Scholars Academy for Innovation and Leadership

Discover Excellence at Osceola Middle School

Home of the Highest Performing Middle School in Marion County!

Scholars Academy for Innovation and Leadership

Preparing Future Leaders for High School and Beyond

Osceola Middle School’s Scholars Academy is a dynamic magnet program that empowers students with the academic rigor and leadership skills needed to thrive in high school, college, and beyond. Our precollegiate model fosters innovation, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership.

Program Highlights

  • Advanced Academic Pathways- Students earn up to 9 high school credits by 8th grade—qualifying for dual enrollment.

  • Leadership Development- Through workshops, clubs, and student government, scholars grow as confident leaders.

  • Character Building- Core values like perseverance, integrity, empathy, and will are woven into every lesson.

  • Innovative Instruction- Project-based learning, collaborative work, and teacher mentorship drive student success.

  • Exclusive Opportunities- Eligible students enjoy college field trips, SAIL club, and more!

Academic Expectations

  • Maintain Minimum GPA and Attendance
    Students must consistently meet the required GPA (3.5 unweighted) and attendance standards to remain eligible for PreAP courses.

  • Follow an Approved Course Pathway
    Students must pursue one of the designated academic pathways that lead to enrollment in PreAP courses. These pathways are de    signed to ensure readiness and success in advanced coursework.

Instructional Strategies

  • Integrated curriculum with embedded leadership traits

  • Challenging coursework and dual enrollment prep

  • Collaborative learning and peer leadership

  • Continuous feedback and personal growth reflection

  • Teacher modeling of character and leadership

Enrollment Information

A Two-Pronged Implementation Approach

The Scholars Academy will be implemented through a dynamic two-pronged approach: Engagement and Exploration, designed to elevate academic excellence and prepare students for advanced educational pathways.

1. Engagement: Elevating Learning Schoolwide

The Engagement component is a schoolwide initiative aimed at increasing rigor, critical thinking, and academic acceleration across all classrooms. This approach ensures that every student benefits from high-impact instructional strategies that yield the highest levels of learning. Teachers will be supported in implementing practices that challenge students to think deeply, solve complex problems, and engage in meaningful discourse. The goal is to cultivate a culture of excellence where all students are empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Key elements include:

  • Use of evidence-based strategies that promote inquiry and analysis.

  • Differentiated instruction to meet diverse learning needs.

  • Opportunities for acceleration and enrichment in core subjects.

2. Exploration: Enriching the Scholars Experience

Students formally enrolled in the Scholars Academy will have access to unique enrichment opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. These experiences are designed to foster leadership, curiosity, and college readiness.

Exploration opportunities include:

  • College Field Trips: Visits to local universities and colleges to expose students to post-secondary environments and inspire future academic goals.

  • Leadership Development Activities:

  • Career and Interest Exploration: Students will engage in hands-on activities, guest speaker sessions, and mini-internships aligned with their interests.

As students progress through the Scholars Academy, they will receive personalized guidance in 8th grade to help navigate early college and advanced academic options. This includes support in understanding and preparing for:

  • Dual Enrollment

  • Advanced Placement (AP)

  • AICE Cambridge

  • International Baccalaureate (IB)

By the time students leave Osceola’s Scholars Academy, they will be well-positioned to pursue any advanced academic track with confidence and clarity.

Suggested Academic Pathway

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

  • Advanced Track (Recommended)

    • Accelerated Math

    • Advanced ELA

    • Advanced World History

    • Advanced Earth & Space Science

  • Enrichment Opportunities

    • Field Trip to College of Central Florida (CF)

    • Participation in SAIL club (optional)

  • Advanced Track (Recommended)

    • Advanced Math / PreAP Algebra 1

    • Advanced ELA

    • Advanced World History

    • Advanced Life Science 

  • Enrichment Opportunities

    • Field Trip to CF

    • Participation in SAIL Club (Optional)

  • Advanced Track (Recommended)

    • PreAP English

    • PreAP Algebra 1 or Geometry

    • Physical Science Honors

    • Spanish 1(if available)

  • Enrichment Opportunities

    • Participation in SAIL Club

    • Field Trip to CF or On-Campus Activities with CF (Discipline-Specific)

Note: Students must complete a minimum of 4 high school credit courses by the end of 8th grade.

High School Credit Course Offerings

  • PreAP Algebra 1

  • Geometry

  • PreAP English 1

  • Physical Science Honors

  • Spanish 2 (26-27 SY) 

  • Agricultural Science Foundations

  • Digital Information Technology

  • Culinary Arts

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is Osceola open for magnet applications?
    In today’s era of school choice, opening Osceola to magnet applications allows us to expand access and provide more students the opportunity to be part of the exciting and innovative programs happening at our school.

  • How many students will be accepted?
    The exact number of accepted students depends on current enrollment of zoned students and how close we are to our overall school capacity. Some schools may be able to accept hundreds of magnet students, while others may only have room for a few. At Osceola, we anticipate that available seats will be very limited.

  • Are magnet students kept separate from other students?
    No. The Scholars Academy for Innovation and Leadership (SAIL) is a schoolwide initiative that is integrated into everything we do. All students benefit from our push for excellence. SAIL students, who meet specific program requirements, will have access to unique opportunities such as college partnerships, specialized clubs, and leadership activities.

  • Is transportation provided?
    Transportation is not provided for students attending Osceola through the magnet application process.

  • What happens if my student struggles to meet program requirements? Will they be removed from the school?
    We have strong support systems in place to help students succeed. If a student begins to struggle, they will not be automatically removed from Osceola. Instead, we will work closely with families to provide the necessary support and determine the best course of action for the student’s success.

Tour Osceola Middle School!

 Join us for a campus tour on:

  • 📅 November 19, 2025, 1:15 PM

  • 📅 December 10, 2025, 1:15 PM

  • 📅 January 14, 2026, 1:15 PM

If these dates don’t work for your schedule, please contact us to arrange an individual tour!

📣 Join the Best—Join Osceola!

Principal: Renee Johnson

Program Facilitator: Ashley Grimes

📞 For more information, contact Osceola Middle School at (352) 671-7100