Spring Enrichment Issue 2026

SPRING 2026 ISSUE YOUR STUDENT. YOUR CHOICE.

THE PATH TO

PURPOSE

WHAT DOES PERSONALIZED EDUCATION REALLY MEAN?

SOAR TO EXCELLENCE PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL PREPARES STUDENTS FOR LIVES OF MEANING, LEADERSHIP, AND IMPACT.

EXCELLENCE FROM DAY ONE

| PALMERTRINIT Y.ORG

Palmer Trinity School is a premier independent, co-educational Episcopal day school for grades 6–12, set on a beautiful 60-acre campus. We empower every student to thrive in a world of endless possibilities through an exceptional academic program.

Beyond the classroom, robust programs in the arts, athletics, and global travel opportunities nurture the mind, body, and spirit.

For questions, please contact the Admission Office at 305.969.4208.

8001 SW 184th Street Miami, FL 33157

At Riviera, we believe At Riviera, we believe in limitless potential. in limitless potential.

Here, your child is more than a student.

Here, your child isamore than a student.

They’re a thinker, problem-solver, a creator, a leader in the making.

They’re a thinker, a problem-solver, a creator, a leader in the making.

We challenge them to go deeper — to ask better questions, act with integrity, and We to go deeper — to ask better questions, act with integrity, and stepchallenge into everythem opportunity with confidence. step into every opportunity with confidence.

Riviera graduates don’t just dream big Riviera graduates don’t just dream big —they deliver.

—they deliver.

A snapshot of the past five graduating classes.

Our graduates earn admission to top colleges

Our admission to top colleges and graduates universitiesearn across the U.S. and around the and across the U.S. and around the worlduniversities — including Columbia, Stanford, Duke, world including Columbia, Stanford, Duke, UCLA, — NYU, and McGill — reflecting the depth, UCLA, NYU,ambition and McGill reflecting the depth, rigor, and of a—Riviera education. rigor, and ambition of a Riviera education.

Beyond limits. Beyond expectations.

Go beyond with Riviera Schools.

Go beyond with Riviera Schools.

Beyond limits. Beyond expectations.

A snapshot of the past five graduating classes.

100% 100% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT COLLEGE ENROLLMENT

97,000+ 97,000+ HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

Over $48 Million Over $48 Million SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDS

Day School PK3 -School 5th Grade Day

6th - 12th Grade Preparatory School

Preparatory School

PK3 - 5th Grade

6th - 12th Grade

INSIDE THIS ISSUE SPRING 2026

FROM THE

EDITOR

Elizabeth Rivas

ON THE COVER PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL

is an independent, collegepreparatory, co-ed Episcopal day school serving students in grades 6–12 in the heart of South Florida. With more than 25 AP courses, a respected IB Diploma Programme, and over 30,000 hours of community service logged every year, the school measures success by the depth of character and sense of purpose its students carry into the world.

FEATURES 4 PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL Soar to Excellence

8 WESTWOOD CHRISTIAN Building the Next Generation While Honoring the Past

12 CONCHITA ESPINOSA

38 BETTER LEARNERS The Case for Immersive Education

PRIVATE SCHOOLS INSIDE COVERS

Palmer Trinity School Riviera Schools 3 Gulliver Prep 6 The Cushman School 6 Westminster Christian School 7 Westbridge Academy 8 Westwood Christian School

1 1 Kendall Christian School 13 Conchita Espinosa Academy 14 Miami Country Day School 14 Scheck Hillel Community School 17 Alexander Montessori School 19 KLA Academy

15 EDUCATION BY DESIGN

3 1 North Broward Preparatory School

Directory of Premier Private Schools in South Florida

20 Miami Learning Experience 32 St. Thomas Aquinas High School 32 Beth Emet School 33 Sheridan Hills Christian School 34 Westminster Academy 34 Summit-Questa Montessori School 35 Posnack School 37 Meyer Preparatory School

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Choosing a school is deeply personal.

My hope is that our issues provide clarity and reassurance as you explore the many outstanding private school options across South Florida. I hope this season brings your family a renewed sense of direction, meaningful growth, and the confidence that you’re planting the right seeds for what comes next.

10 Rambam Day School

20 The Growing Place School

21 FEATURED SCHOOLS

In this issue, we explore why immersive education works and how leading private schools intentionally design learning experiences that truly last. We also look at what personalized education really means and how meeting students where they are can build both confidence and academic strength.

10 L'Atelier

Setting the Standard for Spanish Education

Personalized or Customized Education. Which is best?

Every spring, I find myself thinking about how quickly children grow and how important it is to pause and reflect on where they are headed next. For many families, this season brings big conversations about schools, learning, and what kind of environment will help their child truly thrive. It is not just about where, but how they will be supported, challenged, and encouraged every day.

43 St. Mark's Episcopal School PBG

VOLUME 18 ISSUE 1 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Elizabeth Rivas MANAGING EDITOR Renee Mercer CONTRIBUTORS Editorial Team Valeska Rodriguez R MEDIA PUBLISHING, INC. P.O. Box 881554, Port St. Lucie, FL 34988 (786)346-3048 yourstudentyourchoice.com Private Schools Guide of South Florida is published by R Media Publishing, Inc. (RPM) and is distributed free of charge throughout South Florida. All rights reserved. Copying any of the contents of these publication without the expressed permission of R Media Publishing, Inc., is prohibited.

For a century, Gulliver has been an integral part of Miami’s story, shaping the hearts and minds of the leaders, innovators, and changemakers who define our city. As we celebrate our Centennial, we take pride in our deep roots and our role in Miami’s vibrant growth. From our historic past to the next 100 years of world-class teaching and future-ready learning, we remain committed to inspiring the generations who call this community home.

next100.gulliverprep.org

At Palmer Trinity School, we pair academic excellence with ethical purpose to prepare students for lives of meaning and impact. Spanning a beautiful 60-acres in suburban Miami, Palmer Trinity is an Episcopal, college-preparatory school serving students in grades 6–12. The School’s mission is to inspire students to learn, lead, and serve in a globally connected world.

Through rigorous academics, innovative programs, and a deep commitment to values and community engagement, Palmer Trinity prepares students not only for college but for lives of meaning and impact.

A CHALLENGING AND ENGAGING ACADEMIC PROGRAM Palmer Trinity offers a challenging and thoughtfully designed curriculum that encourages intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Students can pursue a broad range of Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, allowing them to tailor an academic pathway that reflects their interests and aspirations.

The School offers more than 25 AP courses, alongside a growing and highly respected IB Diploma Programme, providing students with opportunities to engage in university-level scholarship while still in high school. IB courses emphasize interdisciplinary thinking, global awareness, and research skills that prepare students for success at top universities worldwide.

Participation in these programs reflects the School’s commitment to academic rigor, supported by a learning environment that encourages students to ask questions, challenge ideas, and pursue intellectual discovery. Small class sizes—averaging about 14 students—allow teachers to know their students well and engage them in meaningful discussion and mentorship.

CONTEMPORARY STUDIES: CONNECTING LEARNING TO THE REAL WORLD One of the many distinctive aspects of the Palmer Trinity curriculum is its Contemporary Studies program, which connects academic disciplines with real-world issues. Courses in entrepreneurship, marketing, leadership, public speaking, media and publications, and global studies allow students to explore emerging fields and develop practical skills relevant to today’s world. Through interdisciplinary learning, students are encouraged to think beyond traditional subject boundaries and engage complex global challenges with creativity and insight.

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR AN AI-DRIVEN WORLD At Palmer Trinity, student agency is at the heart of our approach to technology. We empower students to leverage a suite of AI tools to enhance their analytical and creative workflows, teaching them to discern the right resource for the task at hand. Our faculty members are equally committed to this journey, actively engaging in ongoing professional development to stay at the forefront of these emerging technologies. Through this shared commitment to ethical use of innovation, we prepare students to be informed participants who thoughtfully harness new digital tools with both skill and integrity.

GLOBAL LEARNING AND EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION Learning at Palmer Trinity extends well beyond the classroom.

The School’s experiential education and global travel programs immerse students in hands-on opportunities that deepen academic understanding while building confidence, leadership, and cultural awareness. Students participate in domestic and international programs focused on language, culture, service, and environmental exploration. Travel experiences have included academic programs in Germany, Greece, Iceland, Namibia, China, and India, each tied directly to curricular themes such as STEM, human geography, conservation, and global diplomacy.

STRONG ATHLETICS AND ARTS PROGRAMS Palmer Trinity also offers robust athletics and arts programs that complement its academic offerings. Student-athletes compete at high levels across a wide range of sports, developing teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills. Meanwhile, the School’s visual and performing arts programs, encompassing theater, music, dance, and studio arts, provide students with creative outlets for self-expression, collaboration, and performance. These programs reflect the School’s belief in educating the whole student, nurturing both mind and talent.

A COMMUNITY GUIDED BY VALUES As an Episcopal school, Palmer Trinity places strong emphasis on character, compassion, and service. Students regularly participate in community initiatives, contributing thousands of service hours each year while working with organizations throughout South Florida and beyond. Each year, Palmer Trinity students complete more than 30,000 hours of meaningful service with organizations such as Breakthrough Miami, Branches, Chapman Partnership, Best Buddies, and more. This commitment to service not only strengthens the community but also helps students develop leadership, empathy, and a lifelong dedication to making a positive impact.

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE Palmer Trinity graduates leave the School well prepared for the challenges of college and beyond. 100% of graduates are accepted to four-year universities, many of whom attend leading institutions across the United States and internationally. More importantly, they graduate with the intellectual curiosity, ethical grounding, and global awareness needed to lead meaningful lives.

At Palmer Trinity School, academic excellence is not measured solely by courses or outcomes; it is reflected in the depth of learning, the strength of character, and the sense of purpose students carry into the world.

LEARN MORE AT: WWW.PALMERTRINITY.ORG | 305.969.4208

JOY + PURPOSE

Co-Ed, Pre-K through Grade 12 College Prep with 100% Acceptance Rate Robust Enrichment, Arts and Athletics Innovative Character-Focused Programming Virtual Academic Division 6th - 12th Grade

CUSHMANSCHOOL.ORG

20260305-TCS- HalfPage GradAd 7375x475_r01.indd 1

PRESCHOOL – GRADE 12

The Westminster Difference Empowering Learners. Inspiring Lives. Preparing Hearts.

Westminster students are bright and inquisitive, engaged with their communities, and growing in their faith.

Learn how a Westminster education will inspire your child’s future.

To learn more, visit: www.wcsmiami.org Admission: 305-233-4027 • admission@wcsmiami.org 6 | PSG

3/6/26 3:58 PM

What will you do with the most important years of your child’s life?

First Reggio Emilia Inspired school in Miami

ENROLL NOW latelier.org

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+1 305-662-2326

ourschool@latelier.org

South Miami

Ages 1 to Kindergarten

III Jornada Español Excelente Conchita Espinosa Academy hosted the III Jornadas "Español Excelente," a one-day professional development conference organized

by Spain's Universidad de Salamanca and Edinumen USA. The event brought together leading experts in Spanish language instruction to present practical strategies and innovations for K–12 and adult educators. The conference, which brought together Spanish language educators from across South Florida, took place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Conchita Espinosa Academy in Miami, FL. Featured speakers included Dr. Pablo L. Martínez Torres (Edinumen USA), leading a hands-on workshop on comprehensible input and its practical applications for Spanish language acquisition; Dr. Álvaro Sesmilo Pina (Edinumen USA / Universidad de Salamanca – MINELE), exploring how AI tools can personalize instruction, automate assessments, and streamline lesson planning in today's language classroom; Dr. José Miguel Sánchez Llorente (Universidad

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de Salamanca), highlighting academic bridge programs and training opportunities connecting U.S. students and educators with transformative experiences in Salamanca; and Prof.

Sonia Casado García (Universidad de Salamanca), presenting inclusive strategies and flexible assessment approaches for teaching across mixed-level Spanish classrooms.

The conference closed with a special performance of Estampas del Quijote by the Conservatory's upper school and high school dancers. Choreographed by Marisol Moreno, the piece draws on scenes from Cervantes' Don Quijote de la Mancha interpreted through dance. After students study Don Quijote in seventh and eighth grade, Spanish dancers have the opportunity to bring the story to life through movement, embodying the characters and deepening their understanding of the text.

Organizers selected Conchita Espinosa Academy because of its accredited Spanish program and decades-long record of excellence in promoting Spanish language and culture. The Academy's

Spanish program, Español Para la Vida, is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes, making Conchita Espinosa Academy one of only two primary schools in the country with this accreditation.

The school's language program — alongside cultural and artistic programming through the Conservatory of the Arts — has been recognized for its high-quality, curriculum-aligned work in fostering linguistic competence and intercultural awareness. Organizers have noted CEA's distinctive role as an Instituto Cervantes– accredited center in the United States.

The Jornadas are presented by Universidad de Salamanca and Edinumen USA in partnership with Conchita Espinosa Academy. The full schedule, speaker information, and registration details are available through the event listing on Edinumen's website.

Inspiring children to be well-rounded, creative, and kind human beings.

™ ESPINOSA ACADEMY

CEA provides a dynamic, intimate and nurturing environment that helps students grow into confident human beings with curious minds, healthy bodies, and strong civic, spiritual, and cultural values. Through its demanding academic program, Conservatory of the Arts, athletic division, and mastery program, students are challenged and inspired to grow as passionate thinkers and doers who make an impact on their communities.

Each child is seen and respected as an individual, keeping the spirit of love and respect that is the trademark of CEA and The Espinosa Method™.

l o o h c s a n a more th

EDUCATIN

• SINCE 1933 N E R D IL H GC

OS

THE ESPIN

S

TH GRADE

• K3 - 8 A METHOD

CALL US AT 305-227-1149 12975 SW 6TH STREET, MIAMI, FL 33184

ROOTED IN VALUES. FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE. Scheck Hillel Community School 18 months - Grade 12 19000 NE 25th Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33180 | 305.931.2831 | ehillel.org

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EDUCATION BY DESIGN Personalized vs Customized

Know the Difference Before You Choose a School

Y

ou have probably heard both words at an open house or two. A school talks about how they "personalize" learning for every student. Another one leads with their "customized" curriculum.

They sound like they're describing the same thing.

They're not.

For parents in the middle of a school search, that distinction matters more than it might seem. It affects how your child will be taught, how much say they'll have in their own learning, and whether the school's whole approach is actually built for the way your kid thinks and works.

Both models push back against the idea that one classroom experience fits every student. But that's roughly where the overlap ends. Here's what research, pedagogy, and actual classroom practice tell us about each.

Personalized Learning The U.S. Department of Education defines personalized learning as instruction where pace and approach are shaped around the needs of each

individual learner. Learning objectives, content, and sequencing can all shift depending on what a student needs and what genuinely interests them.

In practice, that means a teacher is working from more than a textbook and a pacing guide. They are drawing on assessment results, learning profiles, and what they observe day to day to make real decisions about how content gets delivered.

The curriculum itself does not disappear. What changes is how a student moves through it.

This idea is not new. John Dewey argued for learning rooted in student experience. Vygotsky gave us the concept of the "zone of proximal development," the sweet spot where a student is challenged but not lost. Personalized learning is built on both of those foundations: the belief that instruction works best when it starts where a student actually is, not where a calendar says they should be.

It is also worth knowing how personalized learning sits relative to two terms you will hear used interchangeably with it. Differentiated instruction adjusts how content is delivered to groups of PSG |

15

environment, student progress can still be measured by seat time. A student may be learning in a way that feels tailored to them, but they still advance with their grade at the end of the year.

In a customized, competency-based model, time is not the measure at all. Demonstrated mastery is.

It is worth knowing that while personalized and customized are often used interchangeably, academic research treats them as genuinely different things. Customized instruction varies what is taught, how it is taught, and the pace at which it is taught, all based on the individual learner's own goals. That is a meaningfully different promise than adjusting how a teacher delivers a shared curriculum.

learners. Individualized instruction modifies pacing for a single student. Personalized learning does both, and goes one step further by involving the student in shaping their own learning activities.

Which Way from Here?

Customized Learning

est answer is both, and each one is doing something genuinely valuable for different kinds of learners.

Customized learning flips the dynamic entirely.

Here, the learner is not just a participant in their education. They are the primary architect of it.

Instead of a teacher adjusting how a fixed curriculum gets delivered, the curriculum itself can change based on what a student is interested in, what they are working toward, and what they have actually mastered.

Charles Reigeluth, an educational researcher whose work has been central to the competency-based education movement, describes customization as a fundamental shift away from the way most schools are structured. In a traditional model, students move forward because a semester ended. In a customized model, they move forward because they are ready. His framework organizes learning around real-world projects, self-directed exploration, and mastery benchmarks rather than grade-level progression tied to a school calendar.

Here is the distinction that matters most for parents evaluating schools. In a personalized learning

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So which approach actually gets results? The hon-

Personalized learning has been studied longer and more broadly. Schools that use it have seen real improvements: kids showing up more, test scores going up, students staying engaged, and fewer dropping out. A well-known program in New York City built around personalizing instruction found that its students consistently outperformed kids in traditional classrooms. That kind of evidence adds up over time.

What the research also found is that the schools getting the best results were not necessarily the ones with the fanciest technology. They were the ones where teachers actually knew their students, where learning plans connected to real goals, where mentorship was ongoing, and where students could see their work mattering beyond the classroom. The relationship between student and educator turned out to be the most important variable. That is worth remembering when you are evaluating any school, regardless of what model they use.

The Joy of Discovery Unlock your child’s love of learning at our four scenic campuses

PALMETTO BAY CAMPUS Toddler & Preschool Program (AGES 11/2 - 6)

OLD CUTLER ROAD CAMPUS Toddler & Preschool Program (AGES 2 - 6)

RED ROAD CAMPUS Preschool Program (AGES 3 - 6)

LUDLAM ROAD CAMPUS Elementary Program (GRADES 1 - 5)

305.665.6274 alexandermontessori.com FREE shuttle bus from our Red Road location to all of our campuses.

Alexander Montessori School does not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, or ethnic origin. DCF licenses C11MD1411, C11MD1215

Customized and competency-based learning has a younger but equally compelling story. These models have not been around as long and are harder to build from the ground up, which is part of why the research base is still growing. But what exists is meaningful.

Schools that have fully committed to this approach are seeing fewer students chronically absent, stronger preparation for life after graduation, and something that is harder to measure but just as important: kids who are genuinely invested in their own education.

For families whose children have never quite fit the traditional mold, that last piece is significant.

Customized learning environments, including microschools, competency-based programs, and progressive independent schools, are producing graduates who know how to direct their own learning, advocate for themselves, and move into the world with a clearer sense of purpose. That is not a small outcome. It is arguably the whole point.

The question for your family is not which model has more studies behind it. It is which model is built for the way your child actually learns.

What to Look for?

As you move through the admissions process, it helps to know the right questions to ask. Schools are doing their best to communicate what makes them distinctive, and these two terms, personalized and customized, carry real meaning when you know what to listen for. These four questions will help you get to the heart of it.

1.

Who drives your child's learning? If it is primarily the teacher adjusting how content gets delivered, that is personalized learning. If your child has real input into what they study and how they demonstrate what they know, that is customized.

Both are valuable. Knowing which one you are looking at helps you evaluate fit.

2. How does a student move forward? Does a student advance because the school year ended, or because they demonstrated real mastery?

3. Can you see a learning plan? Ask for an actual example, not just a description. Schools doing this well will be proud to show you one.

4. How much of this depends on your child?

Personalized learning works well for students who thrive with teacher guidance and clear structure.

Customized learning tends to suit kids who are self-directed and ready for real ownership of their education. Neither is better. But one is likely a better fit for your child, and that is the conversation worth having.

At the end of the day, personalized and customized learning are both meaningful approaches, and private schools are increasingly at the forefront of bringing them to life in ways that truly serve individual students. One tailors the journey through a shared curriculum with a skilled teacher guiding the way. The other hands your child a larger role in designing the journey itself. Neither is superior. They are built for different learners, and the best private schools understand that distinction deeply.

What sets leading independent and private schools apart is not just their commitment to smaller class sizes or rigorous academics. It is their willingness to ask harder questions about how each child learns best and to build programs around the answers. The most forward-thinking schools are investing in the relationships, mentorship structures, and individualized planning that research consistently identifies as the real drivers of student success. Technology supports that work, but it does not replace it. The schools worth your attention are the ones where the tools serve the teacher-student relationship, not the other way around.

So as you move through your search, look for schools that can speak specifically about what learning looks like for a child who does not fit neatly in the middle.

Ask what a typical week looks like. Ask to see a learning plan. Ask how students move forward and who helps them get there. Private schools that are genuinely doing this work will not just have answers to those questions. They will be glad you asked.

That is the conversation that leads you to the right fit.

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Growing Faith, Hearts and Minds since 1963

WHY TGPS?

OUR MISSION TGPS is committed to providing an inclusive, faith-based education for children ages 1 through 5th Grade, preparing them for entrance into diverse community middle school programs, and cultivating a community of spiritual, compassionate, creative, and thriving world citizens.

Empowering Student-Centered Education S.T.R.E.A.M. Project-Based Learning Faith-Based Values Community Collaboration Award-Winning Environmental Studies Exceptional Extracurricular Courses

536 Coral Way Coral Gables, FL, 33134 305-446-0846 Toddlers (Ages 1 to 2)

The place for special needs QUALITY • AFFORDABLE • INNOVATIVE

At MLE, individuals with special needs, ages 5 to adulthood, are seen, heard, and empowered. Every student or adult who walks through our doors finds a place of warmth, encouragement, and growth. Here, communication becomes possible, friendships are formed, independence is nurtured, and joy is found in everyday milestones.

l needs

For Students

mleschool.org • mle@mleschool.org • 305-275-5900 5651 SW 82nd Avenue Road. Miami. FL 33143

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Learn more about TGPS!

Preschool (Ages 3 to 4)

Elementary (K - 5th Grade)

DCF license #C11MD0470

PSG |

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7 23

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FEATURED PRIVATE SCHOOLS

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

9

7 3 3

7

17

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11 5 5

25

6 22

21

15

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ALEXANDER MONTESSORI SCHOOL INDEPENDENT / NON-SECTARIAN 1.

Alexander Montessori School w

2.

Conchita Espinosa Academy

3.

The Cushman School w

4.

Gulliver Prep

5.

Highpoint Academy w

6.

KLA Academy

7.

KLA Schools

8.

L'Atelier

9.

Miami Country Day School w

10. Riviera Schools

FAITH-BASED SCHOOLS 11.

Belen Jesuit Preparatory School

12. Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart 13. Christopher Columbus High School w 14. The Growing Place School w 15. Immaculata-La Salle High School 16. Kendall Christian School 17.

Palmetto Bay Campus Preschool 18 mos. - 6 years 17800 Old Cutler Road Miami FL 33157 (305) 969-1814 Old Cutler Road Campus Preschool 2 - 6 years 14400 Old Cutler Road Miami FL 33158 (305) 233-4540 Ludlam Road Campus Elementary 6 - 12 years 14850 SW 67th Avenue Miami FL 33158 (305) 235-3995 Red Road Campus Preschool 3 - 6 years 6050 SW 57th Avenue Miami FL 33143 (305) 665-6274

MONTESSORI SCHOOL

19. Palmer Trinity School w 20. Rambam Day School w

23. Scheck Hillel Community School w 24. Westminster Christian School w

Upper School Campus 9th - 12th Grade 6575 North Kendall Drive Pinecrest, FL 33156 (305) 666-7937

www.gulliverprep.org

INDEPENDENT COLLEGE PREP

HIGHPOINT ACADEMY PK2 - 8th Grade Main Campus 12101 SW 34th Street Miami, FL 33175 (305) 552-0202

18. Our Lady of Lourdes Academy

22. St. Philip's Episcopal School w

Marian C. Krutulis PK-8 Campus PK - 8th Grade 12595 Red Road Coral Gables, FL 33156 (305) 665-3593

www.alexandermontessori.com

Miami Christian School

21. St. Brendan High School w

GULLIVER PREP

CONCHITA ESPINOSA ACADEMY PK3 - 8th Grade 12975 SW 6th Street Miami, FL 33184 (305) 227-1149

Coral Way Campus 9850 SW 24th Street Miami, FL 33165 (305) 552-0208

www.highpointacademy.com

25. Westwood Christian School

www.conchitaespinosa.com

ALTERNATIVE/SPECIALIZED

INDEPENDENT PRIVATE SCHOOL

BILINGUAL PRIVATE SCHOOL

THE CUSHMAN SCHOOL PK2 - 12th Grade

KLA ACADEMY 3 Months - 5th Grade

592 NE 60th Street Miami, FL 33137 (305) 757-1966

375 SW 15th Road Miami, FL 33129 (305) 377-0391

www.cushmanschool.org

klaacademy.org

INDEPENDENT COLLEGE PREP

REGGIO EMILIA INSPIRED PRIVATE SCHOOL

26. Miami Learning Experience School 27. Westbridge Academy (Christian)

w Indicates a school that offers minor support for students with mild learning difficulties/differences

KLA SCHOOLS

L'ATELIER Ages 1 - Kindergarten

KLA Schools of Aventura 12 Months - 5 years 20301 Biscayne Blvd.

Aventura, FL 33180 (305) 931-2322

5960 SW 71 Street Miami, FL 33143 (305) 662-2326

www.latelier.org REGGIO EMILIA INSPIRED SCHOOL

KLA Schools of Coral Gables 3 Months - 5 years 4573 Ponce De Leon Blvd.

Coral Gables, FL 33146 (305) 668-0552

KLA Schools of Doral 12 Months - 5 years (offers VPK) 10400 NW 33rd Street #100 Miami, FL 33172

KLA Schools of North Bay Village 3 Months - 5 years 7800 Hispanola Avenue North Bay Village, FL 33141 (305) 865-2678

KLA Schools of North Miami Beach 3 Months - 5 years (Offers VPK) 13702 Biscayne Blvd.

North Miami Beach, FL 33181 (305) 697-8018

KLA Schools of Palmetto Bay 3 Months - 5 years 14875 S. Dixie Highway, Unit B Miami, FL 33176 (305) 233-0130

KLA Schools of West Kendall 3 Months - 5 years (Offers VPK/SR) 8950 SW 137th Avenue Miami, FL 33186 (305) 387-2480

MIAMI COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL PK - 12th Grade 601 NE 107th Street Miami, FL 33161 (305) 779-7230 www.miamicountryday.org INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL

CARROLLTON SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART PK3 - 12th Grade 3747 Main Highway Coconut Grove, FL 33133 (305) 446-5673 www.carrollton.org ALL GIRLS CATHOLIC PREP SCHOOL

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL All-boys 9th - 12th Grade

30000 SW 87th Ave Miami, FL 33165 (305) 223-5650 x2256 www.columbushs.com ROMAN CATHOLIC COLLEGE PREP

RIVIERA SCHOOLS Riviera Day School PK - 5th Grade 6800 Nervia Street Coral Gables, FL 33146 (305) 666-1856 Riviera Preparatory School 6th - 12th Grade 9775 SW 87th Avenue Miami, FL 33176 (786) 300-0300

www.rivieraschools.com

THE GROWING PLACE SCHOOL Preschool - Elementary Toddlers - 5th Grade 536 Coral Way Coral Gables, FL 33134 305-446-0846 thegrowingplace.school CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

DAY SCHOOL AND COLLEGE PREP

BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY All-boys 6th - 12th Grade

IMMACULATA-LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL 9th - 12th Grade

500 SW 127th Avenue Miami, FL 33184 (305) 223-8600

3601 South Miami Avenue Miami, FL 33133 (305) 854-2334

www.klaschools.com

www.belenjesuit.org

REGGIO EMILIA INSPIRED PRIVATE SCHOOL

CATHOLIC COLLEGE PREPARATORY

www.ilsroyals.com CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

KENDALL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL PK1- 6th Grade Grades 7-8 Coming Soon

RAMBAM DAY SCHOOL

WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

5950 N. Kendall Drive Pinecrest, FL 33156 (305) 666-6628

6855 SW 152 Street Palmetto Bay, FL 33157 (305) 233-2030

www.tbam.org/rambam

www.wcsmiami.org

CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

CHRISTIAN PRIVATE SCHOOL

MIAMI CHRISTIAN SCHOOL PK - 12th Grade

ST. BRENDAN HIGH SCHOOL 9th - 12th Grade

WESTWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

200 NW 109 Avenue Miami, FL 33172 (305) 221-7754

2950 SW 87th Ave Miami, FL 33165 (305) 223-5181

5801 SW 120th Ave Miami, FL 33183 (305) 274-3380

www.miamichristian.org

www.stbrendanhigh.org

CHRISTIAN PRIVATE SCHOOL

CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

CHRISTIAN PRIVATE SCHOOL

OUR LADY OF LOURDES ACADEMY All-girls 9th - 12th Grade

ST. PHILIP'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PK3 - 5th Grade

MIAMI LEARNING EXPERIENCE K - 12th & Adult Continuing Education

5525 SW 84 Street Miami, FL 33143 (305) 667-1623

1121 Andalusia Avenue Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 444-6366

5651 SW 82nd Ave Road Miami Fl 33143 (305) 275-5900

www.stphilips.org

www.mleschool.org

CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

INDEPENDENT EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

SPECIAL EDUCATION

PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL 6th - 12th Grade

SCHECK HILLEL COMMUNITY SCHOOL 18 Months - 12th Grade

WESTBRIDGE ACADEMY 2nd - 5th Grade

7900 SW 176th Street Miami, FL 33157 (305) 251-2230

19000 NE 25th Ave North Miami Beach, FL 33180 (305) 931-2831

7701 SW 98 Street Miami, FL 33156 (305) 432-1727

www.palmertrinity.org

eHillel.org

www.westbridgemiami.org

EPISCOPAL COLLEGE PREP

JEWISH COLLEGE PREP

LANGUAGE-BASED LEARNING CHALLENGES

8485 SW 112 Street Miami, FL 33156 (305) 271-3723

www.kendallchristian.com

www.olla.org

18 Months - 5th Grade

PreK 3 - 12th Grade

PreK 2 - 12th Grade

www.westwoodchristian.org

FEATURED PRIVATE SCHOOLS

BROWARD COUNTY

2 1

INDEPENDENT / NON-SECTARIAN 1.

2.

KLA Schools North Broward Preparatory School

3. NSU University School w 4. Pine Crest School 5.

Summit Questa Montessori School w

FAITH-BASED SCHOOLS 6. Beth Emet School 7. Parkway Christian School

4

8. Posnack - Hochberg Lower School w 9. Posnack School w 10. Sheridan Hills Christian School w

12 1

11. St. Thomas Aquinas High School w 12. Westminster Academy w

11

7 3 6 9

5 10

1

8

w Indicates a school that offers minor support for students with mild learning difficulties/differences

KLA SCHOOLS KLA Schools of Pembroke Pines 3 Months - 5 Years (Offers VPK) 18055 NW 8th Street Pembroke Pines, FL 33029 (954) 443-6168 KLA Schools of Fort Lauderdale 3 Months - 5 years 2857 E. Oakland Park Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 (954) 530-1960

SUMMIT-QUESTA MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Toddler - Middle School

POSNACK SCHOOL Junior K - 12th Grade

5451 SW 64th Avenue Davie, FL 33314 (954) 584-3466

5810 S. Pine Island Road Davie, FL 33328 (954) 583-6100

www.summitquesta.com

www.posnackschool.org

MONTESSORI SCHOOL

JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

KLA Schools of Coconut Creek 3 Months - Kindergarten (Offers VPK) 6310 N State Road 7 Coconut Creek, FL 33073 (954) 571-8019

www.klaschools.com REGGIO EMILIA INSPIRED PRIVATE SCHOOL

NORTH BROWARD PREP SCHOOL Early Childhood PK3 – Grade 12

BETH EMET SCHOOL

Kindergarten - 8th Grade

SHERIDAN HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pre-K - 12th Grade

4807 South Flamingo Road Cooper City, FL 33330 (954) 680-1882

3751 Sheridan Street Hollywood, FL 33021 (954) 966-7995

www.bethemetschool.org

www.shcssharks.com

JEWISH ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL

CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

7600 Lyons Road Coconut Creek, FL 33073 (954) 621-2746 www.nbps.org NORD ANGLIA EDUCATION SCHOOL

PARKWAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL PreK 2 - 8th Grade

NSU UNIVERSITY SCHOOL

Preschool (starting at 18 months) – 12th

3375 SW 75 Ave Davie, FL 33314 (954) 262-4506

1200 S. Flamingo Road Davie, FL 33325 (954) 424-6425 www.pcs-fl.net

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL 9th - 12th Grade 2801 SW 12 Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 (954) 581-0700 www.aquinas-sta.org

CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL - MIDDLE SCHOOL

CATHOLIC COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL

HOCHBERG LOWER SCHOOL K - 5th Grade

WESTMINSTER ACADEMY PK2 – 12th Grade

412 SW 11th Street Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 (954) 299-3600

5601 North Federal Highway Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 (954) 771-4600

www.posnackschool.org

www.wa.edu

JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

CHRISTIAN COLLEGE PREP

www.uschool.nova.edu INDEPENDENT COLLEGE PREP

PINE CREST SCHOOL PK4 – 12th Grade 1501 NE 62nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 (954) 492-4100 www.pinecrest.edu INDEPENDENT COLLEGE PREP

6

2

9 3

FEATURED PRIVATE SCHOOLS

3

PALM BEACH COUNTY 5

8

12

11

INDEPENDENT / NON-SECTARIAN 1.

2.

3.

4.

KLA Schools Oxbridge Academy w Palm Beach Day Academy w Pine Crest School

5.

The Greene School 1

FAITH - BASED/RELIGIOUS 6. All Saints Catholic School w 7. Donna Klein Jewish Academy 8. Meyer Preparatory w 9. Rosarian Academy w 10. Spanish River Christian School 11. St. Mark's Episcopal School w

1

2

9 3

ALTERNATIVE/SPECIALIZED

5

12. Atlantis Academy Palm Beach

w Indicates a school that offers support for students with minor learning difficulties/differences not exceptionalities.

12

10

4 7

1

1

3

KLA SCHOOLS KLA Schools of Boynton Beach 3 Months - 5 years (Offers VPK) 1601 N Congress Avenue Boynton Beach, FL 33426 (561) 735-1042 KLA Schools of Lake Worth 6 weeks - 5 years (Offers VPK) 4945 Via Bari Lake Worth, FL 33463 (561) 432-9559

THE GREENE SCHOOL

ROSARIAN ACADEMY

2001 South Dixie Highway West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 293-2888

807 North Flagler Drive West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 832-5131

www.thegreeneschool.com

www.rosarian.org

INDEPENDENT COLLEGE PREP

INDEPENDENT COED CATHOLIC SCHOOL

ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL PK4 – 8th Grade

SPANISH RIVER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL PK3 – 8th Grade

1759 Indian Creek Parkway Jupiter, FL 33458 (561) 748-8994

2400 Yamato Road Boca Raton, FL 33431 (561) 994-5006

www.allsaintsjupiter.org

spanishriverchristianschool.com

PREMIER CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PRESBYTERIAN PRIVATE SCHOOL

DONNA KLEIN JEWISH ACADEMY K - 12th Grade

ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PK2 - 8th Grade

9701 Donna Klein Boulevard Boca Raton, FL 33428 (561) 852-3300

3395 Burns Road Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 (561)622-1504

www.dkja.net

www.stmarkspbg.org

JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL

EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

ARTHUR I. MEYER JEWISH PREPARATORY SCHOOL Junior K - 8th

ATLANTIS ACADEMY PALM BEACH

PreK – 12th Grade

12 Months – 8th Grade

www.klaschools.com REGGIO EMILIA INSPIRED PRIVATE SCHOOL

OXBRIDGE ACADEMY

Middle School 6th – 8th Grade High School 9th-12th 3151 N. Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33409 (561) 972-9826 www.oapb.org INDEPENDENT COLLEGE PREP

PALM BEACH DAY ACADEMY Lower School PK-2 - 3rd Grade 1901 South Flagler Drive West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 832-8815 Upper School 4th - 8th Grade 241 Seaview Ave Palm Beach, FL 33480 (561) 655-1188

www.pbday.org INDEPENDENT PRIVATE SCHOOL

PINE CREST SCHOOL PK4 – 8th Grade

2700 St Andrews Blvd Boca Raton, FL 33434 (561) 852-2800 www.pinecrest.edu INDEPENDENT COLLEGE PREP

5225 Hood Road Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 (561) 686-6520 www.meyerprep.org

JEWISH COLLEGE PREP

K - 12th Grade

1950 Prairie Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (561) 642-3100 www.AtlantisAcademy.com

SPECIAL EDUCATION

FEATURED PRIVATE SCHOOLS

ONLINE & DISTANCE LEARNING South Florida

ONLINE PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Map points designate global campuses or physical school communities for in-person connections

1. Dwight Global Online School 2. Cushman Virtual 2. Westminster Christian Online

DWIGHT GLOBAL ONLINE SCHOOL 6th - 12th Global Network of International Baccalaureate World Schools with Virtual Classrooms and Campuses in New York, London, Shanghai, Seoul, Dubai, and soon Hanoi

(212) 724-2420

www.dwight.global PRIVATE DAY SCHOOL • BOARDING • ONLINE SCHOOL

CUSHMAN VIRTUAL

WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN ONLINE

6th - 12th

6th - 12th

A personalized and flexible world-class education and college preparatory experience with flexible scheduling and unique opportunities.

Westminster Christian Online is ideal for families who desire a non-traditional, self-paced, Christ-centered and academically rigorous educational experience for their children in grades 6-12.

(305) 757-1966

www.cushmanvirtual.org INDEPENDENT COLLEGE PREP

(305) 233-4027

www.wcsmiami.org CHRISTIAN PRIVATE SCHOOL

DISCOVER YOUR PASSIONS

JOIN THE THRIVING SCHOOL COMMUNITY AT NORTH BROWARD PREPARATORY SCHOOL

NBPS inspires students to discover their passions and build the confidence to pursue them. Through innovative academics, enriching arts and athletics, and a globally focused education, students explore their interests while reaching their full potential.

Within a vibrant, supportive community, every student is known, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Scan here to inquire now or call 954-247-0011 for more information

32 | PSG

DISCOVER WHAT SETS US APART At Westminster Academy, your child will be known and loved in a caring, Christ-centered community. Here, faith and learning grow side by side through competitive athletics, awardwinning fine arts, and rigorous academics. Book a tour and discover how we partner with you to shape your child’s heart, mind, and future.

Visit wa.edu/admissions or call 954.815.0131 to learn more.

Schedule a private tour today for admission in the fall of 2026!

34 | PSG

Reserve Your Space by July 7th

Back º School 26 ISSUE 20

Coming in August

SU

M MER

t

Feature your private school today and reach the families who are actively looking for a school like yours!

In This Issue...

Featured School Directory The debate over phones in the classrooms.

Student support systems, is it a service or part of a culture?

36 | PSG yourstudentyourchoice.com

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786.346.3048

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elizabeth@privateschoolsguidef l.com

Learners

BETTER GRADES What Does Immersive Education Actually Look Like?

T

hink back to your own school years.

How much of what you sat through in a lecture do you actually remember?

For most of us, the answer is not much. Not because we weren't paying attention, but because the brain doesn't work that way. It isn't a recording device. It's an active system that retains what it's required to work for.

This is the foundational insight behind immersive education, a pedagogical approach that the strongest private schools in South Florida have been quietly building into the structure of their programs for years. And if you’re currently on the journey of school search, understanding what immersive learning is (and is not) can be one of the sharpest filters you have in a decision-making process that rarely comes with clear direction.

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It’s Not About Technology

What the Research Actually Says

When families hear “immersive learning,” the instinct is often to picture virtual reality headsets or high-tech labs. That’s a narrow, and sometimes misleading, definition. The more important meaning is pedagogical: immersive education describes any learning environment where students are actively engaged with material through inquiry, application, collaboration, and reflection, rather than simply receiving it.

The case for active, engaged learning is not new, but it has been substantially strengthened by modern research. Education researcher John Hattie’s Visible Learning project — a synthesis of more than 2,100 meta-analyses spanning over 300 million students worldwide — found that the instructional approaches with the highest measurable impact on student achievement share a common thread: they require students to do something with their learning. Cooperative learning, structured discussion, and metacognitive reflection all rank well above the average threshold for meaningful educational effect (Hattie, 2008; Visible Learning MetaX, 2024). Passive instruction, consistently, ranks among the lowest.

The cognitive science behind this is straightforward. When students are required to use knowledge — to explain it, apply it, debate it, or connect it to something real — they build stronger, more

It can take many forms: project-based learning, place-based education, Socratic seminar, service learning, research mentorships, interdisciplinary problem-solving, or real-world simulation. What these approaches share is a deliberate structure designed to move students from passive receivers of information to active constructors of understanding. Technology may support that structure. It does not define it.

40 | PSG

global affairs) are structured around sustained inquiry rather than content delivery. Students are not learning about research; they are doing it, often alongside professional mentors, over multiple years.

You also see it in how schools use their environment. South Florida is an exceptional classroom, marine and Everglades ecosystems, one of the most internationally diverse metro regions in the country, proximity to Latin America and the Caribbean, and a business and cultural landscape that is genuinely global. Schools that treat this geography as a teaching resource (building place-based fieldwork, service learning, and community-connected projects into their programs) are giving students something most campuses cannot replicate.

durable neural pathways. They develop the kind of transferable understanding that outlasts a test and shows up in college and beyond. Doing and reflecting, not simply receiving, is how the brain consolidates what it has learned.

What It Looks Like When Done Well The distinction worth making when evaluating schools is not whether a school offers immersive experiences, but whether those experiences are structurally embedded in the curriculum and not just add-ons. In essence, they are the core architecture of how learning happens.

In South Florida’s strongest private schools, you see this in a few consistent patterns. Signature academic programs (multi-year, student-driven tracks in areas like scientific research, social entrepreneurship, environmental studies, or

What these programs share is intentionality.

The immersive elements are not decorative.

They are the mechanism by which students are asked to think, struggle, collaborate, and apply. Precisely what the research shows produces learning that lasts.

What to Look for During School Search When you visit a school or review its academic programs, these are the questions that can cut through some of the marketing language:

•

Is learning structured around doing or observing? Ask how students spend the majority of a class period. If the answer is mostly listening, that’s a signal worth noting.

•

Are immersive programs structural or supplemental? A once-a-year trip is not the same as a curriculum built around application and inquiry at every level.

PSG |

41

•

Does the school use its environment as a classroom? South Florida’s ecosystems, cultural diversity, and global economic ties are rare assets. Schools that leverage them are thinking seriously about context and relevance.

•

Can students articulate what they’re working on? During a campus visit, ask a student what project they’re currently doing. Genuine immersive programs produce students who have strong, specific answers to this question.

•

How is reflection built in? Reflection is not a soft add-on — it is the mechanism by which experience becomes learning. Schools that build structured reflection into their programs understand the research.

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The good news for South Florida families is that we have some of the the most immersive programs right here in our community. Most of our private schools have been building immersive, experiential programs long before it became a marketing term or buzzword. The task for parents is knowing what to look for, and asking the right questions to distinguish programs that are genuinely structured around how children learn from those that are simply well-branded.

Learning that matters, it turns out, is learning that is designed to matter. Learning that is built into the school day, connected to the real world, and structured around what the evidence shows works. 

S. M’ E S

PK2 - 8th Grade

SCHEDULE A TOUR Palm Beach Gardens

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561.622.1504

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stmarkspbg.org