School is not so much about buildings and physical structures as it is about relationships and experiences. Here at Academy at the Lakes, strong and meaningful relationships are the foundation of our community – students, teachers, parents, and friends all share similar values and hopes for the rising generation. Great care and consideration is made in the selection of our teachers. Our faculty not only sets the Academy apart from so many other places of learning, but also sets the tone for that which we are about - relationships! Children flourish intellectually, emotionally, and socially in this setting.
Our challenging, yet balanced curriculum guides, supports, extends, and enriches the natural curiosity of children. Students are the beneficiaries of the array of academic, artistic, and athletic opportunities that a small, safe learning community provides. They gain competence and confidence which pave the way for a future of independence and accountability.
Our curriculum blends the best developmental practices with tried-and-true approaches. As children grow intellectually they encounter educational experiences of a preparatory nature. Study skills, which we like to call tools for learning, are an essential element of this process.
The language arts programs engage our students as readers, writers, and speakers. Designed to expose students to a variety of genres, our students read for a variety of reasons. The writing process goes hand-in-hand with content reading. Enthusiastic kindergarteners are always anxious to share the exciting stories they have written! Math instruction puts emphasis on gaining a deep understanding of the key concepts and operations necessary for higher levels of math. The Academy’s primary and intermediate science program is a hands-on program, designed for young students with the support of the National Science Foundation, The National Sciences Resources Center, The Smithsonian Institution, and the National Academies. Our early childhood science program is made up of planned thematic investigations in alignment with the Florida Kindergarten Council’s standards.
The core academics are balanced with programmatic experiences in studio art, music, and drama. The exposure to a wide variety of artistic styles provides students with many new opportunities for self expression. Older students may participate in the choral ensemble, band, the strings program, or other enriching extracurricular offerings. Spanish instruction is introduced in kindergarten. Physical education is a lively balance of fitness and team games.
Learning must be tempered and given context, and the Academy is certainly the place where students are taught about knowing the good, loving the good, and doing the good. The virtues-based curriculum makes a difference in the lives of our students by stressing virtuous ideals. Honesty, loyalty, courage, and justice are but a few of the classic virtues on which we focus the minds, hearts, and hands of our students. Through core works of literature, meaningful discussions, the Day of Manners program, and our service organization, The Giraffe Club, the foundation for a successful life is exemplified. All Lower Division students are members of The Giraffe Club, where sticking our necks out for the common good is the focus of activity.
If I may answer a question, or if you would like the opportunity to chat with me, please don’t hesitate to email me. I hope that you enjoy your trip through our website.
Annie Kapetanis
Lower Division Director
