Parent Guide Educational Issue 2012

1 Parent Guide®Educational Guide 2012 | www.ParentGuide.com

PASCO | PINELLAS | HILLSBOROUGH

Generations of EducationFamilies of theGenesis School

2012SCHOOL GUIDES The Info You Need to Know

IQ ExposedWhat Does IQ Measure

FOCUS ON SCHOOL DISTRICTSPinellas, Pasco & Hillsborough Counties

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866.JustLetGo | JustLetGo.com/101Things

At TradeWinds, we’ve got 101 things to do on vacation. Discover the perfect

family vacation destination right in your own backyard! The kids are thrilled with

RedBeard the Pirate, bungee trampoline and their own supervised programs.

For you, sway in a beachside hammock … soar on a parasail … feast on fresh seafood

and tropical coolers. Everyone has a blast on the new Splash Island Water Park.

It’s time to

5 Parent Guide®

editor’s NOTE

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT

My eldest son entered middle school this fall. It was a rite of passage filled with adjustments, and one that I am very proud

of the transition he has made. As a parent, I believed that it was my role to make this transition as smooth as possible especially since this change occurred during a time when he was experiencing lots of other personal changes both physically and emotionally (I call it mutating, but, I digress).

However, the process of getting him into middle school was very stressful for me and for my husband. Why? Because we wanted our son to be in a school where we know he’d flourish, where there were opportunities to really play to his strengths. Elementary school had been a good experience, but our son had dealt with a fair amount of social issues and some bullying, and his self-confidence was not quite as strong as I wanted for him. So, finding the “right fit” was extremely important.

After reviewing schools, talking with parents during the choice period in Pinellas County and having our son shadow a student at one school, we decided there were a couple of middle schools we were interested in him attending. Unfortunately, his name wasn’t drawn for those schools, leaving us concerned and planning for other options.

Fearing that this situation might happen, I had stayed up late one night and completed applications for my eldest son and his brother to attend a pair of charter schools located in Largo. My youngest got into one school, but his brother did not, which again left my husband and me sweating out our options. But then, by a stroke of luck I could only equate to winning the lottery, they were both accepted to the other school, Plato Academy.

The boys' experience at Plato Academy has been excellent. This is the Largo campus's first year admitting fifth and sixth graders, and there are some growing pains such as issues with funding and a few bumps in the road as the school figures out how things will best work. But overall, I've seen tremendous growth in both boys and the devotion of a handful of teachers that wear so many hats it's hard to imagine how they have any time for themselves.

The school is academically rigorous, but I'm pleased with the challenges my boys are embracing. The fifth and sixth grade classrooms have 21 to 22 students, and the entire sixth grade is just 44 students, which I believe has been wonderful for my middle schooler. I have watched him go from a kid who dealt with a lot of social issues to an adolescent who is thriving socially as well as academically. I believe that is because of the small classes and the tight personal relationship between the family and the teachers.

Yet, despite the positives of our charter school experience and my full support of the concept of the charter school, I still also advocate for public education. And I hope in years to come, we'll have more schools that parents clamor for their children to attend because they know their child will receive a good education. In the meantime, I am grateful for the options available!

Geodie Baxter PadgettExecutive [email protected]

It’s like

Summer Camp

for the entire family!

866.JustLetGo | JustLetGo.com/101Things

At TradeWinds, we’ve got 101 things to do on vacation. Discover the perfect

family vacation destination right in your own backyard! The kids are thrilled with

RedBeard the Pirate, bungee trampoline and their own supervised programs.

For you, sway in a beachside hammock … soar on a parasail … feast on fresh seafood

and tropical coolers. Everyone has a blast on the new Splash Island Water Park.

It’s time to

SPECIAL EVENTS

10 StateFair

11 Health Safety

12 Largo Play Unplug

13 Chalkart festival

14 Touch Truck

15 Thomas TankEngine

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www.skycrest.us

• Established in 1971

• Dual Accreditation ACSI/SACS

• Integrated Technology in Classrooms

• Diverse Athletic & Fine Arts Opportunities

• Partnering with Christian Families for a Quality Education

129 N. Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33765

727-797-1186 tel 727-797-8516 fax

Making a Difference!Open House Dates

January 19February 16

Christia n Pre schoolK Y CRESTS

www.skycrest.us

Skycrest Christian Preschool was createdto serve children and their families inChristian early education programs byproviding age-appropriate opportunities so that young children will learn to love God and love learning.We want children to approach education with a joyous attitude and truly believe that by fi rst establishing a love for Christ in their lives that the desire to fl ourish and grow in Him will lead to a life-long love for learning and Christian growth.

129 N. Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33765

727-797-1186 tel 727-797-8516 fax

Growing ChldeOpen House Dates

January 19February 16

7 Parent Guide®

contentsEDUCATIONAL GUIDE 2012

DEPARTMENTS

PAGES 20-27

SCHOOLGUIDES

20

12

32

28

3EDITOR’S NOTEFinding the Right Fit

The importance of finding a school that really works for your child.

GENESIS GENERATIONSShannon Kelley Pattee follows three

families whose generations have attended the Genesis School.

SCHOOL GUIDEAll the info you need on Tampa Bay

schools.

WHAT’S UP IN YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT

Miranda Jenson takes a look at some of the key info and news from Pinellas,

Pasco and Hillsborough Counties.

SMART PARENTS QUESTION IQ TESTING

Kurt Goerke explores the ins an outs of IQ testing.

WHY WALDORF WORKSHands-On Education

Barbara Bedingfield explains why so many Silicon Valley CEO’s opt for

Waldorf’s low-tech education.

46

parentguide.com8

Parent Guide® is published four times a year and is distributed to readers at no charge. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs, artwork, designs and

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the publication. Copyright 2011 by Spectrum Communications Media Group All rights reserved.

Publishing Group SPECTRUM COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA GROUP

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Midway Power Hour!February 11 & 18

10:00am - 11:00amMost Midway Rides Only One Ticket

11 Parent Guide®

Midway Power Hour!February 11 & 18

10:00am - 11:00amMost Midway Rides Only One Ticket

parentguide.com12

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For tickets and information, visitwww.ticketweb.com/dowt or call 866.468.7630

Florida Railroad Museum12210 83rd Street E., Parrish, FLMarch 17-18 & 24-25

Tickets are $18 for ages 2 and up.Advance purchase is recommended.

Ticket sales are �nal. Events are rain or shine.

25 minute ride witha full size Thomasthe Tank EngineTM

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Day Out With ThomasTM Thomas the Tank Engine & FriendsTM Based on The Railway Series by The Reverend W Awdry. © 2012 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Thomas & Friends and Day Out With Thomas are trademarks of Gullane (Thomas) Limited. Thomas & Friends and Design is Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. O�. HIT and the HIT logo are trademarks of HIT Entertainment Limited. © 2012, MEGA Brands Inc. All Rights Reserved. MEGA BLOKS and the MEGA BLOKS logo are registered trademarks of MEGA Brands Inc.

For tickets and information, visitwww.ticketweb.com/dowt or call 866.468.7630

Florida Railroad Museum12210 83rd Street E., Parrish, FLMarch 17-18 & 24-25

Tickets are $18 for ages 2 and up.Advance purchase is recommended.

Ticket sales are �nal. Events are rain or shine.

25 minute ride witha full size Thomasthe Tank EngineTM

MeetingSir Topham Hatt

Storytelling, Live Music,Build with Mega Bloks®

and Much More!

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Largest Vehicle Display in SE United States!

The City of Dunedin Parks & Recreation Department Proudly Presents...

The 11th Annual

Touch a Truck

Saturday, April 28 - 10am to 3pmFree Admission - $2 Parking

Highlander Park - Dunedin

Over 150 Vehicles - Military - Police - Fire - K9 DemoExtrication Demo - Crafts - Food Vendors - Live Music

727-812-4530 www.DunedinGov.com

Rated one of Tampa Bay’s“Best Family Events” by

parentguide.com16

2012 School GuideHILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

Getting off to a great start in school is always a parent's first concern once the school year begins. But sometimes, things don't work out quite asplanned, and parents may decide that they need another option for their child's education.

That's why ParentGuide has put together a complete school guide featuring pertinent information about some of Tampa Bay's finest schools. Keep the listing handy in case you need to refer to it. It may provide with some educational options this year or in future years.

Log on to parentguide.com for more school listings and updates!

Name Address City Phone Grades Enrollment

Academy of the Holy Names 3319 Bayshore Blvd. Tampa 813-839-5371 PreK-12 850

Academy Prep Center for Education 1407 E Columbus Dr. Tampa 813-248-5600 5th-8th 112

Bayshore Christian School 3909 S. MacDill Avenue Tampa 813-839-4297 K2-12th 235

Bell Shoals Baptist Academy 2102 Bell Shoals Rd. Tampa 813-689-9183 PreS-8th 526

Berean Academy 10948 Central Avenue Tampa 813-221-1711 K-12 155

Berkeley Preparatory 4811 Kelly Rd. Tampa 813-885-1673 PreK-12 1200

Bowman Academy 3407 Latania Dr. Tampa 813-961-1822 PreK2-5yo 94

Brookwood Academy 3820 Coconut Palm Dr. Tampa 813-628-4114 6wks-VPK 100

Cambridge Christian School 6101 N. Habana Ave. Tampa 813-872-6744 x271 Preschool - 12th 520

Carrollwood Day School 2606 Casey Rd. Tampa 813-963-2388 PreK2-K 146

Carrollwood Day School 1515 Bearss Avenue Tampa 813-920-2288 1st-12th 600

Center Academy 11520 Land O'Lakes Blvd. Lutz 813-931-1012 4th-12th 75

Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran School 304 Druid Hills Rd. Temple Terrace 813-985-7145 PreK3-8th 131

Christ the King Catholic School 3809 Morrison Avenue Tampa 813-876-8770 PreK4-8th 480

Citrus Park Christian School 7705 Gunn Hwy. Tampa 813-920-3960 K3-12th 360

Corpus Christi Catholic School 9715 56th St. N. Temple Terrace 813-988-1722 PreK-8th 227

Faith Outreach Academy 7607 Sheldon Rd. Tampa 813-887-5546 K3-12th 145

Family of Christ Christian School 16190 Bruce B.Downs Blvd. Tampa 813-558-9343 PreK-8th 250

Florida College Academy 7032 Temple Terrace Hwy. Tampa 813-899-6800 PreK-9th 150

Grace Christian School 1425 N. Valrico Rd. Valrico 813-689-8815 K4-8th 0

Hebrew Academy of Tampa Bay 14908 Pennington Rd. Tampa 813-963-0706 PreK-8th 1:06

Hillel School of Tampa 2020 Fletcher Avenue W Tampa 813-963-2242 K-8th 176

Hillsborough County Magnet Schools Various locations Tampa 813-272-4692 K-12th varies per school

Holy Trinity Lutheran School 3712 El Prado Blvd. Tampa 813-839-0665 PreK3 - 5th 80

17 Parent Guide®

2012 School GuideLog on to parentguide.com for more school listings and updates!

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

“Education is not received. It is achieved.”

anonymous

Class Size Year Established Affiliation Web Address Tuition

18 1881 Catholic www.holynamestba.org varies

17 1998 non-denominational www.academyprep.org varies

7 - 20 1971 non-denominational www.bayshorechristianschool.org 6780-8085

varies 1965 Baptist www.bsbacademy.com varies

13-18 1995 non-denominational www.bereanacademy.com 7200-9400

16-20 1960 Episcopal www.berkeleyprep.org 15260-18360

1:16 early 1960's none www.thebowmanacademy.com varies

varies 1987 none n/a varies

15 1964 non denom Christian www.cambridge-christian.com 5171 - 11300

1:16 1984 non-denominational www.carrollwooddayschool.org varies

1:10 1981 non-denominational www.carrolwooddayschool.org varies

1:10 1968 none www.centeracademy.com varies

7 - 17 1970 Lutheran www.corlutheran.org 2956-5099

22-25 1949 Catholic www.cks-school.org varies

18 1983 non-denominational www.citruspark.org 3600-6000

25-30 1964 Catholic www.corpuschristicatholicschool.org 5107

varies 1984 non-denominational www.faithoutreachacademy.org varies

1:20 1999 Lutheran www.foc-knights.com 5360

1:13 1958 non-denominational www.floridacollegeacademy.net varies

varies 1975 non-denominational www.gracechristiansschool.com varies

varies 1986 Jewish www.hebrewacademyoftampa.com 5900-6800

10 - 12 1971 Jewish www.hillelschool.com 5000-11007

varies per school varies per school none www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/magnet n/a

varies 1958 Lutheran www.htls.org varies

HILLSBOROUGH2012 School Guide

PASCO COUNTY


Immanuel Lutheran School 2913 S John Moore Rd Brandon 813-685-1978 PreK4-8th 160

Incarnation Catholic Church and School 511 Webb Rd. Tampa 813-884-4502 PreK-8th 400

Independent Day School 12015 Orange Grove Dr. Tampa 813-961-3087 PreK3-8th 500

Jesuit High School 4701 N Himes Avenue Tampa 813-877-5344 9th-12th 680

Kings Avenue Baptist Church 2602 S Kings Avenue Brandon 813-685-3095 PreK3-5th 70

Land O' Lakes Christian School 5105 School Road Land O'Lakes 813-995-9040 K4-12th 200

Lee Academy for Gifted Education 8613 Twin Lakes Blvd. Tampa 813-931-3316 PreK-12 82

Lowry Park Zoo 1101 W Sligh Avenue Tampa 813-935-8552 PreS-PreK 88

Northdale Lutheran School 15709 Mapledale Blvd. Tampa 813-961-9195 K-12th 30

Oak Grove United Methodist School 2707 Waters Avenue W Tampa 813-935-4956 PreK-5th 80

Odessa Christian School 19521 Michigan Ave. Odessa 813-792-1825 Kindergarten - 10th 85

Philip Shore Elementary School of the Arts 1908 2nd Avenue Tampa 813-276-5712 K - 5 350

Providence Christian School 5416 Providence Rd. Riverview 813-689-7127 K3-12 180

R' Club Early Learning Academy 12420 Telcom Dr. Temple Terrace 813-979-0002 PreK-5th 51

Seffner Christian Academy 11605 US Hwy 92E Tampa 813-626-0001 K2-12th 610

St. Lawrence Catholic School 5223 N. Himes Ave. Tampa 813-879-5090 PreK - 8th 560

St. Mary's Episcopal Day School 2101 S.Hubert Avenue Tampa 813-258-5508 PreK4-8th 425

St. Peter Clavers School 1401 N Governor Tampa 813-224-0865 PreK3-8th 85

Tampa Adventist Academy 3205 N. Blvd. Tampa 813-228-7950 PreK-10th 108

Tampa Catholic High School 4630 N Rome Avenue Tampa 813-870-0860 9th-12th 735

Tampa Preparatory School 727 W Cass St. Tampa 813-251-8481 6th-12th 580

The Goddard School 13401 Tampa Oaks Blvd. Tampa 813-978-8100 Infant - PK 132

Tropical Acres Christian Academy 12107 Rhodine Road Riverview 813-677-8036 6 wks-12th 35

United Methodist Church-Early Childhood Center 2902 Fletcher Avenue W Tampa 813-963-0356 1yo-K 180

West Gate Christian Preparatory School 5121 Kelly Road Tampa 813-884-5147 K3-12th 195


Faith Christian Academy 175 Springtime St. Spring Hill 352-686-9350 prek, k-5 48

Genesis Preparatory School 7710 Osteen Rd. New Port Richey 727-846-8407 6th-12th 110

Longleaf Learning Center 3035 Alachua Place New Port Richey 727-375-2664 2yo-5th 180

Notre Dame Interparochial School 1117 Suzanne Dr. Spring Hill 352-683-0755 prek-8th varies

Pasco County School System 7227 Land O'Lakes Blvd. Land O'Lakes Lakes 813-794-2000 K-12 62,530

Spring Hill Christian Academy 3140 Mariner Blvd. Spring Hill 352-683-8485 prek3-12 241

The Genesis School-East Campus 8100 Mitchell Ranch Rd. New Port Richey 727-372-9333 2yo-5th 150

The Genesis School-West Campus 6609 River Rd. New Port Richey 727-845-1111 2yo-5th 100

West Hernando Christian School 2250 Isiwaw Blvd. Spring Hill 352-688-9918 k3-12 241

Wider Horizons School 4060 Castle Ave. Spring Hill 352-686-1934 prek-12 160

World of Knowledge Montessori School 1935 Abacus Rd. Holiday 727-934-3028 18m - 8th 95

19 Parent Guide®

HILLSBOROUGH 2012 School GuideHILLSBOROUGH

PASCO COUNTY


Immanuel Lutheran School 2913 S John Moore Rd Brandon 813-685-1978 PreK4-8th 160

Incarnation Catholic Church and School 511 Webb Rd. Tampa 813-884-4502 PreK-8th 400

Independent Day School 12015 Orange Grove Dr. Tampa 813-961-3087 PreK3-8th 500

Jesuit High School 4701 N Himes Avenue Tampa 813-877-5344 9th-12th 680

Kings Avenue Baptist Church 2602 S Kings Avenue Brandon 813-685-3095 PreK3-5th 70

Land O' Lakes Christian School 5105 School Road Land O'Lakes 813-995-9040 K4-12th 200

Lee Academy for Gifted Education 8613 Twin Lakes Blvd. Tampa 813-931-3316 PreK-12 82

Lowry Park Zoo 1101 W Sligh Avenue Tampa 813-935-8552 PreS-PreK 88

Northdale Lutheran School 15709 Mapledale Blvd. Tampa 813-961-9195 K-12th 30

Oak Grove United Methodist School 2707 Waters Avenue W Tampa 813-935-4956 PreK-5th 80

Odessa Christian School 19521 Michigan Ave. Odessa 813-792-1825 Kindergarten - 10th 85

Philip Shore Elementary School of the Arts 1908 2nd Avenue Tampa 813-276-5712 K - 5 350

Providence Christian School 5416 Providence Rd. Riverview 813-689-7127 K3-12 180

R' Club Early Learning Academy 12420 Telcom Dr. Temple Terrace 813-979-0002 PreK-5th 51

Seffner Christian Academy 11605 US Hwy 92E Tampa 813-626-0001 K2-12th 610

St. Lawrence Catholic School 5223 N. Himes Ave. Tampa 813-879-5090 PreK - 8th 560

St. Mary's Episcopal Day School 2101 S.Hubert Avenue Tampa 813-258-5508 PreK4-8th 425

St. Peter Clavers School 1401 N Governor Tampa 813-224-0865 PreK3-8th 85

Tampa Adventist Academy 3205 N. Blvd. Tampa 813-228-7950 PreK-10th 108

Tampa Catholic High School 4630 N Rome Avenue Tampa 813-870-0860 9th-12th 735

Tampa Preparatory School 727 W Cass St. Tampa 813-251-8481 6th-12th 580

The Goddard School 13401 Tampa Oaks Blvd. Tampa 813-978-8100 Infant - PK 132

Tropical Acres Christian Academy 12107 Rhodine Road Riverview 813-677-8036 6 wks-12th 35

United Methodist Church-Early Childhood Center 2902 Fletcher Avenue W Tampa 813-963-0356 1yo-K 180

West Gate Christian Preparatory School 5121 Kelly Road Tampa 813-884-5147 K3-12th 195


20 1980 Lutheran www.ilsbrandon.com varies

20-25 early 1960's Catholic www.icstampa.org varies

varies 1968 non-denominational www.idsyes.com varies

1:12 1899 Catholic www.jesuittampa.org varies

15 1985 Baptist www.kacs.us 2300-3900

15 1978 Baptist www.fbclol.org varies

1:10 1983 none www.leegiftedacademy.com 8700-9500

11 2000 none www.lowryparkzoo.com varies

1:10 2000 WELS Lutheran www.northdalelutheran.org varies

15 early 1960's Methodist www.ogumsschools.officelive.com 3420-4320

16 - 20 2006 Independent Interdenominational Christian www.odessachristinaschool.org 5850 - 6500

18 1922 public http://shore.mysdhc.org n/a

25 1965 Baptist www.providencechristianschool.net varies

10 - 15 2005 non-denominational www.rclub.net varies

varies 1983 non-denominational www.seacrusaders.com varies

varies 1959 Catholic www.stlawrencecatholicschool.org varies

varies 1953 Episcopal www.smeds.org 107000

varies 1894 Catholic n/a scholarships

varies 1919 Seventh Day Adventist www.taacademy.com varies

varies 1962 Catholic www.tampacatholic.org varies

16 1974 non-denominational www.tampaprep.org varies

varies 2008 none www.goddardschool.com varies

varies 1986 Baptist n/a varies

12 - 18 1970 Methodist www.lmumc.org varies

15 1972 Baptist www.westgate.org varies


Faith Christian Academy 175 Springtime St. Spring Hill 352-686-9350 prek, k-5 48

Genesis Preparatory School 7710 Osteen Rd. New Port Richey 727-846-8407 6th-12th 110

Longleaf Learning Center 3035 Alachua Place New Port Richey 727-375-2664 2yo-5th 180

Notre Dame Interparochial School 1117 Suzanne Dr. Spring Hill 352-683-0755 prek-8th varies

Pasco County School System 7227 Land O'Lakes Blvd. Land O'Lakes Lakes 813-794-2000 K-12 62,530

Spring Hill Christian Academy 3140 Mariner Blvd. Spring Hill 352-683-8485 prek3-12 241

The Genesis School-East Campus 8100 Mitchell Ranch Rd. New Port Richey 727-372-9333 2yo-5th 150

The Genesis School-West Campus 6609 River Rd. New Port Richey 727-845-1111 2yo-5th 100

West Hernando Christian School 2250 Isiwaw Blvd. Spring Hill 352-688-9918 k3-12 241

Wider Horizons School 4060 Castle Ave. Spring Hill 352-686-1934 prek-12 160

World of Knowledge Montessori School 1935 Abacus Rd. Holiday 727-934-3028 18m - 8th 95


varies 1990 non denominational Christian n/a varies

15 1993 non denominational www.genesisprep.com 12000

varies 2002 none www.longleaflearningcenter.com varies

18 1985 Catholic www.ndischool.com varies

varies early 1900's public www.pasco.k12.fl.us n/a

15 1994 non denominational/Christian www.springhillchristianacademy.com varies

varies 1977 none www.genesiselementary.com varies

varies 1977 none www.genesiselementary.com varies

varies 1996 non denominational Christian www.whcs.net varies

20-25 1981 none www.widehorizonsschool.com varies

varies 1981 none www.flwokmontessori.com varies

parentguide.com20

2012 School Guide

TUTORING

PINELLAS COUNTY

THROUGHOUT TAMPA BAY

Name Address City Phone Grades

Huntington Learning Center Various locations 800-Can Learn K-12 Tutoring

Sylvan Learning Various locations 888-Educate PreK-College Prep Tutoring

The Tutors 30750 US Hwy 19 N. Palm Harbor 727-786-8887 PreK-12 Tutoring


Academy Prep Center for Education 2301 22nd Avenue S. St. Petersburg 727-322-0800 5h-8th

Admiral Farrigut Academy 501 Park St. N. St. Petersburg 727-384-5505 PreK-12th

Bay Pines Lutheran School 7589 113th Lane N. Seminole 727-397-3204 K-8th

Bellair Montessori Academy 905 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Clearwater 727-584-2867 2yo-12yo

Blossom Montessori Schl for the Deaf 5990 142nd Avenue N Clearwater 727-539-7627 2.5yo-15yo

Broach School 4500 43rd Street N. Clearwater 727-526-5700 1st-12th

Calvary Christian High School 110 A. N. McMullen Booth Road Clearwater 727-449-2247 9th - 12th

Camelot School 6751 Ulmerton Rd. Largo 727-536-9911 2nd-5th

Canterbury School of Florida 1200 Snell Isle Blvd. NE St. Petersburg 727-525-1419 PreK - 4th

Canterbury School of Florida 990 62nd Avenue NE St. Petersburg 727-525-1419 5th - 12th

Center Academy 2104 Palm Harbor Blvd. Palm Harbor 727-781-2986 4th-12th


Creative World Various locations 1-800-362-5940 Infants-PreK

Discovery Point Various locations 770-622-2112 Infants - Toddlers

Kindercare Various locations 1-800-kindercare 6 weeks to 12 years of age

LaPetite Academy Various locations 877-861-5078 Infants-K

Primrose Schools Various locations 770-529-4100 Infants-PreK

21 Parent Guide®

2012 School Guide



Huntington Learning Center Various locations 800-Can Learn K-12 Tutoring

Sylvan Learning Various locations 888-Educate PreK-College Prep Tutoring

The Tutors 30750 US Hwy 19 N. Palm Harbor 727-786-8887 PreK-12 Tutoring


varies none www.huntingtonlearning.com varies

varies none www.tutoring.sylvanlearning.com varies

varies none www.thetutors.net varies


Academy Prep Center for Education 2301 22nd Avenue S. St. Petersburg 727-322-0800 5h-8th

Admiral Farrigut Academy 501 Park St. N. St. Petersburg 727-384-5505 PreK-12th

Bay Pines Lutheran School 7589 113th Lane N. Seminole 727-397-3204 K-8th

Bellair Montessori Academy 905 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Clearwater 727-584-2867 2yo-12yo

Blossom Montessori Schl for the Deaf 5990 142nd Avenue N Clearwater 727-539-7627 2.5yo-15yo

Broach School 4500 43rd Street N. Clearwater 727-526-5700 1st-12th

Calvary Christian High School 110 A. N. McMullen Booth Road Clearwater 727-449-2247 9th - 12th

Camelot School 6751 Ulmerton Rd. Largo 727-536-9911 2nd-5th

Canterbury School of Florida 1200 Snell Isle Blvd. NE St. Petersburg 727-525-1419 PreK - 4th

Canterbury School of Florida 990 62nd Avenue NE St. Petersburg 727-525-1419 5th - 12th

Center Academy 2104 Palm Harbor Blvd. Palm Harbor 727-781-2986 4th-12th

Enrollment Class Size Year Established Affiliation Web Address Tuition

126 15 1997 none www.academyprep.org varies

400 varies 1933 none www.farrigut.org varies

115 varies 1973 WELS Lutheran www.bpwels.com 3456

68 18-20 1944 none www.bmakids.com varies

varies 10 2003 none www.blossomschool.org varies

70 10 late 1980's none www.broachschool.com varies

220 varies 2000 Christian www.cchs.us 8850

120 varies 1982 none www.mycamelotschool.com varies

430 18 1968 Episcopal www.canterbury-fl.org 10130 -15020

430 18 1968 Episcopal www.canterbury-fl.org 10130 -15020

75 1:10 ratio 1968 none www.centeracademy.com varies


Creative World Various locations 1-800-362-5940 Infants-PreK

Discovery Point Various locations 770-622-2112 Infants - Toddlers

Kindercare Various locations 1-800-kindercare 6 weeks to 12 years of age

LaPetite Academy Various locations 877-861-5078 Infants-K

Primrose Schools Various locations 770-529-4100 Infants-PreK


varies per center varies per center none www.creativeworldschools.com varies per center

varies per center 20 years in business none www.discoverypoint.com varies per center

varies per center varies per center none www.kindercare.com varies per center

varies per center varies per center none www.lapetite.com varies per center

varies per center varies per center none www.primroseschools.com varies per center

parentguide.com22

2012 School Guide


PINELLAS COUNTY (Cont’d)Name Address City Phone Grades

Center Academy 6710 86th Avenue N Pinellas Park 727-541-5716 4th-12th

Christ the Lord Christian School 2045 N. Hercules Avenue Clearwater 727-441-8239 k-k - 8th

Clearwater Academy 801 Drew St. Clearwater 727-446-1722 PreK-12th

Clearwater Central Catholic High School 2750 Haines Bayshore Rd. Clearwater 727-531-1449 9th-12th

Coti Community Christian School 206 23rd Ave. Indian Rocks Beach 727-517-0775 age 2 - K

Countryside Christian Academy 1850 N. McMullen Booth Rd. Clearwater 727-799-1618 PreK2-8th

Delphi Academy of Florida 1831 Drew St. Clearwater 727-447-6385 Preschool - 8th

Dunedin Academy 1408 County Road 1 Dunedin 727-580-2042 Preschool - 12th

First Evangelical Lutheran School 1644 Nursery Rd. Clearwater 727-461-34444 PK3-8th

Great Explorations 1925 Fourth St. N St. Petersburg 727-821-8992 2yo-VPK

Gulf Coast Seventh Day Adventist School 6001 7th Avenue S. St. Petersburg 727-345-2141 K-8th

Holy Family Catholic Church School 250 78th Avenue NE St. Petersburg 727-526-8194 PreK2-8th

Indian Rocks Christian Schools 12685 Ulmerton Rd. Largo 727-596-7192 PreK2-12th

Keswick Christian School 10101 54th Avenue N. St. Petersburg 727-393-9100 PK2-12

Lakeside Christian School 1897 Sunset Pt. Rd. Clearwater 727-461-3311 K5-12th

New Horizons Country Day School 2060 Nebraska Ave. Palm Harbor 727-786-1854 12m-5th

Northbay Christian 1625 Union St. Clearwater 727-462-0134 PreK-8th

Northside Christian School 7777 62nd Avenue N. St. Petersburg 727-541-7593 PK-12

Oldsmar Christian School 650 Burbank Road Oldsmar 813-855-5746 K4-12

Our Lady of Lourdes School 730 San Salvador Dr. Dunedin 727-733-3776 VPK-8th

Our Savior Lutheran School 5843 Fourth Avenue S. St. Petersburg 727-344-1026 PK3-8th

Palm Harbor Montessori-East Lake 1961 East Lake Rd. Palm Harbor 727-781-8980 Primary 2-5

Palm Harbor Montessori 2355 Nebraska Avenue Palm Harbor 727-786-1854 12m-8th

Pinellas County School System 301 Fourth St. SW Largo 727-588-6000 k-12

Safety Harbor Montessori Academy 2669 McMullen Booth Rd. Clearwater 727-724-1767 PreK-8th

Santina Bay Academy 32820 US Hwy 19 North Palm Harbor 727-216-9738 6th - 12th

Shady Creek Montessori 2095 Bellair Rd. Clearwater 727-535-8512 Preschool-2-4yo

Shorecrest Preparatory School 5101 1st Street NE St. Petersburg 727-522-2111 K-12

Skycrest Christian School 129 Belcher Rd.N. Clearwater 727-797-1186 k-8

Spring Valley School 2109 Nebraska Ave. Palm Harbor 727-781-1234 4-19yo

St. Patricks Catholic Church 1507 Trotter Rd. Clearwater 727-581-4865 PreK-8th

St. Paul's School 1600 St. Paul's Drive Clearwater 727-536-2756 PreK3-8th

St. Pete Christian School 2021 62nd Ave. N. St. Petersburg 727-522-3000 PreK - 4th

St. Pete Prep Learning Center 6030 1st Street N. St. Petersburg 727-522-7879 1-4yo

St. Raphael Church School 1376 Snell Isle Blvd. NE St. Petersburg 727-736-5082 k-8th

St. Jude Cathedral School 600 58th St. N. St. Petersburg 727-347-8622 ec3-8th

Suncoast Waldorf School 1857 Curlew Rd. Palm Harbor 727-786-8311 Preschool - 8th

Transfiguration Parish School 4000 43rd St. N. St. Petersburg 727-527-2880 2yo-5yo

Walden A Private Middle School 2728 53rd Street S. St. Petersburg 727-321-7441 6th-8th

Westlake Christian School 1551 Belcher Road Palm Harbor 727-781-3808 k-8

23 Parent Guide®

2012 School GuideEnrollment Class Size Year

Established Affiliation Web Address Tuition

75 1:10 ratio 1969 none www.centeracademy.com varies

26 varies 1984 Wells Lutheran www.christthelordlutheranchurch.org varies

260 varies 1984 none www.clearwateracademy.org 9996

700 varies 1962 Catholic www.ccchs.com varies

54 varies 2004 Christian www.cotischool.org varies

197 8-15 2000 non-denominational www.myccacademy.org varies

130 varies 1983 none www.delphi.org 6480-9610

250 1:18 1964 non denom www.dunedinacademy.com varies

250 22 1975 Lutheran www.flccclearwater.org varies

52 1:7 2007 none www.greatexplorations.org varies

15 varies early 1950's Seventh Day Adventist n/a varies

270 varies 1956 Catholic www.holyfamily-school.com 4466

862 varies 1984 Baptist www.ircs.org varies

540 15 1953 non denominational www.keswickchristian.org 2580-8632

266 varies 1975 non-denominational www.lakesidechristianschool.org 6400-7900

180 varies 1983 none www.newhorizonsprivateschool.com varies

69 16 1999 non-denominational www.northbaychristian.com varies

700 16 1971 Baptist www.nck12.com 7500-10000

205 varies 1981 Baptist www.oldsmarchristianschool.net varies

288 18-30 1962 Catholic www.myoll.com 4900

155 8 - 20 1982 Lutheran www.osls.net varies

52 varies 1999 none www.floridamontessori.com varies

200 varies 1983 none www.floridamontessori.com varies

105,000 varies early 1900's none www.pinellas.k12.fl.us n/a

210 1:6-1:12 ratio 1995 none www.shma.us starts 6450

15 10 2008 non denominational www.santinabayacedemy.com varies

40 varies 1982 none www.shadycreekpreschool.com varies

950 varies 1923 non-denominational www.shorecrest.org 7500-18830

380 19 1971 non denominational Christian www.skycrestchristianschool.org 5895-6005

20 open 1997 none www.springvalleyschool.com varies

254 varies 1959 Catholic www.stpatrick-lago.org varies

478 15-18 1968 Episcopal www.st.pauls.edu varies

430 varies 1971 Interdenominational www.stpetechristian.org 5895 - 6895

104 varies 1989 none www.stpeteprep.com varies

264 20 1969 Catholic www.st_raphaels.com varies

varies varies 1954 Catholic www.cathedralofstjude.org varies

80 15 - 20 1998 none www.suncoastwaldorf.org 2850 - 9750

69 varies 2006 Catholic www.transfigparish.org varies

11 combined 1997 none www.waldenmiddleschool.org 5000

310 20 1996 non denominational Christian www.westlakechristianschool.org varies


Center Academy 6710 86th Avenue N Pinellas Park 727-541-5716 4th-12th

Christ the Lord Christian School 2045 N. Hercules Avenue Clearwater 727-441-8239 k-k - 8th

Clearwater Academy 801 Drew St. Clearwater 727-446-1722 PreK-12th

Clearwater Central Catholic High School 2750 Haines Bayshore Rd. Clearwater 727-531-1449 9th-12th

Coti Community Christian School 206 23rd Ave. Indian Rocks Beach 727-517-0775 age 2 - K

Countryside Christian Academy 1850 N. McMullen Booth Rd. Clearwater 727-799-1618 PreK2-8th

Delphi Academy of Florida 1831 Drew St. Clearwater 727-447-6385 Preschool - 8th

Dunedin Academy 1408 County Road 1 Dunedin 727-580-2042 Preschool - 12th

First Evangelical Lutheran School 1644 Nursery Rd. Clearwater 727-461-34444 PK3-8th

Great Explorations 1925 Fourth St. N St. Petersburg 727-821-8992 2yo-VPK

Gulf Coast Seventh Day Adventist School 6001 7th Avenue S. St. Petersburg 727-345-2141 K-8th

Holy Family Catholic Church School 250 78th Avenue NE St. Petersburg 727-526-8194 PreK2-8th

Indian Rocks Christian Schools 12685 Ulmerton Rd. Largo 727-596-7192 PreK2-12th

Keswick Christian School 10101 54th Avenue N. St. Petersburg 727-393-9100 PK2-12

Lakeside Christian School 1897 Sunset Pt. Rd. Clearwater 727-461-3311 K5-12th

New Horizons Country Day School 2060 Nebraska Ave. Palm Harbor 727-786-1854 12m-5th

Northbay Christian 1625 Union St. Clearwater 727-462-0134 PreK-8th

Northside Christian School 7777 62nd Avenue N. St. Petersburg 727-541-7593 PK-12

Oldsmar Christian School 650 Burbank Road Oldsmar 813-855-5746 K4-12

Our Lady of Lourdes School 730 San Salvador Dr. Dunedin 727-733-3776 VPK-8th

Our Savior Lutheran School 5843 Fourth Avenue S. St. Petersburg 727-344-1026 PK3-8th

Palm Harbor Montessori-East Lake 1961 East Lake Rd. Palm Harbor 727-781-8980 Primary 2-5

Palm Harbor Montessori 2355 Nebraska Avenue Palm Harbor 727-786-1854 12m-8th

Pinellas County School System 301 Fourth St. SW Largo 727-588-6000 k-12

Safety Harbor Montessori Academy 2669 McMullen Booth Rd. Clearwater 727-724-1767 PreK-8th

Santina Bay Academy 32820 US Hwy 19 North Palm Harbor 727-216-9738 6th - 12th

Shady Creek Montessori 2095 Bellair Rd. Clearwater 727-535-8512 Preschool-2-4yo

Shorecrest Preparatory School 5101 1st Street NE St. Petersburg 727-522-2111 K-12

Skycrest Christian School 129 Belcher Rd.N. Clearwater 727-797-1186 k-8

Spring Valley School 2109 Nebraska Ave. Palm Harbor 727-781-1234 4-19yo

St. Patricks Catholic Church 1507 Trotter Rd. Clearwater 727-581-4865 PreK-8th

St. Paul's School 1600 St. Paul's Drive Clearwater 727-536-2756 PreK3-8th

St. Pete Christian School 2021 62nd Ave. N. St. Petersburg 727-522-3000 PreK - 4th

St. Pete Prep Learning Center 6030 1st Street N. St. Petersburg 727-522-7879 1-4yo

St. Raphael Church School 1376 Snell Isle Blvd. NE St. Petersburg 727-736-5082 k-8th

St. Jude Cathedral School 600 58th St. N. St. Petersburg 727-347-8622 ec3-8th

Suncoast Waldorf School 1857 Curlew Rd. Palm Harbor 727-786-8311 Preschool - 8th

Transfiguration Parish School 4000 43rd St. N. St. Petersburg 727-527-2880 2yo-5yo

Walden A Private Middle School 2728 53rd Street S. St. Petersburg 727-321-7441 6th-8th

Westlake Christian School 1551 Belcher Road Palm Harbor 727-781-3808 k-8

parentguide.com24

Lookingfor the best camp this

SUMMER?

25 Parent Guide®

COMING SOONSUMMER CAMP

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www.parentguide.com

parentguide.com26

Camp is a time to make new friends, try new things, come face-to-face with a giraffe and challenge a dive coaster. Well, it is at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island!

We offer camps for animal lovers, coaster enthusiasts, future veterinarians and everything in between. Day camps are available for students in Kindergarten through high school. For students in 5th grade

through college, we offer unique resident camps that include overnight stays at Busch Gardens.

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*Program components, pricing, and availability subject to change. ©2012 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

Voted Tampa Bay’s Best Summer

Camps!

27 Parent Guide®

by Miranda Jenson

WHAT’S UP IN YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT?

Pasco County School FactsServes 67,000 students

Budget: $475M approximately

Per student expenditure: $8403

SCHOOL NUMBERS & BREAKDOWNS84 schools

46 elementary schools

15 middle schools

13 high schools

5 charter schools K-8

4 education centers

1 virtual school

IMPORTANT NEWSPasco County is exploring a 4-day school week.

Recently, the school district reported on survey

results performed by Hanover Research. The

findings suggest parents were evenly split about

modifying the school week with these concerns:

• One half agreed it might save jobs and eliminate the need for more cuts • Concern about supervision and pressure on parents

to find care for children on that day • Many agreed that a 4-day school week would negatively

impact the quality of academic experiences

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPasco County Schools offers a Parent Involvement Library

online at www.parent-institute.com/ep/PX02615347

Keeping up with what’s going on in the school districts is more than challenging. That’s why Parent Guide has taken the time to check out the latest news or to add important info bytes about Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco County school districts. Take a minute and see what you can learn!

31 Parent Guide®

PinellasCounty Schools Facts7th largest school district in FL

Serves 102,000 students

Budget: $837M approximately

SCHOOL NUMBERS & BREAKDOWNS142 schools

74 K-5 Elementary schools

21 Middle schools

17 High schools

5 Exceptional education schools

17 Charter schools

1 Virtual

8 Other

ADDITIONAL INFOThe Teacher Appraisal Research

(piloted on 15 schools during

the 2010-2011 school year)

This report from the district’s Research

& Accountability division measured

teacher effectiveness based on four

criteria: Professional Expectations,

Student Performance, Peer Review

and Professional Development.

OVERALL #ofTeachers PercentageofTeachersIneffective 13 1.8

(less than 40

points on final

score)

Effective 473 65.9

(40-74 points)

Highly Effective 232 32.3

(75+ points)

ELEMENTARY #ofTeachers PercentageofTeachersIneffective 1 .5

Effective 120 58.2


MIDDLE #ofTeachers PercentageofTeachersIneffective 3 1.6

Effective 115 60.1


HIGHSCHOOL #ofTeachers PercentageofTeachersIneffective 9 2.8

Effective 238 74.6


To learn more about the study, visit, www.pcsb.org, click on About Us, then Research and Accountability.

parentguide.com32

By Geodie Baxter Padgett

DID YOU KNOW?

A 2008 study from the University of New Hampshire assessed the value of parental involvement in education at $1000 per child. Given that school districts in the Tampa Bay area are spending roughly between $6000-$8500 per student, that $1000 is significant.

WHAT’S UP IN YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT?Hillsborough County School Facts8th largest school district in United States

260 schools K-12

Budget $1.685B

Per student expenditure: $6300

SCHOOL NUMBERS & BREAKDOWNS260 K-12 schools

144 elementary schools

44 middle schools

27 high schools

2 charter K-8

82 adult programs

4 career centers

5 HiTEC

36 charter schools

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONIn 2009, the Hillsborough County School district was awarded

$100M from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The grant,

known as Empowering Effective Teachers (EET) is being used to

improve teacher effectiveness over a seven-year period.

Funds will be used to create a new-teacher induction program including

mentoring relationships. The district will also be using the grant to improve teacher

and principal evaluation systems and to enhance the professional development

system. Additionally, monies will be used to provide effective incentives to teachers

who work with high-needs student and to improve the compensation plan.

2012 COVER SEARCHCapture

that Special Moment ...

Submit your photo for a chance to be chosen

for the Cover of Parent Guide® or Tampa Bay Baby ® or maybe used in

our editorial pages

throughout 2012!

WIN Great Prizes for your family and Give Back to your

favorite non profit!For details log on parentguide.com

33 Parent Guide®

2012 COVER SEARCHCapture

that Special Moment ...

Submit your photo for a chance to be chosen

for the Cover of Parent Guide® or Tampa Bay Baby ® or maybe used in

our editorial pages

throughout 2012!

WIN Great Prizes for your family and Give Back to your

favorite non profit!For details log on parentguide.com

thejoyfm.com

Helping YOU Find JOY!

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MONTESSORI ACADEMIES

We provide an environ-ment that encourages active learning through methods that stimulate the child.

Serving the Tampa Bay area since 1970!Convenient Hours 7:00am – 6:00pm

Affordable Tuition

Temple Terrace 899-2345, 985-7829 New Tampa 979-4926 Tampa 933-4782

Toddlers thru 6th GradeEarly Reading ProgramHands-on Math ActivitiesFun ScienceSpanish Language / Cultural ImmersionDramaCookingChineseArts & CraftsMusic & Movement

thejoyfm.com

Helping YOU Find JOY!

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We: are community

We: do life together

Real Life. Real People

parentguide.com36

GENESIS GENERATIONS

By Shannon Kelley Patteeschool STORY

“A quality education is the best gift you can give your child,” states Ruth Urbanski, the former President of the Genesis School Parent Group. Her family has been part of the Genesis School since 1987, when her oldest daughter, Lynn (Gill), began preschool. Lynn attended Genesis for nine years and was in the first class to graduate from the elementary school. “We wanted the best for our children, and Genesis is the best!” Ruth continued. So, in 1984, her daughter, Sarah (Deperto), joined the Genesis student body and was in attendance for a total of 15 years. Sarah was with the first class to go from preschool through twelfth grade, where she graduated from Genesis Preparatory school in 1999.

The Urbanski family has many fond memories of the schools including the first Fall Festival, the annual Holiday Store that Sarah’s class began, the annual Thanksgiving play which Lynn’s class wrote, and the many community outreach programs in which they participated. According to Ruth, “Dr. Missy Nurrenbrock has led the school with dynamic guidance and a vision that has stood all of the Genesis family extremely well.”

The Hudson family is another member of the Genesis School Generations. Leila Hudson, mother and grandmother of past and present students, was on the Board of Trustees for six years while children Johnny, Joe, Kimberley and Krissy all attended Genesis between the years of 1983-2005. The youngest family members, Reese and Leila, are currently enrolled and are following in the footsteps of the others. Joseph Hudson, father of Reese and Leila, explains that they decided to send their children to Genesis because of the education he received in the elementary school. “My skills and knowledge were superior to the average sixth grade student,” he says. He also fondly recalls getting to go to “Camp Keystone” during the last week of school, where they had a talent show and a watermelon-seed-spitting contest. That was a lot of fun!

The Girardi family has been a Genesis Generations family since 1978, when Jaime entered preschool. His daughter, Gabriella, currently attends, and the newest member of their family, Ashlynne Elizabeth (born 12/5/11), will be a future Genesis attendee. “We know firsthand the type of attention that was given to the children and the types of activities that even the preschool kids are introduced to at the school,” says Jaime.

For additional information, please contact one of the following Genesis School locations.

Genesiselementary.com

Genesis School- Trinity Campus8100 Mitchell Ranch Rd. New Port Richey, Fl 34655 727-372-9333

Genesis School- NPR Campus6609 River Road, New Port Richey, FL 34652 727-845-1111

Longleaf Learning Center 3035 Alachua Pl., New Port Richey, FL 34655 727-375-2664

Genesis Preparatory School 7710 Osteen Rd., New Port Richey, FL 34653 727-846-8407

37 Parent Guide®

BLUEBERRY FRECKLES PHOTOGRAPHY Melissa Nurrenbrock Founder of The Genesis School

Jennifer Girardi Makinson attended Genesis from 1985-1986, and now has a son, Austin Jason Makinson, who is a current Genesis student. Jennifer and her Husband decided to send Austin to Genesis due to the class size as well as the education standards. “A t Genesis, the memories you make last a lifetime,” she says. “The staff at Genesis goes above and beyond to make sure that the children get a great education and are also very involved in the community.”

Even Abby Misemer, the sister of school leader Dr. Melissa Nurrenbrock, has had thirty-two years of involvement with the Genesis Schools. Both of her sons attended the schools, and today, her two grandchildren are students as well. In Abby’s words, “The same culture of excellence continues!”

These are just a few of the amazing Genesis families who have had the fortunate opportunity to watch generations thrive. The excellent education, lasting friendships and positive memories seem to be the common denominators among former students who pass on the same wonderful Genesis opportunities to future generations.

For More information please go to: www.genesiselementary.com.

Urbanski family

parentguide.com38

ParentsQuestion

By Kurt Goerke

IQ Testing

Much like snowflakes, the wonder and beauty of any given person is that no two

are alike, and there is no test that can quantify that uniqueness. nor is there one that gives

points for someone discovering and developing that which is solely theirs. Thus, by its

very nature, standardized intelligence testing of any sort can be detrimental to the search

for individualism, and if not used with great caution, it can damage someone’s self esteem

and also miss the mark in determining academic or real world success. so the question

becomes, “what is a standardized intelligence test’s real value?”

an iQ test, or intelligence quotient test, is a standardized test that attempts to

measure a person’s intelligence. There are many variations on the original iQ test

developed in 1905 by french psychologist alfred Binet. he created the test as a

means of identifying children who needed special help with their education. The

test was later refined in 1916 by lewis M. Terman of stanford university. his version,

known as the stanford-Binet intelligence scale, is the basis for one of the tests still

used today. however, it wasn’t until 1939 that David wechsler developed the first

intelligence test designed to test adults. The wechsler adult intelligence scale or

wais was later joined by the wechsler intelligence scale of children, or wisc. Today,

they are the most widely used intelligence tests in the world and are calibrated by

using a representative sample of the population, and then designed to yield a normal

distribution, or “bell curve.” Because few people score in the very high or low ranges,

the tests are not considered accurate for very low or high iQs.

There have been many studies concerning the impact of such things as heritability,

environment, sex, race and family environment among other things on intelligence

testing. Most of the conclusions drawn are still debated. when it comes to the most

practical applications of iQ testing, such as its accuracy in predicting how well a

ParentsQuestion

39 Parent Guide®

ParentsQuestion

By Kurt Goerke

IQ Testing

Much like snowflakes, the wonder and beauty of any given person is that no two

are alike, and there is no test that can quantify that uniqueness. nor is there one that gives

points for someone discovering and developing that which is solely theirs. Thus, by its

very nature, standardized intelligence testing of any sort can be detrimental to the search

for individualism, and if not used with great caution, it can damage someone’s self esteem

and also miss the mark in determining academic or real world success. so the question

becomes, “what is a standardized intelligence test’s real value?”

an iQ test, or intelligence quotient test, is a standardized test that attempts to

measure a person’s intelligence. There are many variations on the original iQ test

developed in 1905 by french psychologist alfred Binet. he created the test as a

means of identifying children who needed special help with their education. The

test was later refined in 1916 by lewis M. Terman of stanford university. his version,

known as the stanford-Binet intelligence scale, is the basis for one of the tests still

used today. however, it wasn’t until 1939 that David wechsler developed the first

intelligence test designed to test adults. The wechsler adult intelligence scale or

wais was later joined by the wechsler intelligence scale of children, or wisc. Today,

they are the most widely used intelligence tests in the world and are calibrated by

using a representative sample of the population, and then designed to yield a normal

distribution, or “bell curve.” Because few people score in the very high or low ranges,

the tests are not considered accurate for very low or high iQs.

There have been many studies concerning the impact of such things as heritability,

environment, sex, race and family environment among other things on intelligence

testing. Most of the conclusions drawn are still debated. when it comes to the most

practical applications of iQ testing, such as its accuracy in predicting how well a

ParentsQuestion

parentguide.com40

Now the body is not a single part, but many.

If a foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.

Or if an ear should say, “Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body,” it

does not for this reason belong any less to the body.

If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?

But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as He intended.

If they were all one part, where would the body be?

But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.”

Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary.

Excerpted from 1st Corinthians Chapter 12 verses 14-22

student will do in school, the

results are still inconclusive.

The American Psychological

Association’s 1995 report

“Intelligence: Knowns and

Unknowns” states that wherever

it has been studied, children with

high scores on tests of intelligence

tend to learn more of what is

taught in school than their

lower-scoring peers. Still, the

correlation between IQ score and

grades is about 50 percent, so

testing high on an IQ test does

not necessarily translate into

good grades. Successful school

learning, they conclude, depends

on many personal characteristics

other than intelligence, such as

memory, persistence, interest in

school and willingness to study.


Association also concluded that

individual characteristics such

as interpersonal skills, aspects

of personality, etc., are probably

of equal or greater importance

than IQ when predicting job

performance for adults. They

state that there is no reliable

measurement tool to assess

these other traits.

Even the type of IQ test given can

provide quite different results.

At a meeting of the American

Association for the Advancement

of Science, researchers presented

reports showing that people

with autism receive surprisingly

different results depending on

the IQ test administered to them.

Canadian researcher Dr. Laurent

Mottron, an autism researcher

at Montreal’s Hôpital Rivière-

des-Prairies, believes the wrong

intelligence tests are used to

assess autistic children.

Many are tested using the Wechsler

scale, a test that includes questions

about words and concepts

learned in school—something

very difficult for children on the

autism spectrum. However, when

the same children are tested

with the Raven’s Progressive

Matrices test, which measures

abstract reasoning, consistently,

the autistic children earn higher

scores, Mottron says. According

to Mottron, the average boost in

score is 30 points, enough to put

someone previously considered

mentally retarded into the normal

range and to elevate the average

performer to gifted status.

So, while there may be a place

for standardized intelligence

testing, there is also great wisdom

in recognizing that even the best

tool for measuring something as

complex as individual human

intelligence and ability will be

inadequate and unable to

accurately evaluate every

individual. Standardized tests,

and even school grades, may not

represent a child’s achievements

or capabilities. Perhaps, we are

best served when we celebrate our

children’s individual strengths and

praise them for making the most

of their particular abilities. Some

people go as far as to say that

each child is gifted. It is up to their

teachers, friends and families to

help them discover in what way

and to nurture those gifts.

IQ Testing

41 Parent Guide®

Now the body is not a single part, but many.

If a foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.

Or if an ear should say, “Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body,” it

does not for this reason belong any less to the body.

If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?

But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as He intended.

If they were all one part, where would the body be?

But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.”

Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary.

Excerpted from 1st Corinthians Chapter 12 verses 14-22

student will do in school, the

results are still inconclusive.


Association’s 1995 report

“Intelligence: Knowns and

Unknowns” states that wherever

it has been studied, children with

high scores on tests of intelligence

tend to learn more of what is

taught in school than their

lower-scoring peers. Still, the

correlation between IQ score and

grades is about 50 percent, so

testing high on an IQ test does

not necessarily translate into

good grades. Successful school

learning, they conclude, depends

on many personal characteristics

other than intelligence, such as

memory, persistence, interest in

school and willingness to study.


Association also concluded that

individual characteristics such

as interpersonal skills, aspects

of personality, etc., are probably

of equal or greater importance

than IQ when predicting job

performance for adults. They

state that there is no reliable

measurement tool to assess

these other traits.

Even the type of IQ test given can

provide quite different results.

At a meeting of the American

Association for the Advancement

of Science, researchers presented

reports showing that people

with autism receive surprisingly

different results depending on

the IQ test administered to them.

Canadian researcher Dr. Laurent

Mottron, an autism researcher

at Montreal’s Hôpital Rivière-

des-Prairies, believes the wrong

intelligence tests are used to

assess autistic children.

Many are tested using the Wechsler

scale, a test that includes questions

about words and concepts

learned in school—something

very difficult for children on the

autism spectrum. However, when

the same children are tested

with the Raven’s Progressive

Matrices test, which measures

abstract reasoning, consistently,

the autistic children earn higher

scores, Mottron says. According

to Mottron, the average boost in

score is 30 points, enough to put

someone previously considered

mentally retarded into the normal

range and to elevate the average

performer to gifted status.

So, while there may be a place

for standardized intelligence

testing, there is also great wisdom

in recognizing that even the best

tool for measuring something as

complex as individual human

intelligence and ability will be

inadequate and unable to

accurately evaluate every

individual. Standardized tests,

and even school grades, may not

represent a child’s achievements

or capabilities. Perhaps, we are

best served when we celebrate our

children’s individual strengths and

praise them for making the most

of their particular abilities. Some

people go as far as to say that

each child is gifted. It is up to their

teachers, friends and families to

help them discover in what way

and to nurture those gifts.

IQ Testing

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“Capturing what’s Real”

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The startling news that Silicon Valley engineers and executive officers choose to send their children to a low-tech Waldorf school made the front page of the New York Times recently. National TV networks picked up the story and, afterwards, local network affiliates across the country began to air stories about Waldorf schools in their own areas. Suncoast Waldorf School in Palm Harbor, the most developed of the few Waldorf schools in Florida, was featured on the news by both Channel 8 and Channel 10.

While most private and public schools promote the use of computers and other screen technology as a means of educating children, Waldorf schools around the world have held to what they consider more developmentally appropriate practices for more than 90 years, reserving the use of technology until high school. These practices include

• genuine play-based kindergartens and nurseries• lessons brought through the art of oral storytelling• the creation by students of their own textbooks, called “Main Lesson Books” in which they must summarize and illustrate what they have learned• the opportunity for every student to draw, paint, sing and play instruments • the teaching of such practical skills as knitting, crocheting, sewing and woodworking and • eurhythmy, an art of movement unique to Waldorf schools• two daily recess periods that allow for a “great outbreath” after concentrated work in the classroom

The classical education offered by Waldorf schools also includes the teaching of two foreign languages starting in

WHY WALDORF WORKS

By Barbara Bedingfieldschool STORY

47 Parent Guide®

By Barbara Bedingfield

first grade and a literature base that includes the fairy tales, fables, legends, and mythologies of the world. A computer or IPAD can never take the place of a story well-told by a warm human being or the learning of a foreign language from a native speaker who embodies the folk soul of the culture. Screen technology that fosters separate, individual learning cannot compare with the dynamics of a class learning together and experiencing the sheer wonder and awe of the world through their teacher.

The Waldorf curriculum, while meeting the academic standards of the states, is first and foremost, developmentally appropriate, so that the soul needs of the children are truly met at each specific age. The knowledge that children from seven to fourteen have pictorial, rather than abstract thinking demands that teachers use their own imaginations to present the lessons with imagery and artistry rather

than relying on a scripted textbook or on a technology-driven lesson. When a child is listening to the founding of Rome and making mental pictures of what is being heard, the learning goes deep because the child’s feeling life is touched. The internet has a wealth of information, but when the real s goal is to ignite a fire for learning rather than filling heads with facts, the use of technology is viewed as more of an intrusion and a distraction.

Moreover, it is the strong bond established between child and teacher for their 8-year journey together that surely clinches the human aspect of Waldorf as no technology can ever possibly emulate.

The following article was written by Barbara Bedingfield, Founding Director of Suncoast Waldorf School in Palm Harbor. Visit suncoastwaldorf.org for more information.

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Parent Guide Educational Issue 2012

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