by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
The South Lake Community is gaining a brand-new charter school this fall with the opening of Cherry Lake Preparatory Academy, located at 119 Wilson Lake Parkway, Groveland. The school will be a tuition-free public charter school, and is described as a WISH School- Wellness, Innovation, Science, and Health.
As part of the Charter Schools USA family, Cherry Lake Prep will join a family that proudly has 100 schools in four states, 90 of which are in Florida. The school will offer K-6th grades this school year, while adding 7th grade next year and finally 8th grade the following year. Cherry Lake Prep will maintain a teaching staff of 35 teachers with a faculty team total of 50 personnel during the first school year.
Dr. Kimberly Kokx, the school’s principal, describes herself as a hands-on style principal who wants to ensure that parents feel informed, supported, and engaged in their child’s educational experience. Dr. Kokx puts an emphasis on the school’s “village model” for grades K-5th, versus an ordinary classroom standard. Dr. Kokx holds a Bachelor of Arts in K-12 vocal music from Idaho State University, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership, and a Doctor of Education in teacher leadership from Concordia University.
“We put the entire grade level together in one ‘village’ for the power of synergy and collaboration. Our teachers plan together and instruct together. Our students work together, and that allows us to address the individual needs of each student. We move students around to best meet their individual needs. One teacher may have several students, for example, while another teacher may only have a few. The model includes a personalized learning plan for each student. It is a team effort with what the teacher, the student, and the parent bring to the three-legged table,” says Dr. Kokx.
Although iPads will be a standard piece of learning equipment for students in the classroom, the school also plans to emphasize classic teachings such as cursive reading and writing. “How can a student read the Constitution of the United States if they cannot read cursive writing?” says Dr. Kokx.
Wellness innovation and science health will be offered for students, which includes a partnership agreement with Orlando Health. Students will also be able to utilize the wellness equipment at nearby Cherry Lake Park thanks to a partnership with the City of Groveland.
School Enrollment and Marketing Administrator Omar Hernandez outlines the typical classroom setting at Cherry Lake Prep as classrooms with smart boards and collaborative classroom designs. Furniture that helps students be immersed in learning and feel at ease while working with one another. All while engaging with the coursework at hand.
Cherry Lake Prep invites families and potential community partners to schedule a tour of the school by contacting Mr. Hernanadez at 352-296-0256 or email Omar.Hernandez@CherryLakePrep.org.
Please visit https://www.cherrylakeprep.org/ for further information regarding the school’s mission statement, a video library offering course and program information, and detailed contact information.
