Education Academy
About
The Education Academy at Lake Gibson High School is a program designed to give students the opportunity to assess their interest in several career paths working with children and integrates academic rigor with career development skills. It is designed with 9th-12th grade students in mind. Students will have the opportunity to learn from professional mentors, listen to guest speakers from business partners in the field of education, and observe in real classrooms. Internships are an integral part of the curriculum. Students will have the opportunity to observe and teach in classrooms from preschool to high school.
In the Education Academy, there are 2 tracks to choose from.
Academy Mission Statement
The mission of the Lake Gibson High School Education Academy is to provide students with the skills and experiences that enable them to explore educational career pathways. By providing a rich curriculum and a school environment that fosters a growth mindset, collaboration, personal development, and respect for individual differences, we seek to give students diverse experiences in education and related fields.
Early Childhood Education
This course focuses on preparing students to work with young children from infancy to age five in child care settings. Major areas of study include health, safety, and nutrition for young children, recognizing child abuse and neglect, and child growth and development. Students have the opportunity to intern in the Little Braves Preschool and learn how to write and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans. In addition to the internship, students will learn the Florida Department of Children & Families training curriculum and will have the opportunity to gain state certifications and licensure to work in a childcare setting upon successful completion of the course. There is a $20 fee associated with the class. This pays for the cost of the DCF textbooks, exams & certification.
Requirements
- Maintain a 2.5 GPA
- Have less than 10 absences per semester
- Have no discipline record
- $20 DCF fee
Teaching Principles
In this track, students will learn the history of education in the United States, enhance their communication & leadership skills, and understand the various roles and career paths of educators. Students will begin their professional portfolio by creating lesson plans and preparing visual aids. Students will have the opportunity to explore various teaching methods, create assessments, discuss the ethical and legal responsibilities of teaching, learn classroom management skills, study multiple intelligence, recognize the signs of child abuse, and solve issues using critical thinking skills.
Internships are an integral part of the curriculum. Students are given the opportunity to gain experience by interning in local elementary schools, neighboring middle school, or our high school. Each student will have a professional teacher mentor, learn from guest speakers who are our business partners in the field of education, and observe in real classrooms.
Requirements
- Students must be in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade
- Maintain a 2.5 GPA
- Have less than 10 absences per semester
- Have no discipline record
Culinary Arts Academy
Olivia Williams, AVID Teacher
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a sixth grade through high school program to prepare students in the academic middle with the potential for success in the rigorous secondary curriculum for four-year college eligibility.
The Focus
AVID is designed to increase school-wide learning and performance. The focus of AVID is to ensure that all students are capable of completing a college preparatory path, will succeed in rigorous curriculum, will enter mainstream activities of the school, will increase their enrollment in four-year universities and colleges, and will become educated and responsible participants in a democratic society. AVID is an academic, regularly scheduled elective program based on writing as a tool of learning, inquiry method, and collaborative grouping. The three main components of the program are academic instruction, tutorial support, and motivational activities. The goal of AVID is to educate the “whole student.” This is achieved by unifying six important elements in education: students, curriculum, faculty, tutors, parents, and community.
Mission Statement
AVID’s Mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.
Eligibility
AVID students are students in the academic middle who have not previously succeeded in a rigorous college preparatory path but are capable of doing so. AVID program participants must choose to participate and demonstrate this choice by completing an application and interview process. If selected, AVID students enroll in rigorous academic classes and in the AVID elective class, where they receive academic support.
AVID Curriculum
The AVID curriculum, based on over 30 years of research and rigorous standards, is developed by middle and senior high school teachers in collaboration with college professors. It emphasizes teaching pedagogy which focuses on writing-to-learn, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading for comprehension. This allows college preparatory classes to be accessible to all students.
AVID Tutoring
Tutors are available in the AVID elective class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They facilitate student access to rigorous curriculum. As students from colleges and universities, tutors also serve as role models. Tutors are trained to provide academic support. They receive 16 hours of instructional training in writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading comprehension.
Academy of Agriscience and Agricultural Biotechnology
About
Biotechnology is the manipulation of living things to produce a product. An example is inserting a human gene into bacteria so that bacteria would produce insulin to treat diabetes. Biotechnology techniques include developing medicines or making plants, and animals more resistant to diseases, discovering cures for human diseases, cleaning up the environment, utilizing biofuels.
This program might be right for you if:
- You enjoy a hands-on program using cutting-edge technology.
- You want to work in a laboratory with high-tech machinery in college, an internship, or during your career.
- You are planning to pursue a degree such as medicine, marine biology, pathology, veterinary medicine, etc.
Classes Available
- Grade 9: Biology 1 or Biology 1 honors
- Grade 10: Biotechnology 1
- Grade 11: Biotechnology 2
- Grade 12: Biotechnology 3
Skills Learned
After this program is completed, students will retain skills related to making chemical solutions, using real equipment (utilized by laboratories of universities and biotechnology companies), isolating DNA, multiplying DNA for gel electrophoresis (i.e., used in the identification of an individual), sterile techniques for growing bacteria, working with proteins, cloning plants, and more!
Career Paths
Option 1: After completing Biotechnology 1-3, students can take the Florida Biotechnology assistant Career Test (FBACT) to become a State Certified Assistant Biotechnican. This qualifies you to have an entry level job in Florida’s growing biotechnology industry (currently 850 companies). These well-paying jobs can be your career goal or utilized as a part-time job to help further education.
Option 2: Continue your education in biotechnology for a two-year or four-year degree in this field.
Option3: Use the skills you learn to go into university programs to prepare for careers in medical research, doctorate of medicine, biochemistry, marine biology, agriculture, molecular biology, microbiology, biomedical engineering, veterinary medicine, forensic science, and a large variety of other biology-related careers.
Polk Academy of Business and Technology
Objectives
The academy seeks to create a collective learning environment that is centered on communication across all levels of the school. Plans and strategies will be shared between the academy faculty, cohort teachers, and administration on a monthly basis. The focus of monthly meetings allows for a review of goals, strategies, and data-centered collaboration. It also provides an opportunity to examine results and revise expectations. Communication at all levels is key in tracking progress, coordinating implementation, and establishing accountability.
The focus of the Academy is on building a solid foundation of academic skills while instilling responsibility, interpersonal skills, and work ethics. The teachers incorporate teamwork, leadership, and communication skills within English, Economics, and technology classes.
The relevance of the classwork is underscored by constant demonstrations of the connections between school, career, and post-secondary education.
While enrolled in this program, credits can be earned from the different courses that are offered. Credits from Southeastern University and Honors credits are available for the students to receive while in this Academy.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Polk Academy of Business & Technology, in cooperation with parents and the community, is to provide all students training in specialized technology courses while preparing them for post-secondary studies and to enter the workforce of tomorrow
Majors offered by the Polk Academy of Business and Technology are listed below.
Accounting Operations – For students interested in a career in Accounting, Banking, or other financial operations
Administrative Assistant – For students interested in a career ranging from Business Administration to Entrepreneurship.
Digital Design – For students interested in a career as a Graphic Designer or Production Assistant.
Business Supervision and Management – For students interested in a career in an international business environment.
Legal Administrative Specialist – For students interested in a career as a Legal Secretary of Legal Administrative Assistant.
Web Design Services – For students interested in a career in Information Technology, HTML Coding, or Web Producing.
Academy of Finance
Mission Statement
The Academy of Finance Program is designed to motivate and support the development of students toward personal and professional success in high school and to pursue higher education. In this program, students learn to invest money wisely and about the world economy in an informative environment.
Program Description
The Academy of Finance introduces students to Money Management through their course work in the program.
Requirements
Below, you will find the requirements for the Academy of Finance Program
9th Grade
- English I
- Reading
- Algebra I
- Math
- Science
- Elective
- *Computing for College/Career
10th Grade
- English II
- Reading
- Geometry
- Math
- History
- Foreign Language
- *Finance & Business Technology (Honors)
11th Grade
- English III
- Science
- Algebra II
- American History
- *Financial Accounting Honors
- *Financial Internship Elective
12th Grade
- English IV
- Economics/Hon.EC
- American Govt.
- *Personal Finance Honors
- *Accounting II (Dual Enrollment)
- *Financial Internship
Academy of Health
The Lake Gibson Academy of Health prepares students for employment in entry-level medical careers and post-secondary education. Through small learning communities we provide an educational path that enhances students and the community by creating well informed compassionate individuals.
As evidenced by:
Opportunity for four healthcare-related industry certifications.
Minimum of 40 hours of supervised clinical experience in a health care facility.
Career readiness demonstrated through community service which culminates in the completion of the Capstone Project.
