The Crenshaw Academy is a secular, K-12 college preparatory school located at 2342 Hempel Avenue in Gotha, a short drive from the Dr. Phillips corridor and the neighborhoods surrounding Windermere. Our approach is built on a simple premise: when classes are small enough for teachers to know every student individually, instruction can adapt to the learner instead of the other way around. That is what personalized learning means here, and it shapes everything from how a kindergarten reading lesson is delivered to how a senior builds a dual enrollment schedule.
Why Personalized Learning Begins With Class Size
You cannot personalize what you cannot see. In a classroom of 25 or 30 students, even an excellent teacher spends much of the period managing the room rather than reading the subtle signals that tell them a student is lost, bored, or ready for more. Smaller classes remove that barrier, which is why families searching for small class sizes so often end up asking the same question: how small is small enough?
At The Crenshaw Academy, the Lower School maintains a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The Middle School and Upper School maintain a 15:1 ratio. Those numbers are not aspirational targets. They are how the school is structured, and they are the reason our teachers can identify a student's learning style within the first weeks of the year and adjust their instruction accordingly.
What the Research Says
The case for smaller classes is not a matter of opinion. A comprehensive review of the academic literature concluded that class size is an important determinant of student outcomes ranging from test scores to broader life outcomes, and that children learn more and teachers are more effective in smaller classes (Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, National Education Policy Center, 2014). The same review found the effects especially pronounced for students who need additional support.
What the research does not capture is the daily texture of it. That part shows up in the ordinary moments: a teacher noticing that a student has stopped raising her hand, a science lab where every student actually handles the equipment, a writing conference that happens during class instead of after school.
What Individual Attention Looks Like Day to Day
Families evaluating individual attention Windermere schools can offer should ask what the ratio changes in practice. At The Crenshaw Academy, it changes these things:
- Teachers know each student's academic strengths, gaps, and preferred way of working before the first progress report goes home
- Classes are discussion-based, so students are expected to contribute rather than sit quietly in the back
- Instruction is adjusted in real time when a concept has not landed, instead of waiting for a test to reveal the problem
- Students build the confidence to ask questions, which is often the single largest academic gain a quiet child makes in a small classroom
- Parents hear from teachers directly and early, rather than learning about a struggle at the end of a grading period
A Curriculum That Meets Students Where They Are
Every division at The Crenshaw Academy shares the same philosophy, but each is designed around what students need developmentally. We focus on mastery rather than memorization, and we do not teach to a test. The goal is students who can think, analyze, synthesize, and apply what they know.
Lower School (K-5)
Young learners set their attitudes about school during their earliest classroom experiences, and our Lower School is built to make those experiences positive. With a 12:1 ratio, students build strong foundations in literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies, with Spanish instruction beginning in Kindergarten. Hands-on and experiential learning keep curiosity intact through the elementary years. Our 2025 Kindergarten class scored in the 96th percentile in Sentence Reading.
Middle School (6-8)
The middle years are when study habits, organization, and abstract reasoning either take root or do not. Our Middle School program uses small, interdisciplinary, seminar-style classes to push students from concrete thinking toward analysis and argument. Formal spanish instruction begins in 6th grade, and eligible students may begin dual enrollment as early as 6th grade as well.
Upper School (9-12)
The Upper School is where preparation meets ambition. Students pursue honors coursework in every discipline, choose from electives that evolve with student interest, and complete 100 hours of community service before graduation. Past and current electives have included zoology, forensic science, psychology, philosophy, film appreciation, video editing, SAT prep, creative writing, intro to business, and leadership. Several of those courses exist because students asked for them.
Support That Extends Past the Final Bell
Personalized education Windermere families are looking for does not stop when class ends. At The Crenshaw Academy, academic support is structured, accessible, and delivered by the same faculty who teach your child every day.
Principal Tanya Williams personally tracks student progress and serves as the first point of contact when a student needs additional help. That is possible because of the school's size, and it means concerns are addressed quickly rather than routed through layers of administration.
Flexibility for Families With Demanding Schedules
Southwest Orange County is home to a high concentration of competitive athletes, performers, and families whose calendars do not match a traditional school year. Our Professional Program was created for exactly those students. Participants attend like full-time students, receive full academic credit, and adapt their schedules around outside commitments, with tuition identical to traditional enrollment.
Students in the Professional Program remain fully eligible for sports, clubs, school events, and graduation. Families can also flex between traditional and adapted scheduling mid-year when circumstances change. You can review the full range of offerings on our educational programs page.
Dual enrollment adds another layer of personalization. Eligible students with a B average or above, along with qualifying PERT or SAT scores and parent permission, are encouraged to take courses at Valencia Community College or the University of South Florida. There is no cap at the Upper School level, so students may take up to a full college course load while still enrolled with us.
Credentials Families Can Verify
Personalization matters most when it sits on a foundation of academic rigor and oversight. The Crenshaw Academy holds five active accreditations: SACS/CASI/COGNIA, the Association of Independent Schools of Florida, the Middle States Association, Accreditation International, and the National Council for Private School Accreditation. You can review the details on our accreditation page.
By the numbers:
- 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio in the Lower School
- 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio in the Middle and Upper School
- 5 active accreditations
- K-12 secular college preparatory program
- Dual enrollment available beginning in 6th grade
- Above average globally in English on the PSAT NMSQT
- Above average statewide in both English and Math on the PSAT 8/9
- 30+ universities attended by graduates worldwide
How to Enroll
Enrollment is rolling, so families can apply at any point during the year. There is no formal academic assessment before acceptance. Admission is based on grades from the student's previous school, and once a student is accepted, we conduct an assessment to understand how best to support them in the classroom. The process works like this:
- Schedule a tour. Visit campus, meet our administration, and ask every question you have. Virtual appointments are available for families who cannot make it in person.
- Schedule a shadow day. Prospective students spend a day in class alongside current students before committing.
- Submit your documents. This includes the birth certificate, immunization records, Florida Health Exam record, most recent report card or transcript, previous school records, withdrawal form, and teacher recommendations.
- Complete enrollment. Enrollment is confirmed once all documents are received and the registration and first tuition payments are made.
Florida school choice funding can make private education more accessible than many families expect. The Crenshaw Academy accepts Step Up for Students FES-EO, FES-UA, FTC, and PEP scholarships, as well as AAA Scholarship Foundation funds. Details are available on our scholarship resources page, and current rates, payment plans, and discounts for military families, first responders, alumni, and siblings are listed on our tuition and fees page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is The Crenshaw Academy from Windermere and Dr. Phillips?
Our campus is at 2342 Hempel Avenue in Gotha, directly adjacent to the Windermere area and a short drive from the neighborhoods along the Dr. Phillips corridor. Many of our families commute from across southwest Orange County.
What are the actual class sizes?
The Lower School maintains a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio, and the Middle and Upper School maintain a 15:1 ratio. These ratios are central to how the school operates and are the reason teachers can adapt instruction to each student.
Is The Crenshaw Academy a religious school?
No. We are a secular, non-religious school. Our curriculum is academically driven rather than faith-based, and families from all backgrounds and beliefs are welcome.
Is tutoring available if my child falls behind?
Yes. One-on-one after-school tutoring with our own teachers is offered Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays until 4:00 PM at $60 per hour, scheduled through the school office.
Can my child earn college credit before graduating?
Yes. Dual enrollment is available to eligible students beginning in 6th grade, and Upper School juniors and seniors are encouraged to take courses at Valencia Community College or the University of South Florida.
What if my child has an interest the curriculum does not cover?
We work with students, teachers, and families to find or provide resources that extend learning beyond the standard program. Upper School students may also arrange independent study for additional credit.
See It for Yourself
The most reliable way to judge whether a school truly personalizes learning is to watch a class in session and see how teachers interact with students. We encourage every family considering us to do exactly that. Schedule a campus tour, bring your questions, and let your student spend a shadow day with us before making any decision.
To start the conversation, visit our contact page or call the school office at 407-757-2241. You can also learn more about The Crenshaw Academy and read what families have shared on our testimonials page.
