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AMIkids Maritime Academy

At AMIkids Maritime Academy, we believe in the power of transformation. Every young person has the potential for greatness, and we’re on a mission to unlock it. AMIkids Maritime Acadamy is accredited by Cognia, formerly AdvancED. Credits earned at AMIkids Maritime Academy meet all requirements for high school graduation and beyond.

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Our Story

helping kids discover the potential within

Maritime Academy is a public charter high school that provides multiple pathways to college and careers. The ocean is our classroom, and we address all aspects of careers associated with the ocean: military, oceanography, marine biology, and recreational. We teach lifeguarding, sailing, and seamanship. In their first semester, our students earned certifications in CPR, boater safety, and lifeguarding in addition to their academic studies.

Located on the waterfront of St. Andrews Bay in downtown Panama City, FL, Maritime Academy is the only high school in Bay County where students can access the water without leaving school grounds. Maritime Academy has a private beach area and dock that allows for boat usage. The Academy incorporates marine-based environmental projects and water activities into the regular daily schedule without needing scheduled field trips that would typically occur off campus. Block scheduling of classes allows ample time to complete many of these aquatic and marine activities without disrupting students’ regular class schedules. Using the ocean as our classroom, we are able to prepare our students to be the leaders of the future and stewards of our environment.

Our aim is to be a smaller, holistic school that offers an exciting, high-quality, marine-themed educational opportunity to our students. Maritime Academy provides multiple pathways to college and career. In addition to traditional high school courses, each student has the opportunity to participate in Leadership, Construction, and Aerospace courses. Students may obtain college credit for many courses via dual enrollment. By combining experience, research, proven practice, and technology, Maritime Academy will provide equity for all students, ensuring every student’s successful transition from high school to college or career.

AMIkids Maritime Academy is accredited by Cognia, formerly AdvancED. Credits earned at AMIkids Maritime Academy meet all requirements for high school graduation and beyond.

Academic Programs

Courses

English Language Arts (4 Credits Required)

– English 1 / English 1 Honors
– English 2 / English 2 Honors
– English 3 / ENC1101*
– English 4 / ENC1102*
– Intensive Reading (only for students needing extra help with reading)

* Dual enrollment (college credit) classes may be added in junior and senior years.

Mathematics (4 Credits Required)

– Algebra 1A/1B
– Algebra 1 / Algebra 1 Honors
– Geometry / Geometry Honors
– Algebra II / Algebra II Honors
– Trigonometry
– Pre-Calculus
– Calculus

* Dual enrollment (college credit) classes may be added in junior and senior years.

Science (3 credits (2 with lab) required)

– Marine Science / Marine Science Honors
– Environmental Science / Environmental Science Honors
– Biology / Biology Honors

Social Studies (3 Credits Required)

– World History
– US History
– American Government
– Economics with Financial Literacy

Practical Fine Arts

– Aerospace Engineering

World Languages (2 Credits Required)

– Spanish 1
– Spanish 2

Physical Education

– Personal Fitness (online through FLVS)
– Outdoor Education
– Water Safety

Electives

Embry-Riddle Aerospace Pathway
Classes in this pathway are dual enrolled (college credit).
– Private Pilot Ground School
– Unmanned Aircraft Systems
– UAS Security
– UAS Ops Cross-Country Data
– UAS Applications in Aerial Photography

Leadership Pathway
– Leadership Skills Development
– Leadership Techniques
– Leadership Strategies Approaches to Leadership

Construction Pathway
– Building Trades and Construction Design
Technologies 1
– Building Trades and Construction Design
Technologies 2
– Building Trades and Construction Design
Technologies 3
– Building Trades and Construction Design
Technologies 4

Aerospace Institute

Dual enrollment Aerospace classes are available in association with the Gaetz Aerospace Institute at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

– Private Pilot Ground School
– Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
– UAS Security
– UAS Ops Cross Country Data
– UAS Applications in Aerial Photography

Clubs and Activities

Challenge Course:

Includes a low ropes course and a high ropes course. Through a combination of mental and physical challenges, participants work as a team to accomplish goals. Through a series of fun and unusual activities, participants learn valuable information about themselves and each other. Collaboration and teamwork is an important skill for learners of the 21st century.

Flight Simulators:

Our new FAA-approved flight trainers can help you get on your journey to a pilot’s license. The trainers are so realistic that the FAA allows the recording of flight hours towards certification. The simulators also have a training program included that will teach you how to fly and follow all of the FAA rules that a pilot needs to know. They complement the Gaetz Aerospace Institute program run by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University at the Maritime Academy because Remote Pilots (drones) also need to know the same basic information as a pilot to earn their license. Classes at the Maritime Academy prepare you for both exams.

Underwater Remote Operated Vehicles

Maritime Academy students can complete a training program on the Videoray Pro 4 and earn an industry-recognized certification as an operator. Our remote-operated vehicles (ROV) are the industry standard for small underwater ROVs. They can reach depths up to 1000’ and have video, camera, sonar, hydrographic sensing (water temp, salinity, PH, turbidity) capabilities, and grapples to grab and manipulate items. Students also learn how to build a basic ROV and can compete in local competitions. The Maritime Academy partners with Huntington Ingalls Industries, a local manufacturer of underwater submersible technology, to expose the students to the latest technology.

Naval Leadership

Students can choose this as an elective or attend monthly weekend drills at the Academy to provide leadership, team-building, and skill-building opportunities. Students can also choose to be on the Drill Team or Color Guard. Advanced classes in Naval Special Warfare (SEAL, Marine Recon/Raider, US Army SF, USAF Parajumper) will be held during the voluntary weekend drills for those who are interested. These classes include SCUBA, Small boat operations, Firearms Safety, land navigation, patrolling, use of drones, marksmanship, rappelling, and more.

Sailing Team

The Maritime Academy is forming an interscholastic sailing team that will compete in the 420 category of the SEISA Region. The team will travel to Pensacola, Louisiana, and Atlanta to compete against other High School teams from the Southeast. Sail training occurs after school on campus on Maritime Academy boats with out staff sailing coaches. The 420 class also competes at the collegiate and Olympic levels so students can continue their sports track all the way through college.

SCUBA Team

PADI scuba classes are available for students at the Maritime Academy. Classes start at Open Water Diver and progress through Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and various specialties such as Deep Diver, Equipment Specialist, Boat Diver, Underwater Navigation, Coral Reef Conservation, Fish Identification, Wreck Diver, Night Diver, and more! The Maritime Academy conducts summer dives for certified students and an annual Florida Keys dive trip.

Civil Air Patrol

Eligible students can join the Civil Air Patrol and attend meetings at the school. Members will learn about the USAF and can participate in CAP activities such as disaster relief and tours of aviation commands and activities. They may also apply for scholarships for flight lessons. There is a fee to cover uniforms and some off-campus trips.
Click here for more information.

Sea Cadets

The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps is a US Navy/USMC/USCG-sponsored organization dedicated to helping our students develop great character traits and practice leadership skills while learning about career paths in the Maritime Services. The Sea Cadets meet at the Maritime Academy once a month on a Saturday, and enrollment is open to any eligible Bay County youth ages 10-18. Cadets wear uniforms, attend Recruit Training camp, and can attend Advanced camps throughout the United States. Locally, we have training in Amphibious Reconnaissance, small boat handling, tours of the Navy Base, including Dive School and the Experimental Dive Unit, and field operations such as navigation and patrolling. Cadets who meet requirements are eligible for rank advancement if they enlist in the actual service branch. Click here for more information.

Beta Club

National Beta is dedicated to leading by serving others. Our four pillars are the perfect summation of the core of National Beta. The Beta community recognizes high academic achievement, rewards and nurtures worthy character, fosters leadership skills, and encourages service to others. Being a Beta means being a part of a community of leaders who are positively impacting the world.

Robotics

Students can participate in underwater robotics competitions and land-based robotics competitions. They will learn to build their own robots and compete regionally.

School Information

Academic Performance

For the 2022-2023 School Year, our first grade was a B

The 2022-2023 school year was our first year of operation, and we only had 9th graders, so the only areas recorded were math and English scores. Not scored yet are science, social studies, graduation rates, and college and career acceleration.

The 2023-2024 Schools’ grades are out, and the results are…A! Science was a 97!

Block Scheduling

Maritime Academy uses a block schedule with four 90-minute periods per school day. This allows for maximum credit completion of up to 8 credits per year instead of the typical seven credits offered by most high schools. Block scheduling provides greater flexibility in pupil progression and time for daily student support from teachers and peers. Block scheduling allows time for collaboration and completion of activities without disrupting the regular student schedule.

Period (Block) Schedule:

Large Group: 8:00 – 8:08
Period 1: 8:10 – 9:42
Period 2: 9:45 – 11:17
Lunch: 11:20 – 11:50
Period 3: 11:53 – 1:25
Period 4: 1:28 – 3:00

*Breakfast is available 7:45 – 8:00 am for students

Enrollment

The Maritime Academy serves Bay County students in grades 9-12 who are eligible to attend a public school in Bay County. In compliance with Florida Statute 1002.33(10), the Academy serves any eligible students who complete the application process within the established and posted timelines. If more applications are received than capacity allowed in a program, class, grade level, or building prior to the registration deadline, then all applicants will be entered into an equal chance random selection lottery operated by a third party. Maritime Academy does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, or marital status. Maritime Academy complies with applicable federal standards in the U.S. Department of Education Charter School Program, Title V, Part B ESEA, Non-Regulatory Guidance, Section E. Maritime Academy complies with Florida Statute 1002.31 School Choice legislation by allowing parents whose children are eligible to enroll their child into our school, and to transport their child to our school. The Maritime Academy gives enrollment preference to:

● Students who are siblings of a student enrolled in the charter school
● Students who are the children of an employee of the charter school
● Students who are the children of an active duty member of any United States armed forces branch.

Students with disabilities and those served in English for Speakers of Other Languages programs have an equal opportunity to be selected for enrollment in the Academy.

For the 2024-2025 School Year
Grade	Capacity	Available Slots
9	45	36
10	45	38
11	45	33

(Last updated 7/25/2024)

Leadership

AMIkids Maritime Academy is led by their respective Principal and a volunteer board of community leaders, ensuring its positive impact on our communities.