SRQ RocketKids | Winter 2020

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLACE FOR YOUR FAMILY

AN SRQ MAGAZINE PUBLICATION WINTER 2020

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CHERISHED HOLIDAYS

ECLECTIC LOCAL GIFTS, TOYS AND GAMES FOR THE KIDS

SARASOTA | MANATEE FAMILIES, KIDS, EDUCATION AND INNOVATION

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GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOL EXPERIENCES IN THE SARASOTA + MANATEE REGION.

EPIPHANY CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL NEWGATE SCHOOL THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY ST. MARTHA CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Learn Coding With a Coach and Your Peers Welcome to theCoderSchool, a place where kids learn to code all year round (and, due to social distancing, kids are learning REMOTE too!) Rather than using static one-size-fits-all curriculums, our core program uses an immersion and mentoring approach in a super-small student to teacher ratio (typically 2:1). This allows our Code Coaches® to personalize and customize based on the students, making for a much more engaging experience. Instead of linear learning of concepts from a curriculum, we immerse the kids in coding by building stuff and then building more stuff!

—The Coder School of Sarasota. thecoderschool.com/locations/sarasota

Creativity in Music Celebrating 30 years of music education in Sarasota, the Suzuki Institute offers a full program of music instruction with highly qualified teachers all year-round, with flexible hours. Lessons are available for all ages and skill levels, from beginner to adult, for violin, drums/percussion, guitar, piano, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet and flute.

Registration is now open for lessons taught by expert and experienced teachers.

—Suzuki Institute School of Music Sarasotasuzuki.org/camp

Spanish Immersion Camps Born in the spirit of connecting cultures, our guiding principle is to impart the knowledge of a second language, its culture, and its traditions to promote understanding across linguistic barriers. Our proprietary, Montessori inspired, immersion curriculum is designed to teach languages through fun, creative and engaging activities. Full Spanish immersion preschool wtih small class sizes with COVID precautions. Spanish language and culture is learned through songs, games, movement, arts and crafts and creative play. —Spanish Legacy Preschool, 2822 Proctor Road, Sarasota. spanishlegacy.com

Getting Your Smile On Freeman Orthodontics is committed to providing you and your family with exceptional orthodontic care in a welcoming, attentive and professional environment. Dr. David Freeman (a Board Certified Orthodontist) and his team are trusted and well known throughout the community for their quality care, treatment results and community involvement for over 16 years. —Freeman Orthodontics, FreemanOrthodontics.com

Sarasota Ballet

CULTIVATING SARASOTA | MANATEE FAMILIES, KIDS, EDUCATION AND INNOVATION

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We are delighted to be back in the studio again. We offer continuous registration, so it’s never too late to register your child to take lessons in person or virtually via ZOOM. The Sarasota Ballet School provides professional instruction for students of all ages. We offer the very best in training in beautiful new studios at our Rosemary Square location in the heart of downtown Sarasota. Our programs offer students ages three and above the opportunity to discover the joy of dance. Each class is fun, engaging and builds confidence, technique and develop lifelong skills. Be part of our friendly family community with many students and parents developing new friendships through their love of dance. —The Sarasota Ballet School, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. sarasotaballet.org/sarasota-ballet-school

WINTER 2020-PRIVATE SCHOOLS | A SPECIAL SECTION TO SRQ MAGAZINE PUBLICATION

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houghtful goodies for the kids this holiday season.

CherishedGifts

FIRST NOEL Bangladesh Granny Square Cushion, $45; India Footed Shark Onesie (9–12 month), $30; Kenya Knitters Rasta Octopus, $30; Peru Alpaca Fur Penguin, $62; Peru Alpaca Fur Sheep, $51; Mr. Ellie Pooh Sri Lanka Hedgehog Wood Puzzle, $30; Peru Elephant Bank, $30; Guatemala Hacky Sack, $5; Artisans’ World Marketplace, 128 South Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, 941-365-5994, artisansworldmarketplace.com.

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houghtful goodies for the kids this holiday season.

12 DAYS OF GAMES Kid Made Modern Mystic Jewelry Kit, $20; SLAPZI Card-Slapping Game, $20; TENZI Dice Party Pack, $25; Kid Made Modern Go Wild Craft Kit, $13; BUILDZI Block Tower Card Game, $25; STEMulators Bath Bomb Science Lab, $13; Craft Tastic Yarn Llama, $23; Play STEM Plant Maze Botany Kit Set, $23; SolidRoots Mind the Gap Trivia Game, $30; PlayFoam SculptaPalooza Party Game, $25; Kangaroo Super Cool Slime Lab Kit, $15; Children’s World, 4525 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, 941-955-6999, childrensworlduniform.com.

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EXPLORE THE SCHOOL THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU | SPECIAL MARKETING SECTION TO ROCKET KIDS MAGAZINE DEC 2020

EPIPHANY CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL

EPIPHANY CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL (ECCS)

was founded in 1959 and opened its doors to 54 students in first through fourth grade with two Sisters of St. Benedict as teachers, Sister Helen and Sister Lucy. Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School is the only Catholic elementary school in Venice and has served its parish and local Venice families with quality education for over 60 years. Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School is home to 167 students in Pre-Kindergarten (3s and 4s) through 8th grade. Our school serves as a partnership with teachers, parents, families and feeder parishes in reinforcing morality, spirituality, and other Christian values in the faith-filled teaching process. We adhere to best instructional practices, current curriculum, latest technology, and hire quality teachers. Of our 32 teachers, 12 teachers have Master’s Degrees in their field of study or in Educational Leadership and 12 teachers hold certifications in ESE, ESOL, or Gifted.

EPIPHANY CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL 316 SARASOTA ST. VENICE, FL 34285

941-488-2215 ECSTIGERS.COM

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Our programs and curriculum are accredited by The Florida Catholic Conference and we follow the guidelines for the Florida State Standards. Epiphany follows a STREAM Curriculum which is an interdisciplinary, standards-based model that integrates science, technology, religion, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Educational specialist teachers complement the classroom teacher in the areas of: Music, Spanish, Technology, Library, Art, and Physical Education. We offer a variety of athletic, artistic, and educational competitive teams and clubs. Community service is an integral part of our daily lives and we offer a number of outreach programs organized and completed by our students. We believe all students have the capacity to learn in an environment that fosters academic excellence through diversified instruction. Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School offers a safe and nurturing environment for our students.

School’s Mission Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School provides excellence in education which nurtures a loving relationship with God and builds a caring community that serves others. How are we living out this mission at Epiphany? We offer advanced math classes in our middle school which can lead to high school credit. Daily Religion class and weekly school-wide Mass. School wide service or donation projects. National Junior Honor Society—open to 6-8th graders who meet the GPA requirement and the standard for service, leadership, citizenship, and character.

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EXPLORE THE SCHOOL THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU | SPECIAL MARKETING SECTION TO ROCKET KIDS MAGAZINE DEC 2020

NEWGATE SCHOOL

THE LAB SCHOOL OF THE MONTESSORI FOUNDATION

NewGate School—Upper School in Lakewood Ranch for grades 7 to 12.

FOUNDED IN 1907 BY DR. MARIA MONTESSORI, the Montessori Method highlights a child-centered education supported by neuroscience research that promotes the development of executive function and learning at every age. Known as the “gold standard” for early childhood education, current research also reveals the effectiveness of the Montessori Method throughout one’s lifetime, inspiring a practice of lifelong learning.

NewGate School is the Lab School of The Montessori Foundation and an international university-preparatory school that offers a Montessori approach to the IB Diploma Program at the secondary level. NewGate’s mission to cultivate a love of life and inspire academic excellence galvanizes students to approach learning as a journey and not a race. What distinguishes NewGate’s Montessori IB program is its focus on a balanced middle and high school life. Montessori and IB trained faculty cultivate students’ curiosity, creativity, and imagination while nurturing their unique gifts, self-confidence and self-discipline. The IB program is an excellent match because approximately one-third of our community is international, and the Montessori IB program offers our

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students the option to attend universities in the US or overseas. At the heart of a great education, are the talents and gifts shared by outstanding professional educators and from inspired and interested learners with supportive families. The future belongs to those who think outside of the box, solve problems, create new solutions, and get people to work together to get things accomplished. NewGate students endeavor to think deeply, express themselves clearly, and put their knowledge to practical application.

NewGate provides many different programs to help ignite the minds of students and help them understand the world of professionalism at a very young age. NewGate is an established, triple-accredited school in a region that is becoming increasingly more international every year. A Montessori education creates an entrepreneurial culture. Programs for NewGate’s Middle and High School students include annual internships, drama immersion weeks, research trips, and service learning. NewGate School works with students as unique individuals to ensure they develop their full potential.

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THE NEWGATE SCHOOL | NEWGATE.EDU

THE MONTESSORI FOUNDATION was established in 1992 by some of the top leaders in Montessori education. It is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of Montessori education and school reform worldwide. It is a primary resource of assistance, encouragement, and support for the international Montessori community. The Montessori Foundation works to establish schools and prepare Montessori educators “We believe and leaders worldwide. Today, and education with the advent of COVID-19, The should Montessori Foundation works with be a journey, over 5000 Montessori schools in not a race.”

50 countries, and today focuses its — Tim Seldin, efforts on supporting and connecting Co-Head of School schools during a worldwide pandemic.

Through connection and collaboration, the Montessori Foundation offers its members access to a vast community of educators who bring their wisdom and experience to the table during both times of crisis and times of joy. The Foundation chose Sarasota because of Montessori’s commitment to the arts, intellectual life, diverse outdoor recreation experiences, and it is home to New College—the undergraduate honors college that is most aligned with Montessori’s core values.

The work of the Montessori Foundation inspires a revolutionary change in education that is based on decades of brain research and the time-tested, world-wide success of more than 22,000 Montessori schools.

Stats

• ADMISSIONS Rolling Acceptance Rate: 76% • ACCREDITATIONS AdvancEd/SACS; International Montessori Council, International Baccalaureate Organization • LANGUAGES TAUGHT Spanish and German • KEY PROGRAMS

Fully implemented Montessori; IB Diploma grades 11 and 12 • TEACHING PHILOSOPHY Montessori • NUMBER OF FULL-TIME TEACHERS 25 • NUMBER OF STUDENTS 168

Highlight When COVID-19 shut down schools all over the world, The Montessori Foundation was there to help. Mobilizing its online expertise, town hall meetings attended by thousands of participants discussed strategies to mitigate risk, support families and children, and focus on each other’s social-emotional well-being. NewGate School also went into action, and the spirit of entrepreneurship, adaptability, and flexibility in our community was apparent. That spirit motivated the school to purchase PPEs early on and organize weekly virtual community meetings focused on listening to families’ concerns and insights.

The school established a medical task force to guide policy and protocols for opening. Montessori teaches us to think out of the box, to be flexible, observe our surroundings, and take into account the emotions of others. Throughout the summer, groups of stakeholders came together with a “can-do” attitude. NewGate School opened its doors on August 10, 2020, with students attending campus in-person as well as online. The core values rooted in collaboration, community, creativity, and compassion supported an uninterrupted educational experience for all students. Today, the school boasts a robust eLearning program for students from 4 states and three countries. Its local eLearning program allows students with health concerns to continue their studies. The in-person program continues to offer everything Montessori is famous for: deep engagement, hands-on, experiential learning that fosters collaboration and entrepreneurial experiences.

LOWER SCHOOL

ASHTON CAMPUS 5237 ASHTON ROAD, SARASOTA TODDLERS THROUGH 6TH GRADE

941-922-4949 UPPER SCHOOL

LAKEWOOD RANCH CAMPUS, 5481 COMMUNICATIONS PARKWAY

NEWGATE.EDU

GRADES 7 TO 12

941-222-0763 TIMSELDIN@MONTESSORI.ORG TANYARYSKIND@MONTESSORI.ORG MONTESSORI.ORG

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EXPLORE THE SCHOOL THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU | SPECIAL MARKETING SECTION TO ROCKET KIDS MAGAZINE FALL 2019

THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY

THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY Established in 1924,

The Out-of-Door Academy is home to approximately 745 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

The school offers an innovative program focused on educating the whole child in a caring, supportive community. Out-of-Door continually implements new programs and strategies to meet the emerging educational needs of the next generation.

Through its evolution, the School has honored the legacy of its visionary founders who established a school where important lessons would be learned “out-of-door,” LOWER SCHOOL HISTORIC SIESTA KEY CAMPUS 444 REID STREET, SARASOTA 941-554-3439 | PRE-K – GRADE 5

ODA.EDU

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MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL UIHLEIN CAMPUS IN LAKEWOOD RANCH 5950 DEER DRIVE, SARASOTA 941-554-5950 | GRADES 6-12

or outside the classroom. Central to that vision was a belief that education should integrate hands-on learning experiences, physical activity, and the arts. Two campuses boast space for visual and performing arts opportunities, as well as 12 interscholastic team sports. More than 50 student-run clubs and activities, including cultural, arts, and service organizations are offered.

The Out-of-Door Academy remains dedicated to its longstanding commitment to the development of self-confident, well-rounded graduates who become responsible, contributing members of the global society.

The Mission The Out-of-Door Academy is an independent, college preparatory school with campuses in Siesta Key and Lakewood Ranch.

Students in preschool - grade 12 achieve high academic goals and build character through a balanced program of academics, athletics, and the arts. Using a student-centered educational philosophy, ODA prepares students for college and for life.

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EXPLORE THE SCHOOL THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU | SPECIAL MARKETING SECTION TO ROCKET KIDS MAGAZINE DEC 2020

ST. MARTHA CATHOLIC SCHOOL

ST. MARTHA CATHOLIC SCHOOL (SMCS) in Sarasota offers a challenging, faith-based academic experience to students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

“In an effort to serve God and our community, students, staff and families work together to maintain high academic standards, develop Christ-centered relationships, and provide stewardship to Sarasota and the surrounding areas,” a spokesperson for SMCS says. “Students have consistently performed in the top 20 percent across the nation year after year.” The school follows a STREAM

curriculum (an interdisciplinary, standards-based model that integrates science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and mathematics). Teachers design units of study that challenge and empower students, creating an environment that encourages problem-solving, collaboration, student-led inquiry and hands-on projects. A science lab, vegetable and prayer gardens, open fields and the Zazarino Center serve as dynamic learning spaces. The Catholic faith is woven into all subjects and grade levels, promoting a culture of innovation and ethical action.

The School’s Mission

ST. MARTHA CATHOLIC SCHOOL 4380 FRUITVILLE ROAD, SARASOTA 941-953-4181 | STMARTHASCHOOL.NET INFO@STMARTHASCHOOL.NET

SERVES GRADES PRE-K-8

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In partnership with Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church, the mission of St. Martha Catholic School is to provide each student with diverse opportunities which develop strength in faith, and excellence in knowledge and learning. Students build character through their Christian service to the school, parish and world communities.

ADMISSION CONTACT: MRS. MARIA SMITH 941-552-3577 MSMITH@STMARTHASCHOOL.NET @StMarthaCatholicShool

@StMarthaCS

@SMCS_SRQ

ST. MARTHA CATHOLIC SCHOOL

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