Academics

Unique Learning Opportunities

A strong sense of community, cherished traditions, top-tier teaching faculty, whole child pedagogy, comprehensive college counseling program, and laser focus on academic excellence distinguishes us from other schools.

STEAM

Saint Edward’s School offers science, technology, engineering, arts and math programs that thrill and engage young minds through hands-on experiences, experiential learning, and observation of the natural world.

Because children learn most effectively by doing, students engage in haptic and kinesthetic learning techniques beginning in pre-kindergarten.

Middle School STEAM learning in the classroom
Upper School STEAM learning in the studio
Lower School STEAM learning in the courtyard

Lower School

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iPads: Transformative Technology

The iPad educational apps that Lower School students use at Saint Edward's School support and extend their learning experience in different ways. Spelling practice, novel comprehension, math exercises, video production, robotics programming, engineering design, communication authoring, peer collaboration and new ways to demonstrate learning are just a few of the ways students benefit from access to iPad technology.
Language: Bilingual Benefits

Studies indicate that there are clear cognitive advantages to learning a second language at an early age. Children who learn a second language demonstrate greater linguistic and cognitive strengths across all subject areas. Early bilingual language learning boosts problem-solving, critical thinking and listening skills, in addition to improving memory and concentration. Students at SES begin learning Spanish in Pre-K.
Science: Labs and Life Science

Students begin learning basic lab procedures early in the Lower School with authentic life science lab experiences beginning in Pre-K. Students continue to develop their lab skillsets at every grade level until they are completing independent science labs in fourth and fifth grade. The smallest Pirates learn to dissect owl pellets; older children investigate and analyze our lagoon in-depth, from plankton to mammals.

Middle School

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Challenge Trips: Collaboration Builds Connections

Each Middle School grade participates in a developmentally specific Challenge Trip that incorporates team building, personal challenges, communication development and class bonding in a fun, memorable outdoor experience. Each year Middle School students look forward to a new adventure and another opportunity to make connections with their classmates.
ME Projects: Personal Growth Perspective

Eighth-grade students reflect on their middle school experience when they prepare and present ME Projects each spring. After a year of self-discovery, they explore how they have grown in four key areas: physically, academically, socially and spiritually. The result is a visual representation presented a summary of their findings to their peers, teachers, and family members.
Seven Habits of Highly Successful Teens

In a course called Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens, seventh-grade students learn and practice critical life skills like active listening, being proactive, goal setting, how to prioritize, the art of compromise, teamwork, and self-reflection. The ultimate goal is to teach students how to manage and strengthen each of their four key elements: body, brain, heart, and soul.
Research: Cross-Curricular Collaboration

Research Writing and Technology (RWT) prepares students with the research, writing, and technical skills needed for Night of the Notables (NOTN), a culminating history presentation that focuses on an event or invention of the twentieth century presented through the eyes of the inventor or key person. The students are led through the topic brainstorming process, then they are instructed on best practices to locate resources in our library. Students learn peer editing techniques, MLA formatting, and technical skills needed to write a final research paper and create a final multimedia presentation.
Science: Discovery and Exploration

Middle School science builds on skills started in the Lower School and spans the breadth of disciplines, beginning with field biology and progressing to chemistry, astronomy and physics. This program culminates with engineering and design as they learn to build and test rockets. Science classrooms feature labs filled with flora, fauna, and physics experiments that extend learning to the next level.

Upper School

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Advocacy Groups: Support and Socialize

At the beginning of freshmen year, students are assigned an Advocacy group and a faculty advocate who supports, mentors and challenges them over the following four years of high school. Each Advocacy group creates special bonds through planned activities, impromptu discussions, and shared experiences. Advocacy groups participate in friendly competitions throughout the School year.
Advanced Placement: College Level Content

As part of one of the area’s most dedicated college preparatory schools in Florida, Saint Edward's AP program offers exceptional students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while in high school. We offer a wide variety of AP courses to help advance motivated, high-achieving students to the next level in college or enable them to receive college credit. Students interested in taking AP courses need a recommendation from a former teacher to sign up for the course.
Advanced Studies Program: Next Level Academics

The Advanced Studies Program offers a rigorous program for those students who wish to add independent research to an already challenging schedule of honors and AP courses. This program is designed for highly motivated and intellectually curious students. Students must formally apply to the program during the Spring Term of their junior year and are selected on the basis of standardized test scores (top 10%), GPA (3.5 or higher), recommendations from the college counseling department, and a personal essay.
MUN: International Diplomacy

Model United Nations is an extra-curricular activity in which students typically role play delegates to the United Nations and simulate UN committees. SES MUN students travel domestically and abroad to meet and work with other students from around the world.
Life Science: Labs in the Lagoon

The Indian River Lagoon is one of the most diverse estuaries in the world, and it sits at our back door. US students work with local scientists and non-profit organizations to solve the problems of the lagoon and promote environmental stewardship.
Freshman Rafting Trip: Row and Grow

The freshman class journey to the Georgia mountains to challenge themselves academically, socially and physically on the Chattooga River. They visit area universities and create new bonds as a class while participating in time honored camp traditions.