There are many benefits as to why students should attend boarding school, but what does Florida offer that other locations cannot? Well, if you’ve ever been to Florida you may be able to answer that question rather quickly. Here we list 13 reasons that may have you convinced to choose a boarding school in Florida.
In 2015, Florida became the first state ever to welcome more than 100 million out-of-state and international tourists. In addition, more people moved to Florida than California for the first time in nearly a decade. There’s a good reason, too. The weather. Year-Round outdoor activities. The cost of living. Job growth and opportunities. Sporting events. The cultural arts. Music festivals. The ever-improving infrastructure.
Not only is Florida a great state to visit and live, but it’s also an incredible place to learn. With 10 college-prep and boarding schools in Florida, the state offers a nice mix to choose from. But why is attending boarding school in Florida better than anywhere else? Here are just a few reasons:
The Weather
Sunny and Tropical
Nicknamed the “Sunshine State,” Florida boasts an average of 361 days of sunshine a year. Did you know that St. Petersburg holds a Guinness Book World Record with 768 consecutive sunny days? St. Petersburg is just one of many places in Florida where sunshine reigns supreme. giving students an opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities all year long.
No Snow
There are just 20 states that average less than 15 inches a snow each year. Florida is one of them, of course. Sure, making snowmen and having snowball fights are fun but when you have to walk to and from class in the freezing cold every day, the fun stops. The months during the school year in Florida rank near the top for the sunniest climate so leave your winter coat and mittens behind and enjoy the daily Vitamin D.
Year-round Activities
Boarding schools throughout Florida take advantage of the consistent sunshine and warmth by offering a wide array of awesome outdoor activities. Some schools have waterfront facilities to sail, kayak, paddleboard, and go fishing. Boarding schools in Central Florida are situated near Orlando, considered one of the world’s premier entertainment destinations for having places like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld, and Gatorland.
The Unique Learning Opportunities
Scuba, Aviation, OH MY!
Imagine learning outside the classroom on a marine science boat. Or on a plane. Or in the sea. Students can become marine scientists or pilots or master divers by taking classes in signature programs like Aviation, Marine Science, Naval Science, Sailing and Scuba Diving. Just think of the possibilities!
Go to Cannon School
Did you know that St. Augustine, Florida, is the oldest city in the United States? Students who attend a Florida boarding school are just a drive away from immersing themselves in the distant past. Amazing academic or weekend trips await for students to explore the numerous historical sites in Florida including St. Augustine’s Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. Advanced Placement United States History students at a Florida boarding school may even attend Cannon School at Castillo de San Marcos to learn about the nation’s oldest historic weapons program as part of their curriculum.
Meet Astronauts
Ever wonder what it’s like to be an astronaut? Each year, more than 1.5 million visitors to the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral do so by experiencing the past, present, and future of the country’s space program. Located on the east coast of Florida, the Kennedy Space Center has been NASA’s primary launch point since the first manned mission in 1968. While there, you can train like an astronaut, witness a rocket launch, and even interact with astronauts who have gone into space.
Sports Heaven
Did you know Florida ranks at or near the top in producing professional athletes in baseball, golf, football, swimming, tennis, and wakeboarding? With weather conducive to training year-round, students at boarding schools in Florida can master their respective sport throughout the entire academic calendar. In addition, students in the major metropolitan areas can experience world-class talent at professional sporting events in everything from auto racing, baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and wakeboarding, just to name a few. In 2017, the College Football Championship is coming to Tampa and the National Football League’s Pro Bowl is coming to Orlando. The list is endless.
Weekend Excursions
Theme Parks
With options like Disney World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, Adventure Island and Sea World, there’s no excuse to stay inside playing video games.
Here are the top 10 attractions in Florida.
Jump Right In
There are more than 900 freshwater springs in the state of Florida which offer a learning experience beyond the classroom for marine biology teachers and their students. During the week or on the weekends students can go camping at one of the hundreds of parks and go kayaking, scuba diving, tubing, hiking and more at one of the Florida springs and parks. Students who take scuba may even spend a week scuba diving and snorkeling in the Florida Keys, one of the world’s premier diving and fishing locations.
Local Attractions
Florida has more to offer than just incredible outdoor activities and impressive tourist attractions. For example, St. Petersburg prides itself as being one of the world’s top destinations for the arts. Over the past 10 years, the city has revamped the iconic Dali Museum, introduced the Dale Chihuly glass exhibit, and added six different art districts. Downtown Orlando, where four boarding schools are situated in surrounding communities, is in the midst of a $4.7 billion revitalization plan that includes Creative Village, the Orlando Magic entertainment complex, and a Major League Soccer stadium.
The Multicultural Experience
Nice to Meet You
People from all over the United States visit and relocate to Florida each year. In fact, Florida welcomed a record 105 million visitors in 2015, according to Visit Florida. Florida residents hail from all over the country and world making it a true “melting pot.” Florida boarding schools represent a global community, as well, with students coming from approximately 30 countries and 20 different states in the U.S. each year.
Grab Another Plate
Ranking second behind Alaska for the most coastline miles, Florida is a great place to experience all different types of seafood that literally include a delectable selection from A to Z. With a large Hispanic population throughout the state, it’s easy to find restaurants serving your favorite spicy dish. Tampa is the birthplace for the Cuban sandwich and one restaurant after another claims to have “the best Cuban sandwich in the world.” Florida Cracker cooking is becoming popular as well; many restaurants inspired by this old Florida way of cooking have been popping up, offering shrimp and grits, fried alligator, and jalapeño cornbread.
The College Opportunities
There are 12 public state universities and 33 private universities in Florida, as well as 28 community colleges. In 2015, Florida had five universities -- Florida International University, Florida State University, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, and University of South Florida -- rank in the top 40 for the number of full-time undergraduate students. There are also plenty of technical and trade colleges throughout the state, giving students the opportunity to pursue their respective career. The Florida Bright Futures scholarship has helped more than 660,000 Florida students attend a postsecondary institution. The scholarship requires that the student is a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
This video describes the opportunities available at a boarding school in Florida.
Are you ready to move to beautiful, sunny Florida? Discover one of Florida’s premier boarding schools, Admiral Farragut Academy, which is located on the waterfront with signature programs like sailing, scuba, and aviation.
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