In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxCarrollwood Day School, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxCarrollwood Day School event, TED Talk videos and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations)

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 30 years ago, TED has grown to support its mission with multiple initiatives. The two annual TED Conferences invite the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. Many of these talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.

The annual TED Conference takes place each spring in Vancouver, British Columbia. TED's media initiatives include TED.com, where new TED Talks are posted daily; the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations from volunteers worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world get help translating their wishes into action; TEDx, which supports individuals or groups in hosting local, self- organized TED-style events around the world, and the TED Fellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

Carrollwood Day School is a world-class co-ed International Baccalaureate school in Tampa, FL for college-bound students aged 2 through 12th grade. 

“Our mission is to cultivate principled, entrepreneurial thinkers for a global society. We do this by enriching the mind, strengthening the character, and inspiring the passions of our community,” said Nicole Ragan, Director of Marketing and Communications for Carrollwood Day School.

A co-ed International Baccalaureate private school for students through 12th grade, CDS was founded as a preschool in 1982. Its first campus was a small location in a strip mall off Gunn highway, serving just 20 students. Today, between their K-12th campus on West Bearss Avenue and preschool location on Casey Road, they’ve hit capacity at 1,237 students this year.

Adopting the International Baccalaureate program in 2007, CDS is now the only full IB continuum school on the west coast of Florida, offering the primary and middle years programs in addition to the diploma program. “As an IB school, we incorporate the principles and philosophies of the IB program into our daily educational experience,” Ragan said. In an average school day, this takes the form of rigorous curriculum with an emphasis on critical thinking, inquiry based learning, and interdisciplinary connections. “Students participate in interactive discussions, hands on activities and collaborative projects that promote that global mindedness of IB, a cultural understanding and holistic development,” Ragan said. Besides fostering a deep understanding of subject matter, the IB diploma program “provides the students with internationally recognized qualifications when they are going to the college level,” Ragan said. This gives CDS students an extra boost in an increasingly competitive college admissions process.

Many people have no idea of the official registration required to even be considered a school worthy of the IB name. The International Baccalaureate organization was officially registered in Geneva in 1968. Originally a 2-year program for students ages 16 – 19, the program focused on intercultural understanding and critical thinking. Years later, the IB organization added the Middle Years program for students ages 11 – 16 and the Primary Years program for students as young as 3. Today, IB has a presence in more than 150 countries and territories.

“We take pride in seeing our students develop into confident individuals who are academically prepared, intellectually curious and socially responsible,” Ragan said. “Witnessing their accomplishments whether it’s achieving academic milestones, achieving leadership skills, or making a positive impact in their communities just brings us so much immense joy and reinforces our dedication to providing an exceptional educational experience.”