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School Profile
McKeel Academy of Technology is located in Lakeland, Florida, between Tampa and Orlando. The school opened in 1998, and is chartered by the Polk County School District. Total enrollment in grades 6-12 is approximately 900 students, with some 500 enrolled in the high school grades 9-12. An elementary academy for grades K-5 is also scheduled to open in the fall of 2003. McKeel's lead administrator notes that the school was founded because its founding board and principal "were committed to the idea of providing more resources for teachers and students." Additional information pertaining to reasons for the school's founding can be found under the "School's Core Philosophy and Valued Outcomes" section below. PHILOSOPHY AND VALUED OUTCOMES The school's Web site (http://mckeelacademy.com) describes McKeel as "a school of choice that is designed to provide an innovative approach to learning within a rigorous and academically challenging environment." The Center for Education Reform's National Charter School Directory 2000 adds that McKeel "seeks to provide a technological, project-based, hands-on instructional approach to learning within a rigorous and academically challenging environment." INVOLVED GROUPS AND DECISIONMAKERS A number of stakeholder groups were involved in the planning and development stages of McKeel. Those described by the school's lead administrator as being influential in this capacity include educators, business/industry/trade, parents, potential students, elected officials or staff of government agencies, community advocates, and professional societies or groups. These same stakeholders, with the exception of elected officials or staff of government agencies advocates, and professional societies or groups, have also been significant participants in terms of the school's policies, organizational mission, and direction. Matters involving curriculum and instruction are primarily the responsibility of educators, students, and parents. McKeel's governing board is described by the school's lead administrator
as "influential in all matters and issues including curriculum
and instruction." Employers and parents perform a number of functions,
from governance to providers of resources (both in-kind and direct)
and learning opportunities outside the school. The school also has developed
partnerships with government, industry, and nonprofit and educational
organizations. The McKeel Web site describes the school's as "a dynamic, multifaceted one that provides all students with higher-level academic and occupational skills and competencies for success in both post-secondary education and in the workplace." The curriculum focuses on the Florida Sunshine State Standards and the integration of high order thinking skills. Reading and writing are stressed in all subject areas. A significant portion of the curriculum also revolves around the study of various careers in which students are interested. The school offers study in several areas including engineering, health, business, journalism, television production, and culinary arts. Students are involved in career shadowing once each semester where they spend a day out of the classroom exploring a specific career. Seniors participate in the Senior Internship Program that allows students to spend approximately 65 hours during school hours working with a business partner in an area of individual interest. Teachers at McKeel Academy are expected to implement innovative teaching
techniques to meet the varied needs of students. They are provided with
continuous training in areas such as the use of cooperative learning,
brain-based learning, multiple intelligences, project-based learning,
various instructional methods, assessment, and technology. Employability
skills are incorporated into the instructional methods to teach students
interpersonal skills. Section not completed. Section not completed. McKeel Academy of Technology
1810 West Parker Street Lakeland, FL 33815
Tel: (863) 499-2818
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