By Amy Harvey, Principal, A. Gary Walsingham Academy
Opening a new school is the dream of principals and I cannot tell you how excited I am to have the honor of being the first principal of A. Gary Walsingham Academy.
Our new school, located at 44 Chip Seal Parkway, will open in August of 2021 as a K-2 school and will also be home to all pre-kindergarten programs for the beach schools. We anticipate adding a grade each year until we’re operating as a K-5 school with a thriving pre-k center housing up to 800 students.There’s SO MUCH to tell you about our new school and what we have planned and I’m grateful for this opportunity to highlight a few things below.
Registration
Registration for the 2021-2022 school year is currently open. Parents are encouraged to register as soon as possible as a plethora of decisions are based on enrollment numbers. Early registration will help us ensure that we have everything in place for a smooth start to the school year.
New student registration can be completed online or by visiting our temporary office in the Arnold High School Pre-K Center. Details regarding registration are located on the Bay District Schools website at https://www.bay.k12.fl.us/
Walsingham Academy will also be accepting students through the school choice process. Hardship applications can be submitted in Parent Portal at https://www.bay.k12.fl.us/parent-portal.
Staffing
I am thrilled to announce that we have started the recruitment and hiring process to identify the founding members of the Walsingham Academy faculty and staff. We are searching for individuals who are passionate about learning, building positive relationships and are committed to empowering every student, every day. Candidates interested in being part of our team are encouraged to watch for postings on the Bay District Schools website and follow the Walsingham Academy Facebook page.
The Building
Steady progress is being made as crews work to complete Walsingham Academy. Our classrooms are designed to encourage collaborative learning, include the latest technology, share a paired learning space, and contain a restroom and storage area. Our media center is a future-ready learning space consisting of flexible seating, movable chairs and desks, quiet study areas, collaborative spaces, and technology stations. The cafeteria includes a stage complete with sound system and lighting for student performances. Outdoor play is so important and we are excited to have three separate playgrounds, a covered courtyard, an outdoor dining area and a large grassy field along with the adjacent wetlands. Our Wahoos will have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine!
Conservationism
Offering students unique learning opportunities that are relevant, meaningful and have a direct correlation to the real world are vital for maintaining student motivation for learning and interest in school. We are extremely blessed to have a campus located in a beautiful coastal community with a diverse population of plants and animals whose existence is dependent on the preservation of their natural habits. The campus location, along with an extremely generous monetary donation from local community member Gary Walsingham, provides the perfect opportunity to incorporate conservation and environmental learning opportunities into our school curriculum.
For more information about A. Gary Walsingham Academy, please contact the school at (850) 767-5475.
