Board Chair, Judith Marty, shared how exciting it was to bring Pinecrest Academy to the Wesley Chapel area with about 100 attendees. “This high-performing network of tuition free charter schools provides communities the benefit of a rigorous curriculum and college preparatory environment.” The groundbreaking ceremony is a tribute to the collaborative efforts of an entire community for making this happen. “We are committed to building opportunity and equitable learning environments that serve the needs of all students while working in partnership with our community,” expressed Marty. Avalon Park Group shares and supports Pinecrest Academy Inc.'s vision and mission and has been a great supporter of the initiative. “ Pinecrest Academy is the kick off to Downtown Avalon Park West in Wesley Chapel we are excited to provide the best educational opportunities for our residents and surrounding neighbors”, said Stephanie Lerret, SVP Marketing & Community Relations of Avalon Park Group.

Pinecrest Academy Avalon K5 opened in August, 2018 in Avalon Park in Orlando, Orange County, FL. Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel will open in August of2020 as part of Avalon Park West in Wesley Chapel, Pasco County, FL. Pinecrest Academy continues to expand in Central Florida, adding Pinecrest Academy Tavares as part of Avalon Park Village in Tavares, Lake County, FL.

Pinecrest Wesley Chapel will be staffed with highly-qualified, state certified teachers. Cutting-edge learning tools will be used in all classrooms along with programs designed to cultivate responsible leaders in all students. A STEM component will be incorporated. STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Project Lead the Way will also be implemented; a program that empowers students to adopt a design-thinking mindset through compelling activities, projects, and problems that build upon each other and relate to the world around them.

The elementary school will provide before and after care and will have strong parent-teacher partnerships. The middle school will offer a college preparatory curriculum in technology-rich classrooms. In order to ensure the school is creating well-rounded students, there will also be an array of clubs and sports for students to participate in.

The school is currently accepting interest forms online from students entering K-8th grade for the 2020-2021 school year. Interested families should visit pinecrestwesleychapel.com. Pinecrest Academy, Inc. is already exploring expanding the Wesley Chapel project to serve high school grades. For more information, email info@pinecrestwesleychapel.com.

About Pinecrest Academy, Inc.

Pinecrest Academy, Inc. has successfully replicated its educational model since it opened its first school in 2001, in Miami Dade County, and currently offers full PK-12 programs. Since 2010, Pinecrest expanded to serve Orange County, Lake County and now Pasco County (with a future campus to open in Tavares) in Central Florida as well as developing a presence in Nevada and serves over 8,000 students.

Pinecrest Academy, Inc. is a high-achieving charter school network that currently operates 13 schools across 11 campuses in Florida with 3 more scheduled to open in the next 2 years. Pinecrest Academy schools also operate in the state of Nevada with 4 campuses and new one opening in 2019. Pinecrest Schools are AdvancED/SACS accredited and have certified and highly qualified instructors with a seamless K-12 college preparatory curriculum.

Since its inception, the organization has maintained a proven track record of success in raising student achievement while decreasing the achievement gap for disadvantaged student populations. As of the 2016-17 school year, seven Pinecrest schools were designated high performing schools by the Florida Department of Education, having met all criteria specified in F.S. 1002.331 and Pinecrest Academy North located in Miami, FL, was just nominated for a National Blue Ribbon School.

With nearly two decades of successful implementation of high quality academic programs, the organization thrives to raise student achievement. Pinecrest schools have consistently proven their ability to teach all students as is evidenced by data showing they are narrowing the achievement gap for disadvantaged student populations. For more information visit www.pinecrestacademyschools.org.

Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel will be supported by Academica. Academica is one of the nation’s longest-serving and most successful charter school service and support organizations. Academica works with over 180 successful charter schools across the US that have been recognized on a local, state and national level.