PRESS RELEASE
Monday, September 14, 2020
THE BASILICA SCHOOL EARNS STREAM CERTIFICATION
The Basilica School of Saint Mary Star of the Sea, Key West, Florida is now a STREAM certified school. The PreK3 through Grade 8 school is one of only four in the Archdiocese of Miami to earn this esteemed award, and proudly joins nine STREAM schools among the 170 schools of the Catholic Province of Florida to earn this certification.
“STREAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. To earn this prestigious certification, our teachers had to successfully construct and deliver lessons that integrated all these disciplines while engaging students in interactive, differentiated learning experiences”, said Robert Wright, principal.
The STREAM evaluation process is challenging. Teachers and administrators were required to do curriculum mapping, and hands-on projects. They had to present interdisciplinary lessons plans aligning content and objectives to State Standards. They had on-site observations by the accrediting committee, including interviews with faculty, parents, and students. The school’s many community service projects were evaluated as elements of fulfilling their Catholic Social Teaching objectives. The school was also concurrently evaluated for the renewal of its FCC Accreditation.
“Our faculty has been preparing for this evaluation since August of 2018. We are very proud to have earned this award,” continued Wright, “especially during the challenges presented by having in-class instruction during the COVID 19 regulations. Our teachers are outstanding, our parents are supportive, and our children are thriving. They’ve made our vision to become an unparalleled educational institution come to fruition.”
The Basilica School currently offers PreK 3 – Grade 8 in-class instruction, as well as a Distance Learning Program for those families who wish to keep children at home during the Corona Virus. A “hybrid” program, with both in-class and at-home learning options, is also offered. “The majority of families have, however, chosen to send their children to school”, added Wright.
“The religious components of our school day are essential to our success. Our children engage in daily prayer, as well as liturgies, religious instruction and weekly Mass. With God’s blessings and grace, we will continue to guide our children to learn, serve, lead, and succeed,” Wright said.
The Basilica School of Saint Mary Star of the Sea, founded in 1868, is an unparalleled Catholic school for PreK3-Grade 8 students of all faiths, that provides a Christ-centered learning environment to educate each child in spirit, mind, and body.
Contact: Robert Wright, Principal – 305-294-1031 – [email protected]
The Basilica School of St. Mary Star of the Sea, 700 Truman Avenue, Key West, Florida 33040