U.S. Department of Defense Visits Newpoint Tampa High School

TAMPA, Fla., March 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When the U.S. Department of Defense began conducting research on 21st Century Education in K12 schools they sought out the best of the best. And where did that lead them? Newpoint Tampa High School in Valrico, Florida was their very first stop on their world-wide tour.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100315/CL69300 )

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) operates nearly 200 K12 schools on military bases all around the world. Making sure that these schools provide the best possible education for military families is paramount. As stated in a recent DoDEA news release, "The recommendations of DoDEA's task groups will 'chart the course' for the future of education across DoDEA."  Their objective is "Defining 21st Century skills for DoDEA and develop action plans for the integration of these skills into education, operations and communications" (www.dodea.edu/pressroom/)

Says Marcus May, Founder & CEO of Newpoint Schools, "Over 20 officials from the DOD's global education staff came to Newpoint Tampa and spent nearly a full day studying our innovative 21st  Century Education Model. They interviewed students and staff and closely observed the methods we use in our technology-rich, 1:1 learning labs."

Newpoint Schools are a new but growing network of charter schools founded in 2007. The school's 21st Century Education Model includes three primary tenets: (1) Individualized instruction utilizing online curriculum in 1:1 student-to-PC classrooms. (2) Project-based learning which develops critical thinking skills and other "habits of mind."  (3) An innovative internship program where starting in 9th  grade students spend one day per week working in white-collar jobs applying what they learned in class and honing their professional skills.

The DOD team inspected and scrutinized all of Newpoint's processes and methods. What did the DOD discover at the end of the day? "They were very impressed and will be modeling elements of their new schools based on Newpoint's model," says May. "We often remind our students and staff that they are part of the future of education in America. They can now feel proud that they are part of a history-making process that will impact education around the world," says May.

For more information about Newpoint Schools 21st Century Education Model be sure to visit www.newpointschools.org. or arrange to tour a Newpoint High School by calling 866.606.1770.  Newpoint Tampa and all other Newpoint schools are currently accepting new student enrollments.

SOURCE Newpoint Tampa High School