Best Performing Schools in Florida 2021

www.theknowledgereview.com

September 2021 | Issue - 07

Best

Performing Schools in

FLORIDA

Food for Thought How is Personalised Learning Impacting School Education?

2021

eLearning Insights Transformation of K-12 Education in Florida

Miami COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

The Training Grounds for Pluridimensional Over-achievers

EDITOR’S NOTE

BECOMING THE BEST AMONGST ALL

T

hose who are familiar with the history of schools know that it took a lot to make them great. Greatness is an achievement not all schools can claim. The building blocks of a school require hard work and determination. Schools are not just learning institutions; they should be regarded as an important component of society.

A great school starts with a cohesive staff that helps unite each member as one family and aims for success in all aspects of their lives. Everyone wants to attend a school where leadership, discipline, involvement, safety, and creativity form a rock-solid foundation that paves way for greatness.

Schools that make an effort to prioritize these essentials are the ones students, families and even potential staff want to attend. Having a properly designed, clean, and welcoming building lets everyone

know that this school is different from other schools. It gives them a sense of opportunity and pride. Every element of design is crucial to what the end result will be.

A motto or display can also create that sense of unity or community. Beautiful artwork by students shows their creativity and ownership in the space they are in every day.

Applying colors with meanings can help staff members connect to the school's overall mission and vision. Safety procedures reinforce what's important, so parents know their children are safe whether they are on campus or off during educational programming. Some schools believe in making a connection with past alumni in hopes of developing a positive support system for recent graduates seeking employment within the school district.

Having great teachers is another essential aspect for the success of any school. Having a staff with a mixture of young and older teachers is important. Teachers, who are constantly seeking to better their teaching methods, find unique ways to present material that engage all students, regardless of ability. They also build relationships with students by being supportive of them one-on-one, on a small group level, or in a classroom forum.

And finally, the best schools are unbridled by the constraints of bureaucracy and inspired by the energy of leadership. School leaders must be good decision-makers and have a clear vision of their mission, coupled with the determination to make that vision become reality. They inspire and encourage them to achieve their dreams. They provide stability to young people who navigate the challenges of teenage years and are helping build the leaders of tomorrow.

To showcase the said best values in the education world, The Knowledge Review has come up with this exciting edition of Best Performing Schools in Florida 2021, exhibiting the novel ways of disseminating knowledge. T R

Sumita Sarkar sumita@theknowledgereview.com

08 Miami Country Day School

Cover Story

The Training Grounds for Multidimensional Learners and Leaders

C

O

N

T

E

N

CONTENTS 32

18

Montverde Academy

The First Academy

The Enthralling Educational Hub

Transforming Lives through Christ-Centered Education

26 Expert Talks

Canadian Educational System- Marching Towards a Bright Future

ARTICLES

22 Food for Thought How is Personalised Learning Impacting School Education?

T

S

28 eLearning Insights Transformation of K-12 Education in Florida

C X O

sales@insightssuccess.com SEPTEMBER, 2021

People behind this edition

Follow us on: www.facebook.com/theknowledgereview/

Editor-in-Chief

Sumita Sarkar

twitter.com/theknowledgerv

Senior Editor Anish Miller Managing Editor Aditya Umale Contributing Writer

Ananda Kamal Das

We are also available on:

Visualiser David King Art & Design Head Rahul Shinde Art & Picture Editor Rashmi Singh

Business Development Manager Phill Miller Marketing Manager Mary D'souza Business Development Executives

Emma Wilson, Mark Taylor, Olivia Wood

CORPORATE OFFICE The Knowledge Review

Insights Success Media Tech LLC 555 Metro Place North, Suite 100, Dublin, OH 43017, United States Phone - (614)-602-1754 Email: info@theknowledgereview.com For Subscription: theknowledgereview.com

The Knowledge Review

Technical Head Jacob Smile Assistant Technical Head Pratiksha Patil Technical Consultants Amar, David, Robert Digital Marketing Manager

Assistant Digital Marketing Manager SME-SMO Executives

Off. No. 22 & 510, Rainbow Plaza, Shivar Chowk, Pimple Saudagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411017 Phone - India: +91 7410079881/ 82/ 83/ 84/ 85 Email: info@theknowledgereview.com For Subscription: theknowledgereview.com

Alina Sege

Amol Wadekar Atul, Gemson

Research Analyst Eric Smith Circulation Manager Tanaji

Copyright © 2021 Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd., All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Insights success. Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd. The Knowledge Review is powered by Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd.

Best Performing

Schools in

FLORIDA 2021 T R Name of the Institution

URL

Colegio Francés del Pedregal

francespedregal.mx

The school trains people with a solid culture, committed to the search for a more just society

Liceo de Monterrey

liceo.edu.mx

The Liceo de Monterrey is a private, non-prot school with a differentiated education system and Christian inspiration

Lycée Franco-Mexicain

lfm.edu.mx

The school aims to offer high quality French education based on the programs of the French Ministry of National Education and SEP

The Wingate School

wingate.edu.mx

Wingate offers an educational programme focussed on academic excellence, creativity, and human formation

Winpenny School

winpenny.edu.mx

The school develops curious, independent, and responsible learners who are well educated

C

O

V

E

R

The Training Grounds for Multidi

T

O

R

Y

imensional Learners and Leaders

‘ ‘

Miami Country Day School empowers every student, every day, everywhere to learn with vigor, explore with purpose, strive for excellence, and to serve with honor, respect, and compassion as global citizens

‘‘

S

Best Performing Schools in Florida, 2021

A

school whose whole-child philosophy compels it to create classroom experiences that combine elements of a classical education with the innovative practices of project and problem-based learning which allows for a vigorous education that yields extraordinary results.

A school that is rooted in its commitment to educating the whole child – both inside and outside the classroom – a mission that has defined its growth over the past 83 years and continues to advance both the programs it offers and the community it thrives in today, is the one and only Miami Country Day School!

Founded in 1938, to empower every student, every day, everywhere; Miami Country Day School (MCDS) is an independent, coeducational, nonprofit learning community with students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, who learn together on a sprawling 20acre campus that lies just 10 minutes north of downtown Miami.

“Every student who sets foot on our campus has something to offer – potential to be unlocked,” commented the proud President and Head of School – Mariandl Hufford. “It is our responsibility to give students the freedom to design an education which allows them to develop their passion while pursuing academic excellence,” she added.

There are approximately 1,270 students enrolled at MCDS that speak 19 languages and represent 26 nations.

MCDS has a 9:1 student to teacher ratio with 228 full-time faculty and staff members, 66 percent of whom hold advanced degrees.

The Guiding Mission Miami Country Day School empowers every student, every day, everywhere

to learn with vigor, explore with purpose, strive for excellence, and to serve with honor, respect, and compassion as global citizens. It does this in a community where every student is known and included by engaging the whole child, in and out of the classroom as they discover their full potential.

“Our values; wisdom, honor, respect, compassion, and purpose are the shared commitment we make to each other, and as a community, in honor of our past, present, and future,” added Mariandl Hufford.

Cultivating the Ground for Thought Leaders The school's distinctive approach is defined by the following characteristics: Ÿ Committed, passionate teachers who completely know each student, are their advocates, and guide and push them to grow in ways previously unimaginable. Ÿ Small class sizes that allow teachers to tailor instruction to each individual student. Ÿ A focus on the real-life application of what is studied in the classroom, which motivates students to delve deeper into topics. Ÿ The importance of finding passion and purpose beyond oneself, a belief that is a hallmark of the Country Day experience. Ÿ The use of technology to support instructional strategies, which fosters interactive, collaborative, and innovative teaching and learning. Ÿ Trans-disciplinary skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communicating, and questioning which are a core part of every academic endeavor. Ÿ In addition, MCDS offers a worldrenowned arts program that is

housed in its unparalleled ‘Center for the Arts’, a complete and award-winning athletic program that produces division one student athletes and offers extra-curricular programs that meet the needs of the diverse student body.

Notably, GATEway, or ‘Global Access to Education’ – an unparalleled global experience that brings the world to each student and students to the world - offers global programming that supports, enhances, and develops

‘ ‘

We are rooted in our commitment to educating the whole child – both inside and outside the classroom – a mission that has defined our growth over the past 83 years and continues to advance both the program and the community today

‘‘

students’ view of the world, its diverse cultures, and its people. Through academic and cultural immersion programs, the program broadens the students’ perspectives of life beyond our borders in order to foster a mutual understanding and appreciation among all individuals, both at home and abroad. GATEway is first and foremost an academic program. It differs from other travel programs because it is designed and executed by educators, for the benefit of students. In addition, students who have a particularly strong

interest in global awareness and understanding are able to pursue a Global Endorsement on their diploma, once they have completed an additional, demanding set of criteria.

Unparalleled Excellence MCDS thrived despite a year of global stagnation, staying true to its objective of giving students the full country day experience every day. It was a year of progress and victory across the board, from academics to the arts and athletics.

Eight members of the MCDS class of 2021 have been recognized as Silver Knight nominees, honoring outstanding students who have not only achieved academic success, but have also unselfishly applied their special knowledge and talents to contribute significant service to their schools and communities. MCDS educates globally minded scholars who, in 2021, were awarded a total of $3,761,900 in merit scholarship money

and received gold, silver and honorable mention recognition at the Regional Scholastic Writing Awards. In addition, the class of 2021 includes a prestigious Kluge Scholar at Columbia University, a published author, a number of successful entrepreneurs, as well as numerous students admitted to honors colleges at major universities.

2021 also saw fourteen MCDS students graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Social Innovators Program, students shine on the national United Nations stage, and middle school students write, publish and market their first book. Chess championships were won, spelling and geography bees conquered, and students were finalists in the State poetry competition. Students excelled in the 2021 Fluor Engineering Challenge, were admitted into the National Honor Society, took classes at Cornell University, gave TED talks, and explored their role as global scholars through constellation learning.

MCDS's rock band, 21 Hearts 1 Beat (CME) was accepted into the Rhythm Foundation's Miami Beach Youth Music Festival. Four of MCDS's US music students, under the baton of music teacher John Wicker, were selected to participate in all-state ensembles this year.

Junior Thespians received “Superior” (the finest conceivable performance rating) and “Excellent” at regional and state competitions and upper school Thespians, who competed virtually this season, had outstanding results in the SE Regional Florida Thespian Conference.

The school’s US Thespians competed in 33 events ranging from solo musical, ensemble acting scenes, makeup design, and many more, accumulating a total of 25 “Superiors” received in the events.

In 2020- 2021 school MCDS students exceled both inside and outside of the classroom, as Spartans celebrated – Ÿ Seven district championships: boys golf, girls soccer, girls basketball, boys basketball, girls tennis, boys tennis, girls water polo. Ÿ Two regional championships: girls basketball, boys basketball. Ÿ A state championship in girls basketball. Ÿ Eight individual state-qualifying athletes in: golf, swimming, and tennis. Ÿ And MCDS middle school teams also won boys swimming soccer and soccer South Florida middle school conference championships.

The Inspiring Leader MCDS’s President and Head of School, Mariandl Hufford, is the driving force behind MCDS. Her purposeful leadership has guided the entire MCDS community through a year of unprecedented growth and

Ms. Hufford's flexible, yet grounded, leadership style allowed MCDS to adapt, at times on a weekly basis, to the changing nature of the pandemic.

Under the guidance of Mariandl Hufford, MCDS has grown and established itself as a leader in academic distinction, global education, and innovative practices.

Academic Rigor MCDS is very proud of its unique specialty programming, such as the – Learning Resource Program, which is built on the knowledge that all learners can thrive. This program is for students with documented learning differences, focuses on believing in strengthening the potential of all students by recognizing and celebrating their learning intelligence. The program provides a personalized learning/teaching environment that is student-centered with innovative teaching approaches.

The Learning Resources Program places high emphasis on cultivating

‘ ‘

Every student who sets foot on our campus has something to offer – potential to be unlocked. It is our responsibility to give students the freedom to design an education as unique as they are

‘‘

progress despite the pandemic. Ms. Hufford has ensured that the pandemic did not alter the commitment to every student, every day, or the academic excellence synonymous with MCDS. Her ability to pivot programming to reflect the overall core values, needs of students, families, and faculty alike, ensured that the academic process was never interrupted. To keep the promise of every student, every day alive, everywhere, Ms. Hufford hired additional lower-school teachers to guarantee that younger students' social, emotional, and academic needs were met. In addition, in two short years, Ms. Hufford has, as the President and Head of School, streamlined the finances to ensure efficient oversight, strengthened the culture of philanthropy, and oversaw numerous campus improvement projects.

learning skills designed to develop the executive functions of the brain.

Self-advocacy training is also an integral part of the curriculum to promote self-esteem and confidence. It prepares graduates for a college or university education that matches their needs and abilities and students find success by cultivating their talents, interests, and passions.

In addition, MCDS offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum, honors and advanced placement programming that provides far reaching, in depth academic opportunities.

“Our rigorous academic program cultivates thoughtful leaders. Our program ignites a passion in each and every student,” added Ms. Hufford.

Through thought-provoking, analytic, philanthropic, and student-centered experiences, the school nurtures its students as they develop into confident, intellectual, and compassionate global citizens, whilst striving to make education relevant and to give students the foundation they need for success

beyond life at Miami Country Day School.

All MCDS students have both an advisor and a college counselor who work with them and their families for their entire four years of upper school to guide them to choose courses that will help develop their passion in education. Additionally, they assist students with academic goals and help them ultimately gain admission to the college or university that best suits their needs and aspirations. The school also boasts a robust alumni program to support all members of the community for years to come.

Pandemic Times MCDS has been committed to providing safe and in-person learning to every child on campus, every day.

To ensure a safe return, the 'MCDS Covid-19 Task Force' was created to focus on exposure and risk science to present a range of control strategies that guided the reopening of MCDS. Five risk reduction strategies – healthy classrooms, healthy schedules, healthy activities, healthy buildings, and healthy policies – were implemented as part of a multi-layered plan that reduced exposure and limited transmission of Covid-19 at MCDS.

With its sprawling campus, the school was able to move students around campus in a distanced manner that still allowed for peer-to-peer interaction.

Classrooms, group activities, and dining facilities were moved outdoors to ensure that all facets of the MCDS day remained a part of every day.

With safety protocols in place, students were able to participate in all aspects of student life in and outside of the classroom, and important milestones such as homecoming, prom, and graduations, were reconfigured and celebrated. With a focus on academic, social, and emotional development, MCDS has navigated the pandemic with unprecedented institutional growth and expansion.

A Desire to Have a Positive Impact MCDS plans to continue to be a beacon for learning, engagement, and the launch-pad of young people of substance and consequence. To enable each student to reach their full potential, it has implemented a student journey that aligns with its core values and vision. The school's focus on inclusion and belonging, global education, the integration of community life, and growth experiences that are deep and powerful for every student, ensure its

‘ ‘

At MCDS, students will grow within learning experiences that capture local, national, and/or international issues as opportunities provided for students to explore, connect, question, challenge, or pose solutions for the betterment of the world in which they live

‘‘

Educators Who Care MCDS has a fully staffed school counseling department that believes that social and emotional well-being is the foundation of each student's ability to grow and develop physically, emotionally, socially, aesthetically, intellectually, and spiritually. By partnering with parents and providing support, resources, and guidance for students, the counselors guide students to awareness, self-management, knowledge, and relational skills that allow them to develop as compassionate individuals who respect themselves and others.

continuation to be the modern manifestation of what it means to be a “country day school”.

In addition, MCDS is looking forward to a new era in learning with their 'HUB' for innovation that blends learning approaches combined with the studio and place-based learning and an online learning experience. The MCDS HUB will focus on innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

President Hufford concludes by saying, “Students will grow within learning experiences that capture local, national and/or international issues as opportunities provided for students to explore, connect, question, challenge, or pose solutions for the improvement of the world in which they live.”

With a focus on the future of education, MCDS will usher in a new era with purpose and excellence.

Crème de La Crème Perhaps the most notable mastery of the school year was MCDS being included as one of only six schools, globally, that holds a standards endorsement by the Global Education Benchmark Group (GEBG). This designation highlights the international consequence of an MCDS education, the opportunities available to every student, and the school's commitment to educating global citizens.

Accreditations MCDS has been recognized for its academic excellence and is a member of and accredited by: « « « « « « « « « « « «

NAIS - National Association of Independent Schools FCIS - Florida Council of Independent Schools SAIS - formerly Southern Association of Independent Schools (now just SAIS) COGNIA (formerly AdvancED SACSC) SACAC CASE FKC CRIS College Board NAIS ACCIS American Library Association

Read it First SUBSCRIBE TO SUCCESS

www.theknowledgereview.com

Follow Us :

Check should be drawn in favor of INSIGHTS SUCCESS MEDIA TECH LLC

CORPORATE OFFICE The Knowledge Review 555 Metro Place North, Suite 100, Dublin, OH 43017,United States Contact No.: (614)-602-1754; (614)-472-4768 Email: info@theknowledgereview.com For Subscription: Visit www.theknowledgereview.com

The Enthralling Educational Hub

M

ontverde, the Orlando suburb, is downright eclectic. With less than 2000 residents, the town sits at the perfect distance between the city and major highways so that nothing is far away while still maintaining that rural charm.

Overall, Montverde has fantastic schools, a phenomenal community, and harbors all the benefits of a small town without sacrificing the comfort that comes along with living and working in a major city like Orlando. At the heart of this town is the famous Montverde Academy – a private school spanning from kindergarten all the way through high school graduation. This school is renowned for creating an engaging and challenging academic environment that inspires students to achieve their best.

Founded in 1912, Montverde Academy is an esteemed college preparatory school, offering day students for grades Pre-K3 through 12, and boarding school in grades 7 to postgraduate studies – an exceptional academic journey on their path to higher learning. Montverde Academy’s beautiful 130-acre campus is just 25 minutes from Orlando. The school’s international character adds an exciting global perspective to its community and the educational experience it provides.

“The mission of Montverde Academy is to inspire students to become leaders with a passion for knowledge, global

Best Performing Schools in Florida

With an average of 17:1 studentfaculty ratio, classes are focused on cultivating critical thinking skills, challenging students with new ideas, and encouraging them to do their best both inside and outside of the classroom.

The Scholarly Leader In 1999, Dr Kesselring was appointed as the seventh Head of School to lead Montverde Academy in its more than 100-year history. This journey has been filled with changes, from the founding of lower and middle school programs to the explosive growth in enrolment from 103 to 1,350 students.

Dr Kasey C. Kesselring

vision, and innovation while developing character in a nurturing and diverse community,” remarked the prominent Head of School, Dr Kasey C. Kesselring.

The Art of Engaging Minds At the heart of an MVA experience is an engaging and challenging academic environment that inspires students to achieve at the highest level.

Students have the opportunity to work with teachers in an innovative, college preparatory setting. Fine arts, athletics, school clubs, and service organizations help students develop their talents and abilities both inside and outside of the classroom.

With an investment of more than $60 million, the transformation to the school’s campus and programs have yielded a demanding and challenging academic curriculum that includes more than 30 Advanced Placement® courses, stellar SAT/ACT scores, a 100 percent college matriculation rate to some of the nation’s most competitive colleges and universities, an awardwinning fine arts program featuring two conservatory programs, seven different Study Area Concentration (SAC) diploma programs, and state and nationally recognized athletic programs.

Holistic Development AP Classes – Whether it is in science, mathematics, the humanities, or the arts, students of Montverde Academy excel in a wide range of college-level coursework. With a qualifying rate on advanced placement examinations that far exceeds state and national averages – 84 percent, compared to 54 percent in Florida and 60 percent globally – the students enter college well-prepared for continued academic excellence.

The school has confirmed 34 AP classes for this upcoming academic year.

SAC Programs – Students can choose and participate in a complete plan of study that leads to a specialized diploma degree in one of seven areas once they have selected a particular area of interest. These students collaborate with professors in extra study and execute a capstone project during their senior year in the STEM (five focuses), business innovation, or global perspective areas.

Community Service – The school’s students know that one’s character is defined by his/her relationships with others. Giving back matters, and each Upper School student volunteers at least 25 hours every year in the community through the school’s partnerships with organizations such as Give Kids the World, the Johan Cruyff Foundation, and Night for the Cure.

46 Clubs and Societies – In addition to honor societies such as the National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society, students are engaged in a diverse group of clubs and societies that reflect their wide-ranging interests – from Key Club to knitting, to computers, to recycling, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Athletics – The Montverde Academy Eagles have won 16 national championships and earn more than $5 million in athletic scholarships annually. With nearly 30 percent of the student-athletes committing to playing sports in college, the school is proud to have more than 50 alumni playing sports professionally. Montverde Academy has built an outstanding, championship-winning athletics program, with competitive teams led by experienced coaches, former athletes, and skilled trainers who work to ensure that student-athletes reach their highest potential.

Fine Arts – The Montverde Academy Fine Arts programs allow talented students to focus on their passion for music, theatre, and the arts. Media arts have earned four National Student Emmys and a Scholastic Gold Medal since 2019. The school’s theatre has produced 15 shows since 2018, earned 12 Critic’s Choice awards, and 93 Superior Ratings at District ITS contests, six Top Honors at State ITS and 20 Dr Phillips Center Applause Awards. The music program has staged 17 all-state musicians, two all-national vocalists, and three musicians who earned the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall.

College Prep at Montverde Montverde Academy maintains a 100 percent college acceptance rate with the help of its dedicated ‘College Guidance’ office. Students are accepted into over 75 colleges and universities every year including Ivy League institutions. The students go on to pursue careers in law, medicine, professional athletics, professional theatre and music, education, business, science, politics, technology, and more.

A Class Apart As an international boarding school, Montverde Academy typically hosts approximately 90 nations as represented throughout the student body. Students speak Portuguese, French, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, English, Thai, Japanese, Swedish, Finnish, Arabic, and more. The Academy also has alumni that take their skills to the professional level on stage and in sports like baseball, basketball, soccer, golf.

A Household Name Over 70 percent of the faculty and staff hold advanced degrees, reflecting their commitment to education and being part of a community of learners. The

athletics teams have won several national championships while the Fine Arts department has earned countless ‘Applause’ awards throughout their tenure.

Pandemic Rush Montverde Academy has risen to the challenge despite being an

international boarding school with a less than one percent infection rate throughout the onset of the pandemic. Swivel technology, advanced cleaning systems, and temperature check technology were all integrated into the school management system.

The mission of Montverde Academy is to inspire students to become leaders with a passion for knowledge, global vision, and innovation while developing character in a nurturing and diverse community Striving for Excellence With the current creation of its ‘Educational Technology and Innovation Centre’ and newly build Middle School, Montverde Academy is constantly striving to provide exceptional educational experiences in state-of-the-art facilities. Its faculty and staff are constantly involving technology in the curriculum and finding additional ways to engage the minds of their students.

How is

Personalised Learning Impacting

School

Education

S

chooling teaches us learning and learning teaches us life. The act of constantly learning from everything around helps in growth. Schools have a significant effect on a student’s life and are often side-lined in the process of learning. Over time, the teaching methods at schools have changed adapting to what the future demands.

The world is fast and changing at an unprecedented rate. To cope with the highly competitive world, the students’ teachings have to be updated too. Though most students are trying to adapt to modern learnings, it has become hard for the growing mind to keep up with the highly technical world. For this, the schools are coming up with innovative methods of teachings that can help the children to cope up with the pressure.

Most of the schools not just in the US but across the world are adopting the teaching methods of personalised learning.

This method has proved to be effective in many schools, helping the students discover their passions. Replacing the

Food for Thought

‘one size fits all approach’, and adopting the new teaching method of ‘personalised learning’ can be quite troublesome and have raised a few controversies in the past. Here is how personalised learning can impact school education and transform the lives of students to what the future demands.

specialization from the start will allow them to be creative in the field they choose. The interest that the children develop from the start will inspire them to be self-learners, which will help them in their career and the practice will stay with them till long.

Modern needs of modern-day education

An engaging classroom system with customized learning Personalised learning encourages different streams to come together at a common level. Common subjects essential for students’ growth will give rise to an engaging classroom.

Since the subjects are of interest, the students will break the norms of traditional learning and increase student engagement.

There comes a time when the traditional things just won’t work. Due to the changing nature of business and the working of the world, the education system needs to be updated too. The changing nature of the world has opened doors to many new opportunities in the world. The traditional teaching methods were very sophisticated, but they lacked diversity and liberty. In schools, students did not have the freedom to choose the subjects that they wanted to.

With the increasing competition, both the private and government sector changed their hiring focus which was based on quantity to quality. This shift in the system is forcing the schools to adapt and look for a more versatile education system. Personalised learning according to the RAND’s research, was too early for students in 2013. But it has now become the need for many education systems across the world.

This method will surely bring a huge shift in school education, which will focus on the overall development of the students. Along with that, the students will get to choose the path for themselves. This will allow them to be specialised in one particular sector of industry, rather than leaving them confused by the time they leave schooling.

Evolution in teaching and schooling Personalised learning is based on students and focuses on the individual student. This will revolutionize the complete education as different students will focus on different fields to excel in. Along with that, the immense pressure on teachers will also be lightened, allowing the teachers to teach more effectively.

This unique structure of learning if adapted in the education, will allow the students to explore the depths of the field.

Embedding creativity in education Uniqueness is what makes the children stand out from the crowd. Since children have a developing mind, embedding

Most of the problems faced by the existing education system will have a systematic approach. Personalised learning will also have a customized learning plan for every student. It will make the student approach the problem efficiently, depending on their level of understanding allowing them to be creative as well as assess their weak point easily.

Evaluation, execution, and tracking made easy It has hard to find the problem in regular evaluation.

However, in a one-on-one learning model, the evaluation becomes far easier. Once the problem is tracked, the problem can be solved easily with much persistence and the low teacher-student ratio will make the execution precise.

Still in case, if the student faces any problem, the same process can be repeated with changes until the student excels in that field.

With more credibility, focus and persistence in a different field, personalised learning can take school education to a different level. This will not only be a win-win situation for teachers and students, but also for the education system, which will provide a responsive model of learning with the option of choosing their field of excellence for students.

This is the future of education for creating a learned society, where the focus will be on a happier future with more employment opportunities.

- Ashlesh Khadse

Canadian

Educational

System- Marching Towards

a

I

Bright Future

am generally optimistic about the future of Canada’s educational system. Since education falls in the jurisdiction of provinces, the future will more accurately depend upon how each of the provinces responds to the changing needs.

students for their future occupations. Computer programming, computer applications, coding, robotics, artificial intelligence concepts will become more and more important in the educational programs across Canada.

Certainly, the development of literacy and mathematical skills of students remain on key elements of any educational system. The core subjects such as mathematics, science, and social studies will continue to have student achievement levels measured by international agencies. The results will continue to be used by different educational jurisdictions to determine whether programs should be modified given the technological advances occurring in an ongoing way.

In addition to the academic programs, there will be increasing emphasis on the development of social, teamwork, and communication skills for the students. Public speaking, debating, model United Nation clubs are several examples of extra-curricular activities that enhance the development of these skills.

Educational leaders will have to introduce new concepts and courses to better prepare

The return to in-class learning shows the advantages in terms of the positive mental health of the students.

As stated initially, I am generally optimistic about our educational systems properly preparing our students for the future. My main concern is that governments may influence the education system by over politicizing the current social issues of the day.

In-class learning will continue to be of utmost importance in the learning process. COVID 19 Health restrictions had the move to online learning for school jurisdictions. This resulted in the deterioration of the development of social and teamwork skills.

01 | MM 2021 | www.theknowledgereview.com

Expert Talks

About the Author Dr. Neil Webber, President and Chairman of Webber Academy Foundation, founded the school in 1996. He has spent most of his career in public service; first as a teacher in the Calgary Public and Catholic School Boards, then as an elected representative in the Alberta Government. He was Chairman of Telus Corporation, and director of several companies including SNC - Lavalin Group.

Transformation of

K-12 EDUCATION in

FLORIDA

eLearning Insights

n the field of education, changes are expected to happen because of its dynamic nature that is dependent on many components from the upgrades of technology.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the education sector has experienced numerous changes with trends and their uncountable benefits for students, teachers, and parents as well.

I

Modern education is not completely digital, but integrated learning solutions are an important part of school eLearning. The integration of these solutions aims to give optimal digital platforms, like online lectures, online assessments, and virtual classroom teaching, while maintaining traditional learning methods like textbooks altogether.

These changes have the capacity to influence the perspective towards the acquisition of knowledge and learning outcomes. As the pandemic crisis continues, eLearning solutions play a key role in educating the students and transformed the K-12 education in educational institutes of Florida. Ÿ Incorporation of multilingual learning solutions

As a result, education institutes in Florida are currently working to implement this program with enhanced methods by improving their connectivity and infrastructure to accommodate this trend. No school wants to be left behind, especially for a virtual learning platform which is an effect

of modernisation and the evolution of technology. To illustrate, an intelligent solution is - printed textbooks are linked to audio-visual content. In addition, it can be accessed with the digital smart boards with the online assessment components. In the current scenario of the education industry, all of these are working together intending to provide maximum benefits and improve learning outcomes. Ÿ Utilizing Augmented Reality (AR) for better comprehension Research indicates that students can retain information properly when they can grasp the knowledge with the accessible enhancements that are currently happening on the e-Learning platforms.

Retaining the information has drastically improved as schools are not just relying on textbooks anymore. They are implementing the use of audio-video materials and engaging activities by which the students can stimulate their imagination. The main reason schools opted for using AR for their class syllabus.

With this innovation of technology, students not just see but experience the subject with in-depth knowledge.

It helps the students to comprehend the concept as teachers can provide them with numerous personalized options to understand complex and complicated concepts effortlessly.

As a result, students can understand the concepts with less amount of time required for proficiency.

Knowledge retention has taken up a new notch with these innovative learning methods, as students can understand the concept with the in-depth fundamentals which is provided by the textbooks and practical knowledge which AR is currently providing. Ÿ

Advancing personalized learning modules

The outbreak of the pandemic allowed the students with distant learning options. Nonetheless, they can attend their lectures with whatever devices or gadgets that are available with them without any timing constraints.

This is a radical and a momentous change for the students as they have a new opportunity to learn in their own personal space. They also have an advantage, as new platforms are providing them with personalized instructions that help them to finish their academics with better competency levels. New software and applications are making it easier for the students who are facing difficulties while understanding the concepts. This gives them an opportunity to surpass the limitations of the traditional learning methods.

These factors are transforming the learning processes and the delivery of the educational goals as students can learn without any barriers and they are leveraging their strengths and completely overcoming their weaknesses. Ÿ The advantage of the internet of things (IOT) The internet of things has been a popular topic in the field of education because of the digital transformation which is not just anticipated by the students but teachers and school administration. The IOT has made it significantly effortless to create a structure of daily school activities.

Also, with the help of the internet, the parents and students can track the real-time progress and the pending assignments on the school dashboard. They can also use the internet to provide the study material required to help boost studies. Ÿ Accumulation of formative assessment solutions Before the digital transformation, assessments consisted of pen and paper, and it was the only way to check the results or understand the progress. The significance of learning outcomes matters a lot these days, which is why formative assessment solutions are being utilized as these tests are considered as low productive in the digital period. Students are now preparing for their academics with formative assessments like presentations, projects, and activities.

These methods are dynamically delivering the goals of the curriculum, which benefits all the students, leading them to develop a skillset and produce better results in their academic studies. Ÿ Determination of K-12 education It has become a lot more convenient to provide online education through the electronic gadgets which are easily available with the students. The fusion of digital education with traditional methods is delivering better results with the modern digital classroom and currently available resources.

The proper utilization of these positive elements is creating better educators, methods, and programs that are assisting educational institutions of Florida to prepare better leaders for the future.

-Abhishek Joshi

Transforming Lives through Christ-Centered Education

P

erhaps why we all love children is because they represent the culmination of all the knowledge that has been passed down from generations through genes and also represent limitless potential waiting to find their own path in life.

After all, as they say, children are God’s apostles.

The rightful education and fulfillment of children is counted as the top priority of not only their families but

also of the community. And since the majority of a child’s day is spent in school, the influence that a school has on his/her development is an important matter to meditate on.

Throughout centuries, a Christcentered education has enabled students to not only learn about the world around them, but also cultivate a deep and lasting relationship with God. The values, morals and perspectives inculcated in a Christian school helps

children grow into moral and welleducated students with sufficient proficiencies and a strong moral fiber.

This the promise of a good Christian education which the Orlando, Floridabased The First Academy has been successfully delivering since its inception in 1986.

The First Academy (TFA) is a Christcentered college preparatory school serving over 1,200 Central Florida students from preschool through 12th

Best Performing Schools in Florida

grade. Since its opening in 1987, TFA has prepared students to stand out from their peers and become leaders who influence the world through Christ-like leadership — choosing character before career, wisdom beyond scholarship, service before self, and participation as a way of life.

By the time your child has graduated from TFA, they will: develop a strong identity in Christ and the plan God has for their life; build their knowledge, skills, and maturity to successfully go on to a college or career of their choice; be a confident leader and communicator, as well as a caring and successful individual; remain grounded in family values that align with TFA’s mission and vision.

The TFA Experience TFA’s campus is centrally located for Central Florida families, offering stateof-the-art academic and athletic facilities. The school serves students from preschool through 12th grade.

The First Academy boasts a 100% college acceptance rate for its graduating seniors, who have received over $70 million in scholarship offers.

TFA’s Lower School focuses on building a strong foundation for lifelong learners, while its Middle School nurtures their emerging gifts and academic interests. In the Upper School, students have the opportunity to further prepare themselves for college including Advanced Placement, concurrent and dual enrollment, and accelerated learning opportunities. The school also offers hybrid homeschool and special needs programs.

The Cultivated Commander-InChief Dr. Steve D. Whitaker has served as the Head of School at The First Academy since July 2003. During his tenure, the school has advanced a bold spiritual formation agenda,

The First Academy is positioned to continue as a leader in Christian, private education with its ability to balance accelerated scholastic excellence with life-changing spiritual formation.

experienced outstanding enrollment growth, and has witnessed remarkable scholastic achievements. Multiple capital campaigns led to major renovations and expansion of the Lower School, the building of a new Upper and Middle School, the opening of the Tennis Center, expanded athletic facilities at Payne Stewart Athletic complex, a renovation of the BoydMoline Library, a Black Box Theatre, a new $10.5 million Field House/Gymnasium Facility, and an impressive culinary farm to table newly constructed kitchen and dining space.

The First Academy families have generously pledged over $44 million to fund these initiatives. Dr Whitaker has written on a variety of topics, including school culture, Christian living, generous giving, and Biblical worldview issues. He published a book entitled ‘In God We Trust: Five Anchor Points for Turbulent Times’.

His past and present activities include serving on the ACSI Executive Board,

FHSAA Board of Directors, FCIS Board of Directors, ABHE Board of Directors, and Charter Member for Council for Educational Standards and Accountability.

In 2010, Dr Whitaker founded Neighborhood Charter Schools, seeking to support urban churches in establishing charter schools for severely disadvantaged students. After completing his Bachelor’s degree in South Florida, Dr. Whitaker received a Master of Education from MidAmerica Nazarene University and a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Louisville. He also earned his PhD from the University of Louisville in Higher Education Administration. He is married to Tricia and has three marvelous children who are TFA graduates (Amanda, Stephen, and Caleb).

Making Learning Fun From athletics to fine arts, The First Academy students have a multitude of opportunities to develop beyond academics. Athletic competition is offered as early as Kindergarten and culminates with 32 offerings at the Upper School level. Students also excel in the performing arts, competing at the local, regional and state levels in Choir, Theatre and Band.

Beyond the field or stage, students often tell us they love electives like media production, performing arts, Mandarin, 2D and 3D art and agricultural science, or extracurriculars such as Poetry Out Loud, Dance Marathon, Aquaponics, senior ski trip, and other student-led interest clubs and organizations.

Students from The First Academy go on to excel in whatever career path they pursue. From lawyers to engineers, from pastors to Olympic athletes, The First Academy’s Royals

are prepared from day one for their future.

The Royal Package It’s the whole Royal package that The First Academy has to offer. TFA provides the strongest balance of accelerated academics and student leadership. With a 100% college acceptance rate, the teachers are certainly doing their part. The top reasons why families choose TFA include: Ÿ World-Class, Caring Teachers Ÿ Individualized Pathways Ÿ Spiritual Formation Ÿ Student Leadership Opportunities Ÿ Championship Athletics and Award-Winning Fine Arts Awards and Accolades The First Academy continues to earn awards each year including Best Christian Elementary School 2021, Orange County’s #1 Christian High School, Best Private School, Nearpod Certified School, Apple Distinguished School.

From lawyers to engineers, from pastors to Olympic athletes, The First Academy’s Royals are prepared from day one for their future.

Read more at – https://thefirstacademy.org/media/ The Pandemic Dictate During the 2020-21 school year, The First Academy adapted to the pandemic, caring for its students, families, faculty, and staff making for a successful in-person school year.

Following similar guidance, TFA continues to adapt to the current situation while balancing the immediate needs of its campus and community.

The Future Beckons The First Academy is positioned to continue as a leader in Christian, private education with its ability to balance accelerated scholastic excellence with life-changing spiritual formation. The First Academy’s unparalleled ability to create a school community that nurtures the heart and mind of every student will continue to provide current and future families with an education option that nourishes the whole child into fulfilling their God-given potential and paths.