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Montverde Academy is a coeducational day and boarding college preparatory school located just 25 minutes from Orlando, Florida. Our boarding program serves students in grades 7-12 and post-graduate studies. With a 100% college acceptance rate, our graduates have been accepted to prestigious schools including Boston College, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Princeton University, University of California Los Angeles, Yale University, and Wake Forest.
Additional notes: The annual fee for the 2018-19 school year is $1,500 for regular bus riders. One way service (AM or PM rider) is $750 per school year.
Gallery showcasing school life and general photos of Montverde Academy.
Gallery showcasing specific locations and facilities found at Montverde Academy.
Promotional videos for Montverde Academy.
| Focus |
|---|
| Academic |
DIBELS Testing: This school does not use DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
| Subject | offered |
|---|---|
| Biology | |
| Chemistry | |
| Ecology | |
| Geology | |
| Meteorology | |
| Physics | |
| Physiology | |
| Zoology |
| Subject | offered |
|---|---|
| Evolution as consensus theory | |
| Evolution as one of many equally viable theories | |
| Evolution is not taught |
| Subject | offered |
|---|---|
| Acting | |
| Dance | |
| Drama/Theatre | |
| Graphic Design | |
| Music | |
| Visual Arts |
| Subject | offered |
|---|---|
| Computer science | |
| Robotics | |
| Web design |
| Flexible pacing style | offered |
|---|---|
| Subject-streaming (tracking) | |
| Multi-age classrooms as standard | |
| Ability-grouping (in-class) as common | |
| Frequent use of cyber-learning (at-their-own-pace) | |
| Regular guided independent study opportunities | |
| Differentiated assessment |
Students remain in a regular classroom for the whole day; the teacher receives special training in accommodating special needs and/or learning disabled students.
| Subject Type | offered |
|---|---|
| Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation | |
| Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties |
| Subject Type | offered |
|---|---|
| Accommodations | |
| Modifications | |
| Extra support |
Read our guide to special needs schools and special education
| Program | offered |
|---|---|
| Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school) | |
| Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class) |
Curriculum delivery: Acceleration (The main focus is on acceleration. This means that all students work at a much quicker pace than public school peers (usually working at least one grade-level ahead). )
| Program | offered |
|---|---|
| Custom subject enrichment (special arrangement) | |
| Custom curriculum compacting (special arrangement) | |
| Guided independent study (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Cyber-learning opportunities (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Formalized peer coaching opportunities (specifically for gifted learners to coach others) | |
| Custom subject acceleration (special arrangement) | |
| Career exploration (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Project-based learning (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Mentorships (custom gifted arrangement) |
In grade Gr. 8, MVA students perform an average of 2 hours of homework per night.
| PS | JK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MVA | 0 mins | 0 mins | 15 mins | 15 mins | 30 mins | 45 mins | 45 mins | 60 mins | 90 mins | 120 mins |
| Site Average | 2 mins | 5 mins | 15 mins | 17 mins | 23 mins | 29 mins | 34 mins | 40 mins | 51 mins | 56 mins |
| Sports Offered | Competitive | Recreational |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | ||
| Basketball | ||
| Equestrian | ||
| Football | ||
| Golf | ||
| Ice Hockey | ||
| Lacrosse | ||
| Rowing | ||
| Rugby | ||
| Soccer | ||
| Softball | ||
| Swimming | ||
| Tennis | ||
| Track & Field | ||
| Volleyball | ||
| Weightlifting | ||
| Badminton | ||
| Running |
| Clubs Offered |
|---|
| Foreign Language Club |
| Math Club |
| Poetry/Literature club |
| Robotics club |
| School newspaper |
| Science Club |
| Student Council |
| Yearbook |
| Art Club |
| Chess Club |
| Choir |
| Community Service |
| Computer Club |
| Drama Club |
| Environmental Club |
| JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | ||
| Day | US $7,875 | US $9,845 | US $12,730 | US $16,380 | |||||||||||
| Boarding | US $51,350 | ||||||||||||||
| Grade range that need-based aid is offered: | 6 to 12 |
| Percentage of grade-eligible students receiving financial aid | 40% |
| Average aid package size | $7,500 |
| Percentage of total enrollment on financial aid | 26% |
| Total aid available | $2,000,000 |
This school works with Apple Financial Inc. for processing financial applications
Online application and financial documents are required
This information is not currently available.
| Grades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrollment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Preschool to Gr. 12 | Coed | Day | 891 |
| Group 2 | Gr. 7 to Gr. 12 | Coed | Boarding | 325 |
| Total enrollment | 1,216 |
| Average enrollment per grade | 81 |
| Average class size | Varies |
| Gender (grades) | Preschool to Gr. 12 (Coed) |
| Boarding offered | Gr. 7 to Gr. 12 |
| % in boarding (total enrollment) | 27% |
| % in boarding (grade-eligible) | 7% |
| Percentage of students are international students | 33% |
| Number of different nationalities within student population | 80 |
| Five-day boarding programs offfered |
| PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Enrollment | 15 | 27 | 36 | 39 | 42 | 37 | 44 | 43 | 61 | 71 | 85 | ||||
| Boarding Enrollment | 1 | 10 | |||||||||||||
| Class Size | 15 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| Assessment | Required | Grades |
|---|---|---|
| Interview | PS - 12 | |
| SSAT | 3 - 12 | |
| SSAT (out of province) | ||
| Entrance Exam(s) | K - 12 | |
| Entrance Essay | 6 - 12 | |
| Application Fee |
Day students: Rolling
Boarding students: Rolling
Student Entry Points
| Student Type | PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Boarding Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Services | Offered |
|---|---|
| Career planning | |
| Internships | |
| Mentorship Program | |
| University counseling |
| Key Numbers | |
|---|---|
| Average graduating class size | 238 |
| *Canadian "Big 6" placements | 0 |
| **Ivy+ placements | N/A |
*Number of students in the past year who attended one of McGill, U of T, UBC, Queen's University, University of Alberta, or Dalhousie University.
**Number of students in the past 5 years that that attended one of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, University of Chicago, Oxford or Cambridge (UK)
| Alumnus | Grad Year | Accomplishment |
|---|---|---|
| D'Angelo Russell | 2014 | American professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association |
| Luc Mbah a Moute | 2005 | Cameroonian professional basketball player who has played for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association |
| Ben Simmons | 2015 | Australian professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association |
| Dakari Johnson | 2013 | American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association |
| Joel Embiid | 2013 | Cameroonian professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association |
| Oumar Diakhite | 2012 | Senegalese footballer who currently plays as a defender for Kazma on loan from Estoril. |
| Luka Vujanovic | 2013 | A Montenegrin football midfielder playing for Vojvodina. |
| Diego Campos | 2014 | Costa Rican footballer who plays for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer. |
| Pape Gassama | 2015 | Senegalese footballer who plays for US Créteil. |
| Hassan Ndam | 2016 | Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a defender for New York Red Bulls. |
| Thomas Oliver Amang | 2016 | Cameroonian footballer who plays as a striker for Norwegian club Molde. |
| Moussa Sane | 2016 | Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a forward on Orlando City SC. |
| Albert Dikwa | 2016 | Cameroonian footballer who currently plays for Saint Louis FC in the United Soccer League. |
| Monday Etim | 2017 | Nigerian footballer who currently plays for Rio Grande Valley FC Toros in the USL. |
| Jules Youmeni | 2017 | Cameroonian footballer who currently plays for Orlando City B in the United Soccer League. |
| Francisco Lindor | 2011 | Puerto Rican professional baseball shortstop for the Cleveland Indians in the MLB who is an All-Star, Gold Glove and Platinum Glove Award winner. |
| Noel Cuevas | 2009 | Puerto Rican professional baseball outfielder for the Colorado Rockies of MLB |
| Michael Frazier II | 2012 | American professional basketball player who played for Scaligera Basket Verona of the Italian Serie A2 Basket. He played for the University of Florida and was top player in the SEC. |
| Kasey Hill | 2013 | American basketball player for Alba Fehérvár in Hungary. He played college basketball for the Florida Gators. |
| Solomon Alabi | 2007 | Nigerian professional basketball player for Fukushima Firebonds of the B.League. Played for Florida State University - helped them to third-place in the ACC standings and to the NCAA Tournament. |
| Landry Nnoko | 2012 | Cameroonian basketball player for the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA G League. |
Alumni Highlights
Below, find stories and testimonials about Montverde Academy.
Our first experience with Montverde Academy was driving through the campus in the spring of 1993, while our Clermont home was under construction. The grounds were serene and charming. On the east side of the campus, I recall seeing only the boy’s dorms, along with a small storage building. There may have been more there, but I only remember the beauty of the land and its peaceful pastures. On the west side of the campus, I remember three or four Spanish mission-style buildings, along with a small chapel. Just past the buildings, you could see Lake Florence and a few homes. The campus was lined with live oaks and other indigenous trees, along with well-kept faunas of every kind. We loved the beauty of the school grounds, and agreed
the campus was scenic, pre-Disney Florida at its finest.
At the time, we were in our mid-twenties with a two year old child. Our daughter, Elyse, was born with VATERS syndrome, a congenital condition with many skeletal, respiratory, and digestive defects. When our young, small family saw Montverde for the first time, Elyse had just “graduated” from Boston Children’s Hospital, after undergoing seven major surgeries and eleven additional procedures requiring general anesthesia for various anomalies associated with her condition. It was a frightening start to her life, but we all fought hard to save her, and won. We were in no condition to even consider a private school for our child, due to mounting health bills, along with the costs of building our first home. Plus, the Academy’s grade levels were 7th through 12th grade at that time. Consequently, we concluded, “beautiful school… maybe one day”.
Five years passed, and we had another daughter, Christina. Tina was very healthy, and experienced her pre-kindergarten years at First United Methodist Church, where Meristell Shackelford was the Director. Mrs. Shackelford was the most understanding, devoted dean I had ever had the privilege of partnering with. Elyse attended Clermont Elementary, but joined her sister at FUMC after school. Our girls adored “Miss Meristell”, who was often quoted in our home as if she were Yoda!
When Elyse entered 6th grade in 2001. We received a reality slap with regards to Florida public schools. She was woefully ill-prepared for the landscape of middle school! We were astonished at the amount of bullying, partying, stealing, and cheating that her classmates demonstrated. So young! Most of the teachers and administrators in Lake county were very good. But many of them were busy handling problem students, and didn’t seem to have the time to focus on the “good kids”. We were seeing first-hand, the challenges local public schools have in educating and molding an ever-growing number of students, under the guidelines designed by our government.
Don and I had co-founded our broadband consulting and brokerage firm during the 90s, but the dot-com crash had just hit us. To add salt to our financial wound, we had just added a baby boy to the family. Once again, the idea of affording private school seemed impossible. However, we had fought too hard to protect our precious girl when she was born. There was no way we were going to see that treasured life be tarnished by an inferior junior high and high school experience. Moreover, Christina had just been transferred to a new elementary school. Her 3rd grade classroom was comprised of almost 60 students, instructed by one resident teacher and one certified teacher.
Our kids were our first priority. We weighed what we wanted now for us, against what we wanted later for our children. So we decided to do whatever it took for our three children to not have to endure a substandard education. We explored the opportunity of a Montverde Academy education. In 2002, we filled out our very first MVA application, and Elyse was accepted.
In 2004, the Lower School was completed. Immediately, we sought acceptance for Tina to attend. We were so blessed to be able to have both of our girls attending the same school, enjoying their studies, loving their friends, and serving in their communities. They were blossoming in the best environment available anywhere for both academic and character development. The icing on our cake was the Deans of the lower school. Mr. Delmolino was - and continues to be - one of the most beloved and exceptional educators ever to grace any school anywhere. Imagine our surprise to discover “Miss Meristell” of FUMC was at Montverde Academy! In working with Mrs. Kesselring, Mrs. Shackelford and Mr. Delmolino, we have witnessed their belief that childhood is a window of time to learn and advance at the pace which is right for each individual student. We knew that our children’s academic foundation was secure.
In 2005, we added our only son, Jacob, to the list of MVA students. We had already seen fantastic progress with Elyse, and watched the lights go on for Tina as well. The following year, we enrolled our fourth (and final!) child, AnnaMarie, in the Pre-K program as well. Anna spent her first year at Montverde declaring that her teachers were stretching her brain.
In 2009, Elyse graduated, under the guidance of Roger Ross, her cherished Dean. Today, she is a competent, confident young woman, who is thankful for her years at Montverde Academy. Grateful for all of her high school successes, from the Dean’s Award in middle school in 2005, to the appointment as President of the Judicial Council in 2008. She is grateful for her lifelong friends. She is always grateful for her teachers. She is very proud of the fact that she attended classes that Dr. Kesselring taught himself!
Over the course of 28 academic years at Montverde Academy, we have always respected the level of excellence in leadership… from the dedicated teachers, to the caring administrators, to the supporting faculty. Many of them personally know virtually everything about our four kids. They each took a roll in activating our children’s distinctive desire to learn. Since 2002, we have had various conferences regarding each child for a wide variety of topics; from Pre-K orientations, to middle school Math homework, to upper school test scores, to senior speeches. In these meetings, We always felt a genuine partnership with our children’s Advisors and Deans. We’ve never felt the need to speak with the Headmaster on any matter, other than to praise Dr. Kesselring for his excellent assembly of Educators.
Over the past ten years, we’ve seen Jacob excel academically, and develop his own relationships with his dean, along with his teachers, coaches and advisors. He constantly reviews his goals and tells us how much he loves Montverde, and understands the privilege he’s been given. Over the past nine years, we’ve witnessed Anna blossom from the “baby of the family” to a precocious and determined 5th grade student who is looking forward to her future in the Thespian society at Montverde Academy.
As for Mom and Dad, our childhoods were spent in the public school system, moving around quite a bit. We both experienced the difficulties associated with different schools with different teachers and students year over year. We also had periods of time where we would have long stretches in the same place, and understood the value of having deeper roots. Today, we are just overjoyed that we are giving our children the best education, rooted in the best community there is. We have formed many lifelong friendships with remarkable parents of the Academy. The Eagle community is filled with all kinds of families, and we embrace one another’s uniqueness and traditions. We may be different fish, but we swim together in the same school, and we all smile in the same language! The leaders of the Academy promote student self-awareness, alongside heartfelt acceptance of others.
Martin Luther King said, “Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” At Montverde, we found a school that is a community of like-minded people with a motto and creed we all share; which is the avid pursuit of Knowledge, Character, and Community. We thank the leadership of the Academy in the steadfast commitment to embrace all of our children and instruct them in this way.
It’s been almost 18 years that Ms. Shackelford has been an educator for the Johnson family. I think we hold some kind of record with that! She’s such a gem in our lives. Her team of teachers in the lower school that we have been blessed to work alongside are too many to name! They have all demonstrated that they can teach the way the student learns, not just have the student learn the way they teach.
Mr. Delmolino and his team of Advisors at the Middle school educate their students’ heart, along with their students’ mind. They do everything they can to make sure their students become everything they can!
What is happening inside the walls of all of these buildings is astonishing! State-of-the-art facilities, with first-in-class educators. Remarkably, despite the growth of the campus - and of the student population - the academic, fine arts and athletic programs continually exceed expectations, year after year. We are impressed that all of the educators of MVA are afforded ongoing instructional development curriculums to take advantage of leading-edge technologies
to enhance our children’s preparation for their futures.
After 13 years at Montverde Academy, we now have two college students, one middle-school son, and one lower-school daughter. As parents, you have a month with your newborn, a year with your infant, two years with your toddler and five or so years with your child. You have three pre-teen years, and about five teen years. Then, they’re off. Cherish and nurture those years. Each day, we make deposits into the memory banks of these little people. After 25 years as parents, we have learned that education isn’t always a race to the top. It’s comprehension, character development, and serving your community all the way to the finish line. We haven’t molded them to have more than we have. We are fostering them to be more than we are. We hope that our greatest contribution is not what we do, but who we raise. They are each their own spirit, with their own signature.
The Academy has consistently enhanced these values, and has delivered an unmatched academic program, in a diverse environment, with an exceptional faculty who are dedicated to their students and collaborate to help their students shine. Our regard for the Academy – from the Headmaster and Board of Trustees to the grounds keepers – is whole-hearted and long-standing.
...Our family had been commuting for years in Maryland. Work, school, and practices with little to no time for social activities. Of course, things slowed down a bit in the winter months, particularly when a snow storm hits and the temps are frigid. Families retreat to staying indoors. I am originally from Virginia, but Elvis is from Barbados, West Indies, known as the Island in the Sun. Usually around that time of year, he began to remind me that he understood why so many people move to Florida when they retire and that we should do the same. We would smile about the thought of warm winter months someday. However, we had busy lives in Maryland that required us to focus on our two teenage sons and our pre-school daughter.
Back home, our house had become the place to hang out for the neighborhood kids. We lived in a lovely cul-de-sac where the kids enjoyed gathering to play sports, have water balloon fights, prepare their fishing gear to head to the neighborhood pond, or just sit on the porch. Our neighbors were friendly and would often meet in the middle of the cul-de-sac to chat while the kids played. Until, the winter came again.
By late March, however, neighbors were still talking about the winter snow and we were still waiting for spring temperatures as the weather remained chilly. Elvis simply looked at me and asked, “Why are we waiting to move to Florida?”
I will not pretend that I was excited about the idea; not even a little bit at first. Moving away from the area where we lived for more than 20 years was not appealing. Our friends, local church, and our family were a short car ride away. Nonetheless, we prayed about the possibility, including where our kids would go to school.
Then, a Maryland friend mentioned Montverde Academy because he had noticed the MVA soccer teams at the Disney tournament that Christmas. We had heard about the school previously, but did not imagine our kids would attend. Elvis did some research on MVA, as well as other schools in the area, and then began to convince me that MVA would provide amazing opportunities for our kids. We scheduled a visit to the campus for a tour to learn more.
The campus of Montverde Academy is beautiful and open. We were particularly impressed with the diversity of the student body, specifically the international diversity. It is obvious that academics are the priority in the midst of stellar athletics and performing arts programs. Ultimately, at MVA, the child is a student first. If the student is not performing well academically, then he or she must take a break from sports to receive the extra academic support needed until their grades improve. It was encouraging to hear that this policy is rigidly implemented. During our tour, Jack Sweeney, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, did an awesome job of presenting the school from the perspective of an administrator as well as an MVA parent. It was also a pleasure to meet Warren Delmolino, Dean of the Middle School. We have never encountered anyone with so much love for their school and what it can do for the kids and the entire family. He was not only welcoming, but we got the impression that he sincerely believed that this was the best decision we could ever make for our kids. Even during our brief encounter, he expressed to the boys that it is the little things that count. This was echoed by Denarvise Thornton, Athletic Director, who introduced “Mr. Thornton’s favorite things” as hello, please, and thank you.
The move to Florida was definitely for the benefit of the entire family. However, MVA played a significant part in the Florida location that we chose because we recognized that not only would our sons get a tremendous academic education, but they could also continue to compete athletically at a high level. The fact that the athletic programs are just as competitive as travel teams is undoubtedly a plus. This relieves some of the stress on parents, minimizing the need to spend additional time and resources, driving to and from various after school off-campus teams and practices. That being said, the other benefits of the school were an additional blessing. In this environment, the chance to interact and socialize daily with students from various countries, and different socioeconomic backgrounds is truly a unique and rich experience. A rare opportunity filled with teachable moments and lifelong lessons that students will carry with them, and know that they had an experience that few are blessed to have. This school sets a foundation to gain a better world perspective of other cultures, their sacrifices, and the pursuit of their goals.
We joined the MVA family in August 2015 and the Academy is already bringing out the best in our kids and increasing their self-confidence. Our son, Osei, is in the 8th grade. He is our middle child who has been known for years as our quiet one. His English teacher shared that Osei wrote a funny speech, filled with dry humor and that he delivered his punch lines with perfect, comedic timing. Elvis and I were surprised to hear that Osei, who never dances at home, participated in a MVA middle school dance contest and won second place! Recently, Osei told me that his Algebra class asked the age old question, “Why do we need to take Algebra anyway?” His teacher discussed with the class how Algebra helps with critical thinking and real life problem solving. I enjoyed talking with Osei about his thoughts and could tell that he had reflected on that classroom discussion. Osei has been active this year. His participation with the boys' middle school basketball team under Coach Jordan Foley, as well as the MVA Basketball Preparatory program directed by Kevin Boyle have improved his skills and work ethic.
Najja, our eldest son, is in the 10th grade. He is adjusting well, making friends, attending social events and learning new things about himself daily. Through his participation in the Soccer Institute at MVA, directed by Mike Potempa, he is being challenged through intense training, skilled competition and increased tactical knowledge of soccer on a higher level. Najja has encouraged us to invite several of the international students to our home to enjoy a weekend activity together. I am proud of the hospitality that Najja demonstrates to his friends and his sensitivity to the fact that the boarding students would enjoy a taste of home. Although the classes are challenging, he has discovered that he just might enjoy math and even ASKED whether he would be able to take a math class during the summer. He has also begun to enjoy writing and feels that he is on a great path to becoming a strong writer through his English class.
We are so happy, that our 5 year old daughter, Talei, will be attending MVA next year. She will be entering Kindergarten and begin her educational foundation there. She spends so much time on campus already at sporting events, volunteering, and other activities that she already believes that she is an MVA Eagle. Talei and I have visited morning assembly at the lower school a few times throughout the school year. She usually leaves the assembly hearing at least three things from Meristell Shackelford, Dean of the Lower School: something that made her giggle, something that led her to ask us questions, and something that made her happy that she will be attending MVA next year.
We have had many touching, memorable, and rewarding MVA moments thus far this year. As parents, one of our proudest moments was participating in the annual 9/11 Memorial Service and International Flag Raising Ceremony. We remember the trauma of 9/11 well. Elvis was working in Crystal City, Virginia at the time and could see from the office window the smoke rising from the Pentagon after it had been struck. He remembers his heart pounding as his building was evacuated and the miles that he had to walk trying to get home. I remember not being able to reach him by phone to confirm that he was safe. I was three months pregnant and spent five hours watching the news and praying until I finally heard from him. I can only imagine the grief of those whose loved ones did not make it home that day.
The ceremony was also special because as a Barbadian National, seeing your country’s flag waving means that a part of you is represented here on campus. We were honored when Kalena Meyers, Director of Events and Community Relations, agreed to order a Barbados flag to be included in the ceremony and allow our sons to raise that flag during the ceremony held on the Centennial Plaza near the Bell Tower. Our kids probably did not comprehend at that moment, how special it was for Elvis to see them raise that flag for the first time on MVA’s campus. We hope as they mature, they will understand.
MVA is truly an international school. Elvis’ family migrated to the U.S. when Elvis was just a boy. The U.S. became his home, and changed his life for the better. Even though our kids are American born, they are able to have an international experience through their attendance at MVA. In addition to the relationships the students form amongst themselves, MVA organizes social events for different countries inviting all students to take part in cultural celebrations.
With any school that your children attend, as a parent, you expect that the relationship between the school and student be a symbiotic relationship. The school should support its students and the students contribute to the school in a way that advances the school in numerous respects. We encourage our boys to give back to MVA, and have them reflect on how their presence here can be an inspiration to others and a benefit to the school through their display of good character, community, and service.
Our family has certainly been made to feel welcome at MVA. We encourage all families to get involved, volunteer, say hello to someone new, and when possible attend the parent association meetings and other MVA events. Some of the 2015-16 events we have participated in and/or volunteered at include the Welcome Back Parent Breakfast, the Back to School Dinner at Bella Collina, the Celebrating Education Gala, the annual soccer and basketball tournaments, and the Night for the Cure. One of the most fun events for me was the Mother-Son Off-Road experience sponsored by the MVA Parents' Association. Mothers and sons were able to ride huge hummers through a mud course. Some students even drove the army tanks on site and crushed old cars. Talk about getting your hands dirty. We were covered from head to toe in mud, but still smiling from the memories. Each time we attend a different event, we depart with a fresh excitement, a new friendship, and a calming confirmation of our decision to commit to MVA.
There is a quiet serenity and peace that exists here in Lake County among the rolling hills of Clermont. This is far different from the Mid-Atlantic metro area. It is not only good for the adults, but is a great area in which to raise a family. Nestled here is a gem called Montverde Academy. We are confident that as our kids get older and look back on their experiences here, they will recognize that they were positioned to develop discipline, build character, and cultivate lasting friendships. All the best to your families as well.
...
As parents of two Montverde Academy students and physicians practicing in this community, we were thrilled to hear Montverde Academy is expanding their science program.
We have two daughters. Our oldest, Chloe, is in the third grade at MVA with Ms. Schmidt. She began her experience in Pre-K4 with Mrs. Dana Cook. Shortly into the school year, Mrs. Cook identified that Chloe had hearing problems. Chloe’s ENT doctor was able to expedite the testing to identify the etiology of her hearing loss and initiate the transition to working with an audiologist. Rather than view this as a disability, we chose this experience to initiate the discussion of the importance of science with Chloe. While the subjects of anatomy, physiology and physics to a five-year-old weren’t rudimentary, it did open the door for those subjects. Our other child, Alexandria, or Alex as she is known by her friends, is now in kindergarten with Mrs. Sinopoli. She began her MVA experience in Pre-K3 with Mrs. Sweeney. She too has benefited directly from the individualized attention children only receive from an academic environment such as MVA.
My wife Julie received her undergraduate degree in Biology. After medical school in Iowa, she completed her Anesthesiology residency prior to pursuing fellowship training in Pain Management. Her medical practice in Clermont, South Lake Pain Institute, participates in the daily practice of patient care and also conducts clinical research trials in an ongoing effort of furthering scientific understanding as it pertains to future improvements in patient treatments.
During my undergraduate training I double majored in Biology and Chemistry while minoring in mathematics. After my undergraduate experience, I was fortunate to meet Julie while pursuing my Doctor of Podiatric Medicine in Iowa. After completing my surgical residency in Orlando back in 2001, I chose to accept a position here in central Florida.
I have been practicing here in this community since.
As any scientist knows, theory and practical application do not always walk hand in hand in the scientific world. Having a science lab which provides hands-on laboratory science experiences is critical to developing problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Montverde Academy’s investment into the science wing will significantly advance learning at all analytical levels of our children’s education and hopefully inspire our students to seek answers to questions they would not even encounter without formal scientific training.
Science is different than any other subject as it generates theories and laws which must be consistent with real world observations. Understanding the scientific concepts involving the tactile senses while dealing with real objects in order to understand the relationship between action and reaction. Having the opportunity to participate from an early age in a science lab will help our children retain knowledge longer as they will see this knowledge demonstrated in their experiments through the laboratory setting. There is no equal or acceptable substitute for experiencing a theoretical experiment come to life before one’s eyes. The new science labs will make that a reality for all of our children.
Future advances in the medical sciences and technology will take place if and only if schools provide the proper foundation for dedicated scientists and researchers. The sciences play a vital role in helping our students with the problem solving skills necessary to foster the next generation of engineers, doctors and scientists.
Thanks to the new science labs, our children will now have the opportunity to not only watch the basketball team win another national championship, but also to discuss the practical application of physics demonstrated by those talented young men on the court.
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The experience created at Montverde Academy is rooted in three simple yet complex ideals: Knowledge, Character, and Community. The culture created at Montverde Academy is established with one primary objective — to achieve success in all that we do. In order to achieve that success our students will ultimately encounter moments of adversity, perhaps even failure, but this, too, is a part of the journey to achieving success. Being willing to take on challenges, developing the skills to meet those challenges and achieving success is founded in the rudimentary expectation that in each of our students we will develop a work ethic complemented by character qualities that acknowledge diversity, mutual respect and tolerance and a commitment to the greater community around them.
Montverde Academy is a family of learners, students, and faculty, working together to accomplish something truly transformational. Our website is but a snapshot of who we are; I encourage you to make a visit to the campus and see, feel and experience the truly special place that is Montverde Academy!
August 27, 2018
MVA student has original score accepted into LA film festival
MVA student Allison Fitzgerald has had her original score accepted in the Los Angeles CineFest in the Original Score category. ...
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