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A Hialeah native, Calvo is of Cuban descent.

“Hialeah is just an extension of Cuba,” he joked.

Twenty four percent of the schools’ student body is, like Calvo, of Hispanic descent.

Both schools under Calvo’s direction offer South Brevard families excellent educational options.

“A charter school is a choice school,” said Calvo.

“We provide a quality education environment where children won’t get lost in the shuffle.”

Parents opt for charter schools because classes are typically smaller and students often tend to receive more individual attention. The fact that the schools are free is another important benefit. The situation is even better at Calvo’s schools, both of which offer free school bus transportation. Also, Palm Bay Community Charter School offers Spanish classes starting at Kindergarten.

“It is important to learn another language and this is the best time for them to start,” said Spanish teacher Maria Martinez. “It is so nice to walk through the halls and listen to them talking at least one or a few phrases in Spanish”
While the majority of students are from Palm Bay, the charter schools draw some families from surrounding areas.

“We have students from Melbourne, West Melbourne and Valkaria,” said Calvo.

Set on 10 acres near the intersection of Babcock Street and Malabar Road, the 96,000-square-foot educational facility owes its existence to the City of Palm Bay.

“When the school opened four years ago, there were limited options in Palm Bay,” said Calvo.

“The City is the charter holder for the schools.”

Both charter schools offer a technology-rich, college prep curriculum with individualized instruction by certified educators.

“We pride ourselves in our technology,” said Calvo.

“Most of our classrooms have interactive white boards that help make the classes come alive.”

All students receive free breakfast and free transportation is available, as is a free/reduced lunch program.

Extracurricular activities include sports such as football, basketball, volleyball and soccer, Boy and Girl Scouts, Civil Air Patrol and Art, Drama and Radio Clubs.

Students also get involved with the community.

“We started the social activism club where we do things to help our school and our community, like mentoring kids younger than us,” said 9th Grade Eddika Perez. “ It makes me feel nice and warm inside that I am doing something for someone other than myself.”

The schools are managed by Academica, Florida’s largest charter school service and support organization.

Both Palm Bay Community Charter School-Patriot Campus and Palm Bay Municipal Charter High School are accepting new students. There are no tuition costs to attend.

The schools are located at 1350 Wyoming Drive SE in Palm Bay. For additional information, call 409-4500 or visit www.palmbaycharter.net.

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