Walking around Florida State University School, commonly called "Florida High," it's easy to notice the difference from past years. Students now have access to 9,500 square feet of new facilities featuring the latest technology. This past summer, two new buildings, providing nine classrooms for elementary and intermediate students, as well as an arts studio and a science lab were completed. Technology upgrades include new computers equipped with the latest educational technology, audio enhancers designed to allow students to hear a teacher's voice in the classroom more effectively, and interactive white boards that operate as giant touch screens connected to teachers' computers. In addition, school officials anticipate that parents will be able to access the popular "Blackboard" software from home in the near future, which will allow them to view their child's homework assignments, grades, and class syllabus. Thanks to this great feature, parents will soon be able to check their child's scholastic progress from the comfort of their own home.

"We are thrilled with these new additions," says Dr. Lynn Wicker, director of Florida State University School. "Our technology was about eight years behind, so we are delighted to now have today's latest technology in our classrooms."

Other upgrades include a new reading garden in the Elementary School courtyard and outdoor tables with umbrellas throughout the campus. New Florida High Principal Dr. Jonathan Grantham states, "We are committed to providing the best learning environment we can for our student body and with these new buildings and upgrades, we feel we've done that."

So what makes Florida High different from public schools? Florida High, whose official name is Florida State University School, is a K-12 charter school sponsored by Florida State University. It provides research and development opportunities for educators and provides a laboratory for teacher education. Currently, Florida High has approximately 1,700 students that respresent a population typical of other school sites in Florida. Florida High's mission is to advance Florida's K-12 education through exemplary teaching, research and service in collaboration with the College of Education at Florida State University.

Children of SouthWood homeowners ar elgible to apply for a seat at Florida High, but are not guaranteed a seat by applying. Contact Amy Jaskolski at 850.402.5123 for more information or to add your child's name to the SouthWood Homeowner-Florida High waiting list. Click here to learn more about The St. Joe Company's and Florida High's seat agreement.

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