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Tampa

List of Schools in Tampa

Children throughout Tampa wake up each Monday through Friday and head out to school, lunch and books in hand. While they may bemoan another day filled with reading, writing and arithmetic, they are receiving their education from one of the highest ranked school districts in the state.

Hillsborough County School District has a policy of offering a dynamic cross-section of schooling options because they understand that a “one size fits all” education doesn’t coalesce with their community. These include Walton Academy of the Performing Arts and two teen parent schools. Among the public schooling options are magnet and charter schools.

Magnet Schools
Magnet schools offer students a more exploratory education. Students must show a strong interest in the field of study of their chosen magnet school in order to be considered for enrollment. Even though magnet schools educate studies concentrated in a specific field, they are funded by the state and school district and must adhere to the performance standards just like traditional public schools. Most students of magnet schools go on to complete post-secondary education in their field of study. Magnet schools, listed with their field of study, in the New Tampa area include:

Cahoon Elementary, Animal Science
Dunbar Elementary, Math/Science/Technology
Lee Elementary, World Studies
Lincoln Elementary, International Studies/International Baccalaureate
Lockhart Elementary, Foreign Language & Global Studies; Visual/Performing/Communication Arts
Lomax Elementary, Math/Science/Technology
MacFarlane International Studies/International Baccalaureate
Muller Elementary, Environmental Studies; Visual/Performing/Communication Arts
Philip Shore Elementary, Visual/Performing/Communication Arts
Rampello Kindergarten through 8, Cultural Arts & Humanities

Charter Schools
While magnet schools offer highly concentrated curriculums, charter schools offer highly specialized teaching styles. Charter schools are owned and operated privately with subsidization through Hillsborough County School District and the State of Florida. They are just as accountable as traditional and magnet public schools through FCAT testing (more on this under “Standards”, below.)

Charter schools often require parents to commit to a number of hours of volunteer work throughout the school year. They also require that parents understand their particular charter, or contract. Examples of charter school options include those that teach in Montessori style, Core Curriculum or Independent Study (distance learning.)

Any student that qualifies for public education in Hillsborough County may apply to attend a charter school, regardless of how far or close the student lives from the school.

Standards
The Sunshine State Standards, or SSS, are the uniform educational criteria for each grade level from Kindergarten through graduation. All public and most private schools in Florida have adopted these standards and teach material so that students will meet or exceed them.

In 1998, the State of Florida began testing students based on the criteria to gauge the effectiveness of the SSS. A consortium of educators and instructional professionals from around the United States came up with the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or FCAT.

Students are tested annually from third grade through eleventh. Reading and math tests are given each year. Writing is assessed in all grades except fifth and eleventh grades. Science knowledge is tested in fifth, eighth and tenth.

Beginning in the 2005-2006 school year, students are required to successfully pass the tenth grade test to qualify for a regular high school diploma upon graduation. Students scoring less than a passing grade on any of the subjects tested are offered subsequent testing opportunities during their eleventh and twelfth grade years.

According to 2005 testing scores, Florida students scored at or above the national average in fourth grade reading, fourth and eighth grade writing, fourth grade science and fourth grade mathematics. All other grade levels and areas of study that were compared showed Floridian students were close to national averages and gaining ground.

Gorrie Elementary, located just a mile from the University of Tampa in West Tampa, scored highest of all elementary schools in fourth grade reading and mathematics among all Hillsborough schools tested in 2006. Roosevelt Elementary, located in the Palma Ceia area, scored highest for fourth grade writing skills of all Hillsborough County schools during 2006.

Terrace Community Middle School, a charter school located just south of New Tampa, scored highest among all eight graders tested in 2006 in Hillsborough County middle schools for math and science. Wilson Middle, located in the Davis Island community, scored highest among eighth graders in reading and writing.

Palma Ceia area’s Plant High School scored highest among all Hillsborough County tenth graders for math, reading and writing in 2006.

New Tampa schools showed remarkable staying power and above average scores for each of their six elementary, two middle and two high schools. Each school scored 300 or more in all subjects tested in 2006, for grades four, eight and ten.

Private Schools in Tampa
Some families in the New Tampa area prefer a religious or college preparatory private school for their children to receive their education. While the list of private education options is copious, below is a list of a few of the most prominent private schools in the area, as well as their particular specialty.

Berkeley Preparatory School operates to create well-rounded, college bound students. They provide education from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The teachers and staff strive to educate students beyond reading, writing and arithmetic; they offer competitive sports and arts as well as numerous clubs and community service projects.

The Academy of Holy Names is one of the oldest private schools in the Tampa area, having been founded in 1881. Their pre-kindergarten through eighth grade offers excellence in education to both boys and girls. Ninth through twelfth grade classes are restricted to an all-female student body. The school’s teaching are based on the Catholic faith. Students are not required to be of the Catholic faith to attend, though nearly three-quarters are.

The Jesuit School is an all-boy school with a reputation for turning out high-achieving graduates. This school was founded 18 years after the Academy of Holy Names. Jesuit School education includes numerous missionary and community service opportunities for its students. Students are not required to be members of the Jesuit Church.

In 2002, a three-decade old school began unpacking boxes in their new, state of the art facility across from its former home at the University of Tampa. Tampa Preparatory School serves students and their family from sixth grade through twelfth. Tampa Prep doesn’t offer remedial classes, their program was designed to offer challenging coursework in core subjects as well as a wide diversity of other subjects – fine art, computer technology, music, dance, theater, golf, track, swimming, volleyball, soccer, baseball, basketball and wrestling.

Co-ed students at Tampa Catholic High School receive their education in the three R’s as well as the three purposes set forth by the Catholic faith – teaching the Message of God as revealed in Christ and through His Church; building Community through fellowship in the life of the Holy Spirit; and providing opportunities for Service to the community. After school, students continue their education by taking part in some of the nearly two dozen clubs and extra-curricular activities. Tampa Catholic’s philosophy is to educate the entire student- mind, body, and spirit.

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The Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa is a wide-ranging facility and a home to more than 20,000 beautiful sea creatures. Here you will find an assortment of both common and unique sea life including: tiger sharks, massive sea turtles, stingray, jellyfish, seahorses, leafy dragons, and even a Grouper Goliath. Experience sharks, alligators, penguins and much more! Immerse yourself in interactive programs like Dive with the Sharks, Shark Swim and Swim with the Fishes or take a Wild Dolphin Tour on board the Bay Spirit II, a 72-foot powered catamaran.

They also offer special Behind the Scenes experiences like Penguins: Backstage Pass are unique and exciting as you come face to beak with our adorable penguins. You can also check out the numerous hand on experiences available featuring: stingray, starfish, and horseshoe crabs. Here’s your chance to touch these beautiful creatures with your own hands! After exploring all the exhibits inside, splash away at the Aquarium’s new water play area, The Splash Pad!

In addition to the exhibits mentioned above, for an extra fee, you can purchase special additions. Here’s a listing of the various options available:

– Backstage Penguin Encounter – A 30-minute experience where you will get to pet penguins and observe them in a close setting.

– Dolphin Cruise – A 75-minute cruise with plenty of opportunities for sightings.

– Stingray Feeding – A tour providing additional information on stingrays with the opportunity to hand feed one yourself.

– Swimming with the Fishes – Swim with the fishes in the Coral Reef Gallery

– Diving with the Sharks – Certified scuba divers can swim with the sharks in the Coral Reef Gallery.

– Behind the Scenes Tour – See what happens after hours in the aquarium, including food preparation and feedings. You will also get to observe areas traditionally closed to the public.

A word of advice visit on a weekday for fewer crowds and a more relaxing experience. There are several rocking chairs and seats set up to relax and enjoy the tanks, However, on the insanely crowded weekends in can be hard to walk around, let alone relax.

Also, Check Groupon, Living Social, and Amazon Local for deals. You can save as much as 50% by using these sites. Or pick up a brochure with a coupon for $3 off each admission (available in the Tampa Visitors Center).

Oh! And one more thing, don`t forget to bring your favorite camera and be ready to take unlimited photos of captivating and candid moments on your trip.

Attractions Cities of Florida Tampa Travel

A One of a Kind Adventure Park in Tampa

When planning a trip to visit Florida, because of its size and must-see tourist attractions, one must prepare through proper planning and research. Amongst the list of must to go places is Tampa, Florida. Here you can locate one of the largest animal attractions at Busch Gardens Tampa.

The 335-acre adventure park’s habitats offer views of some of the world’s most endangered and exotic animals. For the best animal sightings, go to their habitats early, when it’s cooler. You can experience up-close animal encounters on the Serengeti Plain, a 65-acre free-roaming habitat, home to reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, white rhinos, bongos, impalas, and more. Myombe Reserve allows you to view lowland gorillas and chimpanzees in a lush, tropical-rain-forest.

The park has eight areas, each with its own theme, animals, live entertainment, thrill rides, kiddie attractions, dining, and shopping. A Skyride cable car soars over the park, offering a bird’s-eye view of it all.

Added up-close tours are available, including a 6-hour zookeeper-for-a-day program and a nighttime safari by lantern light. Tour components and prices are subject to change without notice and park admission is required, but not included.

The Jungala exhibit brings Bengal tigers to center stage and puts them at eye level allowing you to view them from underground caves and underwater windows. The big cats are just one of the reasons the theme park attracts some 4.5 million visitors each year.

It’s a don’t-miss attraction for children and adults who can see, in person, all those wild beasts they’ve watched on Animal Planet and they’ll get better views of them here than at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has more than 2,000 exotic animals living in natural-style environments. If you want to beat the crowds, start in the back of the park and work your way around clockwise.

Photo credit: www.undercovertourist.com

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Wright’s Gourmet House

If you are looking for a café deli around Tampa one of the most visited café by locals and tourists a like is the Wright’s Gourmet House located at 1200 S. Dale Mabry Tampa, Fl. They have been in the food industry since 1963. With a wide variety of food and services to please their guest. They are widely known for their hearty deli sandwiches, fresh salads, and delicious desserts.

Their signature sandwiches include the beef martini and the golden gate. Wright’s also offers House Blended Iced Tea and a crazy selection of Bottled Beverages. The dining room (tables are super close together) is decorated with cool American/French art; this is juxtaposed with a menu written on an old school chalkboard. Wright’s is friendly, Wright’s is cool, Wright’s takes care of their customers, and most importantly —Wright’s has amazing food.

Wright’s is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and we’re closed on Sundays. We also can meet guests early in the morning – we’ve done 4:00 a.m. – or later in the evening to accommodate their needs.

If you love sandwiches get yourself over to Tampa with a quickness.

For more information visit their website at www.wrightsgourmet.com

Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WrightsGourmet/

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Some Great Ways to Discover Florida.

Here are Some Great Ways to Discover Florida.

# 1. Fun and Adventure

With over 34 million visitors each year, Orlando is the undisputed theme park capital of the world. But if you are after more fun and adventure after visiting the theme parks at Disneyworld, Universal Orlando Resort and Seaworld, you should try the sensational Busch Gardens in Tampa, the world famous Daytona International Speedway and exploring the Everglades national park.

Don’t Miss Florida’s largest and fastest roller coaster…

Prepare for the thrill of your life on Sheikra, Florida’s tallest roller coaster and the world’s tallest dive coaster. 70mph of pure adrenaline-pumping excitement. Travel 200 feet up and then plunge to the depths of an underground tunnel, with water!

Don’t Miss Bush Gardens Zoo…

With over 2600 animals, the zoo at Busch Gardens is one of America’s top zoos

# 2. Culture

Look beyond the more obvious tourist attractions and you will be surprised at what you find.
There is an abundance of architecture, museums, forts, art galleries.

Don’t Miss Historic Wrecks…

Pensacola has fascinating wrecks to explore. This includes the 500-foot World War 1 battleship USS Massachusetts, the Russian freighter San Pablo and an A-7 Corsair aircraft that fell off the deck of the USS Lexington.

Don’t Miss Art Deco Buildings…

photo credit: http://miamiandbeaches.com

Take a stroll down Ocean Drive, Miami, and enjoy South Beach’s Art deco buildings. Painted pink, lavender and turquoise, they line the palm-fringed walkway.

Don’t Miss a Driving Tour…

If you have a car whilst visiting Miami, do yourself a favour, and take a driving tour of Coral gables. Coral Gables Driving Tour isn’t just one of the country’s richest neighbourhoods, it’s a separate city within Greater Miami. Known as ‘The City Beautiful’ for good reason, its elegant homes line winding avenues shaded by banyans and live oaks. This driving tour winds its way along the lush peaceful lanes and is both relaxing and cultural.

Along the tour are these beautiful sights:

1. The Granada Entrance – a replica of the gate to Granada in Spain.
2. The Country Club Prado Entrance – complete with ornamental pillars.
3. Alhambra water Tower – built in 1925.
4. Coral Way – lined by live oaks and Spanish-style houses.
5. Venetian Pool – a beautiful public swimming pool.
6. Coral Gables Congregational Church – built in Spanish Baroque style.
7. Biltmore Hotel – one of the most stunning hotels in the country, beautifully restored to its 1920s century grandeur.
8. The Lowe Art Museum – contains European and Native American Art.
9. French City Village – one of several international villages built to add variety to the city.
10. Dutch South African Village.
11. French Country Village.
12. Chinese Village.
13. French Normandy Village.
14. Coral Gables City Hall
15. Miracle Mile – the district’s most important shopping street.

Other Bits of Culture:

– Hemingway’s House in Key West, where the novelist lived from 1931-1940.

– Little Havana in Miami – 3.5 square miles of Cuban culture and life.

– The Ringling Museum of Art and Ringling Museum (Sarasota).

– Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island – a charming Victorian resort.

– Salvador Dali Museum, St Petersburg.

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How to Find the Right Home in Tampa

Looking for home can give you shelter and memories. But searching for your dream home in Tampa real estate is one of the most important decisions in your life.

Yes, everyone wants to have their own home that they can be with for the rest of their lives, a place where they can be happy and have fun with. But buying your own home is not that easy since it needs time and effort but it can be worth while if you do the right things to do.

If you want to purchase a home in Tampa real estate you do not have to simply go to the market and search for home. You might end up embarrassed and frustrated if you do that.

You have to settle your finances first and foremost. Applying for a mortgage is the best option. But of course, you need to work with the right lender. You have to at least contact few lenders and compare them in order to have the right lender. In finding the right lender, the lender should be willing to give you several options and not let you focus on a particular option only. You need to have several options in order for you to choose the one that can best suit you.

In applying for a mortgage, make sure to fill up the form rightly and honestly. Answer all the questions properly and you need to write legibly, this can help your paper to be process right away.

Before moving to the next step, you have to wait for a pre-approved mortgage. Soon as you have a pre-approved mortgage, you can move to the next step.

As a starter in Tampa real estate, you can work with real estate agent. But you have to hire the right real estate agent and not just an agent. You can ask for recommendation from family, friends and to those investors you know. For sure they will be gladly to help you in giving recommendations. You need to contact few of these real estate agents.

As soon as you contact them, you need to schedule each for an interview, this can help you know them better and know their skills and experiences. Take time in knowing which the right one for you is, make sure that the one you choose is a person that you will be comfortable to be with for several months of working with that person.

Give your real estate agent the features you want in a home and the budget you have in order for the agent to seek homes in Tampa real estate market that matches your criteria. Take time to visit several homes. You need to hire home inspector in order to inspect the home that you are eyeing at.

If things go to your plan, make an offer and close the deal. With all of the factors considered and done, you will be having the right home you want in Tampa real estate.

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Skip The Hotel– Next Time Choose A Florida Vacation Rental

Why should you choose a Florida vacation rental the next time you’re planning a trip away from home? Because there’s nothing better than waking up to the sounds of seagulls and the breathtaking views found only along the white, powdery beaches of Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coastline. That is, of course, unless you’d rather dance into the wee hours of the morning at Miami’s hottest nightclubs and view some of the finest anatomy you’ve ever seen (even some that money can buy)! Either way, the view you’ll get of this popular tourist destination is guaranteed to be better if you see it from one of the many Florida vacation rentals that are available year-round.

Whether you visit Panama City or Destin in the panhandle, Miami or the Florida Keys in the south, or somewhere in between like the pristine beaches of Clearwater, you need not settle for a hotel when you can enjoy all the comforts of home – plus a view more spectacular than you’ve probably ever seen before – simply by choosing to stay in a Florida vacation rental.

Perhaps you prefer the solitude and roominess of a beachfront home. Or maybe you prefer to be surrounded by all the amenities that only condo life offers. And even if you prefer something in between such as a villa, town home, duplex, or triplex you’ll have no problem locating the perfect accommodations. And with rates that are comparable to what you’ll pay for an ordinary hotel room, choosing a Florida vacation rental makes financial sense, too.

Yes, there’s a Florida vacation rental that’s just right for you. The trouble is, you’ll likely be so comfortable that you won’t want to leave. And that’s okay. Florida is the one state that will beckon you back with open arms year after year!

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How to Be a Successful Investor: Tampa Real Estate

How can one be a successful investor in Tampa real estate? If you want to try out investing in Tampa real estate, you have to be prepared and armed before you enter such venture.

Yes, it is true that there are lots of investors out there who are successful and have earn so much in real estate investing. If you desire to be one of them, that’s okay, but it is not as simple as buying a property in Tampa real estate.

If you want to be successful, you have to take it slowly but surely. You have to prepare yourself but knowing how real estate investing works and know the methods and strategies that can aid you to success.

Actually, there are lots of ways to learn about real estate investing. You can use the internet in finding knowledge and information about real estate investing. There are plenty of websites out there that can provide you with strategies, tips and guidelines that can help you in making real estate investing. Just make sure to take some of your time in educating yourself. You can also enroll yourself to university that offers about real estate investing. Reading books about real estate investing is another option of learning and preparing yourself before you enter Tampa real estate investing.

Knowing and gaining information about Tampa real estate market is very helpful on your part. You have to take time in knowing the market.

Tampa real estate investing comes with a lot of work; so definitely, you can’t do the work alone. You need to have the persons that can aid you with your quests of having the best transactions and to obtain success.

There are plenty of works to be done like dealing with the finances, looking for the right properties in Tampa real estate, selling your properties, maintaining your properties, dealing with the paperwork such as contacts, and dealing with the profitability. Now, you see how many the works should be done, so you need to have the right team that can help you out in having the best transactions and to gain success with your Tampa real estate investing.

A mortgage broker can aid you in having the best loans you need. A real estate agent can deal with looking for properties and selling them again. A lawyer will deal with paperwork and the accountant will deal with the profitability. So you need to hire the persons that can deal with the job but do not hire just that, you have to have the assurance that they are the right persons. The right persons have the proper expertise, experiences, skills, abilities and very much familiar with Tampa real estate and have the knowledge about real estate strategies.

In order to gain success in Tampa real estate investing, you have to be prepared and armed and do the right things that should be done. Take your time and effort and never rush things out.

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Care Options In Florida

In the state of Florida, almost one quarter of the residents are over the age of 60. Quality long-term care is very important for many of these older Floridians. The Florida Agency of Health Care Administration (AHCA) regulates Health Care Facilities throughout the state and also administers Florida’s Medicaid program.

Below are a few of the long term care facilities regulated through AHCA:

Assisted Living Facilities: Provides housing, meals and some personal services for residents. Residents have to meet certain functional criteria and must be ambulatory and able to perform daily living activities like eating and able to care for basic bodily functions. Bed ridden residents are not accepted. Medicaid will pay for such a facility if both the resident and facility are eligible.

Adult Day Care: These are less than 24 hour care facilities. They offer therapeutic programs impaired adults. These centers offer many activities such as exercise, education, health screening and behavior modification. These centers also serve as a reprieve to the primary caregivers. These programs may be covered by Medicaid.

Adult Family – Care Homes: These family-type living arrangements provide a private home for up to 5 aged or disabled people (not related). The owner lives with the residents. The residents must not be bed ridden and are subject to other criteria as described in Florida law. Adult family care homes are for residents that do not require more care than can be provided by the owners. In some cases Medicaid will pay if both the resident and the AFCH are eligible.

Hospice: Hospice is a program that coordinates professional services including nutritional counseling, pastoral services, social work, and many other services for the terminally ill. These services can be provided at the hospital, hospice facility or the patient’s residence.

Medicare or Medicaid will pay for these services if the patient is eligible.

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A Trip To Busch Garden in Tampa

If you love the exhilaration of twisting, turning, and flipping at high speeds then you will love the roller coasters at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida. There are so many roller coasters to keep you busy that the park will be closing before you know it. But, even if you aren’t a fan of the rides you will still love this amusement park. There are many different shows, restaurants, gift shops, and games that will entertain you as well. If you like rides and the other activities then you will really get a good deal for the entry price!

The best time of year to visit Busch Gardens in Tampa is in early spring or late fall. The reason why is because there will be less crowds and the weather is warm and comfortable, which makes walking around all day enjoyable. If you go in the dead of summer you will be scorched by the hot Florida sun and wait for hours to get on the rides. This can turn an amazing vacation destination into a miserable day of waiting and sweating. Of course, if you visit in the summer you will still have a lot of fun, but it will be considerably more enjoyable in the spring months of March and April or the fall months of September and October.

photo credit: orlando attractions

Another really cool attraction at the Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, that is worth a visit on its own is the safari. Here you can take a tram, or even a private safari, and see zebra, giraffe, lions, and other wild animals. It is excellent and a whole lot of fun. You will feel like you are in Africa and it’s the easiest way to safari while you are still in North America !

You can come to Busch Gardens Tampa for a day or you can create a full week of fun and include nearby Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, and the like in your vacation itinerary. When you visit Tampa, Florida there are so many fun things to do in and around Busch Gardens that you really should take advantage of everything while you are here!

If you are worried about having tickets before you arrive then consider buying them online. There are websites that offer discounted tickets and even combination Busch Gardens-Sea World tickets where you can save some money. You can also buy your tickets at the gate when you arrive. Just make sure you have some cash on hand to pay for parking!