Here’s Why This Central Florida School Begins on Tuesday

MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Unlike the majority of Central Florida, which still has a few weeks to get ready for the new school year, Wyomina Park Elementary in Marion County will start on Tuesday.

The school is entering its second year of a year-round school pilot program.

The school organized a back-to-school event on Monday for students and their families, allowing children to meet their teachers, receive a free backpack, and get a complimentary haircut before the first day.

Patricia Alston brought her grandson, King David Smith, who’s heading into first grade.

She said the event takes the stress off the family.

“It’s an opportunity to meet the teachers, showing the kids that school is serious, yet they’re having fun today,” Alston remarked.

Alston said they just got back from a trip to Ft. Lauderdale and said they are a fan of the new schedule.

“I think they should make all the schools this way,” Alston said. “It’s excellent.”

During the first year of the pilot program, the school’s grade did drop a couple of points. However, school administrators are ready to change that this year.

“We’re coming back this year really focused and focused on what we learned from the previous school year, and we’re excited about being able to leverage this pilot in order to continue student achievement,” said Wyomina Park Elementary School Principal Victoria Hunt.

Even though the school’s grade did not improve during the first year of the pilot program, Hunt said student behavior did.

“It’s easier for them to transition back and then have those breaks throughout the school year,” Hunt said. “So that has been a really great thing for us. We’ve been able to reduce our referral rate in our school suspension rates, and we’re really excited about that.”

Hunt told us the pilot program is five years long. She said that each January, the school has the option to decide whether they will continue the program for another year.