Education

A Parents Story about Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School
By: Maureen Butler (Parent)
(Based on remarks made at the BDCHS Dedication, May 20, 2008)

A new school was recently dedicated and the ceremony marked the realization of a dream that is Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School (BDCHS). My husband, Brian and I have a son who is a rising junior at BDCHS. As a military dependent, this is his 9th school and 6th school district. Moving around the country, we have sought schools that would provide what most parents want – a quality education that will challenge and prepare our children to be productive citizens.

Upon moving to Tampa 2 years ago, we promised our son that once enrolled, he would not have to change schools again. After much research, we happily enrolled him in Freedom High School. Then we received a letter about a new high school opening in Hillsborough County. The media coverage caught our attention because the focus of the new school was academics and college preparation. In spite of the founders’ well-known connections with professional athletics, BDCHS did not offer athletic programs in its inaugural year. Since our son had been on the Freedom football team, this was a consideration. Without a physical building to tour or teachers to interview, we acted in faith and broke that promise to our son. The vision for Brooks-DeBartolo presented by Dr. Phildra Swagger and Mr. Derrick Brooks impressed us. As we gathered information and went through the application process, our son also decided that BDCHS would offer a good educational environment for him.

During the initial information session we attended, 3 things stuck in our minds about Brooks-DeBartolo and we appreciate them even more today: Challenge, Preparation, and Environment.

Challenge. Students are expected to attend college. Parents that choose BDCHS expect their children to graduate not only from high school, but college as well. BDCHS challenges the students by offering college-like curriculum and class requirements.

Preparation. BDCHS prepares students for higher education through the rigorous curriculum including Advanced Placement classes and dual enrollment. The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, in which all BDCHS students are enrolled, provides practical tools, such as note taking and study skills, to help students succeed in high school and college. This past year, students visited 4 colleges to help prepare them to make that important decision.

Environment. The small setting is conducive to learning. BDCHS is the only option for students and parents wanting a public high school education, but not the 2,000 person student body of the traditional high schools in Hillsborough County. Teachers know the students and students receive personalized attention. “It is like a family,” as our son says. The uniform and strict behavior policies make for a more disciplined environment.

BDCHS has provided leadership opportunities, academic challenges, and positive relationships for our son. We see a new sense of confidence in him that will undoubtedly influence the options available to him and the universities and career fields he considers. As a result of attending BDCHS, our son will be prepared for the future. We have no regrets about breaking that promise to him and look forward to our daughter joining him at Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School.

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