Sagemont Prep Lion Life, June 2023

Our Educational Philosophy

Mel Nelson, Head of School

The 2022-2023 academic year was invigorating! We rebranded, launched innovative entrepreneurial and grade-level programming, focused intently on empowering student leadership, and reimagined and redefined traditions. I had a blast with our incredible educators and students through it all.

Having recently returned from the Week Without Walls adventure to the National Parks trips with the middle school students, I was ecstatic to have had the opportunity to explore three states in five days, go rafting at the Hoover Dam, kayak down the Colorado River, and on our first day, breathe the air in 5 different states! It was astounding! It confirmed the importance of our educational philosophy, grounded in a real-world application. Integrating real-world experiences can take education to a whole new level. This is why it is a vital component of our Educational Pillars.

Our incredibly caring and knowledgeable educators immerse our students in real-world scenarios daily, in and out of the classroom walls They know that application through project-based learning, internships, service projects, educational trips, and much more are core components to engage and empower our students to think beyond what is presented. Our students have gained a deeper understanding of the studied content through real-world applications. With a keen focus on incorporating our Educational Pillars, our students explore Intellectual Curiosity, Creativity, Analytical Thinking, Problem-Solving, Collaboration, Responsible Risk-Taking, and Reflection daily. Our educational philosophy provides students the tools to navigate challenges, think creatively, and adapt to dynamic situations- skills that cannot be acquired through passive learning.

The 2022-2023 academic year was incredible, with tremendous opportunities for small and large learning applications. If you missed the Signature Project Showcase at the Lower Camps, you missed seeing our "kinderpreneurs" holding an active marketplace. On the same day at the Upper Campus, our 7th graders presented at the inaugural Innovation Fair to practice the process of analyzing a process, product, service, or activity and modifying it to improve efficiency with a focus on human well-being, protecting and managing natural resources or general business activities. The day before, our 6th graders held an open market as they utilized the concepts learned in mathematics. Two weeks before that, our 3rd-12th graders explored the world outside the classroom in the Galapagos Islands, traveling throughout Nevada, Utah, and Arizona, exploring the National Parks, swimming with manatees in North Florida, learning from an FBI agent, and much more This happened in the last month alone, and I have yet to mention the many projects throughout the school year, discussions, and research that occurred yearlong. I am amazed by the incredible real-world application that occurs each day and the manner in which our students engage and explore.

Sagemont Prep educators recognize the tremendous value of real-world experience. We continually seek innovative ways to incorporate this into daily instruction to ensure our students are prepared to thrive in a dynamic, ever-changing, and complex world beyond the classroom walls. As educators, we never stop learning alongside our students. We are excited for 2023-2024 as we continue to carry out our mission with the students of innovation, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility. Thank you for sharing this incredible year with us!

Sincerely yours in transformative educational excellence,

Mel Nelson

Sagemont Preparatory Upper School

Felicia Myers, Upper School Principal

As we reflect on the 2023-24 academic year, it is impossible to list the numerous curricular and cocurricular achievements of our talented students. Over the course of this year alone, students launched the first-ever Community Service Fair, where community impact opportunities were highlighted, and participated in rigorous STEM competitions from Autonomous Aerial Drone Flight and Robotics in the brand new Innovation Hub on campus to the Astronaut Challenge at Kennedy Space Center. Students succeeded in new coursework on campus, such as theatre production and sculpture, building sustainable cities in Future Cities, and launching innovative products in various entrepreneurial classes and during the 7th-grade Innovation Fair. Our seniors successfully applied and earned scholarships through the College Counseling Class and finished their year creating passion projects designed to promote peace and wellness on and off campus through Youth & Peace in Action.

Thespians not only had a victorious return to state competitions, but drama students transformed the Black Box Theatre three times this year from their terrifying Haunted House, to the elegant cabaret-inspired Winter Follies to finally the depths of the jungle to experience Tarzan in collaboration with Sagemont Synergy. More students in the SCUBA club received their dive certifications and put their skills to the test when they participated in an in-depth coral reef restoration project. Students in our brand new Financial Literacy Applications class experienced realworld scenarios designed to prepare them for life beyond high school, and our original entrepreneurs on campus returned to their home away from home when Pride Rock was successfully re-opened. The re-opening of this collaborative space sparked new partnerships, where business-minded students have been selling their homemade products, and our student artists can proudly display and sell their artwork.

One of the major highlights of the 2023-24 academic year, was the much-anticipated return of the Week Without Walls program, during which middle school students had the opportunity to explore the national parks of Utah, Arizona and Nevada, as well as the high school international program to Ecuador and the Galapagos islands, where students visited the Darwin Research Center, climbed volcanoes, explored indigenous markets and traditions and swam with sea lions and turtles. Students participating in the local programming gave back to the community by packing over 15,000 meals with Rise Against Hunger and removing exotic plants and restoring the habitat for native flora and fauna at Long Key Nature Park. Students had behind-the-scenes access at the FBI Miami headquarters with their SWAT team, learned from graffiti artists at Wynwood Walls and became Pelagic Problem Solvers at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center.

Reflection is a core component of Sagemont Prep’s educational pillars. As an educational institution, we have placed a high value on self-reflection and designed opportunities for students to engage in metacognition while emphasizing a growth mindset. Over the course of the year, embedded within our Advisory Program, students developed digital portfolios to showcase their learning process. Students were encouraged to highlight times of failure and what was learned from the experience, moments of success and how they achieved it, reflect on what academic areas they were passionate about and perhaps academic areas students were surprised to learn they enjoyed, as well as areas they discovered they did not prefer. This process is critical to helping students create their personalized pathway to success.

As student-powered innovation is embedded in all programming, it is essential that students feel confident in their direction and can communicate their goals to faculty, other students, and of course their families. It was incredibly rewarding to witness students sharing their educational journey over the year during student-led conferences, from pre-school through 12th grade.

As we promote the self-reflection and growth of our students, Sagemont Prep is dedicated to continual improvement and consistently seeking new and innovative ways to enhance programming for students and families. If you attended the Curriculum Fair in January, you received a sneak peek of what to look forward to for next year, beginning at orientation with new parent and student workshops designed to enhance your understanding of school programs, technology, and events.

Sagemont Prep is proud to launch a new engineering curriculum, to include Civil and Aerospace Engineering and new entrepreneurship offerings, to include GloBus Strategy, and to be the first high school in Florida to provide Lean Six Sigma certification. We are committed to increasing rigor across the curriculum to include a new science graduation track to build on 8th-grade high school physical science and to require three additional high school courses, for a total of 4 credits, and revamping the 6th-grade science curriculum to include a larger component of Earth Science. In the English department, all 7th-grade students are required to take an additional writing course to enhance their research and persuasive writing skills and launch the TEDed talks as a staple of 9th-grade English courses. Students will have the ability to take the HOPE physical education graduation requirement on campus and have the opportunity to pursue new elective offerings in film broadcast, musical theatre and forensic science.

In addition, now that students have learned the value of building digital portfolios and regularly incorporating reflection in all their classes, the Advisory program will shift gears to include more speaking engagements, a continuation of the Lion Table Talk and the addition of Lion Legacy Talks, an alumni speaker program, and group lessons with an emphasis on social and emotional wellbeing guided by the school counselors. Week Without Walls programming is shifting in dates to January of 2024, to become a required off-campus engagement opportunity with enhanced local programming and internship opportunities, and of course, incredible distance trips with the Middle School heading to visit the waterfalls and volcanoes of Hawaii and the High School heading to the see the majestic pyramids and cruise on the Nile in Egypt!

We wish you an enjoyable summer vacation with family and friends, and definitely make time for some rest, as 2023-24 will be action-packed at Sagemont Prep!

Sagemont Prep Lower School

Monica Vigna, Lower School Principal

As Sagemont Prep closes out the 22-23 academic year, it is a time of reflection, one of our educational pillars. Our school’s vision, mission, and educational pillars continue to lead our work to fully develop all our students as global learners, innovators, inquirers, and creators. This work demands high expectations from our teachers, staff, parents, and students. Our community service, school-wide events, and curriculum reflected high achievements.

Sagemont Prep has a very active and hands-on guidance program. Students are exposed to lessons and character programs correlated to their age group and grade level, such as Cyberbullying, Safe Child, Character Traits, Archways, Great Kindness Challenge, and Red Ribbon Week. The Student Council, organized by our school counselor, led a successful year of community service, student government, and environmental awareness. Within these areas, fundraising allowed these groups to donate eco-water fountains around campus. The students conducted monthly meetings with a clear agenda of responsibilities, projects, and suggestions for the school year. In addition, the council was invited to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at Weston’s City Hall monthly meeting.

Community involvement is effective and implemented at all grade levels beginning in preschool. Students grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally through their friendships, relationships, and connections with the community. Students are presented with events and opportunities involving the community, whether taking them out of the classroom or bringing the community to them. For example, students celebrated the City of Weston Broward Sheriff’s office by having Bagels with BSO, a parade, cheerleaders, posters, and lots of school spirit. In addition, gratitude was expressed to the City of Weston Fire Department by inviting them to the Fruit and Food with Fire and a parade, music, chants, and presentation. Community members were also invited to our Annual Career Day to present and teach our students about their profession/occupation. In addition, all grade levels adopted a community service project where students made an impact on those particular organizations selected by them. In the end, students reflected on their chosen community service project's process, success, and result.

Sagemont Prep’s mission is to develop well-rounded learners that embrace diversity and culture. The Spanish department planned a schoolwide Hispanic Heritage Festival encompassing presentations, displays, artifacts, museums, and student-led projects. The Art department displayed artwork in the Weston Arts Showcase, and the Weston Celebrates the Arts festival. Selected students were recognized at the ceremony. The artwork was also selected and displayed in the local coffee shop with a cat-drinking latte theme. The physical education department promoted health and fitness through the lessons across all grade levels. Our school participated in the City of Weston Commissioner’s Cup, where students could walk, jog or run as one school family. The school earned 1st place for the most participants in the run. It was a funfilled day that brought awareness of health, wellness, and fitness. Sagemont Prep received the first-place trophy and a monetary price which was allocated for playground equipment and toys. The music department participated in local community events that showcased our Show Choir, such as the Tree Lighting in Weston. In addition, a student Winter Show and a Spring Show, “Around the World in 80 Minutes,” at the Lauderhill Theater were held. The Science department conducted explorations, dissections, experiments, gardening, and other projects aligned with each grade's standards. The innovation class enhanced coding skills as well as provided hands-on robotics lessons. Our inaugural Night of Innovation, facilitated by Code Ninjas, was a fun, educational evening featuring over a dozen STEM stations, each with innovative tech and a Code Ninjas Sensei ready to leverage the equipment engagingly.

Sagemont Prep provides a rigorous, dynamic, and caring learning environment. Sagemont Prep’s intentional pathways for students encourage authentic engagement. When students are passionate, deeper learning occurs. Students across all grade levels in preschool through 5th grade explored various topics through the Sagemont Prep Signature Projects. For example, Sagemont Prep’s early childhood department worked collaboratively to develop and enhance academic and foundational skills aligned with the Links to Learning curriculum. In addition, preschool worked on their signature project of Flower Mart, and Prekindergarten worked on the Bees and Butterflies Simulation project. These projects went beyond the classroom, where connections were made, and lessons became real for the students.

Students had the opportunity of having guest speakers, such as a florist and a beekeeper. Students were encouraged to inquire and

expand their knowledge of these topics. The foundational skills in kindergarten were further developed by incorporating entrepreneurship lessons across the curriculum. Students brainstormed businesses and completed a business plan. The students then presented their business plan to students at the Upper Campus Pride Rock Cafe, which is a business/coffee shop that the students run. Our Kinderpreneurs pitched their project to the Pride Rock students and had hands-on experience with how the cafe is operated and its responsibilities. Such jobs included but were not limited to cashiers, preparing the shakes, maintaining the cleanliness of the facility, pricing, marketing, and production. In addition, the business plan came to life when the students were taken to the local Publix to learn about departments, prices, replenishment of supplies, and customer service/care. Upper elementary students participated in dissections and NASA astronaut presentations and created their unique Shark Tank. The students were thrilled to display their projects at our First Signature Showcase Family Night. The families explored and learned about the other projects through the different classrooms. Students were to analyze each grade level’s project and search for the answers to the questions on their scavenger hunt. It was indeed a night of discovery and exploration!

Students at Sagemont Prep learn beyond the classroom walls. Students can apply their knowledge and educational pillars to real-life experiences. Our distance learning trips contributed to the further development of the school’s educational pillars. Students in 3rd grade traveled to Kennedy Space Center and participated in various space-related activities and stations. Fourth graders experienced animal life, an airboat ride, and Florida parks. Fifth-grade students learned about manatees and marine life and experienced a swimming adventure with manatees. Finally, students continued to learn beyond the classroom walls by participating in The Odyssey of the Mind competition. This competition taught students how to develop and use their natural creativity to become problemsolvers.

Imagine being faced with a problem that requires an original solution. It was frightening yet challenging to develop and test the prototypes. The Odyssey of the Mind team united and became great listeners, allowing all participants to see their strengths emerge in the final project. These skills and self-confidence will carry over to all areas of their lives. Odyssey of the Mind brought the classroom to life as students applied what they learned and combined it with their interests and passions to solve the unique open-ended problem titled “Where’s the Structure.” This program also emphasized teamwork, budgeting, time management, public speaking, and more. This international program is designed to help students at all levels grow as individual learners and team members and reach their full potential.

College Counseling

Tera Sweeting Upper School College Counselor

What a joy it is to reflect on the College Counseling experiences we have shared throughout this academic year. This year was the inaugural year for several initiatives to grow our college program and student knowledge. We launched the Senior College Counseling class, which was an incredible success. Senior students had designated time to prepare for their dream college, apply for scholarships, create peace projects, and more daily. Additionally, the introduction of the Lunch and Learn College sessions for our 9th-11th graders proved extremely valuable as we prepare the students to explore the abundance of opportunities after Sagemot Prep. Let us not forget our middle schoolers and upper elementary students, who also benefitted from college exploration workshops. It was a year filled with new programming to encourage students to understand the multitude of options available to them.

Our college staple events were refreshed this year with over 75 colleges in attendance at the annual college fair. The May 1st College Decision Day welcomed parents to celebrate with students on campus. Individual college visits were back in effect for the 11th and 12th-grade students with a higher attendance rate. It was a remarkable year for me as I completed my first full academic year in this role. There is so much on the horizon for 23-24, including a College Expo Week and more off-site college visits.

As we enter the summer months, Class of 2024 there is work to be done. This summer will be full of planning, college touring, and discovering the next steps for the future. I will be hosting a Summer Jumpstart Workshop in July and August before school begins. This is a valuable resource for rising juniors and seniors.

Parents, I encourage you to explore summer opportunities for your child. Click here for a list of options. The possibilities are endless, and together with your child, explore, as summer is a beautiful time to extend learning. I am always available to support you and your child, so do reach out to me.

I close by congratulating the Class of 2023. You are a remarkable group of talented individuals and you each made my first year incredible. Come back often to share your next journey with us!

C o l l e g e D e c i s i o n D a y

School Counseling

Luann Burrows, Upper School Counselor

As the 2022-2023 school year comes to a close, students will soon be rushing out the door with high expectations for a well-deserved, exciting summer vacation. At the same time, the administrative team is looking forward to a summer of intensive planning and preparation for a successful and innovative 2023-2024 school year at Sagemont Prep.

Last summer was the beginning of my first year at Sagemont Prep, and I was very impressed to be a witness and participant in the incredibly hard work that it takes to plan for a new school year. As our administrative team began to first debrief about the 2021-2022 school year, I quickly noted that COVID continued to be at the forefront of the conversation, especially its long-term effects on middle school and high school students and their families. Sagemont Prep successfully implemented the Advisory Program for 6th-12th grade students to ensure our teachers continually build meaningful relationships with each student to support their mental health and overall well-being.

The primary objective of our Advisory Program was to provide personalized support to students; having a designated mentor or advisor gave students a readily available, reliable resource to turn to when facing academic, personal, or social difficulties. Furthermore, advisory classes fostered a sense of belonging and connectedness within the Sagemont Prep community. By creating small groups or "advisory families," students formed more profound relationships with their peers. These groups provided a safe and supportive space where students shared experiences, celebrated successes, and encouraged each other. This sense of community helps to combat feelings of isolation, promotes inclusivity, and contributes to a positive school climate.

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School Counseling

Maritza Zea, Lower School Counselor

ForeveraSchoolCounselor

My most memorable job in education was working as a School Counselor at Sagemont Preparatory School more than two decades ago in reflection, one of the best decisions I ever made. I met with over one hundred students a week and spent my time either doing individual or small-group counseling, teaching social-emotional learning or planning my next lesson or program to help overallstudentwell-being.

My School Counseling program at Sagemont Preparatory was, in many respects, ahead of its time. The school’s leaders knew the benefits of embedding social-emotional learning into classroom instruction, which became part of a skill set I mastered. At first, going into classrooms was sometimes overwhelming but always invaluable and necessary. Working with students in their classrooms gives you additional insight into how they act and interact with others and provides the opportunity to deliver information and curriculum to all. I enjoyed the experience mainly because I had time to connect with students as individuals. I spent time with students that relied on school as theironlysafe,secureplace.

So much of the work I have done is about building, developing, and nurturing relationships with students,staff,families,andthecommunity.Ialwaysmademyselfavailabletoguideandsupportall studentsandfamiliesinanywayIwasabletoorconnectthemtotherightresources.

I have implemented various programs and initiatives throughout my tenure to foster kindness, character development, community engagement, a growth mindset, and overall well-being. Some impactfulprogramsthathaveshapedourschoolcultureandenrichedthelivesofourstudentsfrom preschoolthroughfifthgradearelistedbelow.

1. The Great Kindness Challenge: It is a global initiative that encourages acts of kindness among students. Providing students with a checklist of kind deeds empowers them to spread positivity and compassion throughout our school community. Students eagerly embraced this challenge, and all felttherippleeffectoftheirkindacts.

2. Character Education: Character education is integral to the school counseling curriculum. We incorporated lessons and activities emphasizing core values such as honesty, respect, responsibility,

and empathy. By nurturing these qualities, we aimed to develop well-rounded individuals who would positively contribute to society.

3. Unite Against Bullying: The school celebrates each October Unity Day as a standout National Bullying Prevention Month event. Unity Day focuses on promoting kindness and taking a stanceagainst bullying.

4. Red Ribbon Week: During Red Ribbon Week, we raised awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and promoted healthy choices. Through themed activities, educational resources, and discussions, we empowered students to make informed decisions and lead drug-free lives.

5. Career Day: The school-wide career day program created opportunities for the students to experience a diverse presentation of age-appropriate careers and learn the necessary educational skills needed for these careers and how one’s passions and interests can spark big ideas, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

6. Mindfulness: We introduced morning mindfulness practices to promote emotional well-being in early childhood through fifth grade. Students started their day with calming exercises, breathing techniques, and positive affirmations. This mindful moment at the beginning of the day helps them cultivate self-awareness, reduce stress, and enhance their focus on learning.

7. Walk In My Shoes (WIMS): The Walk In My Shoes program fosters inclusion by providing empathy-building activities designed to teach elementary school-aged children how to be respectful and inclusive of all children, especially those with medical conditions, developmental challenges, or learning differences.

8. Safer, Smarter Kids: The Safer, Smarter Kids is a sexual abuse prevention curriculum for early childhood and kindergarten students. Through age-appropriate lessons and discussions, we prepared the students with essential skills to navigate potential risks, including personal boundaries.

9. The 7 Habits of Happy Kids: Through engaging lessons and practical applications, we encouraged students to develop habits such as being proactive, setting goals, and practicing cooperation, ultimately fostering their personal growth and happiness.

10. How Full is Your Bucket Program for Kids: “How Full is Your Bucket?” program taught students the power of kindness and positive interaction. Students learned how words and actions could fill or deplete someone’s emotional bucket.

11. Community Service Projects: Engaging students in community service projects for each grade level from early childhood through fifth grade allowed them to see firsthand that social responsibility through advocacy for a cause of their interest cultivates empathy and appreciation for oneself and others.

Service Projects: Engaging students in community service projects for each grade level from early childhood through fifth grade allowed them to see firsthand that social responsibility through advocacy for a cause of their interest cultivates empathy and appreciation for oneself and others.

12. Mentoring Program: Our mentoring program, called “Sagemont Siblings,” paired National Honor Society High School students with elementary school students, fostering positive peer relationships and providing academic and social support. Mentors serve as role models, offering guidance and encouragement to their mentees. This program promoted a sense of belonging and facilitated the development of leadership skills.

13. Student Council and Environmental Club: Actively supported the Student Council and Environmental Club activities, allowing the students to take ownership of their school environment by planting, weeding, and caring for the garden beds. These student-led initiatives provided opportunities for leadership collaboration and decision-making, fostering a sense of pride and responsibility among students.

I found school counseling to be greatly rewarding as you have the opportunity to impact students’ lives positively. Through my guidance, I empowered children to navigate challenges, develop social and emotional skills, and achieve academic and personal goals. Partnering with the school leadership team that shared the same passion for our students’ well-being was critical to my success. With the support of the Sagemont leadership team, I built relationships with students and their families and saw them overcome obstacles, gain confidence, and make positive choices. I was fortunate to work with individual children and be part of something bigger: a data-informed school counseling program focused on students’ academic, career, and social-emotional learning opportunities. The lessons I learned helped me establish the Sagemont Preparatory School counseling program as it is today, an essential component of serving our students and meeting their

something bigger: a data-informed school counseling program focused on students’ academic, career, and social-emotional learning opportunities. The lessons I learned helped me establish the Sagemont Preparatory School counseling program as it is today, an essential component of serving our students and meeting their needs, not just as students but as young people. This is part of my legacy, my story… forever a School Counselor.

Mrs. Zea, our Sagemont Prep community, will miss you dearly. You are a true inspiration for us all. You loved us all unconditionally; you supported, you guided, you listened; you are simply remarkable. It has been our honor to be surrounded by your joy, sunshine, and positivity for over twenty years. We love you!!!

T H L E T I C S

Athletics

Shane Marcey, Director of Athletics

It's hard to believe the 2022-23 school year is coming to a close, but what a year it has been for our Sagemont Prep Athletics Program. Our coaches, teams, and athletes have much to be proud of as they continue to impress and excel on and off the field. Before I bask in the department's accomplishments this year, I would be remiss if I did not thank the exceptional individuals behind the scenes. Mrs. Nelson, our administrative team, my incredible coaching staff, our athletes that make so many sacrifices, and finally, our Sagemont Prep families that continue to support our programs and their student-athletes. This combination is what makes us the top athletic department in South Florida!

Recently, our department successfully hosted the annual Sagemont Prep Athletics Banquet. Traditional athletic ceremonies protocols were thrown out the window as we transitioned to a more student-athlete-led event with twelve new program awards! Our women's programming is getting stronger by the minute as the volleyball team is quickly returning to the level of success they were once accustomed to. Women's golf crushed the South Florida competition, winning the district and regional championships and finishing in the top ten at the state championships! Standout golfer Ariana Silva finished the year ranked a mear #1 in the entire state of Florida for all female golfers! Our men's baseball team had an incredible run, broke the school's single-season win record, and lost a heartbreaker in the regional tournament. Finally, we celebrated nine senior athletes who signed their letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level!

We continued our celebration of success on Tuesday at Grande Oaks Country Club, honoring our men's basketball team. If you didn't hear, they had a fairly successful year, winning our 3rd state championship! Tynan Becker was selected as Player of the Year, and Coach David Roe as Head Coach of the Year in Broward and Dade. The team, coaching staff, and administration were presented with their gorgeous state championship rings. It was an incredibly memorable evening full of delicious food, great music, fun, and surprises!

AWe are so very grateful for the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice of all the members of our department. We are incredibly excited to continue to build on this year's success! Be on the lookout for expanded programs and exciting new opportunities to get involved with Sagemont Prep athletics. Follow us on Instagram @sagemontprepathletics and look for emails for updates and information We wish everyone a relaxing, enjoyable, and safe summer. Until next season…..GO LIONS!!!

Innovation & Technology

Estefania Martinez, Innovation & Technology Coordinator

Sagemont Prep students are presented with innovative lessons and projects that increase student engagement, creativity, and collaboration from Pre-K through 12th grade. At Sagemont Prep, innovation means creating a learning environment that helps students engage with their teachers/peers and showcase their uniqueness. Both campuses do a phenomenal job of showcasing their innovative lessons in the classrooms alongside our robotics programs.

We partner with Code Ninjas at the Lower Campus, who facilitate our Innovation Lab courses. During Innovation Lab, students learn to code in a rigorous, safe, and inspiring learning environment with a game-based curriculum they love. Our Lower Campus also looks forward to expanding its current VEX curriculum to enhance the alignment with our Upper Campus Robotic Science Programs. Beyond science and engineering principles, VEX encourages creativity, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving among groups. It allows educators of all types to engage and inspire the S.T.E.M. problem solvers of tomorrow! The purpose of using this programming from Kinder until they transition to Upper School is to ensure our students can comprehend and utilize the VEX coding items and prepare them for the college level of coding. Using VEX curriculum allows students to envision a world where they have an opportunity to be inspired by the excitement of hands-on, minds-on STEM learning and the feeling of creating something with technology. Technology is continuously evolving, and our mission is to continue incorporating it and make it as innovative as possible.

At Sagemont Prep, we are already working on our elevated Innovation Hubs. Next year you will see an expansion within our VEX Robotics ecosystem, virtual reality, and artificial reality immersive learning programs across both campuses. We are so thankful for the Sagemont Prep Gala and all the generous donations received to make our vision happen! I am so very excited to see the future of our Innovation Hubs and the direction we are headed!

Entrepreneurship!

"My name is Mr. Jarvis Brown; I am one of the business economics instructors at the Sagemont Preparatory School in Weston, Florida. Since my employment at Sagemont, I have taught entrepreneurship, business management and law, ethics, AP Seminars, and environmental science. As a professional, I have realized that there is a synergy among these courses, and I have been trying to enhance the student body's perception of this hodgepodge. As an educational instructor, one of my tasks is to prepare students for life after Sagemont Prep and higher education. Due to various current events that have long-term implications, it is imperative to engage students in such a way that they can overcome any adversity with integrity.

In my time at Sagemont Prep, I have also been the business club sponsor. Over the years, I have inspired and advised numerous club members in entrepreneurial thinking. The students have realized that the fundamental characteristics and skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur are the same for success in life. This mindset has given our students the confidence through disciplined thinking and the acquisition of certain skills that they can accomplish anything they put their minds to."

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A Day in the Life

Written by Lion Life student editor, Serena Mair

With college application season rapidly approaching, Sagemont Prep zooms in on passionate juniors and their educational growth in the path of their intended majors and careers. Thomas Balding, a STEM-driven 11th grader in the class of 2024, has utilized the Sagemont curriculum to best guide him in the fields of astrophysics, calculus, and quantum mechanics.

The rewarding abstracts of the Upper School curriculum have lined students like Thomas to explore all their passions without limits. For instance, this year in AP Biology, he gained the opportunity to dive deeper into the complexities of life sciences and their interactions with one of his favored mediums, the field of mathematics. Currently, one of his key accomplishments is the design of the Antimatter Engine. Described to be a proton-fueled nuclear reaction that uses the decay of microscopic black holes to generate matter and antimatter in binary sets of particles, the creativity and flexibility of a project-based course, such as College Algebra, allowed him to dive deeper into topics of interest and its potential effect on the global scale.

To further his studies prior to his senior year, Thomas is currently taking Calculus with Applied Physics through a dual enrollment program and anticipates the pre-college summer experience at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Tying most of his key interests and knowledge together, we are elated to acknowledge Thomas’ acceptance and decision to complete an internship with NASA in the next few weeks. Working and contributing to the heliophysics department, our lion will be studying and measuring solar flare occurrences and electromagnetic activity to more accurately predict the cycles of the sun.

Reflecting on his past few years at Sagemont, many of the opportunities presented to him now would not otherwise be available without the support and guidance of key faculty and teachers on our campus. Being a two time recipient of the Sagemont Academic Pillar Award, through the mathematics department nomination, Thomas shared the significant contributions this recognition has made in aid of his self reflection and ability for community building. The small, family community built here at Sagemont has helped foster his dreams of entering the STEM field with dreams of gaining qualifications to be a spaceship pilot or possibly a flight mechanic for spaceships and eventually go discover the limitless, in space.

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ADRIANA OROZCO

E D U C A T I O N

NOVA Southeastern University

Early Childhood Education

Arturo Trejada Cano College

Fashion Design, Photography, Ceramic & Batik

I ignite curiosity within my students by fostering their unique imaginations and providing an environment where they feel confident expressing themselves. I model an open and inquisitive mindset when experiencing new and unfamiliar activities.

I love experiencing the world around us with my students through field trips. Being outdoors and learning about the real world can help improve their observation and critical thinking skills. It also strengthens the relationship between myself as a teacher and my students. Learning should be fun and explorative! I also enjoy reading books to my students. Books can bring the real-world right into the classroom and provide an opportunity for in-depth classroom discussions. Books ignite a discovery of knowledge and encourage exploration!

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CARMEN GARCIA

E D U C A T I O N

Florida International University

Bachelor of Child Development

Florida International University

Master of Educational Leadership, currently pursuing Concentration in Behavioral Therapy

I believe that allowing children to explore their own learning styles ignites their curiosity. I empower my students to ask open-ended questions and provide opportunities to test possible outcomes. Risk-taking and making mistakes are all part of the learning cycle.

It's crucial to create a genuine learning atmosphere for my children. By assisting the children in discovering the meaning in experiences, which is at the core of experiential learning, children concentrate on ideas that are part of life and the real world, in and outside the classroom. I capture my student's curiosity with subjects that encourage learning and are inherently motivating since they allow them to put the knowledge into practice immediately.

Mrs. Garcia serves as our Vanguard teacher , assisting the Sagemont Prep staff with professional development and innovative technology integration. Mrs. Garcia was also the Cooking Club and Comic Book Club Sponsor and hosted Little Chef's Cooking Classes!

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JOANNA IRIGOYEN

I ignite curiosity in my students by being receptive to their interests and giving them a voice and choice in their learning. Student-led learning provides them with the opportunity to incorporate their interests into the classroom and, in turn, foster a love for learning.

I empower students to become leaders by taking responsible risks. By creating meaningful and targeted ways to incorporate the “Sagemont Seven” skills into instruction, students are provided with the necessary skills to overcome any challenge they are faced with and become positive world citizens.

Mrs. Irigoyen was new to Sagemont Prep this year!! She is also a proud Sagemont Prep parent!

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HANNAH EYTALIS

E D U

C A T I O N

University of Iowa

Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education

Middle School Volleyball Coach, Lower Campus Assistant Cheer Coach, Assistant Athletic Director

At Sagemont Prep, I ignite curiosity by connecting students' interests to their learning and encouraging creativity in all aspects of their education. Students are naturally curious, and as a teacher, I love to foster that curiosity any chance I get. Connecting math to basketball or social studies to creating engaging digital presentations are ways I use their interests and creativity to foster their curious minds.

At Sagemont Prep, I equip students for the real world by striving to incorporate real-world situations into everyday learning. When students can connect what they are learning in the classroom to the world around them, they are able to engage in the curriculum in a different way than just pen-andpaper questions and answers. Instead, they can get a more authentic understanding of the skills and concepts being taught. For example, in the civics unit of our 4th grade Social Studies this year, I had my class create its own government within our classroom that included each branch of government, a constitution, rights, responsibilities, symbols, and significant landmarks. This allowed students to translate these more significant concepts into attainable thoughts and ideas using the everyday world around them.

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KIRBY SWANSON

U P P E R S C H O O L

T E A C H E R

E D U C A T I O N

Western Washington University

Bachelor of Arts, Education

Minor in History & Political Sciences

At the start of each class, I begin with current events across various media outlets for students. Here are events in the real world that individuals and nations must handle. The war in Ukraine, inflation, and the debt ceiling debate are all problematic, but creative individuals can change the world around them. History shows that many of these problems have been around for a long time. We looked at inflation and debt in the Roman Empire and race relations in the United States from its inception. The questions to my students are how do you see the world? What makes these events important to you now? How will you handle them today?

Some classes were involved in decision-making episodes. Here groups had to come to an agreement when placed in an event in history where a course of action had to be chosen. This has been good practice in collaborative decision-making.

Students’ curiosity and creativity come out when studying aspects of a civilization’s myths and beliefs in what guides life and death. One project that stood out after studying Greek gods was for students to create their own Greek god with unique powers and abilities.

In my teaching, I also convey the values that I find essential in my life, such as kindness, respect, light-heartedness, and humor.

SAGEMONT

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LARRY CURTIS

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor of Science, Finance & Accounting

Intramurals Sports Director, Middle School Basketball Coach

I ignite curiosity within my students by actively connecting learning material to real-world applications and events.

I strive to encourage resilience in my students by reinforcing that if they aren’t failing at least once in a while, they aren’t trying hard enough!

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MATTHEW GOLDBERG

Berklee College of Music & Barry University

Bachelor of Science, Education

Sunergy Singers Club Sponser, Keyboard & Guitar Club Sponser, Rock Band Club Sponser, Tri-M Music Honor Society Sponser

I invest in my student's interests to discover connections between the curriculum and the music they are passionate about.

My goal has always been to empower my students to utilize their knowledge of music and performance abilities in all of their aspirations.

Mr Goldberg is a Grammy Nominated educator who has worked several years as a musical director for Gioia Bruno from the group Exposé, recorded in Gloria Estefan’ s legendary Crescent Moon Studios, and performed with Rock

‘N Roll Hall of Fame inductees Bon Jov!

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ANDRE BRAZIEL

Men's Basketball Assistant Coach

I strive to consistently encourage my students to push the boundaries of their learning. Exposing them to new skills and techniques ignites their natural curiosity.

I equip my students to tackle the real world by providing them with real-life statistics and world views.

Sagemont Preparatory School embodies a transformative approach to private school education by focusing on intellectual exploration, innovation, and entrepreneurship, which inspires both academic excellence and a connection to real-world applications for each student.

Sagemont Preparatory School's curriculum fosters an appreciation for and cultivation of intellectual curiosity and creativity; adeptness at analytical thinking; a balance of self-directed, independent exploration and collaboration; pursuing educational endeavors with responsible risk-taking and reflection; and a dedication to social responsibility. Student-powered innovation and a spirit of entrepreneurship at every age are ingrained in Sagemont Prep’s educational philosophy.

Conservatory of the Arts students in 6th through 12th grade will explore all aspects of the art world through intensive visual and performing arts. Through our daily Conservatory Blocks, our budding and experienced artists will select offerings that include Costume Design and Construction, Stage Make-up, Theatre Production and Design, Theatre Writers, Musical Theatre, World Drumming, Piano Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Drawing, Painting, and Sculpture. Afternoon sessions are designed to provide intensive programming in Arts Portfolio, Theatre Production, Piano Lab, and Music Ensemble. Our exciting three-week intensive will feature a showcase of visual and performing arts.