Our Mission

Montverde Academy is a college preparatory school that Inspires students to become knowledgeable leaders with global vision, Instills a passion for learning, and nurtures character development In a disciplined and diverse community. Based on the original mission of the Montverde Industrial School in 1912, Montverde Academy is coeducational independent school serving grades PK3-12. Our boarding program serves grades 7-12 & Post Graduate. At the heart of the Montverde Academy experience is an engaging and challenging academic environment that gives students the desire and skills to achieve at the highest levels. Outside of the classroom, students develop their talents and abilities through involvement in fine arts, athletics, school clubs, and service organizations. Our staff members, parents, and students are part of a close-knit, deeply caring community. We emphasize positive relationships to help build self-esteem and confidence in our students, and each one of them is a valued community member. With its cultural diversity, Montverde Academy draws students from around the world. Our international character adds an exciting dimension to our community and the educational experience we provide.  

Residential Life & Dormitories

In addition to being an outstanding college preparatory school, Montverde Academy is a wonderful place to live. Our boarding program provides a secure, caring environment where every student is part of the Montverde community. Our dormitories are led by House Parents who supervise and care for our students. House Parents play a key role in our boarding community; many students consider them to be family members. We encourage regular communication between House Parents and students’ families, this allows the family and the Academy to work more closely for the student’s well-being, progress and success. Students are expected to perform daily dorm chores, including maintaining/cleaning their rooms (making their beds, vacuuming floors, etc). This instills a sense of responsibility, ownership, and gives them the ability to take pride in their surroundings. Each boarding student participates year round on a competitive athletic team or the option to be involved with an after school activity. After school activities take place on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Students have an array of activities to choose from including: Strength conditioning, general fitness, yoga, tennis lessons, swimming, drama, select choir, etc. Competitive athletic teams require more of a commitment as they may practice Monday – Saturday and may travel to neighboring schools for competition. Upon completion of activities/athletics students go to the Martha Bedell Dining Hall for dinner and the opportunity to socialize with friends. After dinner, students have study hall in their respective dorm. Students who achieve a 3.0 grade point average or higher will have earned honor roll privileges (student receiving a D or an F in any class are ineligible for making Honor Roll). These privileges allow these students to watch television in the rec room, use their computer to watch a movie or play a game, make phone calls, or visit with another honor roll student. Those not on the honor roll are expected to be in their room studying. Our goal is to have as many students possible on the honor roll. At Montverde Academy, we work hard to provide a structured, caring and family-like atmosphere for our students. We want every one of our students to feel right at home.  

Athletics

In addition to developing students academically, Montverde Academy also places an emphasis on developing students physically through positive interscholastic competition. The Academy offers a strong, competitive athletic program and belongs to the Florida High School Activities Association (FHSAA). Academy athletes are able to utilize a 15-acre athletic field that includes a 400 meter running track, soccer field, baseball diamond, and four tennis courts. Montverde Academy recently built a state of the art athletic facility which includes an 8 lane track with a field used by soccer and football teams, tennis courts, baseball and softball fields and practice fields. The Academy also has three gymnasiums and a swimming pool that are used by the students. The Academy’s athletic programs encourage students to develop healthy exercise habits, increase self-esteem and stress the importance of sportsmanship while enjoying the challenges of competition.  

Weekend Activities & Events

Weekends at Montverde Academy are planned to include a variety of on and off campus activities. Off campus trips typically include:

• Dinner, movie, or mall and shopping trip on Friday night
• Major theme park, athletic game, theatre show, or festival trip on Saturday
• One trip from one of the previous two groups on Sunday

Most trips are charged to the students’ account, and generally are able to get a good group discount. Faculty members are assigned to “weekend teams” before the school year, and act as chaperones on the trips and within the open facilities on campus. With our convenient Central Florida location, Montverde Academy students have a wealth of activities, including:

• Theme parks — Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Blizzard Beach, Busch Gardens, etc.
• Malls and entertainment centers — Universal City Walk, Downtown Disney, the Florida Mall, Prime Outlets, Premium Outlets, Mall at Millenia, Target, Wal-Mart, etc.
• Sporting events—Orlando Magic, Orlando Predators, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays and more
• Music and Theatre shows—Bob Carr Theatre and Amway Center

If a student does not wish to go on an off-campus trip, there is plenty to do here on campus. Montverde Academy is extremely fortunate to have a very nice student center complete with DirecTV, a 60″ HD TV and carries as snacks and food similar to most convenience stores. On Friday and Saturday nights, the student center becomes busy with students who are want to watch a movie or hang out and socialize with friends. The Academy’s gymnasium and weight-room are also opened at various times throughout the weekend, allowing students to play basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, etc. The school’s state-of-the-art fitness center is also well used by students and faculty on the weekends. It is not uncommon to see twenty students engaged in a pick-up game of soccer on the soccer field, a handful of students practicing their swings on the baseball field, students playing tennis on the courts, or runners on the track trying to shave precious minutes from their personal bests. In the warmer months the swimming pool is open where students can sunbathe or swim. In addition to the swimming pool, the students can take advantage of the Academy dock. Here students can canoe, fish, swim, or take advantage of the boat and practice their wake boarding skills, or maybe knee board. As you can see, Montverde Academy does not close down on the weekends; in fact, it is getting “revved up”. Why go anywhere else on the weekends, students have more than enough to keep them busy right here on campus.  

Dining Hall

The dining hall serves 19 meals each week during the school year. Monday through Friday, resident students eat breakfast at 7 a.m. Oatmeal, Danish, muffins, bagels, and eggs are available each morning. Other selections typically include bacon, sausage, ham, pancakes, hash browns, potato casseroles, French toast, and biscuits and gravy. There is also a daily waffle station. On weekends brunch is served and very often omelets will be made to order along with a hot entree as well as breakfast selections. Fresh fruit, yogurt and whole grain cereals are available to ensure students the opportunity to have a nutritious breakfast. Drink choices includes milk, juices, water, flavored water, soft drinks, coffee, hot chocolate and assorted teas. Lunch includes a wide variety of choices. A large salad bar serves a variety of salad items as well as soup de jour. Also a full sandwich bar including a variety of meats & cheeses, tuna, chicken & egg salad along with a variety of fresh homemade salads are available. Also available on a daily basis is a pasta bar, an Asian station and peanut butter and jelly, along with a variety of hot entrée’s, side dishes and fresh hot vegetables. Drink choices includes milk, juices, water, flavored water, soft drinks, coffee, hot chocolate and assorted teas. Resident students meet in the dining hall for dinner at 5:15 p.m. Dinner also includes a hot entree, side dish, hot fresh vegetable, pasta selection and Asian station. Sandwich and salad items are also available on a daily basis as well as a dessert. Dining Hall Staff prepares theme dinners along with holiday dinners throughout the school year. Educational meals with foods from around the world are prepared to enhance student learning of different food cultures on a monthly basis. This program gives students an opportunity to taste a variety of foods not typically offered. The dining hall staff enjoys decorating for holidays to give our students a feeling of home. They enjoy hearing from students about the cuisine in their countries. The dining hall at Montverde Academy is not just a place to eat, but a place to dine with friends, faculty and staff while enjoying some social time.