Private School


Welcome to Manatee Learning Academy

Let’s Learn Together
At Manatee Learning Academy, we empower students to ask insightful questions, explore disciplinary boundaries and confront conventional ways of thinking. Check out our site to learn more about all we have to offer.


Bradenton's Best Private School 2024, 2023, & 2022


Principal's Message
Welcome to Manatee Learning Academy, where education meets inspiration! At MLA, we proudly serve around 200 students from preschool through 12th grade, nurturing them into successful community members through dynamic social and academic growth.
Our academy thrives on a foundation of shared values that shape our teaching and learning philosophy. We believe every child can learn and deserves a safe, fulfilling, and triumphant school experience. By setting high expectations and providing robust support, we ensure each student achieves academic excellence and personal growth.
At MLA, learning is an adventure. Our dedicated educators engage in purposeful teaching and professional development, fostering an environment of cooperation, collaboration, and communication. We are committed to lifelong learning, modeling respect, and cultivating a caring school culture where every student feels valued and appreciated.
We also believe in the power of partnerships between school, home, and community. These connections enrich our students’ educational journey, making it both profound and lasting.
Our students benefit from a focused education that blends research-based practices with a top-tier curriculum. Weekly professional learning sessions and staff collaboration inform our teaching strategies, while our comprehensive intervention program addresses the unique needs of each student.
The vibrant involvement of parents and community volunteers adds an extra layer of richness to our students’ learning experiences. Our staff organizes exciting events and activities centered around student engagement and education.
Join us at Manatee Learning Academy and be part of an unparalleled learning journey. We can’t wait to welcome you into our thriving community!
Warm regards,
Jessica LeBoff, M.Ed.
Principal

Events
What’s Coming Up
There’s always an exciting event happening at Manatee Learning Academy! Take a look below to view our full schedule, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions regarding a specific upcoming event.
June 2nd - August 8th Summer Camp
Thursday, August 7th , 6:30 pm-8:00 pm Back to School Night
Monday, August 11th, First Day of School
Monday, September 1st , NO School Labor Day
Friday September 5th Get Together with Grandparents (coffee, cocoa, and pastries)
Monday, September 15th Progress Reports
October 10th, End of First Quarter NO School Record Day
Tuesday, October 20th - Friday, October 24th Report Card Conferences
Annual Trick or Trunk October 24, 2025
Monday, November 14th Progress Reports
Mother/Son Breakfast (TBA)
Movie Night (TBA)
Friday, November 21st, Thanksgiving Lunch
NO SCHOOL November 24th - 28th Thanksgiving Break (hurricane make-up days)
Winter Wonderland, Saturday, December 13th 10 am - 12 pm
December 19th, End of First Semester
NO SCHOOL December 22nd to January 5th. WINTER BREAK
Students Return Tuesday, January 6th, 2026
Monday, January 19th, 2026, Unity Day (school day), bringing students together
Friday, February 6th Progress Reports
Monday, February 16th, NO School President's Day
Dr. Seuss night TBA
March 13th, End of Third Quarter NO School Record Day
March _______Report Card Conferences
NO SCHOOL Spring Break March ___________
Friday, _____NO School Good Friday
End of Year Field Trip middle and high school May 2026 - TBD
Middle/High School Final Exams ____
On-site end of the year for Pre-K to 5th grade __________
Last Day of School Friday, May _____
NO SCHOOL Monday, May 25th Memorial Day
Summer Camp Begins, Monday, June 1st
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Admissions Explained
When a child is enrolled at Manatee Learning Academy, a space is held for the entire school year. In the child’s best interest, we ask parents to make every effort to complete each quarter or semester before making changes in their child’s school. When a change is unavoidable, tuition charges will be prorated on a monthly basis. New students will be charged for the entire month when they are first enrolled, and transferring students will be charged for the entire month during which they are last enrolled. Report cards are released to students, parents, or other schools only when the student’s account is current. Transcripts are only transferred to a new school upon request. Unless a student has graduated, transcripts are not provided to students or parents. A registration fee is due annually from all students. This fee is not covered by any of the scholarship programs. Therapy and tutoring services are in addition to tuition fees.
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Manatee Learning Academy accepts the Step Up for Students, HOPE, McKay, Gardiner and AAA Scholarships as tuition payment.
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K-12 Tuition $10800.00
Registration $200.00 - nonrefundable for processing of applications
Book Fees $350.00
Uniform Fee $100.00
Testing $250.00
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Conferences
5-week progress monitoring will be assessed on all students. The results of the assessment will determine the course of additional academic support that may be required. Mandatory conferences will be held at each Progress Report for all students with an IEP/McKay Scholarship. Parents are free to initiate contact with any or all of their child’s teachers.
Report card conferences are held in the First and Third Quarters of the school year. Report cards will not be sent home these Quarters without a conference. It is critical parents are involved in their child’s academic progress and bring any and all concerns to the teacher or office to be addressed immediately. When talking about a child’s progress, time is critical. Teachers evaluate students at the beginning and at various times during the year to make sure students are progressing forward and stop to assist where skills may start lagging. Please do not become a Fourth Quarter parent that becomes concerned at the last moment. We are available to you throughout the school year at your convenience.
Prior School Enrollment
Manatee Learning Academy strives to create the best possible learning environment for your individual child. We do not teach to the entire class, rather we tailor assignments to your child’s current academic level and needs. MLA works closely with Learning Unlimited to assess all families and their child’s needs. Once a parent has decided to enroll from preschool at Learning Unlimited to Kindergarten at MLA, the Pre-Kindergarten teacher conferences with the Kindergarten teacher to review the student portfolio, behavioral journal, report cards, and all student files to determine the best academic placement or any services that may be needed. At the beginning of the school year, the parent is required to conference with the Kindergarten teacher to review all findings and determine the best placement for their child.
If a child is coming to MLA from a public school, MLA will request the prior school records and review all of the information to determine proper placement. Parents are expected to be truthful upon enrollment regarding prior behavior and academics. Failure to be truthful will jeopardize enrollment. Manatee County Schools do not require exit interviews or provide copies of behavioral journals or portfolios for the school to review. Information received is basic in nature, thus requiring us to rely on the parent for additional input for their child. A conference will be held at the beginning of the school year with the parent to review the information received from the public school and create an individual plan of action for the child.
Meet the Staff
Manatee Learning Academy only employs staff that meets the Florida Department of Education teaching criteria. All staff must have a minimum of a baccalaureate or higher degree, have at least three years of experience teaching in public or private schools, or have special skills, knowledge, or expertise that qualifies them to provide instruction in subjects taught.
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Pre-Kindergarten Three: Pre-Kindergarten/VPK:
Haylee Danis & Jolene Gagliardi Helena Wafalowski
Kindergarten
Jennifer Salsburg
​First Grade
Victoria Green
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Second Grade
​Chelsea Busch
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Third Grade
Shandi Liter
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Fourth Grade
Laura Petrucci
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Hope/PE
Amy Marbut
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MS/HS History
Joe Hansen
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MS/HS Science
Roy Jaime
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MS/HS Mathematics
Julian Garroway, Jr.​
MS/HS Language Arts
Elizabeth Koutny
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Middle-High Spanish
Perla Avalos
Middle-High Art
Courtney Tippett
Elementary Art
Elizabeth Berry
Elementary Physical Education
Coach RJ
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Does your child play sports?
While Manatee Learning Academy does not offer sports, students can try out for their designated district school. All students have the same opportunity to make a local team regardless of where they attend school. Students are required to maintain their GPA in order to play as well as for college contention. MLA will work closely with students to make sure they are maintaining their academic levels to not jeopardize their playing ability or future college success. MLA is proudly an NCAA and NAIA-approved school for college sports acceptance.


LEARNING UNLIMITED PRESCHOOL
Learning Unlimited is a private Preschool for ages birth through age four. Learning Unlimited is NECPA Accredited, State of Florida Department of Children and Families Gold Seal, USDA Contracted, Early Learning Coalition Contracted, Childcare Aware Contracted, and a 4 Star Provider.
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Breakfast, morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack are provided.
Learning Unlimited uses the Creative Curriculum and the VALUES Book for character development.
Enrollment is limited and waitlists begin in January for the upcoming school year. Enrollment opportunities can change due to family circumstances.
2023-2024 fees
Registration fee $100.00
Infants $270.00 per week
Ones $235.00 /Twos $195.00 per week
Jr. Pre-K 3/Pre-K 4 $185.00 per week
VPK Wrap Around Fee $105.00 per week
Elementary Breaks $155.00 per week
Elementary Wrap Around Fee $240.00 per month
Bus Fee $200.00 per month MLA
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Summer Fun Camp
June 2nd - August 8th
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Students enjoy morning enrichment classes led by our MLA teachers. Students are engaged in Art, Music, weekly themed camps, and reading and math lessons to reinforce and learn additional skills. Camps surround a central theme.
Afternoons are engaged in the arts, science, and outdoor games surrounding a central weekly theme.
Enjoy the entire summer or week to week. Breakfast, morning snacks, lunch, and afternoon snacks are included. $155/week.
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Enroll for the 2025-2026 school year and enjoy two camp weeks for FREE!
Code of Ethics State of Florida
Section 1006.061(1), Florida Statutes, requires each district school, charter school and private school that accepts scholarship students under ss. 220.187 or 1002.39, Florida Statutes, to post in a prominent place a notice that pursuant to chapter 39 all employees and agents of the district school board, charter school or private school have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.
Section 1006.061(2), Florida Statutes, requires each district school, charter school and private school that accepts scholarship students to post at the school site and on the schools’ internet site (if available) the policies and procedures for reporting alleged misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety or welfare of a student. The notices must include the contact person to whom the report is made and the penalties imposed on those instructional personnel or school administrators who fail to report suspected child abuse or misconduct by other instructional personnel or school administrators.
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7725/urlt/MandaAbuseReportEnglish.pdf
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7725/urlt/EducMiscondReportLandscape.pdf