FAQ

Where is the school located?

Our school site is at 7 William St. in St. Augustine, FL (near the Fountain of Youth).

Is there any tuition at ABLE?

No. ABLE is a free public school in St. Johns County and is supported with tax dollars. It is a non-profit corporation and is permitted to accept donations, but a donation is not required for attendance.

How many students will the school have and in what grades?

ABLE plans to cap its enrollment for the 2010/2011 school year at 160 students for grades 5 - 8.

How do I enroll my child in ABLE?

You can pre-register your child on-line by using the Pre-Registration form on the Contact page. You can also call or write the school for an enrollment packet.

When I pre-register my child in ABLE, will they be assured enrollment?

Children pre-registered before June 1st are eligible to enroll in ABLE. Children pre-registered after the June 1st deadline will be enrolled if there is still room. Otherwise, they will be chosen from the available remaining slots through a random lottery to be held after June 1st. Students not chosen at that time will go on a waiting list in the order they are drawn.

Do the siblings of enrolled children have preference in enrollment?

Yes, Enrollment preference will be given to the siblings of enrolled children, to the children of ABLE Board Members and to the children of employees of ABLE.

What is the ratio of teachers to students at ABLE?

The ratio is 22 students to every certified teacher at a school level. This does not count teacher aides, adjunct teachers, or any volunteers.

Do the children need to take the FCAT?

Yes. The FCAT is mandatory for all public school students in Florida.

Do you offer lunches?

Yes. We offer health conscious meals prepared in our school restaurant, Table Cafe.

Is ABLE School accredited on the State level?

Yes, ABLE School is an accredited school through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Will there be many field trips?

Our 5th Graders will spend a great deal of the time outside the school on field trips. Because we are project oriented, students will be involved in multiple projects in the community. 6th-8th Graders will go on field trips once per semester.

Will you have extra-curricular activities after school?

We will not presently be offering programs after school. Students wishing to participate in after-school programs such as sports or band can do so at their normally zoned middle or elementary schools.

Are you affiliated with any other charter school programs?

No. Our programs are different in scope and design from other charter and public schools. We are using "best practices" from a number of other schools and will closely monitor student achievement, but we are unique.

What standards do you require of your teachers?

All teachers are "highly qualified", as defined in the No Child Left Behind Act. This means that they are Florida certified in their areas of teaching.

Will you follow the public school calendar based on days off for holidays and in-service?

Yes. We will follow the St. Johns County school calendar and also the daily start-up and ending times for middle school grades.

Can parents be involved?

Parents can get involved in the activities of the school at many levels. Parents will be asked to commit to volunteer hours when they enroll their children in ABLE.

Is this a “Tech” school?

Our curriculum is designed to allow the students to become involved in relevant, hands-on projects, which will help to orient them for future career choices. We live in a technological age and few careers do involve technology at some level. Technology will be emphasized as a tool to accelerate learning.

Is transportation available?

The St. Johns County School District will cooperate in transporting students. Students residing within a reasonable distance of the attendance zone of the closest District schools will be eligible for busing. Buses will operate on designated school days in the morning and in the afternoon. at their regular times. Start and end times for ABLE will be coordinated with the District to facilitate student transportation. Otherwise, it will be the responsibility of the parent to provide transportation.