TAMPA PREPARATORY SCHOOL
BECOMING A
TERRAPIN
TAMPA PREP AT A GLANCE
695 STUDENTS
STUDENTS COME FROM
70% Tampa
17% Lutz/Temple Terrace 9% Brandon area 4% St. Pete/Clearwater +
7 different countries 11.2-acre campus with university-grade facilities 60 INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS FROM 48 ATHLETIC TEAMS
ACADEMIC CONCENTRATIONS Arts Global Studies Humanities STEM
152 TOTAL
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS
HELLO PARENTS and students Tampa Prep is a
major metropolitan college preparatory school in the heart
of downtown Tampa. The pace of learning
on this campus is mirrored in the growth of our fine city. We are known for our cutting-
edge learning environments and innovative faculty, both of which stimulate the young minds that will lead us tomorrow.
As a place to think, create, be yourself, aspire
to excellence and go beyond, our students find many ways to grow academically and per-
sonally within our halls. And with 17 sports
offered and more than 65 clubs and activities, there are countless ways for students to culti-
vate friendships, pursue passions and have fun doing it!
I am delighted that your family is seriously
considering Tampa Preparatory School. When
you meet our students and faculty you will see how diverse they are in culture and interests,
which means here you will definitely find your place and your “tribe.�
-- KEVIN PLUMMER, HEAD OF SCHOOL
GROWING UP,
DOWNTOWN
Downtown Tampa is an amazing place
to grow. The service learning opportu-
nities, corporate partnerships that lead
to senior internships and the waterfront location cannot be found at any other independent school in Tampa Bay.
Our campus places students in the midst of a modern, energetic and
diverse environment. The talented professionals we call faculty members are dedicated to the task of keeping education—in the classroom, on athletic fields and beyond—just as modern, energetic and diverse as this city.
TIPS
FROM TAMPA PREP STUDENTS TO PARENTS
1
Teach us how to budget our time
before we start high school. If we’re over-scheduled, you might help by
suggesting a “one in, one out” policy
so that we don’t add too much to our plate.
2
As we get closer to graduation, start treating us like adults--we need to
learn before we leave for college and are faced with things like choosing an academic major and how to
3
properly load laundry.
Talk to us about the social pressures of high school, even if it’s uncom-
fortable. Hearing your expectations on everything from a “homework
before fun” ethic to driving safety will eliminate a lot of worry for both of us.
4
Teach us responsibilty and
practical skills we’ll need before we go to college like how to cook our
favorite meal, sew a button, balance a checkbook, pay taxes or change a car or bike tire.
5
Encourage us to ask for help when
we need it, whether it’s reaching out to our advisors, friends, coaches--or even to you!
ke e pi ng you i nvolve d Parents are an integral part of the
Tampa Prep community. The part-
nership between Prep and our families is vital for student success and
we are grateful for the valuable role parents play in our community.
Through the Tampa Prep Parents
Alliance, parents partner with the
school to provide support for many activities, events and programs. These volunteer functions, events like the Golf Outing or Spring Gala and special interest groups and gatherings (Dads Night Out! Book Club! Fall Family Festival!) are all essential to what makes Prep great.
There are also plenty of opportunities to learn from our talented faculty and staff or esteemed guest speakers at events hosted by our College Counseling Office, our Development Office and more.
TIPS
FROM CURRENT PREP PARENTS TO FUTURE PREP PARENTS
1
Understand you can’t protect them
from or prepare them for everything. They have to also learn from
experience (which can be hard
to watch sometimes, we know!).
2
Encourage them to take advantage of Tampa Prep’s resources. Join sports, lead clubs, start service projects,
visit a guidance counselor, get advice from a college counselor or alumni. There is so much available!
3
Stay positive and build them up--tell
them you love them and are proud of them. Attend their athletic and arts events when you can.
4
Set boundaries and talk about
balance. It’s not all about books--it’s about the complete experience.
5
Ask questions instead of guessing. TPPA has grade-level representatives, and there are Hospitality
Committee Chairs and parent ambassadors who will be happy to get you up to speed.
94%
PERCENTAGE OF FAMILIES WHO STAY AT PREP ONCE ADMITTED
23 ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES OFFERED
UNIQUE ELECTIVES * African American History * Bioethics * The Chemistry of Art * Engineering Design * Forensic Science * Francophone Studies * Film Critisicm * iOS App Development * Zombie Survival: Mythology,
Literature, and Culture of the Undead
A STEM CONCENTRATION WITH COURSES IN ROBOTICS, ENGINEERING DESI AEROSPACE ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE AND SOFTWARE ENGINE ING GENERATE EXCITEMENT AND CAREER PATHS. ROBOTICS CLUB, MAK CLUB, SCIENCE OLYMPIAD AND INNOVATION CLUB ROUND OUT OPPORTUNIT
STUDENT SUCCESS
100%
graduate with eligibility for at least one collegiate merit scholarship
30%
Tampa Prep applicants accepted to U.S. News & World Report Top 20 colleges/universities (as compared to 17% nationally)
29,256
community service hours completed by Upper School students in 2017-18. . . without it being a requirement
A PLACE TO THINK
IGN, EERKERS TIES.
MUSICAL THEATER PRODUCTION: THE ADDAMS FAMILY
VIDEO PRODUCTION: TPTV
ACTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR COLLABORATION & CREATVITY
SENIOR TRADITION: PAINT THE ROCK
VIRTUAL WORLDS ARE BUILT IN OUR UNITY VIRTUAL REALITY CLUB AND PRINCIPLES OF ENGINEERING CLASS.
YOU HAVE QUESTIONS...
Q. How do I know which is
the right school for my child? A. Differences between one independent school and another will become appar-
ent after attending open houses or shadow
visits. Such events often reveal the true phi-
losophies behind mission, programming, curriculum
and community. Ask lots of questions like, “What kind of
children thrive here?” and “How do teachers and administrators handle problems when they arise?” and consider how
the answers balance with your own child’s educational and
emotional needs. Talk to current students and ask them what they do and don’t like about the school. Additionally, pay at-
tention to who is there at drop-off and pick-up time, or attend an extracurricular activity like an athletic or arts event if you
can. Are there others with whom you could envision yourself and your child spending time?
Q. How diverse is Tampa Prep?
A. The faculty, students, families and academic offerings at Tampa Prep are all quite diverse. Students from all walks of
life interact with, become friends with, and really get to know each other in small classroom settings. An appreciation for diversity and acceptance sits among the top values and
norms for our community. With our rich mosaic of students, we strive to be a place of compassion, understanding, empa-
thy and learning. We celebrate our individual differences and honor the human dignity and worth of each member of our community.
MISSION WE HAVE ANSWERS
A PLACE TO: THINK CREATE
BE YOURSELF ASPIRE TO EXCELLENCE GO BEYOND MORE THAN JUST A COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL… A PREPARATION FOR LIFE WITH A HIGHER PURPOSE THAN SELF
Q. Why do students here use iPads instead of textbooks?
Q. How can I afford an indepdendent school? Is financial aid available?
media in our iPad one-to-one environment. Research be-
ture. We are committed to meeting the demonstrated financial
A. Learning comes to life when students incorporate multicomes more powerful and dynamic when students can view Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic speech rather than simply
reading the words. Languages are learned by interacting with native speakers, reference materials are presented in three
dimensions and students create multimedia projects to reinforce concepts. This creative, hands-on approach facilitates student-led instruction and peer-to-peer collaboration.
A. A Tampa Prep education is an investment in your child’s funeed of families whose children are offered admission. Cur-
rently, 22% of families at Tampa Prep receive some financial
assistance. To enable us to do this, with finite resources available, we review all applicants on a case-by-case basis. Tampa
Preparatory School’s Financial Aid program exists to provide the school with a broad social and economic mix of students.
ACADEMIC COURSES
ARTS DANCE
Dance Style 1 (6-12)
DIGITAL ARTS
Digital Photography (9-12) Journalism (9-12) Video Production (8) Introduction to Video (9-12) Advanced Film and Video (10-12) Broadcast Journalism (9-12) Yearbook (9-12) Web Design with HTML5 and CSS3 (9-12) App Development (9-12) Film Criticism 1 (10-12) Film Criticism 2 (10-12)
MUSIC
Beginning Chorus (6) Chorus (7,8) Beginning Band (6) Middle School Band (7,8) String Orchestra (7-12) Upper School Beginning Band (9-12) Upper School Advanced Band (9-12) Piano Lab (9-12) Guitar Lab (9-12) Music Studio Ensemble (9-12) Concert Chorus (9-12) Chamber Chorus (9-12) AP Music Theory (10-12)
VISUAL ARTS
Middle School Art (6-8) Sixth Grade Art Middle School Art 1 (7,8) Middle School Art 2 (7,8) Studio Art 1 (9-12) Studio Art 2 (9-12) Ceramics 1 (9-12) Ceramics 2 (9-12) Ceramics 3 and Ceramics 4 (10-12) Printmaking 1 (10-12) Printmaking 2 (10-12) Drawing and Painting 1 (9-12) Drawing and Painting 2 (9-12) Crafts 1 and Crafts 2 (9-12) Crafts 3 and 4 (10-12)
Sculpture 1 and Sculpture 2 (9-12) Sculpture 3 and Sculpture 4 (10-12) Cultural Art Studies 1, 2,3, and 4 (9-12) Advanced Art Studies (11,12) The Chemistry of Art (11,12) AP Studio Art 2-D Design (11,12) AP Studio Art 3-D Design (11,12) AP Art History (11,12) Introduction to Engineering Design (10)
THEATRE ARTS
Middle School Theatre Arts (7,8) Acting (9-12) Musical Theatre (9-12) Advanced Musical Theatre (10-12) Technical Theatre (9-12) Theatre Production (10-12)
ENGLISH English 6 English 7 English 8 English 9: Genres of Literature and Composition English 10: World Literature and Composition English 11: American Literature and Composition English 11: AP Language and Composition English 12: English Literature and Composition English 12: AP English Literature and Composition
SEMESTER ENGLISH ELECTIVES
The following one-semester courses are offered to students in grades 11 and 12. Humanities 1 (10-12) Creative Writing (11,12) Film Criticism 1 (10-12) Film Criticism 2 (10-12) English Literature: Renaissance to Twentieth Century (11,12) English 12: Book Arts (11,12) English 12: Poetry in Motion (11,12) English 12: Topics in World Literature (11,12) English 12: Zombie Survival: Mythology, Literature, and Culture of the Undead (11,12) English 12: Words, Sights and Sounds (11,12) English 12: True Crime Literature: A Mysterious Appeal (11,12) English 12: Graphic Novels (11,12) English 12: Frankenstein and the Modern Vampire (11,12) English 12: Shakespeare in Depth - Hamlet (11,12)
HISTORY AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES Geography and Civilization (6) World Geography (7) Civics (7) American History Survey (8) World History 1 (9) World History 2 (10) AP World History (10) United States History (11) AP United States History (11) AP American Government (11,12) AP Art History (11,12) AP European History (12) AP Economics (11,12) AP Psychology (11-12)
HISTORY ELECTIVES
Humanities 1 (10-12) Beginning Debate (9-11) Advanced Research and Rhetoric (10-12) Government and Civics (11,12) Contemporary World Affairs (11,12) Cultural Anthropology (11,12) African American History (11,12) Economics (11,12) Latin American Studies/Estudios Latinoamericanos (11,12) Francophone Studies (10-12) Psychology (11,12) Performance Psychology (9-12) Bioethics (11-12) Introduction to Law (11,12) United States Politics: Presidential Elections (11,12) - Offered every four years World Religions (11,12)
MATHEMATICS Mathematics Pre-Algebra Algebra Concepts (Introduction to Algebra) Algebra 1 Geometry Algebra 2 Advanced Algebra 2 Statistics and Probability Precalculus
Advanced Precalculus Calculus AP Calculus-AB AP Statistics AP Calculus-BC Calculus III with Analytical Geometry
PHYSICAL EDUCATION Middle School Athletic Requirement All Middle School students are required to participate in athletics during the school year. Students will be allowed to select from a list of options each athletic season to fulfill this requirement. Please keep in mind the following when making your selections: 1. Each student must participate on at least one team during the school year. 2. A student may choose the Study Hall option only once per school year.
Middle School Athletic Options: 1. Athletic Team •• Each student must participate on at least one team during the school year •• Options ▫▫ Fall - Boys Soccer, Bowling, Cross Country, Girls Volleyball, Swimming ▫▫ Winter - Basketball, Cross Country Training, Girls Soccer, Wrestling ▫▫ February Intersession - Rowing, Track & Field ▫▫ Spring - Baseball, Boys Lacrosse, Cross Country Training, Softball, Tennis, Rowing 2. Physical Education •• Offered in Fall and Spring seasons •• Not offered during the Winter Athletic season •• This option ends at the end of each academic school day 3. Study Hall Athletic Conditioning (SHAC) •• Space is limited to 30 students •• This option ends at the end of each academic school day 4. Study Hall •• A student may choose the Study Hall option only once per school year •• This option ends at the end of each academic school day When participating on an athletic team, student-athletes are expected to do the following: 1. Attend and participate in all team practices during seventh period
2. Attend each contest for which their team is scheduled
Physical Education/Personal Fitness & Health (9) Dance Style 1 (6-12) Athletic Conditioning (10-12) Introduction to Sports Medicine and Athletic Training (10-12) Emergency Medical Response (10-12) Performance Psychology (9-12) Fitness for Life (10-12) Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology (10-12) Applied Physiology and Neurology (10-12)
SCIENCE Science 6 (6) - Earth, Life, Physical Science I Science 7 (7) - Earth, Life, Physical Science II Science 8 (8) - Earth, Life, Physical Science III Robotics (6) Intermediate Robotics (7,8) Biology (9) AP Biology (11,12) Chemistry (10-12) Advanced Chemistry (10-12) AP Chemistry (11,12) Physics (10-12) Advanced Physics (10-12) AP Physics 1 (10-12) AP Physics 2 (10-12) AP Physics C (11,12) AP Environmental Science (11,12) Introduction to Engineering Design (10) Principles of Engineering (11) Aerospace Engineering (12) Computer Science Principles (11,12)
SCIENCE ELECTIVES
Organic Chemistry (11,12) Food Chemistry (11,12) The Chemistry of Art (11,12) Environmental Science (11,12) Forensic Science (11,12) Introduction to Sports Medicine & Athletic Training (10-12)
Emergency Medical Response (10-12) Marine Biology: Oceans and Life (11,12) Marine Biology: Resources and Conservation (11,12) Applications in Physics (11,12) Computer Programming (9-12) iOS App Development and Student Help Desk (9-12) Web Design with HTML5 and CSS3 (9-12) App Development (9-12) Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology (10-12) Applied Physiology and Neurology (10-12) Human Medical Disorders (11,12) Bioethics (11,12) Public Health (10-12)
WORLD AND CLASSICAL LANGUAGES Prima Lingua (6) French 1A (7) French 1B (8) French 1 (9) French 2 (9,10) French 3 (10,11) French 4 (11,12) AP French Language (11,12) Les Études Francophones (10-12) Advanced French Conversation Through Film (10-12) Latin 1A (7) Latin 1B (8) Latin 1 (9) Latin 2 (9,10) Latin 3 (10,11) AP Latin (11,12) Advanced Readings in Latin Literature (12) Spanish 1A (7) Spanish 1B (8) Spanish 1 (9,10) Spanish 2 (9-11) Spanish 3 (10-12) Spanish 4 (10-12) Spanish Language and Culture (10-12) AP Spanish Language (10-12) AP Spanish Literature (10-12) Estudios Latinoamericanos (11,12)
ACADEMIC CONCENTRATIONS: Arts, Global Studies, Humanities and STEM
Tampa Prep offers four dedicated Concentration programs for rising tenth grade students: Arts, for those who want to specialize in an artistic discipline, Global Studies for those who are passionate about international issues, Humanities for students who are passionate about the study of the humanities and STEM for those who relish the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Each of these programs requires students to select classes from a body of relevant coursework that lie at the heart of each focus. In addition, students must participate in one of several extracurricular activities that
complement each program. Participants must also attend a manageable selection of related events. The underlying goal of each Concentration is to equip graduating students with a range of experiences that prepares them for further opportunities in these fields, while also completing Tampa Prep’s graduation requirements. Students who successfully complete all requirements for a Concentration will be recognized at graduation. Learn more at tampaprep.org/academics/concentrations
GUIDING STUDENTS
Beyond college counseling, one of the most important facets of Tampa Prep is its intensive advising program. Many parents cite it as influential in their enrollment decisions and come to depend on it to keep them informed of both existing and possible or anticipated challenges. The goal of advising is to create a safe space for community. The advisor’s job is a complex one which requires considerable commitment and conscientiousness. He or she provides a reliable, communicative link between the advisee and his or her parents/guardians and teachers, particularly for students with a grade of C or below in a course. In addition, the advisor functions as the advisee’s advocate, and monitors and promotes the advisee’s academic and personal growth. An open, communicative relationship between parents/ guardians and advisors is important. Ninth grade teachers and advisors are particularly sensitive to the academic and social adjustments involved in being an Upper School student and communicate early and frequently when concerns arise about these matters.
ATHLETICS
FALL
Cross-Country (B,G) V, MS Golf (B,G) V Soccer (B) MS Volleyball (G) V, JV, MS
Basketball (B,G) V, JV, MS Wrestling (B) V, MS
Soccer (B,G) V, JV (G) MS
Baseball (B) V, JV, MS Rowing (B,G) V, JV, Novice Tennis (B,G) V, MS
Lacrosse (B) V, MS Softball (G) V, M Track & Field (B,G) V, MS
SPRING
Tampa Prep extends education beyond the traditional classroom in all grades. The goal is to deepen the student’s appreciation for, and understanding of, academic studies and to foster a deeper understanding of the self, the world, and other people. Individual classes may use guest speakers, take local field trips, role-play mock trials, or otherwise incorporate non-traditional ways of learning such as the Harkenss method, explained below. The following trips and projects are just a few of the many experiential learning opportunities which occur school-wide each year.
Class Trips
Students in grades 6-12 take class trips that range from local ropes courses (grades 9 and 10) to walking the Boston Freedom Trail, learning more about the American Revolution (grade 8) to swimming with dolphins in Key West (grade 7) to hiking and camping in Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina (grade 11).
Harkness Method
Bowling (B,G) V, MS Diving (B,G) V, MS Rowing (Club) Swimming (B,G) V, MS
WINTER
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
The Harkness table, Harkness method or Harkness discussion involves a teaching and learning method where students are seated in a large, oval configuration to discuss ideas in an encouraging, open-minded environment with only occasional or minimal teacher intervention. Most classrooms at Tampa Prep are set up to support the Harkness method, and most teachers employ it.
Senior Internships
Completion of a 70-hour Senior Internship is a graduation requirement. Seniors are counseled through the process of updating their resume, networking for a job search, preparing for and having an interview, and working in the job force. They blog about their experience.
3# Project
For the 3# project (3 lbs. is the weight of the human brain) students in Honors English resolve to learn something they have always wanted to try. This can be anything from playing an instrument, to cooking a vegan meal, to building a car engine. Throughout the process, they maintain a digital portfolio of blog entries, research and multimedia samples of their works in progress. Their portfolios are part of their final presentation in a gallery-style exhibition and are presented to guests.
Cookie Company Project
In Honors Economics, students form companies to sell cookies and other treats to the Tampa Prep community, applying and executing what they are learning in class. Each company has to present a marketing/social media plan and a business plan to a group of TP experts in hopes of receiving a business loan.
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