About Heron Bay Academy

Mission Statement: We believe in our responsibility to partner with parents, creating an ideal environment in which students will have the oppurtunity to:

• Strive for academic excellence
• Explore a diverse curriculum
• Prepare to succeed in a global environment
• Provide service to a growing community
• Participate in character education, developing a respect for others through exemplary mentorship
• Experience cooperative educational communities in all content areas from fine arts to technology
• Develop into life long learners

Design: We will offer an extended school day and academic year to allow for true mastery rather than cursory coverage of the curriculum.

Curriculum: Heron Bay Academy’s curriculum will combine the rigors of solid skill building in the core content areas of English/Language Arts, Math and Science with our award winning, interdisciplinary humanities and social studies curriculum called Paragon®. The core curriculum will include the nation’s top rated Open Court Reading, SRA Math, Harcourt Brace Science, and Spanish. Students will receive the balance of core courses coupled with the “hands-on” approach of Paragon® that enables them to practically apply what they learn in class.

Technology: To master true computer literacy, students require hands-on access to computers as a tool for authentic learning. Heron Bay Academy will equip each classroom with computers and provide a laptop for each teacher and administrator.

Assessment: The barometers that will gauge Heron Bay Academy’s success include higher student standardized test scores, market progress in the quality of performance-based assessments, improved student attendance, and retention as well as enhanced motivation, satisfaction, and morale on the part of students, teachers, and parents.

Secure Environment: Safety is a top priority. Heron Bay Academy will provide an emotionally and physically safe learning environment. We recognize that effective instruction requires an orderly environment focused on learning and that the school must support parents’ efforts to teach their children the principles of excellence. We are committed to providing students with a sense of belonging and a feeling of significance so that they feel safe to learn, to grow, and to thrive.

Teachers: Heron Bay Academy is committed to hiring, training, and retaining star teachers and talented leaders in educational management. All teachers will be highly qualified, experienced individuals who have a strong sense of purpose and a willingness to challenge themselves as life long learners. Our teachers will compel all students to excel by concentrating on engaging every child in learning and by holding students and themselves to high standards.

Parents: We believe that a close connection between home and school is crucial to student performance. Heron Bay Academy will expect parents to be actively engaged in their children’s education. Because every child needs stability, continuity and a champion who believes in his or her human potential, Heron Bay Academy will work to foster a close connection between home and school. Specifically, the school will work with parents and others with positive influence to improve attendance, to assist with homework, and to intercede at the first hint of difficulty.

Heron Bay Advisory Committee: Heron Bay Academy will be vitally linked to the community it serves, and the Advisory Committee will play an important role in forging and maintaining this link. Currently, we have over 20 individuals volunteering their time and expertise for the creation of a truly great community school. They are initially focusing on getting the word out to the community about the proposed school. The general community may not be aware of what charter schools are or how they operate, and this committee will help by providing accurate and timely information. The committee will also assist by providing residents information on pre-enrollment, and by obtaining supportive letters from business leaders in the community. For information on volunteering please contact us.

Educational Program: Heron Bay Academy will work together with parents, involving them in the education of their children and forming a partnership aimed at increasing each child’s academic achievement.

Mosaica Education, Inc. is a leader in the operation of innovative charter schools which emphasize strong basic skills, an inter-disciplinary curriculum and extensive use of technology. Mosaica currently operates 76 charter school programs in seven states, the District of Columbia, and the Middle East serving over 14,000 students. mosaicaeducation.com	With a hands-on approach, Paragon® addresses students’ multiple intelligences and individual learning styles. Through this engaging curriculum, students gain historical information, and come to understand the expansive potential open to them if they can identify with early clarity their individual strengths and sense of purpose.