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."

Noam Manor, Graduate Update

Noam Manor, Class of 2009, came back to visit the school over her Spring Break from college. Enews had an opportunity to sit down with her and find out about her life after Clearwater Academy.

Enews: What are you currently doing and how are you doing?

Noam: I am enrolled in Broward College and majoring in Theater and Philosophy. I got straight A's in my first semester in college and I am holding an A average in my second semester!

Enews: How is college different from high school?

Noam: The absence of the use and knowledge of Study Technology has been one of the biggest things I've noticed. Students in college are just trying to get their degrees and not really learn. I, on the other hand, apply my Study Technology and am there genuinely wanting to learn and always asking questions about things I don't know.

Enews: How has your high school education effected your college education?

Noam: I actually recall everything I have learned at CAI and I have noticed that other students in my class don't have this ability. I am able to apply to my college classes early information I have learned on checksheets at CAI. In one of my classes we were talking about government and the different branches of it. I knew so much because I studied the checksheet "Bodies and Functions of Government." I felt like I am always in the lead and have a head start.

Enews: How do you feel our Performing Arts Program at CAI has helped you?

Noam: When I went to audition for my first play in college I felt so prepared and comfortable. Mona Lim had drilled me so well that I had so much confidence in my audition that I was cast immediately!

I am so much more prepared than any other theater student I have come across and I thank Mona for that. There is not one aspect of my life that hasn't been effected by my performing arts training at CAI. I have so much confidence and my ability to communicate freely and comfortably is proof of that.

Haiti Relief Project Update

Florence Vanleuven first started doing humanitarian work in Haiti as part of The Global Pioneers organization in 2009. Since the earthquake she has been at the forefront of gathering and shipping supplies to Haiti. Florence is also the guardian of our four Haitian students. Below is what she had to say about our efforts:

"Clearwater Academy has collected an amazing amount of medical supplies, food, hygiene kits, clothes and school supplies for Haiti. Clearwater Academy has also organized and shipped to Haiti via private planes and a cargo ship. The donations from the school staff, children and parents were gathered quickly after the earthquake. We're staggered by the generosity of everyone's effort to help.

"Clearwater Academy was such a stable point for us to gather goods that even Tampa Bay businesses joined the effort and dropped off items so the children and staff could box and ship them.

"It was pretty impressive what the school put together. First, vital supplies were sent via two private planes, then two 26 ft trucks were filled with donations and driven to the Port of Miami and loaded onto a cargo ship!

"I'm really happy and excited because those items go directly to the volunteers and doctors working at the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince and to the children of the orphanage -- "The Future of Haiti". They are in such a desperate situation and in need of everything the school has donated. Clearwater Academy should celebrate: The children and parents of the school were very much aware of the disaster and were pleased to help by gathering donations. Everyone at Clearwater Academy has made a big difference. They have helped many children and saved hundreds of lives. Thank you for your major contributions.

"Much love and many "Merci's". You have been the largest supporter in our community!"

- Florence Vanleuven

Paul Zombory, a Success Story

Paul Zombory enrolled at Clearwater Academy in 1998. Paul was in second grade then and one of the first students to start at CAI when the doors opened at the new Feldman Campus on Drew St. Prior to CAI Paul attended two of the schools that merged to form CAI.

Now Paul is preparing to graduate 12th grade and begin his next journey. We thought you would like to know more about him, his experiences at CAI and his future plans.

Enews: What has your experience at CAI done for you as a student and as a person?

Paul: The school has been such a big part of my life for so long. I am a good student who is interested in learning; I owe a lot to the school for instilling in me this desire to learn.

Enews: How do you think your education at CAI compares with the education of students from other schools?

Paul: I recently took a college literature course at St. Petersburg College and I did extremely well. I was well ahead of everyone in the class and was actually helping others because frankly, without Study Technology, they didn't know what they were doing. I know my basics so well from completing the Small Common Words and New Grammar checksheets while at CAI. Having the ability to apply Study Technology made the course easy for me.

Enews: What have you specifically gained by being educated by CAI?

Paul: I have gained integrity when it comes to learning. I love our checksheets at CAI because you really drill the subjects to full understanding. If I don't fully understand something, I make sure that I fully understand it, and know how to apply it, before I go on. Also, I scored in the 97% on my SAT's, which means only 3% of the students taking the test scored higher than me in the nation. I am very happy with the academic standard of my education at Clearwater Academy and have gained from this accordingly.

Enews: What are your plans after graduation?

Paul: I have been accepted into three very good colleges; Tulane University in New Orleans, Florida State University and New College (an Honors College) in Sarasota. I have several other applications out and should be hearing from Boston University and the University of Florida soon. It is a hard decision to make because all of the schools are so different and have such unique qualities. Due to my great education and opportunities at CAI I am in the driver's seat and can choose where I want to go to.

I would like to major in creative writing and with my education there are so many different fields I can go into. I am looking forward to exploring all of my possibilities. I truly feel that I have an incredible foundation to be successful in life because of CAI!