Tampa Preparatory School review by Union College student.
The school was best at preparing for writing assignments in my opinion. English classes and history classes both had several writing assignments required and the teachers took the time out to explain how essays should be formatted and approached. Also, the chemistry and mathematics teachers were exceptional and prepared me well for AP exams and college courses in the future. In terms of the school's teaching philosophy, it was more of a class based learning environment. Basically the students would participate in almost any course- in history classes the teacher would ask about opinions for why certain events happened, and in math classes the teachers would ask students to answer questions or derive equations. The students weren't shot down for being incorrect in these environments, but instead learned from their mistakes and progressed. I feel like much of the material learned while at Tampa Prep stayed in my memory because of this. I was forced to think through aspects of these courses by myself, with the guidance of my instructors, so that everything I learned successfully was actually a product of my own thought processes. This is unique because it differs from the traditional lecture class where an instructor simply puts information out there and the students memorize it.
College counselors at tampa prep were very helpful. They started informing students about the whole.... Get the real inside story on college counseling at Tampa Preparatory School as experienced by former pupil and Union College student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
Sample insights on college counseling
They have contacts at most of the major universities and feel perfectly comfortable picking up the phone and advocating for a student to get accepted somewhere they feel is a good fit for that student. However, these counselors are certainly not magic bullets. They cannot guarantee that a student will get into an Ivy League university...
For those wishing to move on to Oxford or Cambridge, the provision is second-to-none. In the months running up to application and interview, every subject faculty offers classes (often run by former Oxbridge tutors) exploring further areas of their subject as well as offering advice on personal statements, interview technique and more...
The SSAT was the main exam that the school looked for. I'm not sure what.... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to Tampa Preparatory School by former pupil and Union College student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
Sample insights on admissions
For the interview, dress conservatively. Try to be very clean and put together. Also, I was a tour guide for two years and at the end of every tour, we were asked to evaluate the candidate so if you think the tour is not apart of the process, you are very wrong. Ask questions and be interested. Also, tip for the parents: the kids speak on the tour. Do not ask their questions for them...
Most younger siblings have an easy time in the admissions process. I can only think of one case of a younger sibling not being admitted. About half of the students who entered with me had come from public schools. The remainder came from private K-6 schools, or had transferred from other New York private schools The Elizabeth Morrow School and St. Bernard were two of the larger feeder schools...
The campus culture seemed to be more of a liberal culture. Although views differed amongst the staff and the student body (as they do in any academic institute), everyone seemed to be accepting of differences and excited to be among a diverse group of people. The school's approach to discipline was perfect in my early years of high school, but recent changes in administration has brought along a more strict approach to discipline that may be too harsh for some. Overall though i still think it is one of the best schools in the area and it deals with discipline.... Get the real inside story on quality of school life and extracurricular offerings at Tampa Preparatory School as experienced by former pupil and Union College student — Login or Sign Up to access full review