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Growing up and out
An academy's new campus has room for rising enrollment.
By SHERYL KAY, Times Correspondent
Published February 8, 2008
LUTZ Berean Academy opened in 1995 with 11 students in grades kindergarten through third, and rented space from United Church of God in Forest Hills. Today, 177 are enrolled in kindergarten though 12th grade at a new, 23-acre campus on Lutz's Lake Stempar, with room for 400 children. "We just outgrew the leased facility," said headmaster Bruce Kirby. "If we wanted to continue to grow at all, we had to move." Kirby credits the success at Berean to its teaching style and course offerings. Methodology changes with each age group, he said, which is critical to continued motivation as students get older. A strong Christian curriculum with in-depth instruction on classical history, languages and literature includes classes not available in most local schools. There are classes in Latin and Greek beginning in the third grade. "We study Greek, Roman and other classical history in order to understand culture right now," said Kirby. "You can't know where you are till you know where you've been." Stuart Suddath and his wife, Shawn, have been sending their children to Berean for the past four years and were overwhelmed when they saw the new campus. "Its hard not to get emotional when you talk about it," said Suddath, 36, a transportation broker living in Carrollwood. "It's like moving out of your first rental and moving into your first real home that you own." While enjoying the new gymnasium, larger classrooms and lake views, Kirby hopes to branch out into the community. The school is already offering a lecture series on cultural topics, free to the public, and plans to hold recitals are in the works. Instruction in music, performing arts, painting, drawing and sculpture is slated to become an integral part of the curriculum. Contact reporter Sheryl Kay at skreporter@hotmail.com or call 813 230-8788. Admission Getting accepted Admission to Berean Academy is based on an entrance exam in language arts and math, an interview and other criteria. Tuition ranges from $7,000 to $9,125, and scholarships are available. For more information, call (813) 932-0552.
[Last modified February 7, 2008, 07:50:27]
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