The education of our children is of greatest importance. Your choice in school can foster a lifelong love of learning and set your child up for a successful future, but there are so many options, it’s difficult to know where to begin. Luckily, St. Augustine is home to a diverse collection of private schools and early education centers, so you can choose an environment that is tailored to your needs and will help your little ones learn and grow. Now’s the time to decide and get ready for the 2020/2021 school year!
Trinity Episcopal Learning Center
2K – VPK • Christian Early Learning Center
215 St. George Street
(904) 824-2876
Trinity Episcopal Learning Center, founded in 1994, has a long history of excellence in early childhood education. Serving ages 2 years old through Pre-K, Trinity’s faith-based program uses a well-rounded, developmental curriculum that focuses on each child’s special way of learning. Starting in 2020, a new, longer school day (8:30-2:30pm) extends opportunities for further enrichment activities. Weekly Chapel, Spanish, Sign Language, Science, Cooking, Art and field trips will be integrated into the foundation basics of letters, numbers, writing and sounds. Using an instructional scaffolding method, concepts are introduced in the 2 year-old program and expanded on through Pre-K. “I am excited about the new program, new structure, and refreshing change with more options for our families,” said T.E.L.C’s long-time director Tammy Walthall. “With the extended school day, we have the time to make the real life connections between the alphabet they are learning and the science or art words and concepts that go with that particular letter.” Low student to teacher ratios allows teachers to customize curriculum to the child, meeting greater individual needs. “Students learn independence and peer social skills that are key for building confidence in their own abilities to learn,” said Walthall. T.E.L.C is an educational ministry of Trinity Parish and is located in historic downtown St. Augustine.
www.trinityepiscopalparish.org
Veritas Classical School
K – 9th Grade • Classical Christian School
253 State Road 16
(904) 810-1050
Veritas Classical School is a growing community of families, teachers, and learners located in the heart of St. Augustine and entering its fourth year. Currently serving boys and girls in Grades K-8, in 2020-2021 Veritas is expanding to offer instruction for students in 9th grade (and adding a grade each year thereafter through 12th). The talented and qualified Veritas faculty is ever mindful of the high calling of building exceptional students who love God, love others, and love learning, and of modeling that love before them in every classroom, every day. Veritas Classical School trains students to master a core body of knowledge, reason clearly, and articulate effectively. We embolden young men and women to engage the world with Christ-like embodiments of spiritual fruit. We aim to cultivate students of excellence who evaluate all human knowledge through the lens of Scripture. Our goal is to instill a lifelong passion for learning in our students: capable of discerning truth, appreciating goodness, and recognizing beauty.
Education at Veritas is modeled after the classical Trivium which aligns with the stages of child development: grammar (K through 6th), logic (7th and 8th), and rhetoric (9th through 12th). Students in the grammar school learn the facts of their subjects with memory work, song, movement, recitation, and hands-on activities. In the logic school, students learn to analyze and synthesize what they are learning, recognizing both truth and error and developing the skill of logical argument. Rhetoric students focus on articulation of their views and knowledge with grace and truth, both orally and in writing. The aim of classical education is to equip students to learn well and live well as they pursue their calling in higher education and beyond. Veritas is poised for growth as it develops Northeast Florida’s first classical Christian high school, with the goal of graduating students who will reason critically, expansively, and independently, possess the tools and desire for a lifetime of learning, and faithfully engage their community, serving the kingdom of God.
As an independent and interdenominational school, Veritas is not affiliated with any one church, but encourages students of many denominations in their Christian walk. With the belief that “a school is a garden, not a factory,” Veritas offers small class sizes and partners with parents in Christian community, providing a rigorous academic experience and emphasizing the value of community service to its students. Veritas welcomes families to tour or attend one of our spring open houses to meet with our teachers, parents, and students and see our campus. Veritas accepts Step Up for Students and AAA tax credit scholarships as well as Family Empowerment Scholarships, and financial aid is available.
www.veritasclassicalschool.org
Island Prep Elementary
Pre-K – 5th Grade • Eco-Friendly School
4001 A1A South
(904) 547-2996
Island Prep Elementary is a community school that focuses on children as individuals with different learning styles, offering a safe, supportive environment for Kindergarten through 5th grade. We focus on students’ academic growth over standardized test scores. Daily our students take part in enrichments like Spanish, Art, ASL, and Music, PE, and yoga that pique interest in languages and cultures. Encouragement, guidance and acceptance are all a part of what make our school special. Scholarships are available.
www.islandprep.com
Cathedral Parish School
VPK – 8th Grade • Catholic School
259 St George Street
(904) 824-2861
Cathedral Parish School is a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence focused on integrating STEM throughout the curriculum and the utilization of the inter-disciplinary and cross-grade level approach to teaching. Students enjoy Religion, Art, Music, P.E., Library, Coding, Robotics, Dance, Baton, Spanish, Sign-Language and Sports (Basketball, Cheerleading, Volleyball, Soccer, Cross Country, Tennis and Softball). The students thrive, engaging in the rich history of downtown St. Augustine, a virtual laboratory of learning.
www.thecathedralparishschool.org
Moultrie Montessori School
18 Months – 6th Grade • Private School
37 S Dixie Highway
(904) 826-0216
Give your child a foundation rooted in independence and hands-on learning in an inviting setting where children grow. Montessori offers the best chance a child has to achieve his or her potential because it works from the inside out. It is a whole organization physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually that allows the child to become his or her very best self. A mixed age group environment minimizes competition and promotes cooperation. When needs are met, children can use and develop their gifts.
www.moultriemontessori.com
Tadpole Prep
Early Childcare Center in the World Golf Village Area
2980 State Road 16, 32092
(904) 826 – 3300
Tadpole Prep was founded in 2016 to meet a growing need for quality childcare in the WGV area. Children from 6-weeks old through five years old are eligible for enrollment and waitlist options can be provided upon request. We pride ourselves on having friendly, loving, and educated staff who provide a creative, hands-on curriculum in a safe learning environment with small class sizes. We appreciate the many families that have chosen Tadpole Prep and look forward to continue serving St. Augustine!
www.tadpoleprep.com
St. John’s Academy
K – 8th Grade • Classical Christian School
1533 Wildwood Drive
(904) 824-9224
Classical Christian education cultivates wisdom and virtue through the liberal arts, great books, and the pursuit of God as He has revealed Himself through His Word and in the world around us. In particular, the study of Latin develops the mind as no other subject can, because it teaches students how to think, not what to think, shaping their minds for a lifetime of learning. St. John’s Academy is proud to celebrate 25 years of training virtuous scholars in St. Johns County.
www.stjohnsacademy.com
Memorial Presbyterian Day School
Serving Children 2-5 and Free VPK
32 Sevilla Street
(904) 669-1346
Located in historic St. Augustine, Memorial Presbyterian Day School is a local tradition that has served families since 1955. Memorial PDS takes advantage of its beautiful location as children wave to horse drawn carriages and trolleys from the large playground and outdoor classroom. PDS provides flexible scheduling in an enriching atmosphere where students not only learn academically, but grow socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Highly qualified teachers and small class sizes contribute to an environment where children thrive.
www.memorialpds.org
St. Joseph Academy
9th-12th Grade • Catholic High School
155 State Road 207
(904) 824-0431
Where students, faculty, friends, and families are united by the rich history of Catholic Education in the St. Augustine area, calling to prepare today’s young men and women for a bright, faith-filled future. As a Catholic high school in the Diocese of St. Augustine, we seek to provide an equal opportunity for each student, in a challenging academic environment, to become a knowledgeable, self-directed, compassionate Christian, able to face the challenges of the future with faith, hope, and love.
www.sjaweb.org
This Local Guide appeared in the April/May 2020 issue of St. Augustine Social. Interested in advertising with St. Augustine Social? Contact sales@staugustinesocial.com to learn about our diverse ad options!
