Professional learning is the bedrock of growth and development for all employees at Somerset Oaks, including teachers. We believe that continuous learning and development are essential to maintaining high standards of teaching and fostering an environment of excellence. Throughout the school year, we offer a variety of professional development opportunities designed to meet the needs of experienced educators. These opportunities include whole-group sessions, professional learning communities (PLC), Action Teams (AT), and book studies, among other formats. These sessions allow veteran teachers to explore new educational theories, share best practices, and collaboratively solve problems, thereby continually enhancing their instructional skills. 

To support our teachers, we offer access to the state-approved Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) program free of charge. This initiative ensures that educators have the necessary tools and credentials to excel in their roles. As a result of our commitment to professional learning and teacher support, our turnover rate remained minimal in 2024, with only two teachers leaving. Furthermore, Somerset Oaks Academy collaborates with other sister schools to learn best practices and target specific areas of growth. These collaborations create a broader community of practice, where veteran teachers can exchange ideas and strategies with peers from other institutions, further enriching their teaching practices. 

Our Student-Centered Learning & Collaboration, along with professional development, plays a crucial role in fostering student-driven learning. Educators guide learners in self-directed STEM learning, serving as effective facilitators who inspire exploration and inquiry. Through project-based and inquiry-driven instruction, students take ownership of their education by exploring real-world problems, developing innovative solutions, and collaborating with peers. Learners engage collaboratively in authentic inquiry during ongoing units of study, allowing them to apply critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills to meaningful challenges. By fostering a learning environment that promotes curiosity and independence, we encourage students to think creatively, take initiative, and develop essential skills for future success. 

Our integration of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People provides a foundational framework that supports students in becoming proactive, responsible, and effective leaders. Habit 1: Be Proactive, encourages students to take control of their learning, fostering a sense of ownership and initiative. Habit 3: Put First Things First, guides students in prioritizing their time and focusing on what matters most, whether that’s academics, collaboration, or personal development. These habits help students develop strong leadership qualities, preparing them for success both in school and beyond. 

In addition, our Career Discovery courses play a pivotal role in this process by providing students with real-world, career-relevant experiences. These courses, which include Aide positions in classrooms and offices throughout the school, offer students valuable workplace skills while contributing to the school environment. Through these opportunities, students not only gain insight into various career pathways but also develop skills like responsibility, communication, and teamwork. Our CTE courses, such as Microsoft certification training, provide students with the technical expertise needed for success in today’s digital world. For example, students gain certification in Microsoft tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, equipping them with a foundation in essential office software. Additionally, we offer training in Adobe Photoshop, allowing students to enhance their digital media skills and learn the fundamentals of graphic design and photo editing. Looking ahead, we plan to expand this program by offering certification in Premiere Pro, further enhancing our students’ skills in digital media and video production. 

Collaboration is embedded into the student experience at Somerset Oaks. Students work together in small groups for hands-on STEM projects, participate in peer-led discussions, and engage in cross-grade mentorship opportunities. Through initiatives such as the Future City Competition, VEX IQ Robotics, and the Leader In Me Lighthouse School program, students practice teamwork, leadership, and communication skills in real-world scenarios. Our professional learning communities also extend to students, where they have opportunities to learn from and teach one another, fostering a culture of shared knowledge and support. 

Additionally, our Leader In Me Exploration and K-5 Art programs provide younger students with engaging opportunities to explore STEM concepts and artistic expression. The Leader In Me Exploration program introduces students to coding, robotics, hands-on experiments, and design challenges, fostering curiosity and a love for problem-solving at an early age. Meanwhile, our K-5 Art program allows students to express their creativity through various artistic mediums, supporting their cognitive development and critical thinking skills. By incorporating STEM and the arts into early education, we lay a strong foundation for future academic success. 

Our school fosters a strong emphasis on project-based learning (PBL) through a combination of structured programs and student choice. We integrate PBL principles into our curriculum, especially through the Leader In Me Explorations. At the beginning of the school year, students take an interest survey to help identify their passions and strengths. Based on their responses, they are then placed into specialized classes where they explore their interests in depth. This personalized approach allows students to engage in hands-on, project-based learning that is both meaningful and aligned with their individual needs. 

In Leader In Me Explorations, students participate in a variety of PBL activities that incorporate creativity and leadership development. For example, students might work on projects such as creating jewelry, designing artwork, choreographing dance routines, planning football strategies, developing board games, or even planning nature initiatives like Wilderness Explorers. These projects not only foster creativity and innovation but also encourage collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving, all key components of a PBL environment. 

By offering opportunities for students to choose units of study based on their personal interests and needs, we ensure that learning is both engaging and relevant. This approach supports our goal of empowering students to take ownership of their learning while cultivating skills that will serve them in future academic and professional pursuits. The 7 Habits continue to guide this process, helping students develop the leadership and teamwork skills necessary for future success. 

Engaging with Community Experts & STEM Partners, students are able have access to STEM industry professionals and community experts who provide mentorship, guidance, and real-world applications of STEM principles. We partner with local universities, businesses, and organizations to offer guest speaker sessions, hands-on workshops, and site visits that enrich the learning experience. For example, our partnerships with engineering firms, medical professionals, and technology companies allow students to engage in real-world problem-solving alongside professionals in their fields. Through these collaborations, students gain insight into STEM careers and develop essential networking skills that prepare them for future opportunities. 

Additionally, students participate in career fairs, STEM expos, and field trips that expose them to cutting-edge innovations and industry trends. These experiences deepen their understanding of STEM applications beyond the classroom and inspire them to explore career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

STEM Extracurriculars & Enrichment Opportunities, we provide students with multiple pathways to explore their interests both during and after school through a variety of STEM extracurriculars and enrichment opportunities. These programs include: 

• VEX IQ Robotics Team: Students collaborate to design, build, and program robots, competing at state and national levels. 

• Future City Engineering Competition: Students apply engineering and urban planning concepts to develop sustainable cities. 

• Coding & Computer Science Club: Students learn programming, game design, and app development. 

• Math Olympiad: Challenges students with advanced problem-solving and critical thinking exercises. 

• TV Production & Digital Media: Students gain hands-on experience in video editing and broadcasting, while participating in competitions like STN (Student Television Network) and FSPA (Florida Scholastic Press Association). 

• Journalism: Students explore the art of storytelling, writing, and reporting through our school newspaper, The Dragons Gazette, and have opportunities to compete in events like FSPA. 

• Science Olympiad & Environmental Club: Students engage in experiments, science challenges, and explore environmental sustainability. 

• Greater Miami Symphony Partnership: Provides weekly music tutoring, allowing students to learn instruments and perform in an orchestra. 

• Tutoring Services: Available for students in grades K-8, focusing on subjects like phonics, reading, math, algebra, civics, science, and biology. 

• Supplemental Programs: Summer programs that target achievement gaps and prevent learning loss. 

In addition, middle school students receive intensive or advanced reading classes, supported by evidence-based resources. We also offer STEM summer camps where students engage in engineering challenges, robotics competitions, and science experiments with expert instructors. Many of these programs are free to our students, as they are funded by Title III and ESSER dollars, ensuring all students have access to the support they need for success. These opportunities help students develop critical skills, explore their passions, and prepare for future success in STEM fields. 

Recognitions and Achievements, our award-winning programs at Somerset Oaks have empowered students to thrive in real-world environments through problem-based learning. Over the past year, our school has received significant recognition and numerous awards, making us one of the only schools in Homestead competing at this level. As a STEM Cognia Certification since 2019, a status we are proudly renewing through this process now. Additionally, we have earned the esteemed Lighthouse status for the Leader In Me program, a recognition that only 10% of Leader In Me schools worldwide achieve. These certifications underscore our commitment to high standards in education and innovation. 

In the Business and Marketing program, Won the Future City Best National Project Plan, reached the finals as #2, and secured 4th place in Florida while earning the People’s Choice Award and Most Sustainable Design Award. 

Our Journalism program, now in its second year, has also garnered significant accolades. 

The students created their own monthly newsmagazine and won six awards this year, including: 

• FSPA Best Individual Sport Story Illustration (1st place in Florida) 

• FSPA Best Quick Turn Fiction and Illustration (2nd place in Florida) 

• Three honorable mentions from FSPA 

• PBS recognition for a Black History Month story 

The TV Production team at Somerset Oaks has been particularly exceptional, achieving national recognition. They won first place in the nation among 3,000 participants in NBC Universal's "The Edit" competition. Additionally, they earned multiple awards in the Student Television Network (STN) national competition, including: 

• First place in News Story and Nat Package categories 

• Third place for Feature Story 

• Honorable mentions for their PSA, Feature Story, and News Story 

Robotic program participates in VEX IQ competitions – Our elementary and middle school teams won multiple awards, including Teamwork Champion at the state level and the Energy Award at the Worlds competition. 

Dragonettes Dance Team - won two national titles at the in10sity National Dance Competition in Orlando. 

Additional Student Support & Music Enrichment - Our partnership with the Greater Miami Symphony provides weekly tutoring and music enrichment, allowing students to learn instruments and perform in an orchestra. Tutoring is available for grades K-8, focusing on phonics, reading, math, algebra, civics, science, and biology. During the summer, we offer programs to address achievement gaps and prevent learning loss. Middle school students receive intensive or advanced reading classes, with additional support from staff using evidence-based resources. These programs align with Cognia STEM Standards 6, 7, and 8, ensuring engagement in learning, fostering student inquiry, and emphasizing real-world applications. They ensure that all students have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.