Best Performing Schools in Florida 2021

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Best
Performing Schools
in FLORIDA
2021
September 2021 | Issue - 07
Food for Thought
How is Personalised Learning
Impacting School Education?
eLearning Insights
Transformation of K-12
Education in Florida
Miami
COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
The Training Grounds for Pluridimensional Over-achievers

EDITOR’S NOTE
BECOMING
THE BEST
AMONGST ALL
Those who are familiar with the history of schools know that
it took a lot to make them great. Greatness is an
achievement not all schools can claim. The building blocks
of a school require hard work and determination. Schools are not
just learning institutions; they should be regarded as an important
component of society.
A great school starts with a cohesive staff that helps unite each
member as one family and aims for success in all aspects of their
lives. Everyone wants to attend a school where leadership,
discipline, involvement, safety, and creativity form a rock-solid
foundation that paves way for greatness.
Schools that make an effort to prioritize these essentials are the ones
students, families and even potential staff want to attend. Having a
properly designed, clean, and welcoming building lets everyone

know that this school is different from other schools. It
gives them a sense of opportunity and pride. Every element
of design is crucial to what the end result will be.
A motto or display can also create that sense of unity or
community. Beautiful artwork by students shows their
creativity and ownership in the space they are in every day.
Applying colors with meanings can help staff members
connect to the school's overall mission and vision. Safety
procedures reinforce what's important, so parents know
their children are safe whether they are on campus or off
during educational programming. Some schools believe in
making a connection with past alumni in hopes of
developing a positive support system for recent graduates
seeking employment within the school district.
Having great teachers is another essential aspect for the
success of any school. Having a staff with a mixture of
young and older teachers is important. Teachers, who are
constantly seeking to better their teaching methods, find
unique ways to present material that engage all students,
regardless of ability. They also build relationships with
students by being supportive of them one-on-one, on a
small group level, or in a classroom forum.
And finally, the best schools are unbridled by the
constraints of bureaucracy and inspired by the energy of
leadership. School leaders must be good decision-makers
and have a clear vision of their mission, coupled with the
determination to make that vision become reality. They
inspire and encourage them to achieve their dreams. They
provide stability to young people who navigate the
challenges of teenage years and are helping build the
leaders of tomorrow.
To showcase the said best values in the education world,
The Knowledge Review has come up with this exciting
edition of Best Performing Schools in Florida 2021,
exhibiting the novel ways of disseminating knowledge. T R
Sumita Sarkar
sumita@theknowledgereview.com

08
Miami Country
Day School
The Training Grounds for
Multidimensional Learners and Leaders
Cover Story
C O N T E N

18
CONTENTS
32
Montverde Academy
The Enthralling
Educational Hub
The First Academy
Transforming Lives through
Christ-Centered Education
26
Expert Talks
Canadian Educational
System- Marching
Towards a Bright Future
C
X
O
ARTICLES
22
Food for Thought
How is Personalised Learning
Impacting School Education?
28
eLearning Insights
Transformation of K-12
Education in Florida
T
S

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SEPTEMBER, 2021
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Best
Performing
Schools in
FLORIDA
2021 T R
Name of the Institution
URL
Colegio Francés
del Pedregal
francespedregal.mx
The school trains people with a solid culture,
committed to the search for a more just society
Liceo de Monterrey
liceo.edu.mx
The Liceo de Monterrey is a private, non-prot school
with a differentiated education system and Christian
inspiration
Lycée Franco-Mexicain
lfm.edu.mx
The school aims to offer high quality French
education based on the programs of the French
Ministry of National Education and SEP
The Wingate School
wingate.edu.mx
Wingate offers an educational programme focussed
on academic excellence, creativity, and human
formation
Winpenny School
winpenny.edu.mx
The school develops curious, independent, and
responsible learners who are well educated

C O V E R
The Training Grounds for Multidi

S T O R Y
mensional Learners and Leaders
‘ ‘
Miami Country Day
School empowers
every student, every
day, everywhere to
learn with vigor,
explore with purpose,
strive for excellence,
and to serve with
honor, respect, and
compassion as global
citizens
‘ ‘

Best Performing Schools in Florida, 2021
Aschool whose whole-child
philosophy compels it to
create classroom experiences
that combine elements of a classical
education with the innovative practices
of project and problem-based learning
which allows for a vigorous education
that yields extraordinary results.
A school that is rooted in its
commitment to educating the whole
child – both inside and outside the
classroom – a mission that has defined
its growth over the past 83 years and
continues to advance both the
programs it offers and the community
it thrives in today, is the one and only
Miami Country Day School!
Founded in 1938, to empower every
student, every day, everywhere; Miami
Country Day School (MCDS) is an
independent, coeducational, nonprofit
learning community with students in
th
pre-kindergarten through 12 grade,
who learn together on a sprawling 20-
acre campus that lies just 10 minutes
north of downtown Miami.
“Every student who sets foot on our
campus has something to offer –
potential to be unlocked,” commented
the proud President and Head of
School – Mariandl Hufford. “It is our
responsibility to give students the
freedom to design an education which
allows them to develop their passion
while pursuing academic excellence,”
she added.
There are approximately 1,270
students enrolled at MCDS that speak
19 languages and represent 26 nations.
MCDS has a 9:1 student to teacher
ratio with 228 full-time faculty and
staff members, 66 percent of whom
hold advanced degrees.
The Guiding Mission
Miami Country Day School empowers
every student, every day, everywhere
to learn with vigor, explore with
purpose, strive for excellence, and to
serve with honor, respect, and
compassion as global citizens. It does
this in a community where every
student is known and included by
engaging the whole child, in and out of
the classroom as they discover their
full potential.
“Our values; wisdom, honor, respect,
compassion, and purpose are the
shared commitment we make to each
other, and as a community, in honor of
our past, present, and future,” added
Mariandl Hufford.
Cultivating the Ground for Thought
Leaders
The school's distinctive approach is
defined by the following
characteristics:
• Committed, passionate teachers
who completely know each student,
are their advocates, and guide and
push them to grow in ways
previously unimaginable.
• Small class sizes that allow
teachers to tailor instruction to each
individual student.
• A focus on the real-life application
of what is studied in the classroom,
which motivates students to delve
deeper into topics.
• The importance of finding passion
and purpose beyond oneself, a
belief that is a hallmark of the
Country Day experience.
• The use of technology to support
instructional strategies, which
fosters interactive, collaborative,
and innovative teaching and
learning.
• Trans-disciplinary skills, such as
critical thinking, problem-solving,
communicating, and questioning
which are a core part of every
academic endeavor.
• In addition, MCDS offers a worldrenowned
arts program that is
housed in its unparalleled ‘Center
for the Arts’, a complete and
award-winning athletic program
that produces division one student
athletes and offers extra-curricular
programs that meet the needs of the
diverse student body.
Notably, GATEway, or ‘Global Access
to Education’ – an unparalleled global
experience that brings the world to
each student and students to the world
- offers global programming that
supports, enhances, and develops

students’ view of the world, its diverse
cultures, and its people. Through
academic and cultural immersion
programs, the program broadens the
students’ perspectives of life beyond
our borders in order to foster a mutual
understanding and appreciation among
all individuals, both at home and
abroad. GATEway is first and foremost
an academic program. It differs from
other travel programs because it is
designed and executed by educators,
for the benefit of students. In addition,
students who have a particularly strong
‘ ‘
We are rooted in our
commitment to educating the whole
child – both inside and outside the classroom – a
mission that has defined our growth over the past
83 years and continues to advance both the
program and the community today
‘ ‘

interest in global awareness and
understanding are able to pursue a
Global Endorsement on their diploma,
once they have completed an
additional, demanding set of criteria.
Unparalleled Excellence
MCDS thrived despite a year of global
stagnation, staying true to its objective
of giving students the full country day
experience every day. It was a year of
progress and victory across the board,
from academics to the arts and
athletics.
Eight members of the MCDS class of
2021 have been recognized as Silver
Knight nominees, honoring
outstanding students who have not
only achieved academic success, but
have also unselfishly applied their
special knowledge and talents to
contribute significant service to their
schools and communities. MCDS
educates globally minded scholars
who, in 2021, were awarded a total of
$3,761,900 in merit scholarship money
and received gold, silver and honorable
mention recognition at the Regional
Scholastic Writing Awards. In addition,
the class of 2021 includes a prestigious
Kluge Scholar at Columbia University,
a published author, a number of
successful entrepreneurs, as well as
numerous students admitted to honors
colleges at major universities.
2021 also saw fourteen MCDS
students graduate from the University
of Pennsylvania Social Innovators
Program, students shine on the national
United Nations stage, and middle
school students write, publish and
market their first book. Chess
championships were won, spelling and
geography bees conquered, and
students were finalists in the State
poetry competition. Students excelled
in the 2021 Fluor Engineering
Challenge, were admitted into the
National Honor Society, took classes at
Cornell University, gave TED talks,
and explored their role as global
scholars through constellation learning.
MCDS's rock band, 21 Hearts 1 Beat
(CME) was accepted into the Rhythm
Foundation's Miami Beach Youth
Music Festival. Four of MCDS's US
music students, under the baton of
music teacher John Wicker, were
selected to participate in all-state
ensembles this year.
Junior Thespians received “Superior”
(the finest conceivable performance
rating) and “Excellent” at regional and
state competitions and upper school
Thespians, who competed virtually this
season, had outstanding results in the
SE Regional Florida Thespian
Conference.
The school’s US Thespians competed
in 33 events ranging from solo
musical, ensemble acting scenes,
makeup design, and many more,
accumulating a total of 25 “Superiors”
received in the events.
In 2020- 2021 school MCDS students
exceled both inside and outside of the
classroom, as Spartans celebrated –
• Seven district championships: boys
golf, girls soccer, girls basketball,
boys basketball, girls tennis, boys
tennis, girls water polo.
• Two regional championships: girls
basketball, boys basketball.
• A state championship in girls
basketball.
• Eight individual state-qualifying
athletes in: golf, swimming, and
tennis.
• And MCDS middle school teams
also won boys swimming soccer
and soccer South Florida middle
school conference championships.
The Inspiring Leader
MCDS’s President and Head of
School, Mariandl Hufford, is the
driving force behind MCDS. Her
purposeful leadership has guided the
entire MCDS community through a
year of unprecedented growth and

progress despite the pandemic. Ms.
Hufford has ensured that the pandemic
did not alter the commitment to every
student, every day, or the academic
excellence synonymous with MCDS.
Her ability to pivot programming to
reflect the overall core values, needs of
students, families, and faculty alike,
ensured that the academic process was
never interrupted. To keep the promise
of every student, every day alive,
everywhere, Ms. Hufford hired
additional lower-school teachers to
guarantee that younger students' social,
emotional, and academic needs were
met. In addition, in two short years,
Ms. Hufford has, as the President and
Head of School, streamlined the
finances to ensure efficient oversight,
strengthened the culture of
philanthropy, and oversaw numerous
campus improvement projects.
Ms. Hufford's flexible, yet grounded,
leadership style allowed MCDS to
adapt, at times on a weekly basis, to
the changing nature of the pandemic.
Under the guidance of Mariandl
Hufford, MCDS has grown and
established itself as a leader in
academic distinction, global education,
and innovative practices.
Academic Rigor
MCDS is very proud of its unique
specialty programming, such as the –
Learning Resource Program, which is
built on the knowledge that all learners
can thrive. This program is for students
with documented learning differences,
focuses on believing in strengthening
the potential of all students by
recognizing and celebrating their
learning intelligence. The program
provides a personalized
learning/teaching environment that is
student-centered with innovative
teaching approaches.
The Learning Resources Program
places high emphasis on cultivating
‘ ‘
Every student
who sets foot
on our campus has
something to offer
– potential to be
unlocked. It is our
responsibility to
give students the
freedom to design
an education as
unique as
they are
‘ ‘
learning skills designed to develop the
executive functions of the brain.
Self-advocacy training is also an
integral part of the curriculum to
promote self-esteem and confidence. It
prepares graduates for a college or
university education that matches their
needs and abilities and students find
success by cultivating their talents,
interests, and passions.
In addition, MCDS offers a
challenging college preparatory
curriculum, honors and advanced
placement programming that provides
far reaching, in depth academic
opportunities.
“Our rigorous academic program
cultivates thoughtful leaders. Our
program ignites a passion in each and
every student,” added Ms. Hufford.
Through thought-provoking, analytic,
philanthropic, and student-centered
experiences, the school nurtures its
students as they develop into confident,
intellectual, and compassionate global
citizens, whilst striving to make
education relevant and to give students
the foundation they need for success

beyond life at Miami Country Day
School.
Educators Who Care
MCDS has a fully staffed school
counseling department that believes
that social and emotional well-being is
the foundation of each student's ability
to grow and develop physically,
emotionally, socially, aesthetically,
intellectually, and spiritually. By
partnering with parents and providing
support, resources, and guidance for
students, the counselors guide students
to awareness, self-management,
knowledge, and relational skills that
allow them to develop as
compassionate individuals who respect
themselves and others.
All MCDS students have both an
advisor and a college counselor who
work with them and their families for
their entire four years of upper school
to guide them to choose courses that
will help develop their passion in
education. Additionally, they assist
students with academic goals and help
them ultimately gain admission to the
college or university that best suits
their needs and aspirations. The school
also boasts a robust alumni program to
support all members of the community
for years to come.
Pandemic Times
MCDS has been committed to
providing safe and in-person learning
to every child on campus, every day.
To ensure a safe return, the 'MCDS
Covid-19 Task Force' was created to
focus on exposure and risk science to
present a range of control strategies
that guided the reopening of MCDS.
Five risk reduction strategies – healthy
classrooms, healthy schedules, healthy
activities, healthy buildings, and
healthy policies – were implemented as
part of a multi-layered plan that
reduced exposure and limited
transmission of Covid-19 at MCDS.
With its sprawling campus, the school
was able to move students around
campus in a distanced manner that still
allowed for peer-to-peer interaction.
Classrooms, group activities, and
dining facilities were moved outdoors
to ensure that all facets of the MCDS
day remained a part of every day.
With safety protocols in place, students
were able to participate in all aspects
of student life in and outside of the
classroom, and important milestones
such as homecoming, prom, and
graduations, were reconfigured and
celebrated. With a focus on academic,
social, and emotional development,
MCDS has navigated the pandemic
with unprecedented institutional
growth and expansion.
A Desire to Have a Positive Impact
MCDS plans to continue to be a
beacon for learning, engagement, and
the launch-pad of young people of
substance and consequence. To enable
each student to reach their full
potential, it has implemented a student
journey that aligns with its core values
and vision. The school's focus on
inclusion and belonging, global
education, the integration of
community life, and growth
experiences that are deep and powerful
for every student, ensure its
‘ ‘
At MCDS,
students will grow
within learning
experiences that
capture local,
national, and/or
international issues
as opportunities
provided for
students to
explore, connect,
question,
challenge, or pose
solutions for the
betterment of the
world in which
they live
‘ ‘

continuation to be the modern
manifestation of what it means to be a
“country day school”.
In addition, MCDS is looking forward
to a new era in learning with their
'HUB' for innovation that blends
learning approaches combined with the
studio and place-based learning and an
online learning experience. The MCDS
HUB will focus on innovation,
leadership, and entrepreneurship.
President Hufford concludes by saying,
“Students will grow within learning
experiences that capture local,
national and/or international issues as
opportunities provided for students to
explore, connect, question, challenge,
or pose solutions for the improvement
of the world in which they live.”
With a focus on the future of
education, MCDS will usher in a new
era with purpose and excellence.
Crème
de La Crème
Perhaps the most notable
mastery of the school
year was MCDS being
included as one of only
six schools, globally, that
holds a standards
endorsement by the
Global Education
Benchmark Group
(GEBG). This designation
highlights the
international consequence
of an MCDS education,
the opportunities available
to every student, and the
school's commitment to
educating global citizens.
Accreditations
MCDS has been recognized for its
academic excellence and is a member of
and accredited by:
« NAIS - National Association of
Independent Schools
« FCIS - Florida Council of Independent
Schools
« SAIS - formerly Southern Association of
Independent Schools (now just SAIS)
« COGNIA (formerly AdvancED SACSC)
« SACAC
« CASE
« FKC
« CRIS
« College Board
« NAIS
« ACCIS
« American Library Association

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The Enthralling Educational Hub
Montverde, the Orlando
suburb, is downright
eclectic. With less than
2000 residents, the town sits at the
perfect distance between the city and
major highways so that nothing is far
away while still maintaining that rural
charm.
Overall, Montverde has fantastic
schools, a phenomenal community, and
harbors all the benefits of a small town
without sacrificing the comfort that
comes along with living and working
in a major city like Orlando. At the
heart of this town is the famous
Montverde Academy – a private
school spanning from kindergarten all
the way through high school
graduation. This school is renowned
for creating an engaging and
challenging academic environment that
inspires students to achieve their best.
Founded in 1912, Montverde Academy
is an esteemed college preparatory
school, offering day students for grades
Pre-K3 through 12, and boarding
school in grades 7 to postgraduate
studies – an exceptional academic
journey on their path to higher
learning. Montverde Academy’s
beautiful 130-acre campus is just 25
minutes from Orlando. The school’s
international character adds an exciting
global perspective to its community
and the educational experience it
provides.
“The mission of Montverde Academy
is to inspire students to become leaders
with a passion for knowledge, global

Best Performing Schools in Florida
With an average of 17:1 studentfaculty
ratio, classes are focused on
cultivating critical thinking skills,
challenging students with new ideas,
and encouraging them to do their best
both inside and outside of the
classroom.
The Scholarly Leader
In 1999, Dr Kesselring was appointed
as the seventh Head of School to lead
Montverde Academy in its more than
100-year history. This journey has been
filled with changes, from the founding
of lower and middle school programs
to the explosive growth in enrolment
from 103 to 1,350 students.
Dr Kasey
C. Kesselring
vision, and innovation while
developing character in a nurturing and
diverse community,” remarked the
prominent Head of School, Dr Kasey
C. Kesselring.
The Art of Engaging Minds
At the heart of an MVA experience is
an engaging and challenging academic
environment that inspires students to
achieve at the highest level.
Students have the opportunity to work
with teachers in an innovative, college
preparatory setting. Fine arts, athletics,
school clubs, and service organizations
help students develop their talents and
abilities both inside and outside of the
classroom.
With an investment of more than $60
million, the transformation to the
school’s campus and programs have
yielded a demanding and challenging
academic curriculum that includes
more than 30 Advanced Placement®
courses, stellar SAT/ACT scores, a 100
percent college matriculation rate to
some of the nation’s most competitive
colleges and universities, an awardwinning
fine arts program featuring
two conservatory programs, seven
different Study Area Concentration
(SAC) diploma programs, and state
and nationally recognized athletic
programs.
Holistic Development
AP Classes – Whether it is in science,
mathematics, the humanities, or the
arts, students of Montverde Academy
excel in a wide range of college-level
coursework. With a qualifying rate on
advanced placement examinations that
far exceeds state and national averages
– 84 percent, compared to 54 percent
in Florida and 60 percent globally – the
students enter college well-prepared
for continued academic excellence.
The school has confirmed 34 AP
classes for this upcoming academic
year.

SAC Programs – Students can choose
and participate in a complete plan of
study that leads to a specialized
diploma degree in one of seven areas
once they have selected a particular
area of interest. These students
collaborate with professors in extra
study and execute a capstone project
during their senior year in the STEM
(five focuses), business innovation, or
global perspective areas.
Community Service – The school’s
students know that one’s character is
defined by his/her relationships with
others. Giving back matters, and each
Upper School student volunteers at
least 25 hours every year in the
community through the school’s
partnerships with organizations such as
Give Kids the World, the Johan Cruyff
Foundation, and Night for the Cure.
46 Clubs and Societies – In addition
to honor societies such as the National
Honor Society and the Cum Laude
Society, students are engaged in a
diverse group of clubs and societies
that reflect their wide-ranging interests
– from Key Club to knitting, to
computers, to recycling, there’s
something for everyone to enjoy.
Athletics – The Montverde Academy
Eagles have won 16 national
championships and earn more than $5
million in athletic scholarships
annually. With nearly 30 percent of the
student-athletes committing to playing
sports in college, the school is proud to
have more than 50 alumni playing
sports professionally. Montverde
Academy has built an outstanding,
championship-winning athletics
program, with competitive teams led
by experienced coaches, former
athletes, and skilled trainers who work
to ensure that student-athletes reach
their highest potential.
Fine Arts – The Montverde Academy
Fine Arts programs allow talented
students to focus on their passion for
music, theatre, and the arts. Media arts
have earned four National Student
Emmys and a Scholastic Gold Medal
since 2019. The school’s theatre has
produced 15 shows since 2018, earned
12 Critic’s Choice awards, and 93
Superior Ratings at District ITS
contests, six Top Honors at State ITS
and 20 Dr Phillips Center Applause
Awards. The music program has staged
17 all-state musicians, two all-national
vocalists, and three musicians who
earned the honor of performing at
Carnegie Hall.
College Prep at Montverde
Montverde Academy maintains a 100
percent college acceptance rate with
the help of its dedicated ‘College
Guidance’ office. Students are accepted
into over 75 colleges and universities
every year including Ivy League
institutions. The students go on to
pursue careers in law, medicine,
professional athletics, professional
theatre and music, education, business,
science, politics, technology, and more.
A Class Apart
As an international boarding school,
Montverde Academy typically hosts
approximately 90 nations as
represented throughout the student
body. Students speak Portuguese,
French, Russian, Spanish, Chinese,
English, Thai, Japanese, Swedish,
Finnish, Arabic, and more. The
Academy also has alumni that take
their skills to the professional level on
stage and in sports like baseball,
basketball, soccer, golf.
A Household Name
Over 70 percent of the faculty and staff
hold advanced degrees, reflecting their
commitment to education and being
part of a community of learners. The

athletics teams have won several
national championships while the Fine
Arts department has earned countless
‘Applause’ awards throughout their
tenure.
Pandemic Rush
Montverde Academy has risen to the
challenge despite being an
international boarding school with a
less than one percent infection rate
throughout the onset of the
pandemic. Swivel technology,
advanced cleaning systems, and
temperature check technology were
all integrated into the school
management system.
The mission of
Montverde
Academy is to
inspire students to
become leaders with
a passion for
knowledge, global
vision, and
innovation while
developing
character in a
nurturing and
diverse
community
Striving for Excellence
With the current creation of
its ‘Educational Technology
and Innovation Centre’ and
newly build Middle School,
Montverde Academy is
constantly striving to provide
exceptional educational
experiences in state-of-the-art
facilities. Its faculty and staff
are constantly involving
technology in the curriculum
and finding additional ways to
engage the minds of their
students.

How is
Personalised
Learning
Impacting
School
Education
Schooling teaches us learning and learning teaches us
life. The act of constantly learning from everything
around helps in growth. Schools have a significant
effect on a student’s life and are often side-lined in the
process of learning. Over time, the teaching methods at
schools have changed adapting to what the future demands.
The world is fast and changing at an unprecedented rate. To
cope with the highly competitive world, the students’
teachings have to be updated too. Though most students are
trying to adapt to modern learnings, it has become hard for
the growing mind to keep up with the highly technical
world. For this, the schools are coming up with innovative
methods of teachings that can help the children to cope up
with the pressure.
Most of the schools not just in the US but across the world
are adopting the teaching methods of personalised learning.
This method has proved to be effective in many schools,
helping the students discover their passions. Replacing the

Food for Thought

‘one size fits all approach’, and adopting the new teaching
method of ‘personalised learning’ can be quite troublesome
and have raised a few controversies in the past. Here is how
personalised learning can impact school education and
transform the lives of students to what the future demands.
Modern needs of modern-day education
There comes a time when the traditional things just won’t
work. Due to the changing nature of business and the
working of the world, the education system needs to be
updated too. The changing nature of the world has opened
doors to many new opportunities in the world. The
traditional teaching methods were very sophisticated, but
they lacked diversity and liberty. In schools, students did
not have the freedom to choose the subjects that they
wanted to.
With the increasing competition, both the private and
government sector changed their hiring focus which was
based on quantity to quality. This shift in the system is
forcing the schools to adapt and look for a more versatile
education system. Personalised learning according to the
RAND’s research, was too early for students in 2013. But it
has now become the need for many education systems
across the world.
This method will surely bring a huge shift in school
education, which will focus on the overall development of
the students. Along with that, the students will get to choose
the path for themselves. This will allow them to be
specialised in one particular sector of industry, rather than
leaving them confused by the time they leave schooling.
Evolution in teaching and schooling
Personalised learning is based on students and focuses on
the individual student. This will revolutionize the complete
education as different students will focus on different fields
to excel in. Along with that, the immense pressure on
teachers will also be lightened, allowing the teachers to
teach more effectively.
This unique structure of learning if adapted in the
education, will allow the students to explore the depths of
the field.
specialization from the start will allow them to be creative
in the field they choose. The interest that the children
develop from the start will inspire them to be self-learners,
which will help them in their career and the practice will
stay with them till long.
An engaging classroom system with customized learning
Personalised learning encourages different streams to come
together at a common level. Common subjects essential for
students’ growth will give rise to an engaging classroom.
Since the subjects are of interest, the students will break the
norms of traditional learning and increase student
engagement.
Most of the problems faced by the existing education
system will have a systematic approach. Personalised
learning will also have a customized learning plan for every
student. It will make the student approach the problem
efficiently, depending on their level of understanding
allowing them to be creative as well as assess their weak
point easily.
Evaluation, execution, and tracking made easy
It has hard to find the problem in regular evaluation.
However, in a one-on-one learning model, the evaluation
becomes far easier. Once the problem is tracked, the
problem can be solved easily with much persistence and the
low teacher-student ratio will make the execution precise.
Still in case, if the student faces any problem, the same
process can be repeated with changes until the student
excels in that field.
With more credibility, focus and persistence in a different
field, personalised learning can take school education to a
different level. This will not only be a win-win situation for
teachers and students, but also for the education system,
which will provide a responsive model of learning with the
option of choosing their field of excellence for students.
This is the future of education for creating a learned society,
where the focus will be on a happier future with more
employment opportunities.
- Ashlesh Khadse
Embedding creativity in education
Uniqueness is what makes the children stand out from the
crowd. Since children have a developing mind, embedding

Canadian
Educational
System- Marching Towards
a Bright Future
am generally optimistic
Iabout the future of Canada’s
educational system. Since
education falls in the jurisdiction
of provinces, the future will
more accurately depend upon
how each of the provinces
responds to the changing needs.
Certainly, the development of
literacy and mathematical skills
of students remain on key
elements of any educational
system. The core subjects such
as mathematics, science, and
social studies will continue to
have student achievement levels
measured by international
agencies. The results will
continue to be used by different
educational jurisdictions to
determine whether programs
should be modified given the
technological advances
occurring in an ongoing way.
Educational leaders will have to
introduce new concepts and
courses to better prepare
students for their future
occupations. Computer
programming, computer
applications, coding, robotics,
artificial intelligence concepts
will become more and more
important in the educational
programs across Canada.
In addition to the academic
programs, there will be
increasing emphasis on the
development of social,
teamwork, and communication
skills for the students. Public
speaking, debating, model
United Nation clubs are several
examples of extra-curricular
activities that enhance the
development of these skills.
In-class learning will continue to
be of utmost importance in the
learning process. COVID 19
Health restrictions had the move
to online learning for school
jurisdictions. This resulted in the
deterioration of the development
of social and teamwork skills.
The return to in-class learning
shows the advantages in terms
of the positive mental health of
the students.
As stated initially, I am
generally optimistic about our
educational systems properly
preparing our students for the
future. My main concern is that
governments may influence the
education system by over
politicizing the current social
issues of the day.
01 | MM 2021 | www.theknowledgereview.com

Expert Talks
About the Author
Dr. Neil Webber, President and Chairman of Webber Academy Foundation,
founded the school in 1996. He has spent most of his career in public service; first
as a teacher in the Calgary Public and Catholic School Boards, then as an elected
representative in the Alberta Government. He was Chairman of Telus Corporation,
and director of several companies including SNC - Lavalin Group.

Transformation of
K-12 EDUCATION
in FLORIDA

eLearning Insights
In the field of education, changes are expected to
happen because of its dynamic nature that is dependent
on many components from the upgrades of technology.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, the education sector has
experienced numerous changes with trends and their
uncountable benefits for students, teachers, and parents as
well.
These changes have the capacity to influence the
perspective towards the acquisition of knowledge and
learning outcomes. As the pandemic crisis continues,
eLearning solutions play a key role in educating the
students and transformed the K-12 education in educational
institutes of Florida.
• Incorporation of multilingual learning solutions
Modern education is not completely digital, but integrated
learning solutions are an important part of school e-
Learning. The integration of these solutions aims to give
optimal digital platforms, like online lectures, online
assessments, and virtual classroom teaching, while
maintaining traditional learning methods like textbooks
altogether.
As a result, education institutes in Florida are currently
working to implement this program with enhanced methods
by improving their connectivity and infrastructure to
accommodate this trend. No school wants to be left behind,
especially for a virtual learning platform which is an effect

of modernisation and the evolution of technology. To
illustrate, an intelligent solution is - printed textbooks are
linked to audio-visual content. In addition, it can be
accessed with the digital smart boards with the online
assessment components. In the current scenario of the
education industry, all of these are working together
intending to provide maximum benefits and improve
learning outcomes.
• Utilizing Augmented Reality (AR) for better
comprehension
Research indicates that students can retain information
properly when they can grasp the knowledge with the
accessible enhancements that are currently happening on
the e-Learning platforms.
Retaining the information has drastically improved as
schools are not just relying on textbooks anymore. They are
implementing the use of audio-video materials and
engaging activities by which the students can stimulate their
imagination. The main reason schools opted for using AR
for their class syllabus.
With this innovation of technology, students not just see but
experience the subject with in-depth knowledge.
It helps the students to comprehend the concept as teachers
can provide them with numerous personalized options to
understand complex and complicated concepts effortlessly.
As a result, students can understand the concepts with less
amount of time required for proficiency.
Knowledge retention has taken up a new notch with these
innovative learning methods, as students can understand the
concept with the in-depth fundamentals which is provided
by the textbooks and practical knowledge which AR is
currently providing.
• Advancing personalized learning modules
The outbreak of the pandemic allowed the students with
distant learning options. Nonetheless, they can attend their
lectures with whatever devices or gadgets that are available
with them without any timing constraints.
This is a radical and a momentous change for the students
as they have a new opportunity to learn in their own
personal space. They also have an advantage, as new
platforms are providing them with personalized instructions
that help them to finish their academics with better
competency levels. New software and applications are
making it easier for the students who are facing difficulties
while understanding the concepts. This gives them an
opportunity to surpass the limitations of the traditional
learning methods.
These factors are transforming the learning processes and
the delivery of the educational goals as students can learn
without any barriers and they are leveraging their strengths
and completely overcoming their weaknesses.
• The advantage of the internet of things (IOT)
The internet of things has been a popular topic in the field
of education because of the digital transformation which is
not just anticipated by the students but teachers and school
administration. The IOT has made it significantly effortless
to create a structure of daily school activities.
Also, with the help of the internet, the parents and students
can track the real-time progress and the pending
assignments on the school dashboard. They can also use the
internet to provide the study material required to help boost
studies.
• Accumulation of formative assessment solutions
Before the digital transformation, assessments consisted of
pen and paper, and it was the only way to check the results
or understand the progress. The significance of learning
outcomes matters a lot these days, which is why formative
assessment solutions are being utilized as these tests are
considered as low productive in the digital period. Students
are now preparing for their academics with formative
assessments like presentations, projects, and activities.
These methods are dynamically delivering the goals of the
curriculum, which benefits all the students, leading them to
develop a skillset and produce better results in their
academic studies.
• Determination of K-12 education
It has become a lot more convenient to provide online
education through the electronic gadgets which are easily
available with the students. The fusion of digital education
with traditional methods is delivering better results with the
modern digital classroom and currently available resources.
The proper utilization of these positive elements is creating
better educators, methods, and programs that are assisting
educational institutions of Florida to prepare better leaders
for the future.
- Abhishek Joshi

Transforming Lives through Christ-Centered Education
Perhaps why we all love children
is because they represent the
culmination of all the
knowledge that has been passed down
from generations through genes and
also represent limitless potential
waiting to find their own path in life.
After all, as they say, children are
God’s apostles.
The rightful education and fulfillment
of children is counted as the top
priority of not only their families but
also of the community. And since the
majority of a child’s day is spent in
school, the influence that a school has
on his/her development is an important
matter to meditate on.
Throughout centuries, a Christcentered
education has enabled
students to not only learn about the
world around them, but also cultivate a
deep and lasting relationship with God.
The values, morals and perspectives
inculcated in a Christian school helps
children grow into moral and welleducated
students with sufficient
proficiencies and a strong moral fiber.
This the promise of a good Christian
education which the Orlando, Floridabased
The First Academy has been
successfully delivering since its
inception in 1986.
The First Academy (TFA) is a Christcentered
college preparatory school
serving over 1,200 Central Florida
students from preschool through 12th

Best Performing Schools in Florida
grade. Since its opening in 1987, TFA
has prepared students to stand out from
their peers and become leaders who
influence the world through Christ-like
leadership — choosing character
before career, wisdom beyond
scholarship, service before self, and
participation as a way of life.
By the time your child has graduated
from TFA, they will: develop a strong
identity in Christ and the plan God has
for their life; build their knowledge,
skills, and maturity to successfully go
on to a college or career of their
choice; be a confident leader and
communicator, as well as a caring and
successful individual; remain grounded
in family values that align with TFA’s
mission and vision.
The TFA Experience
TFA’s campus is centrally located for
Central Florida families, offering stateof-the-art
academic and athletic
facilities. The school serves students
from preschool through 12th grade.
The First Academy boasts a 100%
college acceptance rate for its
graduating seniors, who have received
over $70 million in scholarship offers.
TFA’s Lower School focuses on
building a strong foundation for
lifelong learners, while its Middle
School nurtures their emerging gifts
and academic interests. In the Upper
School, students have the opportunity
to further prepare themselves for
college including Advanced Placement,
concurrent and dual enrollment, and
accelerated learning opportunities. The
school also offers hybrid homeschool
and special needs programs.
The Cultivated Commander-In-
Chief Dr. Steve D. Whitaker has
served as the Head of School at The
First Academy since July 2003. During
his tenure, the school has advanced a
bold spiritual formation agenda,
The First
Academy is
positioned to
continue as a
leader in
Christian, private
education with its
ability to balance
accelerated
scholastic
excellence with
life-changing
spiritual
formation.
experienced outstanding enrollment
growth, and has witnessed remarkable
scholastic achievements. Multiple
capital campaigns led to major
renovations and expansion of the
Lower School, the building of a new
Upper and Middle School, the opening
of the Tennis Center, expanded athletic
facilities at Payne Stewart Athletic
complex, a renovation of the Boyd-
Moline Library, a Black Box Theatre, a
new $10.5 million Field
House/Gymnasium Facility, and an
impressive culinary farm to table
newly constructed kitchen and dining
space.
The First Academy families have
generously pledged over $44 million to
fund these initiatives. Dr Whitaker has
written on a variety of topics, including
school culture, Christian living,
generous giving, and Biblical
worldview issues. He published a book
entitled ‘In God We Trust: Five Anchor
Points for Turbulent Times’.
His past and present activities include
serving on the ACSI Executive Board,

FHSAA Board of Directors, FCIS
Board of Directors, ABHE Board of
Directors, and Charter Member for
Council for Educational Standards and
Accountability.
In 2010, Dr Whitaker founded
Neighborhood Charter Schools,
seeking to support urban churches in
establishing charter schools for
severely disadvantaged students. After
completing his Bachelor’s degree in
South Florida, Dr. Whitaker received a
Master of Education from MidAmerica
Nazarene University and a Master of
Arts degree in Education from the
University of Louisville. He also
earned his PhD from the University of
Louisville in Higher Education
Administration. He is married to Tricia
and has three marvelous children who
are TFA graduates (Amanda, Stephen,
and Caleb).
Making Learning Fun
From athletics to fine arts, The First
Academy students have a multitude of
opportunities to develop beyond
academics. Athletic competition is
offered as early as Kindergarten and
culminates with 32 offerings at the
Upper School level. Students also
excel in the performing arts, competing
at the local, regional and state levels in
Choir, Theatre and Band.
Beyond the field or stage, students
often tell us they love electives like
media production, performing arts,
Mandarin, 2D and 3D art and
agricultural science, or extracurriculars
such as Poetry Out Loud, Dance
Marathon, Aquaponics, senior ski trip,
and other student-led interest clubs and
organizations.
Students from The First Academy go
on to excel in whatever career path
they pursue. From lawyers to
engineers, from pastors to Olympic
athletes, The First Academy’s Royals
are prepared from day one for their
future.
The Royal Package
It’s the whole Royal package that The
First Academy has to offer. TFA
provides the strongest balance of
accelerated academics and student
leadership. With a 100% college
acceptance rate, the teachers are
certainly doing their part. The top
reasons why families choose TFA
include:
• World-Class, Caring Teachers
• Individualized Pathways
• Spiritual Formation
• Student Leadership Opportunities
• Championship Athletics and
Award-Winning Fine Arts
Awards and Accolades
The First Academy continues to earn
awards each year including Best
Christian Elementary School 2021,
Orange County’s #1 Christian High
School, Best Private School, Nearpod
Certified School, Apple Distinguished
School.
From lawyers
to engineers,
from pastors to
Olympic
athletes, The
First Academy’s
Royals are
prepared from
day one for
their future.

Read more at –
https://thefirstacademy.org/media/
The Pandemic Dictate
During the 2020-21 school year, The
First Academy adapted to the
pandemic, caring for its students,
families, faculty, and staff making for a
successful in-person school year.
Following similar guidance, TFA
continues to adapt to the current
situation while balancing the
immediate needs of its campus and
community.
The Future Beckons
The First Academy is positioned to
continue as a leader in Christian,
private education with its ability to
balance accelerated scholastic
excellence with life-changing spiritual
formation. The First Academy’s
unparalleled ability to create a school
community that nurtures the heart and
mind of every student will continue to
provide current and future families
with an education option that nourishes
the whole child into fulfilling their
God-given potential and paths.