Private School


Welcome to Manatee Learning Academy
Let’s Learn Together
At Manatee Learning Academy, we empower students to ask insightful questions, explore disciplinary boundaries and confront conventional ways of thinking. Check out our site to learn more about all we have to offer.


OPEN HOUSE THURSDAY, MARCH 9TH 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM


Principal's Message
Welcome and thank you for visiting the Manatee Learning Academy. MLA serves approximately 200 students from preschool through 12th grade. Our goal is to provide an environment and educational experience that enables all students to become successful members of our community through consistent social and academic development.
At MLA, we follow a set of shared values that guide our beliefs about teaching and learning. We believe that all children can learn and deserve a safe, satisfying, and successful school experience. We know that high expectations for student achievement combined with adequate support and intervention will result in academic proficiency and growth. At MLA, our focus is to help children learn and grow. To do this, our teaching and professional development must be intentional and purposeful. Cooperation, collaboration, and communication are important parts of our educational success. At MLA, we strive to be life-long learners. We believe it is important to model respect and foster a caring school culture where students feel valued and appreciated. Finally, we believe in building partnerships between school, home, and community. Through these shared values and beliefs, students experience an education that is profound and lasting.
Our students receive an intentional, focused education that combines research-based educational practices with a high-quality curriculum. Implementation and instruction are informed by weekly professional learning and collaboration amongst staff. Our excellent school-wide intervention program allows us to meet the specific needs of all students. At MLA, we are blessed with many parent and community volunteers, which provide an additional, rich learning experience for our students. Our staff sponsors many exciting events and activities with a focus on students and education. We invite you to be a part of this process and experience unparalleled learning at Manatee Learning Academy.
Jessica LeBoff
Principal

Events
What’s Coming Up
There’s always an exciting event happening at Manatee Learning Academy! Take a look below to view our full schedule, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions regarding a specific upcoming event.
August 1st - 9th Summer Camp fun week
Monday, August 8th, 5:30 pm-7:00 pm Back to School Night
Wednesday, August 10th First Day of School
Monday, September 5th, NO School Labor Day
Monday, September 12th Progress Reports
Father/Daughter Breakfast (TBA)
October 7th End of First Quarter NO School Record Day
Monday, October 10 - Friday, October 14th Report Card Conferences
Friday, October 28th Annual Trick or Trunk at 6:30 pm
Tuesday, November 15th Progress Reports
Mother/Son Breakfast (TBA)
Movie Night (TBA)
Friday, November 18th, Thanksgiving Lunch
NO SCHOOL November 21st - 25th Thanksgiving Break (hurricane make-up days)
Winter Wonderland, Saturday, December 17th 10am - 12 pm
December 22nd, End of First Semester
NO SCHOOL December 23rd to January 9th. WINTER BREAK
Students Return Tuesday, January 10th, 2023
Monday, January 16th, 2023, Unity Day (school day), bringing students together
Friday, February 4th Progress Reports
Monday, February 20th, NO School President's Day
Wednesday, March 1, 2023, Dr. Seuss night
March 10th, End of Third Quarter NO School Record Day
NO SCHOOL Spring Break March 13th - 17th
March 20th - 24th Report Card Conferences
Friday, April 7th NO School Good Friday
End of Year Field Trip middle and high school May 2023 - TBD
Middle/High School Final Exams May 19th - 25th
On-site end of the year for Pre-K to 5th grade Friday, May 20th
Last Day of School Friday, May 26th
Admissions Explained
When a child is enrolled at Manatee Learning Academy, a space is held for the entire school year. In the child’s best interest, we ask parents to make every effort to complete each quarter or semester before making changes in their child’s school. When a change is unavoidable, tuition charges will be prorated on a monthly basis. New students will be charged for the entire month when they are first enrolled, and transferring students will be charged for the entire month during which they are last enrolled. Report cards are released to students, parents, or other schools only when the student’s account is current. Transcripts are only transferred to a new school upon request. Unless a student has graduated, transcripts are not provided to students or parents. A registration fee is due annually from all students. This fee is not covered by any of the scholarship programs. Therapy and tutoring services are in addition to tuition fees.
Manatee Learning Academy accepts the Step Up for Students, HOPE, McKay, Gardiner and AAA Scholarships as tuition payment.
K-12 Tuition $10800.00
Registration $200.00 - waived through current promotion
Book Fees $350.00
Uniform Fee $100.00
Testing $250.00
Conferences
5-week progress monitoring will be assessed on all students. The results of the assessment will determine the course of additional academic support that may be required. Mandatory conferences will be held at each Progress Report for all students with an IEP/McKay Scholarship. Parents are free to initiate contact with any or all of their child’s teachers.
Report card conferences are held in the First and Third Quarters of the school year. Report cards will not be sent home these Quarters without a conference. It is critical parents are involved in their child’s academic progress and bring any and all concerns to the teacher or office to be addressed immediately. When talking about a child’s progress, time is critical. Teachers evaluate students at the beginning and at various times during the year to make sure students are progressing forward and stop to assist where skills may start lagging. Please do not become a Fourth Quarter parent that becomes concerned at the last moment. We are available to you throughout the school year at your convenience.
Prior School Enrollment
Manatee Learning Academy strives to create the best possible learning environment for your individual child. We do not teach to the entire class, rather we tailor assignments to your child’s current academic level and needs. MLA works closely with Learning Unlimited to assess all families and their child’s needs. Once a parent has decided to enroll from preschool at Learning Unlimited to Kindergarten at MLA, the Pre-Kindergarten teacher conferences with the Kindergarten teacher to review the student portfolio, behavioral journal, report cards, and all student files to determine the best academic placement or any services that may be needed. At the beginning of the school year, the parent is required to conference with the Kindergarten teacher to review all findings and determine the best placement for their child.
If a child is coming to MLA from a public school, MLA will request the prior school records and review all of the information to determine proper placement. Manatee County Schools do not require exit interviews or provide copies of behavioral journals or portfolios for the school to review. Information received is basic in nature, thus requiring us to rely on the parent for additional input for their child. A conference will be held at the beginning of the school year with the parent to review the information received from the public school and create an individual plan of action for the child.
Meet the Staff
Manatee Learning Academy only employs staff that meets the Florida Department of Education teaching criteria. All staff must have a minimum of a baccalaureate or higher degree, have at least three years of experience teaching in public or private schools, or have special skills, knowledge, or expertise that qualifies them to provide instruction in subjects taught.
Pre-Kindergarten Three: Pre-Kindergarten/VPK:
Lacey Yerian Helana Wafalowski & Ashley Allen
Kindergarten
Hayley Helt
First Grade
Victoria Green
Second Grade
Tabatha Byers
Third Grade
Candice Smith
Fourth Grade
Donna Bunch
Fifth Grade
Kathlene Kane
MS/HS History
Bryan Zinna
MS/HS Science
Kristine Clark
MS/HS Mathematics
Eric Heller
MS/HS Language Arts
Elizabeth Koutny
Middle-High Spanish
Karen Ortega
Middle-High Art
Courtney Tippett
Middle-High Dance
Stacy Charette
Elementary Art
Robert Koutny
Elementary Physical Education
Saint Sports - Coach Keri
Does your child play sports?
While Manatee Learning Academy does not offer sports, students can try out for their designated district school. All students have the same opportunity to make a local team regardless of where they attend school. Students are required to maintain their GPA in order to play as well as for college contention. MLA will work closely with students to make sure they are maintaining their academic levels to not jeopardize their playing ability or future college success. MLA is proudly an NCAA and NAIA-approved school for college sports acceptance.


2019-2022 Students currently accepted to Stetson, Johnson-Wales, Florida State, Webber, Keiser Flagship,Warner, Abilene Christian, St. Leo, Florida Southern, Barry, Trinity and State College of Florida
LEARNING UNLIMITED PRESCHOOL
Learning Unlimited is a private Preschool for ages birth through age four. Learning Unlimited is NECPA Accredited, State of Florida Department of Children and Families Gold Seal, USDA Contracted, Early Learning Coalition Contracted, Childcare Aware Contracted, and a 4 Star Provider.
Breakfast, morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack are provided.
Learning Unlimited uses the Creative Curriculum and the VALUES Book for character development.
Enrollment is limited and waitlists begin in January for the upcoming school year. Enrollment opportunities can change due to family circumstances.
Registration fee $100.00
Infants $235.00 per week
Toddlers - not potty trained $185.00 per week
Jr. Pre-K 3/Pre-K 4 $155.00 per week
VPK Wrap Around Fee $85.00 per week
Elementary $195.00 per month
Bus Fee $140.00 per month MLA
C12MA0253
Summer Fun Camp
Students enjoy morning enrichment classes lead by our MLA teachers. Students are engaged in Art, Music, weekly themed camps, reading and math lessons to reinforce and learn additional skills. Students select weekly camps to attend all surrounding a central theme.
Afternoons are spent engaged in the arts, science and outdoor games surrounding a central weekly theme.
Enjoy the entire summer or week to week. Breakfast, morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack are included. $125/week.
Enroll for the 2022-2023 school year and enjoy 2 camp weeks for FREE!