Admiral Farragut Academy: Diverse Upper School Curriculum in St. Pete Beach

ST. PETE BEACH — Admiral Farragut Academy emphasizes a comprehensive upper school curriculum designed to cater to individual learning styles and build student confidence and skills. The private boarding and day school offers an academic program supporting students from foundational learning to advanced college-level material.

The academy challenges and supports students pursuing college-prep courses, honors classes, Advanced Placement options, or dual enrollment with universities. This approach aims to equip every student with the confidence and motivation needed for success.

STEM Innovation and Applied Learning

Admiral Farragut Academy integrates science and technology into practical applications. Students engage in programs like robotics, engineering design, aviation, naval science, and SCUBA diving. These hands-on experiences encourage critical thinking and problem-solving.

Arts, Humanities, and Expression

The curriculum also emphasizes the arts, providing students outlets for creativity, empathy, and collaboration. Through drama productions and fine arts showcases, students find their voices, share perspectives, and develop teamwork skills.

Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment

The school offers a wide array of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, including AP Art (Drawing and 2D), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Chemistry, AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Human Geography, AP Physics C (Electricity and Magnetism, Mechanics), AP Precalculus, AP Psychology, AP Research, AP Seminar, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Spanish Literature and Culture, AP Statistics, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, and AP World History: Modern.

Students can also participate in dual enrollment programs, earning college credit through courses such as College Algebra, Elementary Statistics, Elementary Spanish I and II, English Composition I and II, Introduction to Business, Western Civilization I, and 20th Century History.

Experiential and Holistic Growth

Learning extends beyond the classroom through active and adventurous experiences. Activities like racing homemade boats, piloting aircraft simulators, performing on stage, sailing, and SCUBA diving sharpen intellect, build confidence, and reinforce values of teamwork, service, and responsibility.

College and Career Readiness

Graduates prepare for their next steps with rigorous academics, technical expertise, leadership experience, and a strong moral compass. Over the past three years, graduates earned more than $24 million in scholarships to universities. Many students achieved AP Capstone and AP Scholar distinctions.

The aviation program produced nine new solo pilots, and 128 students earned diving certifications, including four professional Diver Masters and four Master SCUBA Divers. In civic engagement, students won multiple VFW audio essay contests at local and district levels.

Melissa Diaz Salas '20, a former student, noted the faculty's support. "What struck me about Farragut is the kindness and generosity of the faculty and staff who helped me succeed in my academics. They made it clear they would never leave me behind," Salas said.