What is a charter school?

Charter schools are independently operated public schools. There is no charge to parents because funding comes from state and local taxes. Charter schools must meet the same academic requirements as traditional public schools but are also directly accountable to parents.

What is Project CHILD?

Project CHILD is an innovative delivery model created by the Institute for School Innovation in Tallahassee, Florida. It features clusters of students and teachers working together over a three-year period. For example:

Students stay with the same group of teachers for K, 1 and 2. This enables teachers to know in detail the strengths and needs of each child, and significantly maximizes teaching time at the beginning of the school year, as well as throughout the year. The Project CHILD model also utilizes learning stations, cooperative learning, and individual student-created goals, in a highly structured environment. This same structure is present in grades 3-5.

Click here to watch to watch a five minute Project CHILD parent video.

To learn more about Project CHILD, please visit www.ifsi.org

Are students enrolled in a charter school still required to take standardized assessments?

All students will be tested within the first few weeks of school to determine their Baseline level. The results are shared with parents and ensure our instruction is focused on what each student needs.

All students will participate in End-of Year testing. Students in grades 3-8 will take the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). Students in grades K-8 will take the Stanford Achievement Test. These results will be used to assess learning gains for each child. Teachers will also administer classroom assessments in each subject area to determine individual growth and identify instructional needs.

Who can attend?

Any student residing in Pasco, Hillsborough, or Hernando County is eligible to attend as this is also a school of choice.

What is the class size?

Class size meets the state mandate, but charter school class size is an average of K-3 and 4-8.

Are teachers certified?

Yes. Teachers will be certified by the State of Florida.

Is there a cost to attend?

No. It is a publicly supported school with no tuition. (See the section of “What is a Charter School” in the school description.)

Is there a dress code?

Yes. Students must wear a light blue, red or navy polo shirt with the Imagine Logo and navy or khaki uniform style bottoms. Spirit shirts are permitted on Fridays with jeans. 

Is there a “Before School” and “After School” Program?

Yes. The “Before School” program will start at 7:00 a.m. and the “After School” program will operate until 6:00 p.m. These are fee-based programs and are open to all students. 

Is there be transportation?

Yes. The school operates its own buses and transports students from depot style bus stops. 

Are meals be served?

Yes. Breakfast will be available to students as a "Grab and Go" meal. Lunch will be available to all students enrolled.

When does school year begin and end? What is the vacation schedule?

Imagine School will follow the Pasco County School District calendar.

What are the school times?

School starts at 9:00a.m and dismissal is at  3:40 p.m.

What grades are at the school?

The school currently offers Kindergarten thru grade 8. 

What role do parents play?

The first role is to make the choice that Imagine School is the right place for their child. Parents are expected to become a part of the PTO and actively be part of their child’s learning. Homework is expected as part of each child’s learning and as a means of informing parents of their child’s progress. Each family is also required to volunteer a minimum of 20 hours during the course of the school year. The principal and/or teacher will communicate volunteer opportunities, and a record kept of the hours logged in the school office. Teachers may have additional needs that qualify as volunteer time. Completion of the required minimum hours will be a factor in re-enrolling a student for the following year.

Is there a company that operates the school?

Imagine School at Land O Lakes is part of the Imagine Schools family.  Imagine Schools is based in Arlington, VA. A locally identified board oversees school operations, with regular meetings open to parents of the school and the public. Imagine currently operates over 70 schools nationwide in conjunction with local boards.

How does the lottery process work?

Applications for a placement at Imagine School at Land O Lakes are accepted online only. The application period will begins October 1st for the upcoming August school year.

As per Florida Statute l002.33, a lottery will be conducted at each grade level that has more applicants than seats available for that grade. Students’ names will be drawn until the available seats for that grade level are filled. The remaining students’ names will be drawn and placed on an ordered waiting list in which their name was selected. Once all grades are filled, any additional students who register shall be placed at the end of the waiting list on a first come, first served basis.

Pasco County residents always have priority over applications from Hillsborough, Hernando and Pinellas Counties regardless of when they apply.

Where do I get more information?

Parents interested in more information are asked to call or visit our office located at:

2940 Sunlake Boulevard
Land O Lakes, Florida 34638
Phone (813) 428-7444