Our students have taken significant academic strides since the school year began last August 6.

In September our students took a STAR reading and math battery of tests at our St. Petersburg campus.

In math, our students averaged being at a 4th grade, 8th month level, with the range from beginning 3rd grader to 7th grade, 5th month.

In reading, our students averaged being at a 4th grade, 4th month level, with the range from 2nd grade, 6th month to beginning 6th grader.

In December, we administered a battery of Stanford Achievement Test 9 (SAT9)** reading and math tests to provide us with a more comprehensive diagnosis of where our stood at the mid-year point.

When compared to the results of the earlier STAR tests, the SAT9 results are promising.

In math, our students averaged being at the 5th grade, sixth month level, with the range from 3rd grade, 5th month to 9th grade, sixth month.

In reading, our students averaged being at the 5th grade, eighth month level, with the range from 3rd grade, second month to beginning 11th grader.

Though cautioning against the comparison of scores from different tests, the definite trend upward is encouraging. In order to ensure testing continuity as well as a more valid comparison between points in the academic year, we will now administer the SAT9 test to our students at the beginning and end of each academic year. Accordingly, we will administer a second battery of SAT9 tests at year’s end to determine progress made.

The SAT9 tests, in conjunction with classroom assessments from our teachers, have provided valuable input into our students’ strengths and weaknesses. This input was instrumental in our development of remedial and advanced sections in English and mathematics that have been added to our school day.

(** The FCAT Tests administered in Florida’s public schools are based on the SAT9)

Attendance

The attendance rate thus far has been outstanding. Through the first semester, our 97% attendance rate compares quite favorably with the better public elementary schools in the area (for example, Gorrie Elementary, considered by many to be the best public elementary school in Hillsborough, has a 96% attendance rate).

What is even more incredible about this attendance rate is that it includes Saturday field trips.

Parental Involvement

In order to ensure a more direct connection between our students’ families and our school, all Academy Prep families are required to give 50 hours of service to our school during the course of the year. This service can take many forms, such as assisting with our meals and recess, supervising evening study hall, assisting in the main office, and chaperoning our field trips.

As of today, every family has provided service hours to the school, and we are in regular contact with all the families to ensure regular service to the school.

Academy Prep families have now contributed well over 500 hours of service to our school, thus helping to ensure our students’ success both at school and in their homes and neighborhoods.