When it's time to leave the comfort of those elementary school years, it can be a bit unnerving to decide where to go next. Boca Raton has so very many options for middle school, with public school "choice" programs for those kids who already show an outstanding interest or affinity for a particular subject.
You really can't go wrong with any of the local middle school options. It's just about finding the right fit for your child.
To that end, we've profiled the public school's choice options and some of the private schools, too, which tend to have some slots available for incoming sixth-graders.
Enrollment deadlines at the private schools vary.
The deadline for applying to the public school choice programs for next fall is Dec. 14. Find the choice application and all the rules and procedures at the Palm Beach County school district website.
If you have a math whiz on your hands, or a kid who's intensely interested in science - or already knows she wants to work in the health/medical field when she grows up - Boca Raton Community Middle School's academies may be a good fit. The school offers two "choice" programs: the Premedical Academy and the Mathematics Academy that attract students from all over. Read all about it in the blog.
Get ready to audition for Bak
If you have a budding fifth-grade artist or performer on your hands, you will want to consider signing up to audition for Bak Middle School of the Arts. And you might want to start preparing for that audition now, if not yesterday. Hundreds of Boca kids ride Tri-Rail to the West Palm Beach school every weekday - those who are lucky enough to get in. Because even if your kid passes the audition, the final cut is luck of the draw. Read all about it in the blog.
Estridge students wired for future
One
of the most coveted middle school choice programs in South Palm Beach
County is Don Estridge High Tech Middle School. Open since 2004 on the
former IBM campus that was the birthplace of the IBM personal computer,
"the Don" now trains kids for a world of innovation. Read all about
it in the blog.
Loggers' Run: forensics, food science
Forensic science and cooking are on the "choice" menu at Loggers' Run Community Middle School west of Boca Raton. Those two academies give real-world experience to students interested in careers in medical science - and food science. In forensics, students learn the connection to life science and how to identify health concerns. By eighth grade, they solve "crimes." In culinary arts, kids don't just learn how to cook. They're also learning how to run a restaurant. Read all about it in the blog.
Eagles Landing offers engineering
Students in Eagles Landing Middle School's Gateway to Technology program are trained in innovation. They learn everyday applications for engineering technology - to solve problems, use and create products and services. It is a very hands-on program that feeds into the high school STEM programs. The A-rated school, located in West Boca, has about 1,300 students. The school day runs from 9 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. Visit the school's website.
Omni offers full-time gifted program
Omni Middle School, an A-rated school in a sprawling campus next to Woodfield Country Club, stands out in a couple of big ways: With about 1,600 students, it is the largest middle school in Palm Beach County. And it hosts a full-time gifted program, open to students outside its attendance zone. (However, that may change for fall 2013 if the other middle schools succeed in offering full-time gifted programs, too). Read all about it in the blog.
Private schools
Saint Andrew's: mindy, body, spirit
If you're seeking a well-rounded private education for your children - where they can move seamlessly from those tender prekindergarten days through high school graduation - a tour of Saint Andrew's School should be on your list. The Jog Road campus serves 4-year-olds through 12th-graders with a mission to nurture the mind, body and spirit. Read all about it in the blog.
Pine Crest: Growing independence
The Pine Crest School prides itself on being a small campus that nurtures independence and award-winning academics. The
Boca campus at 2700 St. Andrews Blvd., has about 850 students in
prekindergarten through eighth grade. They move on to the Fort
Lauderdale campus for high school. Administrators say they know every kid's name. Read all about it in the BocaParentblog.
Grandview Prep: Child-centered
Grandview Preparatory School is all about personalization. The small private school on nine acres at 336 Spanish River Blvd. takes a child-centered approach to teaching toddlers through 12th-graders. Its hands-on curriculum - with little use of text books - incorporates some Montessori philosophy, especially in the early years. Read all about it in the BocaParentblog.
Boca Prep takes global approach
Boca Prep International School aims to
prepare students to navigate the wide world and to work with people of
different cultures. While it serves children of globe-trotting parents
for whom Boca Raton may be a temporary home, as well as immigrants and
expatriates, it is also a place for local children to get a global
education. Read all about it in the BocaParentblog.
Donna Klein offers dual curriculum
The nearly 700 students who attend Donna Klein Jewish
Academy are getting a college-prep liberal arts education, along with
Judaic studies. But they are also part of a leadership showcase for the Franklin Covey "Leader in Me" curriculum. DKJA
is the only K-12 Jewish community day school in the country to implement the
program.Read more in the BocaParentblog.
New Horizon aims for non-tradition
The middle and high school years can be tough on any kid, but some
students are just not built to thrive in the large traditional school
setting. A small alternative school in Boca Raton serves those
students, who may have some special needs, or just need a more
supportive learning environment.
New Horizon Academy opened in 1993 with four students. Now it serves 40 sixth- through 12th-graders. Read all about it in the BocaParentblog.
many options for middle school, with public school "choice" programs for those kids who already show an outstanding interest or affinity for a particular subject.
If you have a budding fifth-grade artist or performer on your hands, you will want to consider signing up to audition for Bak Middle School of the Arts. And you might want to start preparing for that audition now, if not yesterday. Hundreds of Boca kids ride Tri-Rail to the West Palm Beach school every weekday - those who are lucky enough to get in. Because even if your kid passes the audition, the final cut is luck of the draw. Read all about it in the 
One
of the most coveted middle school choice programs in South Palm Beach
County is Don Estridge High Tech Middle School. Open since 2004 on the
former IBM campus that was the birthplace of the IBM personal computer,
"the Don" now trains kids for a world of innovation. Read all about
it in the 
Forensic science and cooking are on the "choice" menu at Loggers' Run Community Middle School west of Boca Raton. Those two academies give real-world experience to students interested in careers in medical science - and food science. In forensics, students learn the connection to life science and how to identify health concerns. By eighth grade, they solve "crimes." In culinary arts, kids don't just learn how to cook. They're also learning how to run a restaurant. Read all about it in the 
Omni Middle School, an A-rated school in a sprawling campus next to Woodfield Country Club, stands out in a couple of big ways: With about 1,600 students, it is the largest middle school in Palm Beach County. And it hosts a full-time gifted program, open to students outside its attendance zone. (However, that may change for fall 2013 if the other middle schools succeed in offering full-time gifted programs, too). Read all about it in the 
If you're seeking a well-rounded private education for your children - where they can move seamlessly from those tender prekindergarten days through high school graduation - a tour of Saint Andrew's School should be on your list. The Jog Road campus serves 4-year-olds through 12th-graders with a mission to nurture the mind, body and spirit. Read all about it in the 
The Pine Crest School prides itself on being a small campus that nurtures independence and award-winning academics. The
Boca campus at 2700 St. Andrews Blvd., has about 850 students in
prekindergarten through eighth grade. They move on to the Fort
Lauderdale campus for high school. 
Grandview Preparatory School is all about personalization. The small private school on nine acres at 336 Spanish River Blvd. takes a child-centered approach to teaching toddlers through 12th-graders. Its hands-on curriculum - with little use of text books - incorporates some Montessori philosophy, especially in the early years. Read all about it in the BocaParent 
Boca Prep International School aims to
prepare students to navigate the wide world and to work with people of
different cultures. While it serves children of globe-trotting parents
for whom Boca Raton may be a temporary home, as well as immigrants and
expatriates, it is also a place for local children to get a global
education. Read all about it in the BocaParent 
