SIMA 2025-26

IT’S WHO WE ARE

David
Leavey ’25
Penn State University
My SIMA experience was amazing.
I’ve learned a lot from my experience
as it helped me grow as person on
the pitch but also in the classroom
and the support network there for us
as players was amazing. I couldn’t
have asked for more La Familia!
2 SIMA

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
The Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy (SIMA) offers day and boarding students the
next level of training in their soccer career.
- Comprehensive academic and athletic training program
- Holistic development
- 100 percent college acceptance rate
- More than 35 million dollars in collegiate scholarship dollars
ACADEMICS
Academics are the foundation at Montverde Academy. Students have the opportunity to
work with teachers in an innovative, college preparatory setting. With an average 11 to 1
student-faculty ratio, classes are focused on cultivating critical-thinking skills and developing
life-long knowledge while encouraging students to do their best in and out of the classroom.
60+
Alumni playing
professionally
- Distinguished Scholars program
- SAC (Subject Area Concentration)
- 33 AP courses
- 12 Honors Classes
- Dual Enrollment Program
- APID (Advanced Placement International
Diploma)
350+
Collegiate
athletes
35+
MILLION
in Scholarships
3

A home away from home. SIMA gave me
all the tools and equipment needed to take
my game to the next level. A lot of new
experiences coming from Ghana.
I learned how to survive and also keep
the importance of education in my heart.
The most special place where I developed
what a championship mentality is and to
that I am always grateful.
Joseph
Andema ’22
Clemson University
4 SIMA

EXPERIENCE COUNTS
Montverde Academy has made its mark in college athletics by establishing a reputation for producing elitelevel
student athletes. The continual focus on both academics and athletics has been recognized throughout
collegiate Institutions. Taking pride in true holistic development, the Montverde Academy Boys Soccer
Program (SIMA) has been instrumental in preparing and assisting more than 350 student athletes and their
families for collegiate scholarship opportunities at the NCAA, NJCAA, and NAIA levels after graduation.
Learn more about SIMA
In 2011, the Eagles obtained their first undefeated season in school history with a final overall record of 26
wins, 0 losses and 1 draw. The success of the program continues today with an overall record of 223 wins,
1 loss and 16 draws.
SIMA Director and coach, Kevin Varnado, has been instrumental in the growth and evolution of the program
over the past nine years. He began as a staff coach in 2014, and advanced to Director of College Placement
in 2018. Coach Varnado became the director of the SIMA program in 2022. He brings over 20 years of
experience at the collegiate, youth and scholastic level as a coach/administrator. Prior to his time at Montverde
Academy, Kevin was a successful collegiate coach. Some of his successes include winning the 2008 Peach
Belt Conference Coach of the Year, 2002 and 2008 PBC champion, 2008 PBC Tournament champion, and 2008
NCAA Regional semifinalist. The 2008 and 2009 seasons saw Varnado’s FMU team ranked among the top 25
in the United States. Coach Varnado holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) “A” license.
- SIMA student-athletes average GPA is 3.5
- NCAA and NAIA collegiate scholarship opportunities
- Alumni play in LaLiga, MLS, USL, and internationally
5

UNPARALLELED ATHLETICS
From world-class facilities to elite-level coaching, SIMA provides a professional training environment for any passionate athlete
with the desire to work hard and improve. Students registered with the soccer institute will complete their athletic specific
training in the morning or afternoon in addition to their full academic workload in the classroom on a daily basis at Montverde
Academy. Academic standards must be met in order to participate in the soccer institute as the combination and balance
of academics and athletics must always be maintained. Success will only be measured by development with the end result
residing in an opportunity to play at a higher level and continue to make your passion a career.
- 44,000 square foot athletic field house
- 4,400 square foot strength and
conditioning performance center
- 25 meter aquatic practice facility
- 17 acre collegiate-level
athletic complex
- Comprehensive sports medicine program
- 30 acres of practice fields
- Cruyff Court
6 SIMA

Nick
Kourakis ’23
Carnegie Mellon University
My experience at Montverde Academy and SIMA shaped
me in ways that will stay with me for a lifetime. The
daily routine of high-level training combined with strong
academics prepared me for long-term success on and off
the field. When I reflect on my time with SIMA, the values
of integrity and discipline stand out as a core part of the
culture. The shared drive to succeed, along with a great
sense of community created an environment that helped
me become who I am today.
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FUNDAMENTALS OF SIMA
SIMA was founded on the idea of creating an elite training program where all members are
accepted as equals. At SIMA, we try to create an environment of competitive alliance on and off
the field.
5
Training days
per week
Approximately
208
Training
opportunities
1:1
College soccer
scholarship
counseling
All student-athletes are challenged to believe in their dreams and our role is to lead them to their
goal through intense training, sacrifice, dedication, and teaching the game of soccer as a lifestyle.
SIMA provides the exact forum necessary for success at any level.
ELITE LEVEL TRAINING
- Training at least five days per week from August to May
- Professional-level coaches
- Competitive matches year-round against local, regional, and national competition
- Specialized and designed strength and conditioning sessions
- Transportation, meals,
and accommodation for domestic
events and friendly matches on and
off campus
- Half-day academic schedule
- Position specific training
- All club/registration/ and
tournament fees included
- Nike ® equipment training
package
8 SIMA

GET SEEN
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
- College soccer scholarship counseling
- Visit coordination
- SIMA College Showcase
- SIMA Friendlies
- NCAA recruiting process seminar for student-athletes
- All club registration/tournament fees
Learn more about SIMA
More than 35 million in scholarship dollars have been awarded to student-athletes
from the SIMA program since 2011.
9

HOUSING
Living on campus is a great way for students to engage in the full college
preparatory experience and make life-long friends.
Campus activities, weekend trips, and events designed especially for
student residents along with caring dorm-parents, a diverse student body,
and a beautiful 130-acre campus help students to transition from “at
home” to “on your own.”
- 24/7 security
- Live-in dorm parents
- Common areas with study and activity areas
- On-site laundry facilities
10 SIMA

FACILITIES AND EVENTS
PRACTICE FIELDS
SIMA student-athletes train on 30+ acres of fields made up of beautifully
manicured Bermuda grass and professional synthetic turf.
SIMA FRIENDLIES
The SIMA Friendlies features elite high school student-athletes in a
showcase setting for collegiate programs throughout the country
and the soccer world at large. This multi-day event assembles top
club teams to participate in a series of competitive matches to
promote aspiring student-athletes.
4,400
SQUARE FOOT
FITNESS CENTER
- 8 fully outfitted power racks with jammer
arms and resistance band attachments
- Olympic hex bars, safety squat bars,
weighted sleds, plyoboxes, med balls
- Indoor and outdoor turf training spaces
- Keiser six-pack pneumatic systems
11

Diego Campos ’14
LD Alajuense
Liga FPD
Ali Fadal ’21
Colorado Rapids
Major League Soccer
Hamady Diop ’20
San Diego FC
Major League Soccer
Leslie Okai ’24
Valencia CF
LaLiga
12 SIMA

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING
The Strength and Conditioning Program at SIMA goes well beyond the weight room. Our goal is to work
with student-athletes as soon as they arrive on campus to assess their individual physical needs as well as
provide performance testing to know how to best prepare them for their sport.
PROGRAM GOALS
- Improve speed, agility, flexibility, overall strength, technique and form
- Extensive weight room training
- Develop skills in the areas including nutrition, mobility, hydration, heat acclimation, recovery, and sleep
Maximize your potential
The strength and conditioning program mentally and physically prepares players for collegiate athletics as
well as long, healthy athletic careers through training and education.
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Luc
Granitur ’21
University of North Florida
Without the discipline and life lessons
I gained from my time with SIMA, I would
not have experienced any of the opportunities
I have had as a student or athlete. Every day
being held to the standard of excellence by
the coaches, my teammates, and teachers has
pushed me to go further than I ever imagined
I would.
14 SIMA

APPLY NOW
Montverde Academy offers continuous enrollment. We admit students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all
the rights, privileges, programs, and activities made available to students at the Academy. Montverde Academy does not
discriminate on the basis of disability, race, national, and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies,
admission policies, athletic, and other school-administered programs.
montverde.org
Steps to Apply
To begin the application, click on Application Process under Admissions at montverde.org
- The Admission Committee evaluates applicants on the basis of:
- The applicant’s academic and social history, including:
- School and teacher recommendations
- Academic reports
- Admission test scores
- Testing Requirements:
- Middle and Upper School domestic applicants must submit: SSAT, ISEE,
PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores
- International Students must submit:
- An English Proficiency Test such as Duolingo, SLATE, TOEFL,
or IELTS (Middle and Upper School)
- Seton Math Placement test, available online (Upper School
applicants only)
Schedule your tour today!
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17235 Seventh Street, Montverde, Florida 34756
montverde.org | mvasports.com | mvasima.com | 407.469.2561
7/14/2025