Chelsea Magnano has worked hard over the last year. In addition to going flat out on her academic program, Chelsea helped head the Prom Committee, was active in Performing Arts and worked a part-time job. Graduation is just a week away and she is feeling great!

E-news: How has Clearwater Academy International helped you be able to pursue your goals in life?

Chelsea: There are so many amazing things Clearwater Academy has done for me, but above all, the one thing I have appreciated the most and benefited from the most is the unbelievable support the school has given me in my life decisions. When I wanted to study a long course outside of school, the school totally supported my decision to do this and helped me arrange my schedule so that I could do it. When I decided to pursue acting and singing, the school encouraged me to follow that purpose.

E-news: What would you like someone to know about Clearwater Academy International?

Chelsea: The educational environment at CAI is creative and fun. I have truly enjoyed school. I have friends that go to other high schools and their days are filled with seriousness and stress. I am so happy to have been able to experience my education with a spirit of play and all along having it connected to my basic purpose in life.

Also, as being a part of the Performing Arts Program at CAI my ability and reach for the Performing Arts has improved dramatically. I use to be terrified of singing and now I can sing! This is such a win for me as I intend to pursue acting and singing as a career. Whatever one decides to do in life Clearwater Academy is there to back you up on it and set you on a road to succeed in it!

Congratulations to our Clearwater Academy Knights Flag Football. They ended their season with a great record of 7 wins and only 1 loss. GO KNIGHTS!!!

Graduating Clearwater Academy International

"I was going to a local high school which was supposed to be the best high school in the area. That may be the case, but I found that not to be true for me. First of all so many kids were into drugs and drinking. It was so common and kids even did drugs on campus. I had a really hard time making friends because of the extreme out ethics of the majority of the student population.

Also, there is no use of Study Technology*. Even though I knew the Study Technology I was made fun of for looking up my words. That was hard to deal with and because the teachers don't define words, I accumulated so many misunderstood words and found myself falling asleep in my classes. It was so hard. I was shy, introverted and completely miserable.

When I came to Clearwater Academy I was really worried I was going to be so far behind and have to go back so far and redo everything. But when I looked at the environment of the school I had been in, I knew that I had to make a change. The funny thing is that although I did have to go back, it did not take me long at all to catch up!

I really had forgotten the basics - you do that in public school. With the use of Study Technology I now have my basics in and can recall everything I have learned. Clearing up my misunderstood words and drilling key principles has enabled me to really know and understand what I am learning. There is so much confidence that I have obtained with this. I am no longer shy and no longer introverted.

The environment at CAI is very happy. Making friends is so easy. The students here are not judgmental. All of these things contribute greatly to the perfect space to be educated in. I am so happy I can now look back and say I love my school and I love my education."

- Darryn Rakestraw - Graduating Senior Class of 2010

*For more information about Study Technology click here.

CAI Graduate Success Story

Thomas arrived at Clearwater Academy International in 2002. He was eight years old and spoke only a few words and phrases in English. He now has graduated CAI and is embarking on his next journey in life and here is his story.

CAI: What was it like for you when you came to CAI only able to speak a little English?

Thomas: It is not so easy coming from a different country. Everything from the food you eat to how people dress is so different. It is especially hard when you can't understanding anything said. I was really fortunate to come to CAI where there is an incredible English as a Second Language program. I quickly learned how to speak and read English.

Also, the school has so many activities to be a part of that even when I started school and my English was poor, I was able to be a part of the group. I played sports and did artwork, in addition to my school work. This made my life so much happier while I was learning English.

In addition, there are so many staff members and students that are bilingual at the school which made it so nice to always have someone I could talk to.

CAI: What are your plans after graduation?

Thomas: First, I am going to Haiti to help with the orphanage that the school collected food and items for. This will be my second trip down and I am looking forward to it. I am proud to be able to contribute to improving the lives of the over 115 young children in this orphanage.

After that I am attending the Hubbard College of Administation in the fall. I am very excited to learn the principles of management so that I can help my parents in their business.

For more information about Clearwater Academy click here.

Clearwater Academy Acknowledged for Community Service!

Clearwater Academy International was acknowledged this month for stellar contribution to the community. This award was presented at the largest annual student graduation of the Community Learning Center, which CAI hosted in our gym.

Executive Director Jim Zwers accepted the "Super School" plaque on behalf of the school. The plaque was presented by Holly Haggerty, the Executive Director of the Community Learning Center.

"We have just completed servicing 400 students here in Pinellas County. There were many students that we could not have served without the tremendous support of CAI. The school has provided transportation, use of facilities, and promotion of parent meetings for this program," said Holly Haggerty.

In addition CAI has partnered up with the Community Learning Center to offer a free weekly English class and reading club for parents and their children. The school also hosts monthly Books for Kids events with the Center. At this event, gently used children's books are distributed to any child that comes as a way of encouraging them to read. Food is served and art projects and games are supplied for the kids.

"The school is always interested in helping the community in any way possible," said Mr. Zwers. "Working with the Community Learning Center to improve the education of local families aligns very well with our purpose as a school."