15 Things To Know About Pinellas Primary Academy

If you're the parent of a school-aged child, you're probably researching school choice options. One of the lesser known options is applying for a charter school. Have you heard of them? What makes them different from other schools? 

We interviewed middle school Pinellas Preparatory Academy (PPA) Principal Curtis Fuller for more answers. The charter middle school will also be opening their elementary school, Pinellas Primary Academy (PPA, Jr.), for the 2011-2012 school year. It will serve kindergarten through fourth grades.

Charter schools are usually set up to meet a specific purpose. PPA, Jr. is designed to help students who need more academic challenges. Its curriculum includes a thematic instructional program. 

What makes PPA, Jr. different from other public schools? 

" The main thrust is our project based learning ... I don't think there's another school that's focused as heavily [on project based learning] as we are," Fuller said. "Kids are given the opportunity to ask a question and come up with the answers, rather than just answering questions on a test."

Project based learning teaches skills that are useful later in life, such as in completing job tasks, planning an event or solving a problem. It requires critical thinking, collaboration and communication. Instead of relying on traditional methods of memorization, this type of learning teaches students how to work in groups and solve problems using their imagination and skills. 

Another difference is the school's mission statement, which is "to provide a nurturing and creative environment for motivated students, where together they can rise to their potential."

Here are the top fifteen things to know about PPA, Jr. 

1. Is Pinellas Primary Academy considered a private or public school? It is a charter school and considered a public school. It is managed by a non-profit board of directors, which provides greater flexibility in managing the school and its curriculum than traditional school systems. The school is accountable for meeting the educational standards and practices set by the Pinellas County School Board and the Florida State Department of Education. PPA's board mainly consists of parents of current students.
2. Is there a cost? No, it is a public school with no tuition.
3. Does Pinellas Primary Academy follow the public school calendar? Yes, holidays and professional days are the same as in all Pinellas County public schools. 
4. Does PPA, Jr. have early release days? No, it does not participate in the district's early release days. Occasionally, it may schedule an early release day, but it will be announced in advance.
5. What are the hours? For PPA, Jr., hours are from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. PPA hours are from 8 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.
6. Is transportation available to and from school? No, the school does not have public school transportation available. Parents are responsible for transporting their kids to and from school. The school does organize a car pool among interested parents at the beginning of the school year.
7. Are uniforms required? Neither PPA nor PPA, Jr. require uniforms, though school shirts can be purchased to wear on Fridays, special events and field trips.
8. Do students take the FCAT exam? Yes, students in both PPA and PPA, Jr. take the FCAT exams, just like students in other public schools. 
9. Is before and after child care available? Yes, both before and after care is available. Parents can choose weekly care or drop-in care.
10. Are sports offered at the school? Yes, PPA and PPA, Jr. students participate in year-round physical education classes. Selected competitive sports, like basketball, track, volleyball, cheerleading and more are available. PPA, Jr. students will also have unstructured, recess time.
11. What types of clubs are available? Each teacher is required to sponsor one activity, which allows for a variety of options for students. Examples include News Crew, Video Yearbook, Garage Band Production Lab, Guitar Clubs, Homework Help, Yoga, Dance Club Green Club, Chess Club and more. 
12. Will the same staff work at both PPA, Jr. and PPA? New teachers will be hired in late March for PPA, Jr. Both schools will hire a new principal, who will be hired prior to the teaching staff. Current Principal Fuller will be promoted to Superintendent.
13. Is technology taught in the classroom? Yes, the school has portable laptop centers, which are rotated through classrooms. Students learn a variety of computer skills.
14. What type of parental involvement is required? Parental involvement is strongly encouraged, and each student's family is required to volunteer 20 hours per year. Volunteer time can include classroom tutoring, field trips, at-home projects, special events and more.
15. Is PPA, Jr. part of the Pinellas County's school choice program? It is a school choice option, but it is not a county school and does not participate in the same application process. PPA and PPA, Jr. students are selected by a lottery. Deadline for applications are April 1.

Since PPA, Jr. and PPA are not part of the school choice process, Fuller recommends parents also apply to one or more of the district's schools. This gives parents more options, and they can accept a county school invitation before the charter school lottery decision on April 6. The school choice application period ends Feb. 20, while the charter schools application period ends April 1.

If you're interested in finding out more about PPA, Jr. or PPA, you can make an appointment to take a tour.

"I would like everyone to come in for a tour. We want parents to have a good understanding of what we can and can't do. We don't want someone to come here and find out they had the wrong perception of us, and then they are unhappy... we want parents to come in and get all their questions answered, so they make an informed decision," Fuller said.

Pinellas Preparatory Academy is located at 2330 S. Belcher Road, #100, Largo, FL. 33771. For more information about either schools, call (727) 536-3600, or visit their respective websites at: http://pinellasprep.org and http://pinellasprimary.org