Frequently Asked Questions

- Will my child be happy? - Will my child make progress? - Do you have discipline problems? - How do I pay for CA? - What is your homework policy? - Will my child have opportunities for social   interaction in a small school? - Is CA accredited? - How do I apply? - What is the McKay Scholarship? - What are charter schools? - How long has Center Academy been in   operation? - Does Center Academy work with   learning disabled students? - Does Center Academy work with ADHD   students? - Does Center Academy work with students who don't have ADHD or a learning disability? - What is the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship?

Will my child be happy? Our schools provide a “home away from home” where students can feel safe and gain confidence. Because Center Academy schools are small, they allow the directors to get to know each student and family in the school. Our individualized programs are designed to provide each student with the type of instruction needed to be successful. Center Academy classrooms are small and designed to allow for quality interactions among students and to provide opportunities to grow and prosper, both socially and academically. Our classroom management is set up to provide order, consistency, and motivation throughout the day. And our teachers enjoy teaching and helping their students grow and mature into self-reliant adults. We find (and our parents report) that Center Academy is an environment in which students are happy and once again look forward to going to school. <return to top> Will my child make progress? Center Academy parents were recently asked to rate their children on a five-point scale, indicating their present performance and their performance prior to entering Center Academy. This research shows statistically significant improvement in all ten measures. <return to top> Do you have discipline problems? Center Academy is for students who want a small, safe learning environment in which they can get ahead and be successful in their learning. We are not designed to work with students who have significant behavioral problems. The structure of the classroom is a critical component of education. Center Academy’s unique classroom design allows for both group instruction and quiet, individualized study. Our classroom design and management have been refined over the course of four decades. With our small class size and extensive curriculum, we provide all students with a friendly, safe learning environment. Center Academy has specific and deliberate classroom expectations that ensure order, consistency, and motivation throughout the day. <return to top> How do I pay for CA? Center Academy has many different payment options and payment plans available. These plans are designed to help make private school education more affordable to families. Students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) may qualify for a McKay scholarship. We invite you to call Center Academy for specific information about tuition and payment plans.<return to top> What is your homework policy? As we have discovered and research has confirmed, not all homework is created equal. Homework can create great stress for families and negatively impact home life and student motivation. We have found that excessive homework does not help students and may be harmful. Center Academy students learn to efficiently and confidently master their work at school, when their minds are fresh and there are teachers to help them. Homework is assigned on an individualized basis as needed to help students progress and meet learning and emotional goals.<return to top> Will my child have opportunities for social interaction in a small school? Parents sometimes worry about their child's opportunity for socialization in the smaller private school. When we take a realistic view of socialization as a psychological process, we find that superficial experiences have little if anything to do with socialization. The ability to socialize and work well with others finds its roots in the individual's own psychological makeup. This is developed primarily in the home by modeling parents and siblings and is influenced by genetic predisposition. In order to have true socialization capabilities, one must first feel secure and have basic trust in others. Once these attributes are established, the child needs to learn to be independent and autonomous as well as industrious. A recent survey of adolescents indicated that as many as 60 percent of the students felt unsafe in their large high school. This is certainly not the basis for security, trust and relationship building. And, what about the real world? The large middle school and high school do not represent the real world that we as adults would be willing to work in. We certainly cannot expect less for our children. Most of our children will work in small businesses, professional offices and smaller units of larger companies, where socialization skills will be extremely important for advancement and in reducing stress. The research to date does not indicate that large schools prepare children to socialize in the "real world" of the future. Click here for a list of recent Center Academy activities and community involvements.<return to top> Is CA accredited? Center Academy is accredited by the Private Schools Accreditation Alliance, a national accreditation association recognized by the Florida Department of Education for McKay Scholarship recipients. Students receive credit for each academic course completed. Graduating seniors receive a regular diploma recognized by the Florida Department of Education and accepted at all Colleges and Universities. Our high school curriculum is aligned with the Sunshine State Standards and credits earned qualify for a regular diploma. We are able to offer a 24 credit, standard diploma to our graduating students. Many of our high school students are currently dually enrolled in local colleges, earning college credit as well as high school credit. Our graduates have attended colleges and Universities in Florida and throughout the U.S. <return to top> How do I apply? To begin the application process, please click here to find contact information for the Center Academy location nearest you. Please call the school director to find out more information and to make an appointment to visit the school. <return to top> What is the McKay Scholarship? The McKay Scholarship Program permits parents to transfer their child from public school to a participating private school or another public school. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, three requirements must be met.   During the previous year: The student must have been enrolled and present in a public school in Florida during the October and February days when students are counted. The student must have a current Individual Education Plan (IEP). The parent must notify the local school district that they intend to use the McKay Scholarship Program. This can be done online at http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org.  To be eligible the parents' Letter of Intent must be filed by one of the following dates: July 1 September 1 December 1 February 15 The final step is to select a participating private or public school, apply for admission, and have the school register the student. The State sends scholarship checks to the school made payable to the parent. The parent then endorses the check to the school. A student remains eligible for the McKay Scholarship Program as long as he or she remains enrolled in a participating private school. It is not necessary to file a letter of intent each year. The student may change schools or return to a public school at any time. <return to top> What are charter schools? Charter schools are independent public schools that charge no tuition. Charter schools in Florida must meet Sunshine State Standards, assess students with the FCAT, meet the same class size and teacher certification requirements as traditional public schools, and comply with the state accountability plan. As schools of choice, charter schools are accountable to students, parents, the charter school board, the school district, and the state. At Bradenton and Tampa Charter Schools, we have small, individualized settings with highly qualified professionals and serve students in grades 3 through 8. Like other successful charter schools, we have strong academic programs and the financial commitment to guarantee the success of our students. Our management teams have over 40 years of school administrative experience. Click here for more charter school information. <return to top> How long has Center Academy been in operation? Center Academy began in 1968 with the vision of its founder, Dr. Mack Hicks. Seeing the need for a specialized, full-day school for students who were falling through the cracks in traditional schools, Dr. Hicks established one of the first schools in the United States to focus on the needs of students with Attention Deficit Disorder and other neuropsychological processing difficulties. <return to top> Does Center Academy work with learning disabled students? Yes. Center Academy was founded to meet the needs of students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Because some students were not successful in their prior schooling or needed more help than tutors could provide, Center Academy began as a full day school to help students with learning disabilities, ADHD, or other processing difficulties. Our mission is to meet the needs of students who require a smaller learning environment or find that they are not successful in a “one size fits all” school setting. ( The prescriptive learning program at Center Academy was developed by our team of psychologists, neuropsychologists, remedial clinicians, and educators. We are one of a very select group of United States schools to receive a $325,000 NIMH grant from the federal government to develop and measure our prescriptive learning program. Based on our assessment of each student, we develop an individualized program that incorporates appropriate academic levels and prescriptive modules which address processing deficits. Students may work on remedial materials to address difficulties with auditory processing, visual memory, visual motor speed, attention, or other processing avenues.<return to top> Does Center Academy work with ADHD students? Yes. Center Academy classrooms are designed with the ADHD student in mind. In addition to the use of study carrels and individualized learning, we work to limit distractions and provide necessary accommodations to all of our students with needs. We have written articles about classroom management and have developed programs to address the needs of ADHD students. The structure of the classroom is a critical component of education. Center Academy’s unique classroom design allows for both group instruction and quiet, individualized study. Our classroom design and management have been refined over the course of four decades. With our small class size and extensive curriculum, we provide all students with a friendly, safe learning environment. Center Academy has specific and deliberate classroom expectations that ensure order, consistency, and motivation throughout the day. <return to top> Does Center Academy work with students who don't have ADHD or a learning disability?     Yes.  The Center Academy classroom is designed to provide a quiet, supportive work environment for all students.  The individualized approach used at Center Academy is effective for students with many learning styles and learning strengths, including those students who just want to get ahead or work at their own pace.  Gifted and advanced students may work above grade level and take more challenging courses, including dual enrollment at community colleges.<return to top> What is the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship?       Center Academy is approved by the Georgia Department of Education as a Georgia Special Needs Scholarship school.  The scholarship is available to Georgia residents who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and attended a public school during the prior year.  Parents may use the scholarship to help pay for tuition at participating private schools.  Students must be enrolled by September 5 to receive the scholarship for the current school year.  Eligibility information, scholarship amounts, and applications are found at www.doe.k12.ga.us/sb10.aspx.<return to top>