
Elementary Division
Students should feel connected to their learning, which means Pen Prep students in Transitional Kindergarten through Grade 4 spend a lot more time doing. Our low student-to-teacher ratio ensures that Mariners are active participants in their learning, allowing students to have fun and master concepts at the same time. Small class sizes and exceptional teachers create a community founded on kindness, strong connections, and a deep love for learning, where each child receives personalized attention and every student thrives!
Elementary Division Fast Facts
-
Transitional K - Grade 4
The Elementary Division welcomes transitional kindergarteners (those who are ready for a bigger challenge than preK, but not quite ready for kindergarten) through fourth graders.
-
Low Ratios
We're proud to maintain exceptional teacher-to-student ratios—1:10 in lower elementary and 1:12 in upper elementary—ensuring personalized attention for every child.
-
Close-Knit Community
For the 2025-2026 school year, we have just 90 students enrolled in the Elementary Division, allowing students to form strong bonds with friends throughout the school.
-
Outstanding Results
Our students consistently score above the 90th percentile on Standardized testing, with many scoring 1 to 3 grade levels above their age-based grade placement. The average student grows 1.75 years academically in just one year of school at Pen Prep.
What Makes Pen Prep Elementary Division Different?
Our curriculum is built on state standards, but we skip the textbooks. Instead, we bring learning to life through engaging games, projects, field trips, and hands-on activities. That is the Pen Prep way! Our students learn all the skills and concepts, but our small class sizes give us the freedom to teach them in a way that students love. We believe students learn best when they are:
-
Regular physical activity improves physical health, enhances cognitive function, and boosts academic performance. Pen Prep elementary students have two daily recess periods, in addition to weekly PE and lots of other opportunities to get up and get moving.
-
Our small class sizes and low student-to-teacher ratios allow student interests to drive our teaching. When students are excited about what they're doing, they're more engaged, more motivated, and more likely to remember what they've learned.
-
Every student has the potential to be a confident, independent thinker. We shift the focus from rote memorization to active engagement, encouraging students to ask questions, solve problems, and take ownership of their education.
-
The Pen Prep approach goes beyond textbooks and tests, connecting learning to real life. We use hands-on projects, engaging field trips, and creative challenges to spark curiosity and inspire a genuine love for learning. When students are inspired, they don't just learn—they thrive.
But does it work?
YES! Not only are our students happier and more engaged in their learning, their scores show that they are achieving at higher rates than peers in traditional schools, too! Our students consistently score above the 90th percentile in Math and Reading, with many scoring 1 to 3 grade levels above their age-based grade placement. Our average elementary student grows 1.75 years academically in just one year of school at Pen Prep.
A Day in the Life of an Elementary Mariner
Curious about what a typical day looks like for our elementary students? No two days are the same at Pen Prep, but this sample schedule below illustrates how our elementary schedules are carefully designed to blend on hands-on academic activities, social connectivity, and physical activity.
-
Each morning, we greet our friends, work together to build a strong community by highlighting social-emotional skills each day, and watch our student-created morning show.
-
We spend about 15 minutes with our whole class, working on one skill together. This might be phonics with the University of Florida Literacy Institute in younger grades, vocabulary building, or more advanced comprehension concepts.
Then it’s small group time. Our teachers have prepared a variety of instructional activities for us to choose from. They also guide us to choose something we as individuals need to work on. One group may be working on advanced phonics scavenger hunt by connecting words found in the different parts of the classroom, while another group may be using their research skills to complete a project on our theme for this quarter.
Our teachers also meet with our guided reading groups during this time, so we can work at our individual levels. We always work one level higher than our independent reading level with our teacher, so we can reach that level on our own.
-
We have been working hard since school started, so we need a break to get moving and reset our brains! We have a quick snack, followed by recess outside where we can play games, visit the birds in our aviary, build with loose parts, or climb on the playground!
-
We work as a class to learn a new skill before finding a comfy spot in the classroom where we can let our ideas flow. We might be writing letters to our buddy class or writing the script for a play we are going to perform for the whole school!
-
Just like our other academic areas, we start out working together on one core skill. Then, we work in groups with materials our teachers have carefully designed to meet our individual needs. If we are working on something like fractions, one group may have a choice to play Fraction Memory to match a numeric fraction to its picture, or make fraction pizza using playdough and loose parts. Another group might be using legos to create equivalent fractions, while a third group might be playing Decimal Dice, rolling dice to create fractions and then converting them to decimals. We are all working on Florida Standards, we are just at different levels using different methods.
This is also when our teachers pull us into small groups to work on the skills we aren’t proficient in quite yet, even if they are a year or two above or below our grade level. Our goal is to continue moving forward, no matter where we are now.
-
During STEM time, we work on science, technology and engineering, with additional math naturally integrated. This is a very active, hands-on time of day for us. If we are working on The Solar System, we might be experimenting with ways to launch rockets, measuring to make sure our model of the Jupiter is to scale, researching the dwarf planets, or challenging ourselves to create a motorized rover that can move across the classroom.
-
After a morning of learning, our bodies and brains need another break! We can bring our lunch from home or order from Tampa Lunch (offered three days per week).
-
We join together with 1-2 other classes in the school for this. Our academic classes are only 10-12 students, but our recess groups are anywhere from 20-36 students total.
-
Depending on the day, we might have one of our enrichments—PE, Art, Music, or Spanish—or the elective that we chose based on our interests.
-
At the end of the day, we spend some time learning about the world. We use the Florida standards as a framework, but we go way beyond to ensure we can cover all the topics we are interested in.
We finish our day by choosing what we want to do for centers. Sometimes its another art activity, sometimes its building a new creation with one of our STEM building kits, sometimes its finishing a project, and sometimes it’s just relaxing with a good book.
Characteristics of a Successful Mariner
While Pen Prep strives to have a diverse group of students, some learners may be more successful in our unique environment.
Academics:
Eager to engage in challenging academic material and explore subjects in depth
Strong critical thinking skills with a willingness to solve complex problems and tackle new concepts
Learning Style:
Thrives in a hands-on, project-based learning environment where they can apply knowledge creatively
Benefits from experiential learning opportunities, such as experiments, building projects, and real-world applications
Behavior and Independence:
Exhibits positive social skills and consistently respects classroom norms, allowing for a focused learning environment
Does not require behavior interventions or significant redirection, helping maintain a productive, respectful classroom dynamic
Classroom Environment Needs:
Benefits from close teacher guidance to help foster advanced academic growth and personal development
Comfortable in a structured yet flexible learning environment that promotes curiosity, exploration, and academic rigor
Meet the Pen Prep Elementary Team
3rd & 4th GRADE TEACHER
B.S. Elementary Education
M.S. Curriculum and Instruction
Olivia Braunworth
TRANSITIONAL K TEACHER
B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies
April Busby
K & 1st GRADE TEACHER
B.S. Early Childhood Education
Jen D’Amico
3rd & 4th GRADE TEACHER
B.S. Elementary Education
Jackie Ganci
2nd & 4th GRADE TEACHER
B.S. Elementary Education
M.S. Educational Leadership
Telia King
K & 1st GRADE TEACHER
B.S. Advertising
M.S. Special Education
April Knopf
2nd & 4th GRADE TEACHER
B.S. Elementary Education
Sarah Price
KINDERGARTEN TEACHER
B.S. Elementary Education
Britt Schafer
ENRICHMENTS & ELECTIVES TEACHER
B.S. Anthropology
Ashton Connell
ENRICHMENTS & ELECTIVES TEACHER
B.A. Performance-Theatre
Jessy Julianna
ELECTIVES TEACHER
B.S. Biology