History of The Schools of McKeel Academy
McKeel Academy of Technology was the first conversion charter secondary school in the state of Florida in 1998, opening their doors in 1996 as a middle/high school of choice. Mr. Harold Maready, Superintendent of The Schools of McKeel Academy, has over 30 years of experience in public schools and is recognized as a leader in the charter school movement. The 9-member volunteer Board of Trustees, which also includes the Teachers of the Year from each school, governs and provides oversight for the school system.
The McKeel programs have been very successful. They have achieved ‘A’ status for almost every year they have been charter (since 2000). The school replicated their effective program with two additional campuses, McKeel Elementary Academy, which has always be an ‘A’ school, and South McKeel that has been an ‘A’ every year except one since it opened. They have also credited their excellent teaching staff with their exceptional results on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests, consistently scoring higher than the state and county. In 2011, each school individually, and The Schools of McKeel Academy as a system, were designated by the Florida Department of Education as a High-Performing, which has resulted in more financial resources and an increase in the cap on enrollment.
The Schools of McKeel Academy have over 200 staff members serving their three campuses: McKeel Academy of Technology, a 6-12 program in west Lakeland with just over 1050 students, McKeel Elementary Academy a K-5 program in downtown Lakeland with 348 students, and South McKeel Academy a PreK -7 program in south Lakeland with over 1140 students.
-
McKeel Academy of Technology's first year as a school of choice
-
McKeel Academy of Technology becomes the first conversion secondary charter school in Florida
-
McKeel Elementary Academy created
-
South McKeel Elementary Academy created
-
What is now South McKeel Academy created after adding grades 6 and 7
-
McKeel Elementary Academy designated as a high-performing charter school
-
South McKeel Academy designated as a high-performing charter school
-
McKeel Academy of Technology designated as a high-performing charter school
-
The Schools of McKeel Academy designed as a high-performing charter school system
