Academy Prep Center Of St. Petersburg

Gina Tanase Burkett

Head of School

Gina entered the field of education shortly after earning her MBA and has over 30 years of experience as a teacher and an administrator. She joined Academy Prep as Head of School in 2014, bringing the diversity of school management, marketing, and expertise within the educational realm.

Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg is a nationally accredited nonprofit middle school that inspires and empowers students qualifying for need-based scholarships to become future community leaders through a rigorous academic program. The curriculum is based upon Sunshine State standards and geared toward bringing students to grade level and beyond, particularly in mathematics and language arts.

Every scholar can attend tuition-free through the Student Scholarship Fund, which provides access to a college-preparatory academic curriculum, daily enrichment, and summer learning opportunities. All families must qualify for Private School Scholarship through Step Up For Students.

Academy Prep offers a fifth through eighth grade middle school program. Students are strongly encouraged to enter at the fifth-grade level. The process involves submitting an inquiry, registering for an admissions test, prequalifying for a scholarship, attending an interview, and a mandatory summer session.

What they ask for: Qualify for Federal Free or Reduced Price Meals Program; Pass admissions test (60% or higher); Demonstrate character; Commitment to succeed through summer session; Scholarship award (Step Up For Students or AAA Scholarship); Teacher recommendation; Interview with school counselor; Mandatory summer session attendance.