Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Apogee St. Pete. If your question isn't answered here, reach out anytime at [email protected].
A microschool is a small, intentional learning environment, typically serving fewer than 15 students per group. Think of it as the middle ground between homeschooling and traditional school. Students get the personalized attention and flexibility of homeschooling combined with the structure, community, and peer interaction of a school setting.
At Apogee, our microschool model is built around project-based learning, daily fitness, and real-world skill building for ages 5 to 13.
We currently serve students ages 5 to 13. Our age range will continue to expand as our student body grows (for example, we plan to welcome 14-year-olds starting in the 2027-28 school year). Our long-term vision includes middle and high school programs.
Not in the traditional sense. We do not incorporate Bible-based education into the core Apogee program. That said, our founders Nick and Karlia are openly Christian, and that faith is what inspired them to build Apogee. We welcome families of all backgrounds and beliefs.
You can read more about our story and philosophy on our manifesto page.
We're at 600 49th Street N, Suite C, St. Petersburg, FL 33710, inside Fifth Avenue Baptist right off Tyrone Blvd. We draw families from neighborhoods across St. Pete and Pinellas County, including Central Oak Park, Kenwood, Shore Acres, Old Northeast, Gulfport, Pinellas Park, and Largo.
If you're looking for a modern alternative to traditional school that values curiosity, character, and real-world skills over conformity and standardized testing, Apogee was built with you in mind. Most of our families are homeschoolers using Apogee as a complement or families transitioning out of public or private school.
The best way to find out is to book a tour and see it for yourself.
We offer three flexible options for the 2026-27 school year. All programs run Monday through Thursday. Fridays are always off.
- 2-Day Program: Pick any 2 days, Monday through Thursday
- 3-Day Program: Pick any 3 days, Monday through Thursday (most popular)
- 4-Day Program: Monday through Thursday (New for 2026-27)
Families choose the schedule that fits their rhythm. This is especially helpful for homeschool families who want to supplement with hands-on learning and community without giving up their flexibility.
The day runs from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and is broken into three main blocks:
- Morning Launch (9:00 - 10:15 AM): Students start with a gratitude journal, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quick fitness warm-up, and calendar skills (telling time, days of the week, dates). Then group conversation where kids explore ideas, ask questions, and practice thinking out loud.
- Academics (10:30 AM - 12:00 PM): Focused time on reading, writing, and math. Students work at their own level using hands-on manipulatives and mastery-based progression.
- Lunch, Free Play + Project-Based Learning (12:00 - 3:00 PM): Lunch and outdoor recess followed by the heart of the Apogee experience: hands-on projects driven by student interests, connected to real-world skills. The day wraps with reading time before pickup.
For a full breakdown, visit our Day at Apogee page.
Our school year runs from Monday, August 17, 2026 through Thursday, May 19, 2027. We observe all federal holidays and have breaks for Thanksgiving (week of 11/23), winter (12/21 - 1/1), and spring (week of 3/22). Fridays are always off.
The full calendar is available on our Day at Apogee page.
School is not in session on Fridays. However, Apogee occasionally organizes optional Friday outings for students and families. These are fun, low-key experiences like beach days, trips to Great Explorations, roller rink outings, and visits to local spots around St. Pete. They're completely optional and announced in advance.
No. We use a mixed-age model where students learn alongside both younger and older peers. This reflects how the real world works: people don't operate in groups sorted purely by birth year. Younger students benefit from older role models, and older students reinforce their own learning by helping others.
Students progress toward mastery at their own pace, not based on what grade they're supposed to be in.
All programs are billed quarterly (4 payments per year):
- 2-Day Program: $1,437 per quarter
- 3-Day Program: $1,776 per quarter
- 4-Day Program: $2,300 per quarter
There is a one-time enrollment fee of $375 per student, due at enrollment.
Yes. Apogee St. Pete is eligible to accept the Personalized Education Program (PEP) and Unique Abilities (UA) scholarships through Step Up for Students. Most Florida families qualify, and these scholarships can cover a significant portion of tuition. We're happy to walk you through the process.
- Apply for PEP scholarship
- Apply for UA scholarship
If you've already been approved for FTC/FES-EO scholarships (which Apogee cannot accept at this time), you can request a switch to PEP by calling Step Up for Students at 1-877-735-7837.
We use a competency-based mastery system. Instead of letter grades and standardized tests, we track each student's growth across core skill areas. Students advance when they've demonstrated real understanding, not just test performance.
Parents receive regular progress updates on their child's development, including strengths, learning interests, and areas of growth.
Our students don't need computers. At least not until they're around 13 and moving into personalized online curriculum. Before that, they learn with their hands, their voices, and their notebooks.
The research supports this. Studies show that handwriting activates significantly more brain activity than typing. Students who learn by teaching peers retain more than those who study for a test. And one recent study found that students who relied on AI tools during math practice actually performed worse on exams than students who practiced without any technology at all.
We're not anti-technology. When students are old enough to use AI and tech tools to create, build, and solve real problems, we're all for it. But we are firmly against using technology as a substitute for thinking, especially at young ages when the foundation for how a child learns is still being built. Our approach is simple: if the tool does the thinking for the student, we don't use it.
Visit our enrollment page to view program options and get started. You can also book a tour first if you'd like to see the space and meet our team before committing. We'd love to meet your family.
We're actively enrolling for the 2026-27 school year. Enrollment stays open until our cohort is full, and we keep class sizes intentionally small (12 or fewer students per coach). We recommend reaching out early to secure your child's spot.
Didn't find your answer?
You're probably not the only one with that question. Shoot us a note at [email protected] or DM us on Instagram and we'll get back to you and add it to this page.
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