Specialty Programs

In addition to the full complement of enrichment opportunities that Academy Prep offers in-house, we are proud to partner with several of our region’s leading companies and affinity groups to offer our scholars the following unique and high quality programs. Read about these collaborations below.

Think you have a great idea for how your company can work with Academy Prep scholars? Contact Community Relations Coordinator Mendy Kirsch at mkirsch@academyprep.org!

Fit Families for Life
IN PARTNERSHIP W/ FLORIDA BLUE

Fit Families for Life is an educational initiative designed to engage our students and their families in programs and activities that foster healthy life choices and positive behaviors. With the involvement and commitment of Florida Blue, the Lightning Foundation, University of Tampa, White Family Foundation, the Rothman Family Foundation, YMCA, and other organizations, Fit Families for Life is designed for sustainability. This program is the centerpiece of a health curriculum engaging every grade level in multiple activities that reinforce healthy behaviors. Using nutrition training and physical fitness as the key subjects, activities for students and families include cooking classes, yoga, swimming, dance, and other healthy endeavors. As a comprehensive curriculum, Fit Families becomes a model that can be replicated in other schools. Prevention is the key to change health outcomes, and intervening early in a child’s life is a direct way to foster good health decisions for generations to come. 

Raymond James Project
IN PARTNERSHIP W/ RAYMOND JAMES

Specifically designed for 8th grade students, the Raymond James Project provides classroom learning and hands-on activities in both personal and business financial matters. Led by experts from Raymond James, topics include the stock market, mortgages, credit and debit cards, balancing a checkbook, loans, and understanding different financial institutions. Students also participate in a series of activities at Finance Park, located in the Gus A. Stavros Institute. Each student is given a set of “life” circumstances, including job status, family configuration, housing and transportation needs and a set of expenses. Based on these circumstances, students must manage their finances. Students report on their progress and their decisions are discussed and evaluated. This extraordinary project benefits students directly, preparing them for the challenges they will face in the future. Their knowledge and understanding of financial matters is also especially helpful for their families. 

Regions Financial Education
IN PARTNERSHIP W/ REGIONS BANK

Through our partnership with Regions Bank, Regions employees make monthly visits to our campus to provide financial education our students on a monthly basis. Classes are held once a month and are taught to our 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students. In these classes, students learn about banking, credit, entrepreneurship, and much more.

Enterprise Village
IN PARTNERSHIP W/ STAVROS INSTITUTE

As part the 5th grade social studies curriculum, students spend eight weeks in classes studying economic concepts. These concepts are the foundation for teaching students how to run a business, manage personal finances and become educated consumers. The culmination of the program is spending a full day at Enterprise Village, where students utilize their skills and work cooperatively in groups and manage a business, receive paychecks and make purchases in Village stores. The Enterprise Village model assists students in developing basic economic concepts, understanding relationships between businesses and consumers, utilizing best practices in business planning, managing personal finances, and applying simple decision making processes to improve outcomes. This exceptional program prepares Academy Prep students for “real life” and helps them use the lessons learned to make good choices and effective decisions regarding their personal lives.