Launch Your Future

An Independent, K - 12 Microschool in Pinellas County

Mission
At Rocket School, we believe that education is not just about academics, but also about personal growth. Our curriculum is designed to help students grow up to become stronger, more fully functioning adults, better equipped to deal with the challenges of life.

About Our Curriculum

The Rocket School, has a hybrid curriculum blend designed to nurture students who can compete on an international scale. Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on the development of critical thinking skills. As a result, our students become proficient in the use of logical reasoning, deductive thinking, and problem-solving abilities. All our classes are designed to prepare students for college, and we have integrated financial education into every aspect of our academic program. Moreover, our unwavering commitment to offering exposure and various opportunities ensures that our students are fully prepared for the next stage of their education. 


Our Year-round Schedule

At the Rocket School, we follow a year-round schedule, in contrast to the conventional 8-10 week summer break. Instead, our students have a shorter four-week summer break accompanied by several week-long breaks throughout the school year. By adopting this schedule, our students benefit from enhanced continuity and more frequent learning opportunities. Extensive research has consistently shown that students enrolled in year-round programs tend to outperform their peers in traditionally scheduled programs.


What Sets Us Apart


The Rocket School is a privately-owned, educational institution that caters to students from elementary to high school. Our approach to education is distinct and can be attributed to our success, which revolves around the concept of "F.U.E.L."


FAITH

Within our school community, faith serves as a unifying force, providing a shared sense of purpose and connection. It extends beyond religious beliefs, embodying a collective trust in something greater. This shared faith fosters an environment of understanding, compassion, and resilience, becoming the foundation for a cohesive community that thrives on shared values and a sense of purpose. 


UNIQUE ENVIROMENT

Regardless of your child's intelligence, their potential can be hindered by the environment they are in. The Rocket School prioritizes the well-being of its students by not accepting those with behavior problems or a history of infractions. This makes our school a secure and bully-free space. By enrolling your child at the Rocket School, you are providing them with the opportunity to be surrounded by motivated students who are eager to be here, exhibit good behavior, and have a genuine desire to learn. 


EMPOWERMENT

Empowerment at Rocket School is the catalyst for individual and collective growth. It encourages each member to discover and leverage their unique strengths, fostering a resilient and confident community. This commitment to empowerment creates a dynamic environment where individuals not only realize their potential but contribute meaningfully to the collective strength of the community.

 At our school, we prioritize small class sizes to ensure personalized attention for each student. Our classes have an average of 9 students, with a maximum limit of 12. Through our program that focuses on critical thinking, our students have the opportunity to earn thousands of dollars in college scholarships every year, contributing to a school total that reaches into the millions. Our approach consists of several key components:

  • Small classes – With an average class size of 9 students (maximum limit of 12), we create an ideal environment for effective learning and individual growth.
  • Multiage classes – In a mixed age classroom, students can move at their own pace and learn from each other. 
  • Mastery Learning – A personalized learning approach that allows students to progress at their own pace and master each concept before moving on to the next. 
  • Distinct curriculum – The Rocket School has developed a curriculum exclusively designed for our students. Unlike generic curricula, ours is innovative, flexible, and customized to meet the specific needs of our student body.
  • Financial education – Recognizing the importance of financial literacy, we incorporate financial education into our curriculum. Our students not only learn how to manage money but also how to make their money work for them, empowering them for their future.
  • STEAM – To equip our students with the skills required for future career opportunities, our curriculum emphasizes proficiency in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM).

With the intention of fostering success, we hold high expectations for our students. To achieve this, we provide them with exceptional instruction, support, and resources that enable them to become the accomplished and well-rounded individuals you desire for your children. 


LEVERAGE

At Rocket School, we understand that learning extends beyond the four walls of a classroom. Our students frequently embark on college excursions, both within and beyond state borders, engage in community service, and participate in educational field trips every month. As part of our commitment to fostering global perspectives, we provide students with opportunities to experience diverse cultures, explore novel ideas, and even visit different countries through our Global Exploration Initiative.

STEM Education

Empower students with hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, and math

Mastery Learning

Mastery Learning is a personalized learning approach that allows students to progress at their own pace and master each concept before moving on to the next.

Financial Fitness

Our Financial Literacy service provides comprehensive education on budgeting, saving, and investing, empowering individuals to make informed financial decisions.

Grades K - 2nd: Primary

At our elementary school, students are taught foundational skills and knowledge that will serve as the building blocks for their future education. The main objective of this phase is to cultivate students who are able to read, write, and think with ease and confidence. Our young learners concentrate on perfecting their handwriting in both print and cursive, developing reading abilities through a phonics-centered approach, and mastering essential math concepts. They are introduced to classic children's literature during designated reading sessions and in-depth literature analysis. Our curriculum, based on Florida Standards and other supplementary curriculums. Spanish language instruction commences in the first grade.

Grades 3rd - 6th: Grammar

At our elementary school, students are still in the process of laying down the foundation for future academic pursuits. The emphasis remains on mastering essential concepts and information that will equip students not only for critical thinking in later grades. Our students delve into focused studies in mathematics, science rooted in nature, timeless literature and writing, English language mechanics, and Spanish. Our curriculum, based on Florida Standards and other supplementary curriculums. Chinese language instruction begins in the 6th grade and continues through 9th grade.

Grades 7th - 9th: Logic

At our Junior high, students are guided through the progression from the grammar phase to developing independent thinking and learning skills. During this period, students delve into classical literature and poetry, classical composition and English grammar, ancient history, logic and advanced mathematics. The science curriculum also evolves from nature study to a focus on biology and physical science. Our curriculum, based on Florida Standards and other supplementary curriculums. Students are exposed to trades and have a volunteer requirement. Advanced students in this stage may participate in dual enrollment.

Grades 10th - 12th: Rhetoric

During the final stage, the foundational skills students developed in the grammar stage as well as the thinking skills they developed during the logic stage come together to allow students to express themselves with force and originality. Students should practice writing original compositions, public speaking, and engaging with primary sources and great books. In this stage, students need to earn 25 badges covering topics ranging from ancestry to virtue in order to graduate. Students should choose a program and develop a specialty in a specific area of study that interests them.

Bachelors by 18

College Ready

2 + 2 Earn your Associates of Arts degree (A.A) and high school diploma in as little as 2 years. Earn a Bachelors degree at a college or university, debt-free, by the age of 18.

Career by 18

Career Ready

2 + More Earn your Associates of Science degree (A.S) and a high school diploma. Graduate career-ready by 18 and earn an average starting salary of $65,000.

Trades by 18

Work Ready

2 + Trade Earn your Associates of Science degree (A.S) and a high school diploma. Paid apprenticeships with our trade partners in electrical, plumbing, or HVAC.

Owner by 18

C.E.O Ready

2 + Owner Learn to become the employer and not the employee. Students are required to start a side hustle that earns $1,000 a month in order to graduate.

Admissions
We appreciate your interest in joining The Rocket School! Due to the competitive nature of our admissions process, we recommend that interested parents act promptly when submitting an application. Before admitting students, we conduct interviews with both the students and their families. Currently, we are conducting interviews for potential students who wish to join us in the Fall semester. Students with a history of expulsion or behavioral issues are not eligible for admission. Enrollment will close once we have selected the most suitable candidates and reached our class size limits. To ensure an efficient process and maintain our academic environment, we only provide tours to applicants and their families during the admissions interview. If an applicant meets our enrollment criteria, we will contact their family to schedule an interview after reviewing their application.​
  • 11633 137th Street, Largo, FL, USA

Code of Ethics
Standards of Ethical Conduct 
Rocket School

1. Our school values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of democratic citizenship. Essential to the achievement of these standards are the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all.

2. Our primary concern is the student and the development of the student's potential. Employees will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity.

3. Concern for the student requires that our instructional personnel:a. Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student's mental and/or physical health and/or safety.b. Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.c. Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view.d. Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student's academic program.e. Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement. f. Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student's legal rights g. Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status,
Code of Ethics cont.
handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination. h. Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.i. Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.

4. Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of colleagues, of students, of parents, and of the community, employees of our school must display the highest degree of ethical conduct. This commitment requires that our employees:a. Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.b. Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition if otherwise qualified, or social and family background deny to a colleague professional benefits or advantages or participation in any professional organization.c. Shall not interfere with a colleague's exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities. d. Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct which unreasonably interferes with an individual's performance of professional or work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education

Code of Ethics cont.
or which creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and, further, shall make reasonable effort to assure that each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination.e. Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.

Training Requirement: All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and administrators are required as a condition of employment to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct.

Reporting Misconduct; All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and school administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel, educational support employees and school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors. Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to:

Buddy Farmer Principal – Rocket School 11633 137th St N.Largo, FL 33774(727) 631-4865 contact@therocketschool.org

Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to 

Trenia Cox Board Chair – Rocket School 11633 137th St N.Largo, FL 33774(727) 565-6286 Treniacox@yahoo.com



Code of Ethics cont.
Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call1-800- 96-ABUSE or report online at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/.

Signs of Physical Abuse The child may have unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries; broken bones; or burns. A child experiencing physical abuse may seem withdrawn or depressed, seem afraid to go home or may run away, shy away from physical contact, be aggressive, or wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries.

Signs of Sexual Abuse The child may have torn, stained or bloody underwear, trouble walking or sitting, pain or itching in genital area, or a sexually transmitted disease. A child experiencing sexual abuse may have unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively, fear a particular person, seem withdrawn or depressed, gain or lose weight suddenly, shy away from physical contact, or run away from home.

Signs of Neglect The child may have unattended medical needs, little or no supervision at home, poor hygiene, or appear underweight. A child experiencing neglect may be frequently tired or hungry, steal food, or appear overly needy for adult attention. 

Patterns of Abuse: Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.
Code of Ethics cont.
EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

Participating private schools must disqualify from employment any instructional personnel or school administrator who is convicted of an act listed under Section 1012.315, Florida Statutes.

Participating private schools must conduct an employment history check before employing instructional personnel or school administrators in any position that requires direct contact with students.

Participating private schools must screen new instructional personnel or school administrators using the two employee screening tools developed by the Department of Education. New instructional personnel or school administrators are those individuals employed after the law became effective on July 1, 2008.

Professional Practices Database of Disciplinary Action
Private schools should begin using this tool immediately to search the ames of all instructional personnel and school administrators hired after July 1, 2008, an document the findings.

Participating private schools must prohibit confidentiality agreements with instructional personnel or school administrators who are dismissed, terminated, or resign in lieu of termination due to misconduct that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Participating private schools must post a notice at the school stating that all employees have a duty to report actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.
Code of Ethics cont.

Participating Participating private schools must post at the school site and on the school’s Web site (if applicable) the policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. 

All Rocket School faculty and staff with unsupervised direct student contact have been fully screened and background checked.

All Rocket School employees have been trained to recognize signs of child abuse, abandonment, and neglect, and have been advised as to their status as mandatory reporters. 

Liability Protections Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by law, or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. (F.S. 39.203) 

An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former or current employee upon request of the prospective employer or of the former or current employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the former or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under F.S. Chapter 760. (F.S. 768.095)