Recently Pinellas County Schools created Pinellas Innovates: Pathways to Personal Learning. The program here at Osceola will be called Warrior Academy. Warrior Academy is part of a long term plan to personalize learning throughout Pinellas County. According to Osceola’s Website, a student in the Warrior Academy will “engage in curriculum that is combined with core classes and provide personalized choices focused on the interests of students.”

Also according to the website, the Warrior Academy is designed to “what, when, where and how students learn best” and helps students take ownership of their educational experience and combine core classes with business classes. “The program will start next year with incoming freshmen,” said Mr. Mattheus, who is the club sponsor for Computer Programming and Cyber-security. Mr. Mattheus is one of the many teachers who has committed to the Warrior Academy, along with Ms. Rein, Ms. Anita Thompson, and Ms. Courtney Thompson.

Warrior Academy offers pathways of Cyber Security, Digital Design, Digital Video, Marketing and Web Development. According to Mr. Mattheus students who are considering participating in Warrior Academy should be interested in one of the five pathways offered.

Warrior Academy has a set curriculum, however, it is self-paced and is based off of what students are interested in. “The pathways that Warrior Academy offers isn’t something I’d be interested in, but it seems like a great opportunity for those who are interested,” said freshman MacKenzie McPhail. Once a student completes a class they are able to move on to the next class that is required within the program.

“The program is helpful to students who are interested in the pathways offered and helps students get an individualized experience,” said Mr. Mattheus.