Florida Air Academy

We enrolled our daughter at FLAIR for the 2011 summer program after her seventh grade in public school. After five weeks at FLAIR, her interests were expanded and her youthful behavior was noticeably improved. She asked to return for her eighth grade year. Although we were concerned about her being away from home, after careful consideration, we agreed. Now, after completing her eighth grade at FLAIR, she has gained self-esteem and self-discipline that she was unable to acquire while living at home and attending public school. Her academic performance and overall attitude are dramatically improving. She flourishes in the small classes and individual attention. We are pleased that FLAIR keeps us well informed about her progress via online grade information. If she fails to turn-in homework, we are alerted. She is given mandatory teacher help, and she is also required to attend supervised study hall to complete her missing assignment. Needless to say, she has become consistent in turning her homework in. We believe that FLAIR provides the much needed structure and camaraderie that a teenager needs while providing high quality educational experiences.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended FAA from 8th-12th grade; graduating as Valedictorian with full Bright Futures. Due to small classes, dedicated staff my son has become a successful, self-motivated young man. He had the opportunity of making lasting relationships with students from around the world and is still in contact with his friends from Korea, Russia and Puerto Rico. My daughter currently attends Florida Air Academy. She wanted to attend FAA from the time her brother attended. She had to wait until FAA went co-ed (2005) and until she was old enough. She currently is in 8th grade and has the opportunity to also take some high school honor classes. She also enjoys having friends literally from around the world. As you can see FAA is not a "BAD KID" school. In fact both my kids "wanted to attend" FAA and are true success stories. I couldn't imagine them going anywhere else. We have many students here that are true success stories...the students at FAA want to be at FAA.
--Submitted by a parent

Dedicated staff. Supportive college/guidance for seniors. Very helpful in complicated college process. Muti-cultural environment makes this school unique. Responsive administration, caring environmment.
--Submitted by a parent

As a 10 year employee of this school, I am shocked by the negative, untrue comments posted here. I challenge anyone to find a more dedicated and supportive staff than we have here at FAA. Every child here is known by name by a multitude of people who speak to them each and every day to inquire about their day, schoolwork, important events in their lives, etc. Compare that to public school where a single student is but one of many. Along with receiving top quality education, our students are taught to be good citizens of our school, community and the world. This year our students have donated hundreds of hours volunteering in our community feeding the homeless, raising money for breast cancer awareness, autism awareness, epilepsy research, and countless other altruistic endeavors. And yes, we do prepare students for college success with our AP classes, dual enrollment opportunities, and highly motivated staff.
--Submitted by a teacher

The last review is simply not true. The school would have no students if it were like that. Hazing is not tolerated and the students are not allowed to discipline other students....adults do that. The level of student has never been higher and they just got ANOTHER kid into Harvard. There are many high achievers here but they are good with kids who need some extra help too. It's really irresponsible to trash a school anonymously, so they can't respond. I have been a parent for years and the kids are much nicer than I found at other schools in the area.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school, I was very unhappy with things I discovered after enrollment. Many children are there to avoid court discipline, there are too many troubled teens in attendance. I found this school to be a place for rich undesireable children who can not make it in a traditional school setting. Secrets are kept by administration who allow older students to HAZE younger students and apply discipline as they see fit. Please research this school extensively before considering it for your child, I was glad to get mine out with only minor physical and mental damage after only a few months.
--Submitted by a parent

My son's a boarding student and he is doing great. His dorm supervisor (tac officer) is wonderful. The conditions have improved and his room was recently renovated. He is happy here. He loves the food....new food service company, run by a chef. His grades have really come up....campus is really pretty.....
--Submitted by a parent

Cannot understand why Florida Air is rated so low. Students are being accepted to Harvard and many other top schools on full scholarships, so they have to be doing something right. I agree with the other posters, things have changed, but for the better, and the student body as a whole seems very happy.
--Submitted by a parent

I have worked at Florida Air Academy for 4 years now and feel that I have to chime in. FAA is an ever evolving school with a singular goal of getting students into decent colleges. It is all college prep combined with the best elements of it's military tradition. This is not a school for "bad boys". This is not boot camp. We have a very active JROTC program but we do not make little soliders. We are dedicated to providing a solid education to each and everyone of our day and boarding students. I invite anyone to visit our campus and take a look at the faces of the kids as the move from class to class. These are not unhappy children. Here's what we do best: We take a student who isn't achieving their potential and we strive to keep them focused on what really counts. I give us a 4 star rating only beacuase, as an ever evolving school....we can always do better.
--Submitted by a teacher

I'm very surprised at the last review. My son attends the school and I can say for sure that they take a very firm stance on anything approaching bullying. The school has indeed lessened its military emphasis, but not at the expense of discipline and the code of honor. You will no longer see the mis-fits and "bad-boys" that ended up at a military school as a last resort. Instead you'll see self-motivated kids looking to get into great colleges, many on full scholarships. I love the atmosphere of school events, from 6th through 12th grade everyone attends and participates, that includes staff. As to their qualifications they may be young but they are enthusiastic and go way further than any "experienced" staff member I met in the district Public Schools. I'd recommend FAA without hesitation, and do so on a regular basis!
--Submitted by a parent