Westchase's Newest Charter School Moving Full STEAM Ahead

TAMPA, FL – A new charter school in Westchase is moving full STEAM ahead, offering elementary school students with an innovative curriculum that emphasizes Science, Technology, Education, Arts and Mathematics.

The $20 million Avant Garde Academy Westchase at 13901 Sheldon Road, Tampa, provides state-of-the-art classroom technology and a full-size gymnasium.

The school opened for the 2017-18 school year with a limited enrollment while finishing touches were put on the building.

Principal Dana Smith said the building is now complete and the school is ready to accept applications for students in grades kindergarten through seven for the 2018-19 school year.

“Absolutely everything is now up and running,” Smith said. “We encountered some unexpected construction delays as we prepared for the current academic year, but we opened as a small K-6, and the year has so far been extremely successful and encouraging.”

She said she’s especially pleased to see how quickly the parents have gotten involved in the school.

“They have already held dances, fundraisers, service learning activities and special events,” Smith said. “This area of Tampa has extremely involved parents, a key to overall academic success.”

Beyond its academic STEAM focus, the school offers robotics during the school day, Lego classes for all grade levels, engineering projects, performing arts, (including an art club, band, chorus and guitar) and a full sports program that includes volleyball, soccer, track and basketball.

“We take the responsibility of educating our children to heart, and appreciate being so positively welcomed to the area,” Smith said, adding that she’s already received several hundred applications for the coming school year.

“We have had such a positive first year, and are very much looking forward to sharing our expanded offerings for the next academic year,” she said.

Avant Garde Academy Westchase participates in the national school lunch program and even bus transportation service to the school.

Interested parents should contact Smith at (813) 551-2144 or email her.

For additional information, visit the school's website.

Images via Avant Garde Academy Westchase