Ave Maria Preparatory School
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About Ave Maria Preparatory School is the only K-12 school specifically for special learning needs in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
Ave Maria serves students ages 6 to 22 from Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Myakka City, Venice, North Port, Port Charlotte and Parrish in the Tampa Bay Area. The school accepts McKay Scholarships.
With new findings showing that one in every 166 children in the United States has autism, the school serves those dealing with the autism spectrum and other special learning needs including Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Pervasive Development Delay (PDD), Learning Disabilities (LD) Asperger’s Syndrome, Tourette Syndrome, anxiety and bipolar disorders.
Established in 2004 by Sister Gilchrist Cottrill, CE, the school follows the Florida Sunshine Curricula, but delivers it differently. As Sister Gilchrist explains, “We encourage students to use the Disney side of the brain -- the right, artistic, intuitive side.”
The experienced teaching staff offers strong remediation programs in reading and mathematics. “We use programs recommended by the International Dyslexia Association and the Learning Disabilities Association of America,” Sister Gilchrist said.
The school also utilizes therapies through the arts, speech and language, as well as occupational and pet therapy. It provides social-skill education and assists students transitioning to young adulthood education. Some students return to traditional high schools and colleges after attending Ave Maria.
The school has an after-care program and also provides student transportation.
For more information about Ave Maria,
call 941-322-1601 or send us an email.
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Save April 25, 2010!
Classic Cars Show with food and silent auction. Across from Ringling Art Museum. 12:00-4:00
Our Director
Ave Maria Preparatory School was established by Sister Gilchrist to promote educational progress of each student through teaching that respects individual needs. The mission includes supporting the God-given dignity and abilities of the students and staff and to create a school family where each person comes to know a faith in a providing God.
The school is registered as a special education school with the Department of Education in Florida and is accredited through the National Private School Accreditation Alliance. The school is in the process of seeking accreditation through the Florida Council for Independent Schools. It is compliant with regulations for the No Child Left Behind Act and the Florida McKay Scholarship Program. Sister Gilchrist assisted former Florida State Senate President John McKay in developing the McKay Scholarship legislation which provides funding for Florida students with disabilities to attend private schools.
Prior to establishing Ave Maria, Sister Gilchrist founded the Dreams Are Free educational program in 1988 in Clearwater at Central Catholic High School. The program grew into an education model used in 16 states and 900 schools nationwide. Its social skill component is in every school in Japan.
Sister also served as Director of Special Education for the Florida Diocese of Venice where she designed and directed public/private partnerships with the State of Florida with 20 public schools and 12 Catholic schools for inclusion practices in respect to special learning.
In 2003 Sister Gilchrist, and Gary and Diane Adams, founded The Community of the Epiphany, a Catholic community of sisters and lay members. Its mission is to serve families marginalized by disability, imprisonment and poverty. The community's charism is to proclaim that divine love, passing through suffering, releases the gifts of the Holy Spirit and a mystical taste of the presence of God.
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6289 Verna Road
Myakka City, FL 34251
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Program Director
Sister Gilchrist Cottrill, CE
Ph: 941.322.1601
EMAIL US
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