NEW! Third Grade Accelerated Math Academy prepares students for high school Math courses. enrollment: 508 Grades: 6-8 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 278 Grades: K-5 Tuition: FREE