excellence takes priority

ENROLLMENT IN A FLORIDA SCHOOL

In order to be admitted to Florida schools, a number of documents are needed. Parents must present a certified birth certificate, as well as a Florida Certificate of Immunization Form 680 (blue card), completed by a Florida physician or by a Florida county health department.

Parents should obtain a copy of their child's complete immunization history before leaving their current residence, as this form is not available to the general public.

Evidence of a medical exam completed no less than 12 months prior to the child's school entry date must also be provided in order to enroll.

As long as the medical exam meets this 12-month requirement, parents may submit this information on the School-Entry Health Exam Form (DH 3040) or provide a copy of the exam obtained from their current physician before moving to Florida. This form and the accompanying guide are available online at sss.usf.edu/html. Parents must also provide official documentation that the parent(s) or guardian(s) is a legal resident(s) of the school district attendance area.

HEALTH RECORDS

The state of Florida requires several documents be contained in each child’s school health record. A child may be excluded from school until the requirements not in compliance are met. Required documents include a birth certificate, proof of a physical examination that has been performed within the past 12 months, documentation of immunization, documentation of compliance with seventh-grade hepatitis immunization requirement, documentation of compliance with kindergarten hepatitis requirements and the due date for the next immunization. Information on Florida school immunization requirements is available at www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/school/parent/ parent_info.html

FLORIDA COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT TEST

All students in grades three through 10 take the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) reading and mathematics test in the spring of each year. All students in grades four, eight and 10 take the FCAT writing test. The FCAT science test is administered to all students in grades five, eight and 11.

The primary purpose of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test is to assess student achievement of the high-order cognitive skills established in the Sunshine State Standards in reading, writing, mathematics and science. A secondary purpose of the test is to compare the performance of Florida students to the performance of students across the nation using a norm-referenced test.

Test results are provided for schools, districts and the state. Scores are not reported for any school or grade with fewer than 10 students. For more information and for school grades go online to www.escambia.k12.fl.us or www.santarosa.k12.fl.us

FLORIDA'S VOLUNTARY UNIVERSAL

PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM

This is a new program that was passed by voters in 2002 and made available in the fall of 2005. The program provides free pre-kindergarten programs to all children who will be four-years-old before September 1 and are Florida residents, regardless of family income. The program itself is voluntary and provides a three- or six-hour day of preschool for eligible children. Public and private child-care centers and faith-based schools that meet the program’s criteria may participate. For information on how to register your child or your preschool, go online to www.vpkflorida.org

CLASS-SIZE REDUCTION AMENDMENT

The state constitution was amended in November 2002 establishing the maximum number of students in core-curricula courses assigned to a teacher, to be in effect by the 2010-2011 school year. Pre-kindergarten through third-grade classes will be limited to 18 students, classes in grades four through eight will be limited to 22 students, and classes in grades nine through 12 will have no more than 25 students.

The Legislature enacted SB-30A, specifically implementing the reduction of the average number of students in each classroom by at least two students per year, beginning with the 2003-2004 fiscal year until the maximum number of students per classroom does not exceed the 2010- 2011 maximum.

BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIPS

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which is funded by the Florida Lottery, awards three levels of scholarships for high-school seniors. Students who have met certain requirements such as maintaining a high grade-point average and achieving required scores on college admissions tests may qualify to have 75 to 100 percent of their college tuition and fees paid at public and private Florida colleges and universities. Evaluation for eligibility for the scholarship begins in high school. For more information about the Bright Futures Scholarship Program call (888) 827-2004 or go online to www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/home/uamain.htm

DUAL ENROLLMENT

Dual enrollment allows high-school students to earn college or vocational credit at a Florida public institution while simultaneously earning credit toward a high-school diploma. Students who are dual-enrolled in a participating college or university in Florida are exempt from registration, matriculation and laboratory fees. For more information contact a local community college or university, or visit the Florida Department of Education Web site at www.fldoe.org/articulation.

EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION

ESE is a program established to provide exceptional student education programs for students between the ages of 3 and 21 who are gifted or have disabilities.

School districts and schools develop their own programs to serve students in the most effective way possible. Each school district is responsible for providing services to students who are eligible for the following ESE programs:

• Autistic
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing
• Developmentally delayed (pre-kindergarten only)
• Dual-sensory impaired (deaf-blind)
• Emotionally handicapped
• Gifted
• Homebound or hospitalized
• Mentally handicapped
• Physically impaired
• Specific learning disabilities
• Speech and language impaired
• Visually impaired (blind and partially sighted)

To access information about schools and programs in the state of Florida and in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties contact the Florida Department of Education at (850) 245-0505 or online at www.firn.edu/doe/commhome

ESCAMBIA COUNTY SCHOOLS

Public Schools Contact Information Escambia County School District Office 215 W. Garden St. Pensacola, Fla. 32502 (850) 432-6121

ESCAMBIA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT WEB SITE

Find information about the district news, resources, schools, programs and centers, community-involvement opportunities and employment opportunities at www.escambia.k12.fl.us

More than 44,000 students attend grades kindergarten through 12 in the district’s 74 schools and centers. There are also vocational and technical schools to complement the system. A fleet of nearly 600 school buses transports students to class each day in one of the most efficient and costeffective transportation systems in the country.

2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR

Aug. 20—First day of class

Nov. 19-23—Fall break

Nov. 22-23—Thanksgiving holiday

Dec. 22—Winter break starts

Jan. 7—Students return to school

March 31-April 4—Spring break

May 30—Last day of school

TRANSPORTATION

By authority of the Florida State Board of Education, your child is privileged to ride a school bus provided you live 2 miles or more from school. Bus service in Escambia County will be provided for elementary students who live 1 mile or more from school. Middle-school transportation will be provided for students residing 1.5 miles or more from school. Service includes areas deemed as safety hazards due to road and traffic conditions as identified by qualified highway safety personnel.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Students in Escambia County have the right to special services to the degree such services are available in the school, or reasonable access to the same if provided elsewhere by the school district.

• School social workers ...............................(850) 469-5451

• Guidance Services ...................................(850) 469-5303

• Psychological Services ..............................(850) 469-5363

• Health Services.......................................(850) 469-5456

• Audiological Evaluations ............................(850) 453-7472

• Supplemental Academic Instruction

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

There are countless educational opportunities to meet the specific needs of your child. In addition to over 30 public elementary schools in Escambia County, there are some additional programs and centers from which to choose. More information about schools and their locations is available at www.escambia.k12.fl.us. Some additional options for elementary school students include:

PROGRAM FOR ACADEMICALLY TALENTED STUDENTS

The Program for Academically Talented Students is focused exclusively on meeting the needs of approximately half the identified gifted population in Escambia County. The PATS center provides services for gifted students in grades three through eight from public, private and home schools. The focus on gifted students creates a specialized learning environment that promotes the joy of learning and exploring in a variety of self-chosen subject areas. For information call (850) 494-5640.

Spencer Bibbs Advanced Learning Academy

The Spencer Bibbs Learning Academy is located at 2005 N. Sixth Ave. in Pensacola. The school is for students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. For more information call the office at (850) 595-6875.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

There are 11 middle schools serving parents and students in Escambia County, and there are also several magnet schools and programs to enhance the educational experience of middle-school students. Brown-Barge Middle School Brown-Barge is a magnet school for students in grades six through eight. Magnet schools are options outside of assigned school boundaries and were launched in the 1970s in an effort to unite children of all social, racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds by offering quality, specialized programs in education.

The specific needs of each student are met at Brown-Barge through the implementation of a program of academic excellence that incorporates technology into an integrated curriculum, including individual and cooperative learning experiences.

Brentwood Liberal Arts Magnet School

Brentwood Liberal Arts Magnet School is focused and committed to preparing students to become successful and productive citizens by seeking extended avenues of learning through the study of foreign languages and the study of journalism. Its technologies and progressive learning strategies will enhance the intellectual, vocational and social growth of students, while maintaining excellence in the core subject areas. The program is designed for students in grades six through eight in Escambia County.

Applications are available at Brentwood Liberal Arts Magnet School. For more information contact John Buck at (850) 494-5640, extension 249, or by e-mail at jbuck@escambia.k12.fl.us.

HIGH SCHOOLS AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING

High-school students in Escambia County have numerous resources at their fingertips to help prepare them for the academic challenges of college. There are seven high schools in Escambia County, and each high school provides programs that will begin to prepare highschool students for continued education and experience in a particular career or vocation. For more specific information about schools and their programs or learning academies call (850) 432-6121 or go online to www. escambia.k12.fl.us.

International Baccalaureate Program

Pensacola High School is the first and only school in Escambia County to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. The IB Program is a four-year pre-university course of study designed to meet the needs of highly motivated students and to promote international understanding. Students earning the IB diploma are awarded advanced standing at prestigious universities around the world. Many colleges and universities recognize the IB diploma for admissions or course credit. For information call (850) 595-1500.

Learning Academies and College-prep Programs

Each of the high schools in Escambia County has programs such as academies for health professions, law, future educators, culinary arts, communications, and travel and tourism.

These programs provide high-school students with early exposure to potential career options.

For information about these programs and where they are available contact the district office at (850) 432-6121 or go online to www.escambia.k12. fl.us and click on the Schools and Centers link.

West Florida High School of Advanced Technology

This magnet school combines state-of-the-art technology with applied, hands-on curricula. By graduation, students will be prepared to enter college or pursue a vocation. For details call (850) 941-6200 or visit www.wfhs.net.

George Stone Career Center

The mission of this institution is to provide quality academic, career and technical education. The goal of the George Stone Career Center is to guarantee that each student is offered an opportunity to acquire the academic, technical and employable skills necessary to successfully enter the workforce. For information call (850) 941-6200.

HOME SCHOOL

For extensive information about home-school resources and laws in the state of Florida, visit the Home School Legal Defense Association online at www.hslda.org.

For information about local resources and events contact the West Florida Home Education Support League at (850) 981- 1222 or on the Web at www.wfhesl.org.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Contact Information

Santa Rosa County School District Office,
(850) 983-5000 5086
Canal St., Milton, Fla., 32570 2007-2008

SCHOOL YEAR

Aug. 20—First day of class

Nov. 19-23—Fall break and Thanksgiving holiday

Dec. 24—Winter break starts

Jan. 7—Students return to school

March 31-April 4—Spring break

June 5—Last day of school

COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT WEB SITE

Find information about the district news, resources, schools, programs and centers, community involvement opportunities and employment opportunities at www.santarosa.k12.fl.us.

The mission of the Santa Rosa County School District is to develop self-sufficient, productive learners by providing a student-focused, comprehensive curriculum through collaborative, visionary leadership, sound management and innovation.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Students and parents in Santa Rosa County are offered several programs and services in addition to standard services provided at school.

These programs include:

• Mentoring

• 504 plans

• After-school programs

• Gifted education

• Student counseling

• Student development plans

• Academic advising

• Mental health services

• College planning

• Family services

• Career planning

• Violence prevention

Call (850) 983-5000 or go online to www.santarosa.k12.fl.us.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

There are approximately 18 elementary schools serving students from grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Santa Rosa County. The Elementary Education Department in Santa Rosa County is a vital component of the total educational program of Santa Rosa School District. For specific information about elementary education and schools go online to www.santarosa.k12.fl.us/ elem/ or call (850) 983-5062.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

The seven middle schools in Santa Rosa County each provide quality educational settings for students in grades six through eight. Realizing the unique needs of the pre-adolescent and early adolescent years, the administration and staff of the middle schools provide curriculum and activities to assist students during these transitional years from the self-contained elementary school setting to the departmentalized high-school setting. Students in Santa Rosa County in grades six through eight have consistently maintained FCAT scores that were among the highest in the state. You can find individual school test data on the school home pages and on the district Web site, which has links to school sites.

HIGH SCHOOLS AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Santa Rosa County high schools offer students several rigorous academic opportunities from which to choose. In addition to dual enrollment, students can participate in advanced-placement courses, Florida virtual-school courses and accelerated access to post-secondary education through early admission to a college or university. For information about these programs call the Santa Rosa County School District at (850) 983-5000. For specific information about Florida virtual school go online to www.flvs.net or call (407) 317-3326.

Locklin Tech

The mission of Locklin Technical Center is to provide technical and supplemental training and academic education to the students, businesses, industries, manufacturers and other citizens in Santa Rosa County. Any person desiring to seek gainful employment or upgrading in an occupation for which training is offered at Locklin Technical Center, and who is at least 16 years old and will benefit from the training, is eligible for admission if he is physically, mentally and emotionally able to perform required class duties. High-school juniors and seniors, and in some sophomores, may attend LTC classes with permission of their home school. Registration is open whenever space is available. For information call (850) 983-5700 or go to www.santarosa.k12. fl.us/ltc/default.htm.

HOME SCHOOL

For extensive information about home-school resources and laws in the state of Florida, visit the Home School Legal Defense Association online at www.hslda.org. For detailed information about home schooling in Santa Rosa County go online to www.santarosa.k12.fl.us/specialprojects/home_education.htm or call (850) 983-5065.

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN ESCAMBIA AND SANTA ROSA COUNTIES

University of West Florida

The main campus of 1,600 acres of rolling hills and natural woodland along the Escambia River is 10 miles north of downtown Pensacola. There are currently more than 9,500 students enrolled at UWF in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, and College of Professional Studies, and the university has conferred more than 57,000 associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees.

Information about UWF may be obtained from the Office of Admissions at (850) 474-2230 or (800) 263-1074. Information about off-campus locations can be obtained by calling the OWC/UWF Fort Walton Beach Campus at (850) 863-6570 and the Eglin Center at (850) 678-3727. Online: www.uwf.edu.

Pensacola Junior College

Pensacola Junior College is a student-centered, comprehensive community college dedicated to providing educational opportunities that develop the academic, career, personal and aesthetic capabilities of individuals. PJC serves Escambia and Santa Rosa counties through its five office and campus locations in Pensacola, Milton, downtown Pensacola, Pensacola NAS and Warrington. For information about PJC and its programs and locations call the main district office and Pensacola campus at (850) 484-1000 or go online to www.pjc.edu.

Pensacola Christian College

Troy University

The Troy University Florida and Western Region faculty and staff are committed to providing students with a quality education and exceptional student services. There are campuses in eight states catering to the educational needs of the working adult by offering graduate and undergraduate courses in the evenings and on weekends. Undergraduate students have the flexibility to take courses via distance learning from anywhere in the world. There are campus locations in Pensacola, Hurlburt Field, Fort Walton Beach and Eglin Air Force Base. For information go online to www.troy.edu/fwr or call (800) 551-6076.

Virginia College

Virginia College is a private institution of higher education committed to offering associate degrees, diploma courses and baccalaureate degrees at its various campuses. The students’ learning experience and placement opportunities are enhanced through studies that provide a balance of general academics, technical skills and personal growth. The college provides educational opportunities through curricula in business, business-related, administrative, management, technical and professional programs that are designed to prepare the student for direct entry into the job market. For information about the Pensacola campus call (850) 436-8444 or go online to www.vc.edu/pensacola.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University specializes in aviation and aerospace, with curriculum focusing on the operation, engineering, research, manufacturing, marketing, and management of modern aircraft and the systems that support them. The University's Extended Campus offers more than 35 degree programs to military and civilian working professionals through online classes and more than 130 teaching centers in the United States and abroad. Degrees are offered at the associate, bachelor and masters levels.The Pensacola Center is at Pensacola NAS, with classes there and Whiting Field NAS. For details, e-mail pensacola.center@erau.edu or call Robert Koonce at (850) 458-1098.