SEED SCHOOL, South Florida’s First Public, College-Preparatory Boarding School Open House for New Applicants
MIAMI GARDENS – SEED School of Miami, South Florida’s first public, college-preparatory boarding school will be hosting an Open House for new applicants on Saturday, February 28th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at The SEED School of Miami located on Florida Memorial University’s Campus 15800 NW 42nd Ave., Building 1 in Miami Gardens.
SEED staff and students will be available to answer questions, give tours of classrooms and dorm areas, and assist families with the completion of the 2015 Student Application. SEED Miami is currently recruiting 5th grade male and female students who will be entering the 6th grade during the 2015-2016 school year.
Recommended application deadline is March 21st and the final application deadline March 31st.
About SEED School
What is the model or philosophy of SEED?
The SEED School of Miami is a public boarding school where children prepare for college. The children stay in the campus Sunday afternoon to Friday afternoon. Our goal is for every child to develop academically, emotionally and socially to be successful in high school, college and professional careers. The children with us are in grades 6 to 12 and when they graduate at 12, they get assigned a person to lead them during their college career by ensuring they have the necessary support to graduate from college.
This year (2014-2015) we started with 60 children in sixth grade and each year another grade will be added until we have 400 students from 6-12.
What are the requirements to apply to the school?
The only point of entry is the sixth grade, which means that the child should be in 5th grade at the time of applying or at risk of repeating the sixth grade. The requirements are largely based on family income.
How was it chosen the group of students who will participate in the program?
In January 2014, we participated in many community events to educate families and expose them to the school. We also worked with many community agencies that provide services to families. These agreements and submissions completed in January and part of February resulted in many referrals. We also worked with radio and television outlets to discuss this opportunity and many families contacted us after learning about our school by these means.
If we get more applications than spaces available, we do a lottery. All children who submitted a complete application are included in the lottery. The first 60 selected children (30 boys and 30 girls) are admitted, and the rest are put on a waiting list in the order in which they were chosen in the lottery.
What are the demographics of students in school?
At this time, 47.5% African Americans, 41% Hispanics, 11.5% Haitians, 1% others
How many students applied in South Florida?
We received over 100 completed applications.
What is the routine of a typical day at school?
The kids get up at 6:00 AM and participate in activities before breakfast. After breakfast they go to their first class at 8:00 AM. The school day lasts from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. At 4:00 PM they practice their reading for 45 minutes before completing their homework. After completing their homework, they participate in activities based on their interests (sports, art, music, etc.). At the end of the day, they have dinner and then is time to socialize before going to bed at approximately 9:00 PM.
What does SEED offer that is different from other school models?
SEED offers 24 hours of learning where children develop not only academically but also socio-emotionally. All children have a goal: graduate from college. Wehave a department of Student Support Services, which provides counseling, if necessary, a nurse and a teacher specialized in special education. Also, upon graduation from high school, they get assigned a mentor who guides them during their college career to ensure they receive the resources needed to graduate.
Why did you choose Miami as your next location?
About 10 years ago, a local agency that provides services to children and families called Educate Tomorrow, they heard of our schools in Washington and Maryland and decided to learn more about the foundation and schools, including taking a tour of the school in Washington. They decided to pursue the opportunity to bring a school to Miami and managed to spark interest in our community.
What have been the results obtained in other SEED locations?
82% of students who graduate from SEED immediately enroll in college. 67% of students graduated from SEED have completed a bachelor’s degree (4 years), higher education credits, are in the military or are participating in alternative programs for college credit. 64% have completed higher levels than high school, master’s degrees included.
What is the benefit of having a SEED in the FMU campus?
Our mission is that all students graduate from college. The opportunity to have the school on a college campus allows students to live our mission every day.
How does FMU contribute to SEED program?
We are in the process of working with FMU to identify opportunities for collaboration. For example, the university has a great aviation program and we would love to expose our students to this area.
Will they interact with college students or teachers?
We are working with the university to explore ways to collaborate with the university always taking into consideration the safety of the children.
What have been some of the unintended effects that you have seen in the program with students or their families?
We are creating a community and a family. The students are with us for 7 years, which is a long time. They are developing long friendships and relationships and will always be part of SEED until after they graduate. Students are committed to our mission and they have even come visit us here in Miami during their free time to help educate the community about SEED Miami!
SEED School Success Rates
Success rates until autumn 2013:
- The 91% of all SEED graduates have enrolled in college. (Note: The total of SEED graduates in this statistic includes 256 graduates from SEED DC, from 2004 to 2013. Approximately, 82% are first generation college students).
- The 67% of all graduates of SEED received a college degree or post-secondary certificates, are enrolled in college or post-secondary alternative program or are in the military.
- The 33% of all graduates who graduated from SEED at least 5 years ago completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Nationally, 11% of first-generation students and low income that enroll in college complete a degree in a framework of six years.
College Graduates / Specializations Summary, from autumn 2012:
- The 61% received a bachelor of arts, 32% received a bachelor of science, and 7% received an associate in applied science.
- The 64% completed the requirements for more than one specialization, getting two college degrees, two specializations, concentrations, and certificates,completing requirements for pre-professional
- The most popular career is psychology with 25% of the diplomas received in that specialization. The second most popular specialization is business administration (11%). Other specializations include: criminal justice, engineering, history, journalism, communications, and mathematics, among others.
