About Pine View School
Mission Statement
The mission of Pine View School is to provide a qualitatively different learning environment that nurtures a passion for intellectual curiosity, encourages risk taking, independence and innovation, and is committed to a tradition of academic excellence and social responsibility.
Overview
Pine View is a special program designed to meet the unique needs of intellectually gifted students in grades two through twelve on a broad-based campus.
Students may be referred to Pine View by administrators, teachers, staff members or parents. Inquiries should be directed to the student's current school, as interviews and testing continue throughout the year. Children are admitted based on a series of tests, recommendations and other pertinent data as required by the State Department of Education. These are reviewed by a committee of teachers and other personnel.
Gifted children in Sarasota County may attend either Pine View or their other district schools, wherever it is determined their needs are best met. A student may be invited to enroll only at the beginning of the academic school year at Pine View, pending eligibility, performance, and academic suitability. Enrollment in other gifted programs at other school's sites may be considered during the school year.
The basic curriculum conforms to local and state requirements as expressed in accreditation standards and the officially approved programs of studies.
Generally, children are enrolled in the same required courses as are offered in other schools, using both state adopted and nonadopted textbooks as well as other instructional materials. However, these instructional materials may not necessarily correspond directly with the grade levels in other school programs.
There are some curricular variations such as self-pacing, independent study, ungraded classes and mini-courses. Many children are enrolled in courses which cross grade levels. Beyond the primary grades, the school is departmentalized. Teachers typically teach several grades and courses daily within a department.
School hours and daily attendance follow the general pattern of the school system. Currently the school operates from 9:15am-3:52pm daily. High School students have the option of starting school as early as 7:21am, and ending as early as 1:05pm. Teacher selection, financing and administration are all part of the county school system, in conjunction with the Division of Exceptional Student Education.
History
Pine View School, established in 1969, is Sarasota County's public school for intellectually gifted students. As a public school, Pine View is open to students throughout Sarasota County. Pine View offers classes in grades 2 through 12.
212 PHILOSOPHY
Pine View's staff and students are building a philosophy and creating a school motto:
At 211 degrees, water is hot.
At 212 degrees, it boils.
And with boiling water, comes steam.
And with steam, you can power a train.
One degree more = Exponential Results
-- By S.l. Parker
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE: PINE VIEW IN THE NEWS