McKeel Academy of Technology

McKeel Academy of Applied Technology
Established	1987
Type	Charter school
Principal	Dr. Linda Acocelli
Students	Over 1,000
Grades	6–12
Location	Lakeland, Florida, United States
District	Polk County School District
Colors	Hunter Green, Navy Blue, White, and Red [Seniors only]
Mascot	Wildcats
Yearbook	The Predator
Website	www.mckeelacademy.com

McKeel Academy of Technology is a small High/Jr high of over 1000 students located in Lakeland, Florida, United States. It is located approximately a half mile southeast of Kathleen High School and cannot be viewed from any major road. Curriculum, in addition to being technologically oriented, stresses career choices for each student. The school originally was Seth McKeel Jr High but became McKeel Academy in the 1990s. McKeel Academy is a school of choice; students from anywhere within Polk County can attend. Entering students are selected through an open enrollment lottery. Students graduating from one of the McKeel Elementary Schools, siblings of current students, students that were previously in South Mckeel Academy, and children of staff members are given priority.

Students and faculty

McKeel serves an academically diverse student body. Known as a quality college-preparatory program including several Advanced Placement classes, and a broad array of honors courses. McKeel has a wide range of electives including robotics, art, band, chorus, yearbook, web design, health, iMedia, Ethics, and much more. There are high-school class tips to New York City (9th), Atlanta (10th), Wildcat-Rules(A multiple day tour of the top universities in Florida (11th), Florida Keys (12th), and Typhoon Lagoon (all of High School). During the senior year students are required to do a internship to help get a better understanding of the career field they wish to go into after high school/college. However, many students use the internship program to decide if they want to go in the desired career path they had chosen. Many students also use it to proceed to advanced positions in the workforce upon graduation. They are also required to have 150 hours of Community Service to graduate. McKeel also has a well-staffed and successful ESE program.

Technology

McKeel being a school of technology has equipped all of its classrooms with interactive white boards commonly called SmartBoard's. The school network consists of over 200 workstations connected to the Internet via a server cluster. The school also has multiple laptop/netbook carts that teacher can use for in class assignments/projects.

Athletics and clubs

Boys Sports:(Most have JV & Varsity)

Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Wrestling, Golf, Track & Field, Cross Country. There is a possibility of a football team being established in the 2012-2013 school year. Currently it is a rumor spreading through the school.

Girls Sports:(Most have JV & Varsity)

Soccer, Softball, Volleyball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Track & Field, Golf, Cross Country.

Clubs:

NHS National Honor Society, NJHS National Junior Honor Society, SGA Student Government Association , Chess, Fencing, Art, Drama, Photography, and many more

Growth

In 2003, McKeel sponsored the charter and creation of McKeel Elementary Academy or MEA housing approximately 340 K-5 students. South McKeel Elementary Academy (approximately 560 K-5 students) opened in 2006. Both elementary schools have been rated as A schools under Florida's school accountability rating system for every year of their operation.

External links

• Official website