- Seminole Ridge Community High
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Choice and In-House Programs
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Choice Academies
Any student, whether zoned or not zoned for Seminole Ridge Community High School, may apply to any of these academies.
Army JROTC
The Army Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (AJROTC) program provides developmental courses in leadership theory, drill and ceremonies, hygiene and first aid, map reading, land navigation, techniques of oral communication, marksmanship and safety, staff function and procedures, service JROTC opportunities and physical readiness. Students who select this option will enroll in the AJROTC classes each year as well as a full academic schedule. Upon completion, students are under no obligation to enlist in the armed forces. Successful completion of the AJROTC program allows entry into the armed forces up to two pay grades higher than other enlistees without AJROTC experience.
Biotechnology
The Biotechnology program is a program delivered in a state–of–the–art facility that offers students the opportunity to prepare for the career path and the challenges of college. The students have a wide variety of experiences, which may include the opportunity to “gown–up” and work in a clean room. Students experiment with plants while studying the science of hydroponics in the school’s hydroponic greenhouses. Technology is infused throughout the curriculum. These academies have established partnerships with biotech companies in the area.
Construction
The Construction program prepares students for college and employment in the building construction industry. The program provides necessary skills to enter home–building, general contracting, and related industries. This program focuses on broad transferable skills, stresses the understanding of all aspects of the building construction industry, and demonstrates essential elements of the industry such as: architecture, engineering, planning, management, finance, technical and production skills. Incorporated into the curriculum are the underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues, health, safety, and environmental issues. Training occurs in the classroom, the lab, and at current job sites.
Medical Science
The Medical Science Honors program offers an innovative, integrated learning environment designed to provide students with the medical skills and training necessary to succeed in the healthcare industry. This comprehensive program combines a rigorous academic curriculum with intense clinical and laboratory experience. Student clinical rotations are conducted at area hospitals, pharmacies, and other healthcare facilities where students shadow healthcare professionals as patient care needs are met. Clinical clearance, including a background check and drug screening, is required prior to entering the clinical setting.
Television and Film Production Technology
The Television and Film Production Technology program is dedicated to providing quality education in the organization and dissemination of ideas through television and film production. Students are taught in professional broadcast studios with high quality equipment. Students benefit by the use of recording studios, remote cameras, video recorders, video switching and editing equipment, and comprehensive computer graphics to complete academic and extracurricular projects. Students are prepared to function as members of a technical team by participating in activities that simulate the conditions found in television and production studios as well as on–location events.
In-House Academies and Programs
Students assigned to attend Seminole Ridge Community High School because they live within the school attendance boundaries or because they are accepted into a choice academy may apply to participate in the IN-HOUSE academies offered at the school.
* In-house academy applications may be available after the lottery if there are open seats in the academy.
**Can only apply through an in-house application. Email Mrs. Licavoli for the application.Automotive Service Technology*
The Automotive Service Technology program provides hands–on training in a fully integrated, computerized, state–of–the art facility. This academy prepares students for employment and/or specialized training in the automotive industry, including Automotive Lubrication, Automotive Brake System, Automobile Suspension and Steering, Automotive Electrical/Electronic System and Automotive Engine Performance. This program focuses on understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the automotive industry: planning, management, finance, technical and product skills, as well as the underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues and health, safety and environmental issues.
Information Technology*
The Information Technology program offers a sequence of four courses that provide coherent and rigorous content aligned with the challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Information Technology career cluster. The content includes but is not limited to computer application skills including computer hardware, software applications, networking concepts & applications, computer programming & cybersecurity, extensive exploration of information technology careers; strategies for success, including a strong emphasis on effective communication skills. Specialization opportunities vary depending upon the location of the academy.
Drone Program
The Drone Aviation program offers coursework with a primary focus on student FAA part 107 commercial drone pilot licensing preparation. Course topics will include: drone theory and concepts, recreational drone use, related terminology with phonetic pronunciation and abbreviations, practical applications and career opportunities, drone operations safety, decision-making strategies and risk mitigation, weather, airspace and airport operations, sectional charts and symbols, FAA regulations, Visual Observer certification, physiological factors, aircraft and quadcopter operations and loading, and drone skills competitions.
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Academy Interest Survey
Complete the survey to receive more information about our academies.Academy Open House: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 6:30pm in Auditorium
Academy Orientation and Signing for our new academy students: TBD
Choice & Career Academy Booklet 24-25
Academic Profile
Choice Application
Academy Coordinator Contact:
Tamara Licavoli
(561) 422-2716
Academy FAQ
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Can I apply for an Academy if I am not zoned to go to Seminole Ridge?
Any 8th or 9th grade student may apply to join one of the four Choice Academies (Army JROTC, Biotechnology, Construction, or TV Production). However, if your home school (the one you are zoned to attend) offers the same academy, you MUST apply to that one rather than Seminole Ridge. Only students who are zoned to attend Seminole Ridge, or who currently attend Seminole Ridge, can apply to our In-House Academies (Automotive, IT and Medical Science).
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Can I be in more than one Academy?
You can only get into one Choice Academy. However, some students do find room in their schedules to be in a Choice Academy and an In-House Academy or two In-House Academies.
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If I am already zoned to attend Seminole Ridge, do I have to apply to be in an Academy?
Yes. Everyone must apply to be in any of our Academy programs.
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When/where can I apply?
Applications are completed online at mypbchoiceapp.com. Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are open from November 4, 2024 until January 31, 2025. However, if you are applying to Dreyfoos School of the Arts as a first or a second choice, your application is due by an earlier date. Medical Science for Seminole Ridge can only be applied directly through SR Academy Coordinator, please contact her via email.
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What if I turn in my application for another school and then I realize I really want to apply to Seminole Ridge?
You get ONE opportunity to change your application; however, it must be done before the end of the application window.
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What are the requirements to get into an Academy?
To be eligible for our Biotechnology Academy, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, calculated using grades from the 3 rd and 4 th quarters of 7th grade and quarters 1 and 2 of 8th grade (or using current cumulative GPA if already in high school). Completion of Algebra 1 prior to entering 9th grade is recommended, though not required.
To be eligible for our Medical Science Academy, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, calculated using grades from the 3 rd and 4 th quarters of 7th grade and quarters 1 and 2 of 8th grade (or using current cumulative GPA if already in high school). Completion of Algebra 1 prior to entering 9th grade is recommended, though not required.
To be eligible for our IT Academy, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, calculated using grades from the 3 rd and 4 th quarter’s quarter of 7th grade and quarters 1 and 2 of 8th grade (or using current cumulative GPA if already in high school).
Our Construction, TV Production, Automotive, and Army JROTC Academies do not have eligibility criteria.
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Can I play sports or join the band if I am in an Academy?
Absolutely! Once you are a Seminole Ridge student, you can join any club, try out for any sport, or take any class just like everyone else. Many academy students take AICE, AP, and/or Dual Enrollment classes. See your school counselor to determine what’s best for you.
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Can ESE or ELL students apply to Academies?
Yes.
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What are my chances of getting into an Academy once I apply?
This is difficult to say as it depends on the number of seats available each year and the number of students that apply. It is a lottery process.
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When do I find out if I got in?
Notifications of acceptance are emailed in early April.
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What if I didn’t get in?
You may be placed in a wait pool. As other students who were accepted change their minds, people from the wait pool may get selected. If, by August, you still have not moved from the pool, it’s over for that school year. A student may reapply for the following school year.
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Is there someone at school who can help me get in?
The Academy Coordinator can help guide you through the process and answer additional questions, but no one at the school can push an application through. The process is lottery- driven by the school district.
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I got in! What do I need to do next?
The Academy Coordinator from Seminole Ridge will email your parents/guardians an acceptance letter and Academy contract. You and your parent/guardian must complete, sign, and return both forms by the stated deadline in order to secure your spot in the Academy. If you are not zoned for Seminole Ridge, your parent/guardian must register you at our school prior to the beginning of the following school year. Instructions for this will be emailed as well. While in the Academy, you must adhere to all rules stated in the Academy contract or risk being placed on Academy probation. If you are placed on probation and the infraction is not corrected within the specified time frame, you risk being removed from the Academy. If you are not zoned for Seminole Ridge and are here through a Choice Academy, and you are removed from the Academy, you must return to the school for which you are zoned.
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Is there transportation available if I am not zoned to attend Seminole Ridge?
There is bus transportation available for Choice students that goes beyond the regular transportation boundaries. See the school district transportation website to find the bus stop nearest you. You are responsible for getting to the bus stop nearest you, wherever that may be.
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Who do I contact for help?
Please direct questions to:
Tamara Licavoli, Academy Coordinator
Seminole Ridge Community High School
4601 Seminole Pratt Whitney Blvd.
Westlake, FL 33470
Phone: (561) 422-2716
email: tamara.licavoli@palmbeachschools.org