Lower School Resources Directory
Academics
Table of Contents
What is STEAM Education?
STEAM is an interdisciplinary area of study to bridge the five areas of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. By integrating STEAM lessons in the curriculum, students learn and are able to apply understanding of how the world works within and across these five interrelated domains. A STEAM education ensures a new workforce of problem-solvers, innovators, and inventors who are self-reliant and able to succeed in the knowledge-based workplace and community.
STEAM projects require students to systematically think through problems, applying the information they learn along the way about technology and engineering to figure out the best solutions. Strategically placing students together in groups can create powerful teams in which students learn how to help each other and figure out how to use their different strengths and skill sets. Cross-curricular projects engage different parts of students’ brains so they are seeing the project through different lenses, focusing on details while also learning to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.
In a STEAM classroom, students experience guided inquiry in which they must ask thoughtful questions, discover answers, apply what they learn and problem-solve creatively. STEAM projects involve teamwork and thoughtful dialogue where students are able to exchange ideas and discuss various solutions to a problem. In doing so, students learn how to delegate, compromise, and understand different points of view. This shifts students toward investigating and questioning the interrelated facets of the world.
At Avant Garde Academy, we believe by providing students digital access and infusing technology across and within the curriculum that our students will become responsible digital participants in our society. We use technology to:
Create Active Listeners
Enhance Group Participation
Engage Learners and Enhance Feedback
Connect Students with Real World Experts
The Leader in Me
Leadership. Culture. Academics.
We are proud to be a school that fully embraces the Leader in Me program.
Students are taught social emotional standards by Broward County Schools:
Self-Awareness and Self-Management
Relationship Skills and Social Awareness
Responsible Decision Making
The Leader in Me Program Fosters:
Growth Mindset
Communication Skills & Manners
Bully Prevention and Conflict & Resolution Skills
Empowerment
Human Connection
The Leader in Me is Franklin Covey’s whole-child and school transformation process. It is an evidence based, comprehensive school improvement model developed in partnership with educators to empower students. It teaches 21st century leadership and life skills to students and creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader.
AGA strives to help students achieve their potential by encouraging all staff, students, and families to use the 7 Habits language regularly. Our mission is to develop active student leaders with creative minds, understanding, compassion, and the courage to act on their personal beliefs.
AGA prides itself on providing opportunities for students to develop their full potential. The Leader in Me is also aligned with many national and state academic standards. The program equips students with the skills needed for academic success in any setting. These skills include critical thinking, goal setting, listening and speaking, self-directed learning, presentation-making, and the ability to work in groups.
The Summer Bridge Program is available for students to continue practicing and strengthening their Reading, Math, and Science/STEAM skills over the summer.
This program includes meaningful activities to help students review key skills and prepare for the upcoming school year.
Lower School Summer Bridge Project
Program Details:
✓ Complete the grade level Reading, Math, and Science/STEAM activities over the summer
✓ Complete weekly lessons on i-Ready and IXL through Clever
✓ Work should be completed for the grade level students will enter in the 2026–2027 school year. Completed projects may be turned in during the first week of school for extra credit.
Summer Bridge Program Access:
Student Life
Table of Contents
Service Learning Academies
K - 5
K - 2nd grade learn the habits.
3rd - 5th grade apply the habits.
Free K - 5 Extracurricular Activities
Arts and Crafts
NEHS
Yearbook
Lighthouse
Intramural Sports
Yoga
Debate
Drama
Robotics
STEAM
Special Area Classes
Art
Music
STEAM
Leader in Me
Media
Physical Education
Lower School Spirit Shirt
Student Belonging
Empowered students who take ownership of their learning and actions! Students who are confident and are prepared to make a positive impact on their community!
Community Engagement
Future student Leaders with a variety of strengths and talents! Students who see their genius! Students who can set goals! Effective and positive members of society! Our future leaders and members of society!
Academic Support & School Counseling.
Student Support Services
ESE
ESOL
Request a Transcript
School Counseling
Table of Contents
Mental Health & Wellness
If there is an imminent threat or concern, call 911, the Mobile Crisis Response Team at 954-677-3113, or First Call for Help at 954-357-0211. Additional mental health resources can be found on the District’s overview page and the BCPS Mental Health Hotline at 754-321-HELP.
Student Safety & Reporting
Family Counseling
The family therapists address a variety of family and emotional problems in counseling and provide therapy for individuals and families free of charge. When someone experiences emotional difficulty, they may suffer repercussions that lead to problems in their general daily functioning. For students, this is often evident in the academic arena. Frequently, school-related problems may be symptomatic of those troubles.
Family therapists also address problems related to trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, stress management, communication skills, personal issues, and many more.
Mental Health Resources
Avant Garde Academy is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of every student. Families can access additional counseling, wellness, crisis, and community resources through Broward County Public Schools and local organizations.
Community Crisis Support:
211 Broward — Free, confidential, 24/7 information and referrals for local health, mental health, family, and community services. Call 211 or text 898211.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 for 24/7 crisis support.
NAMI Broward County — Mental health education, support, and community resources.
Mental Health America of Southeast Florida — Mental health education and local resources.
SAMHSA — National resources for mental health and substance use support.
If you or someone you know is experiencing an immediate emergency, call 911.
BCPS Resources:
BCPS Mental Health & Wellness Portal — Mental health information, wellness resources, counseling, crisis support, and community services.
BCPS Family Counseling Program — Free counseling services for BCPS students and families. 754-321-1590
BCPS School Counseling — Resources for academic, personal, social-emotional, college, and career support.
BCPS Help Is Here — Connects students with trusted adults and mental health resources.
BCPS Community Resources — Local resources for mental health, crisis support, housing, food security, and family services.
Suicide Prevention
Suicide is currently the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-14 and the third leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2022). Awareness is one of the most critical steps to prevention. This starts by talking about suicide with our youth, recognizing warning signs, and understanding risk factors. The National Association for School Psychologists (NASP) offers tips for parents and educators on risk factors, warning signs, what to do, and reminders. Together, families, educators, and community partners can support our students and save thousands of lives.
Suicide Prevention Quick Links
Reporting Abuse
Report Child Abuse
If you know, suspect, or someone tells you about:
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Child-on-Child Abuse
Neglect
Abandonment
Child Abuse, Abandonment and Neglect Policy
Section 1006.061(1), Florida Statutes requires each district school, charter school, and private school that accepts scholarship students under section 220.187 or section 1002.39 to post in a prominent place a notice that pursuant to Chapter 39 all employees and agents of the district school board, charter school, or private school have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Read more about reporting child abuse.
Section 1006.061(2), Florida Statutes, requires each district school, charter school, and private school that accepts scholarship students to post at the school site and on the school’s internet site (if available) the policies and procedures for reporting alleged misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. The notices must include the contact person to whom the report is made and the penalties imposed on those instructional personnel or school administrators who fail to report suspected child abuse or misconduct by other instructional personnel or school administrators.
Report Educator Misconduct
If you know, or someone tells you about:
Obscene language
Drug and alcohol use
Disparaging comments
Prejudice or bigotry
Sexual innuendo
Cheating
Testing violations
Physical aggression
Accept or offer favors
All employees and agents of a public school district, charter school, or private school, have an obligation and legal responsibility to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators, which affects the health, safety or welfare of a student.
Failure to report misconduct may result in penalties up to termination of employment and revocation of educator misconduct.
Social Support
Students who are confident, responsible leaders capable of taking charge of their learning and actions! Students who excel academically, socially, and emotionally while feeling a sense of pride and belonging! Families who are engaged and valued partners in their child’s education! A school environment where leadership, achievement, and community spirit are celebrated daily!