Currently ranked in the top 20 percent of all schools in Florida, Western Academy Charter School in Royal Palm Beach has once again shown its outstanding teaching abilities.
The 2014 FCAT scores have been released, and Western Academy beat the Palm Beach County School District and State of Florida in every grade and test, with the exception of fourth grade writing.
Eighth graders ranked in first place for the entire district, while seventh graders tied for first place in math. Sixth-grade math scores ranked No. 2 in the entire district, while 100 percent of Western Academy students passed Algebra 1, with one student earning a perfect score.
“As a charter school, we are free to focus on our students and teachers,” Principal Linda Terranova said. “We are not bogged down by the district mandates and constant changes. We can focus on the students and on providing a high-quality academic program. Continually high scores like these are what drove our decision to expand and create a STEAM Academy and push our students even higher. Our scores beat the district’s and state’s year after year. So, we are obviously doing the right things.”
Western Academy was designed as an innovative alternative to traditional public school education and opened its doors in 2003. Designated by the Florida Department of Education as a High Performing Charter School and a 5 Star School, it has been an “A” school since 2006. It is also rated “A+” by the Florida Consortium of Charter Schools.
The school currently serves 385 students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
The school’s mission is to equip all children with the skills necessary for success on both an educational and social level. Western Academy addresses the whole child through a multi-sensory approach to learning.
The school will begin a new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) Academy in August as a special academy within the current middle school. It will start with sixth grade and roll up each year into a full middle school program.
Western Academy is located at 650 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Suite 300, in Royal Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 792-4123 or visit www.westernacademycharter.com.
ABOVE: Western Academy students at work in the classroom.
