St. John’s Episcopal Parish Day School www.stjohnseagles.org
Juan and Chanley Lee did their homework, identifying half a dozen local public and private schools that, based on internet research, were the best candidates for their children’s future education. When the couple decided to move here from Georgia, selecting a school for their three children was even more of a priority than finding a home. During a pre-move, week-long visit, they toured the schools in contention, talked with faculty members, attended campus open houses and chatted with other families. Today, Nicholas, an 11-year-old fifth grader, Hamilton, nine years old and attending third grade and Bella, who is eight and in second grade, have all adapted nicely to St. John’s Episcopal Parish Day School in Tampa. Let the report card show those parents earned an A+. Serendipity made St. John’s the first stop on the tour of select private schools. All schools on the couple’s shortlist were impressive, Chanley recalls. Still, the longer they looked, the more sure they were sure St. John’s was the clear favorite. “We felt it was the place where our children would thrive,” she said. It didn’t hurt that St. John’s and the youngsters’ former school in Georgia shared a mutual mascot, an eagle, and students at both schools sported similar uniforms. “So there were some common threads there, but it was a really great fit for our entire family. From the moment they
enrolled in school mid-year, they were making friends, being invited to other families’ houses and making play dates,” said Chanley. For Chanley, who works part time in the health and wellness field, and Juan, a radiologist, the school has been a boom for them as well, enabling them to meet others and make friends. That’s no easy task when facing family and work demands, while settling in to a new city without the benefit of knowing anyone there. Juan is involved with St. John’s Dads Club, a school-affiliated volunteer group comprised of fathers and students dedicated to performing community service. Chanley has high praise for the teachers, as well as Lower School Principal, Lisa Stauch, who meets and greets students daily calling each by name. Homework is considerable, but extra-curricular activities are abundant and that helps to break up the hours of classroom time and after-school studying, to create a better balanced student life. Nicholas has a new found fascination for Latin, Hamilton’s developed an interest in drama and Bella displays a knack for speaking Spanish and creating art. “St. John’s really teaches kids to be independent, to use their time wisely and how managing their time can help them succeed and not be overwhelmed,” added Chanley. St. John’s is the oldest Episcopal school in Central Florida and second oldest in the state. It combines academic rigor with a nurturing environment that features creative field trips, cutting-edge technology, divinity lessons, visiting authors and artists, athletics and extra-curricular activities. M
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December|January 2014
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