BRADENTON, Fla. — Last week, a charter school in Manatee County welcomed its students into a brand-new building.
Visible Men Academy in Bradenton is a tuition-free, public charter school serving boys from kindergarten through fifth grade. This year, they aim to boost enrollment by 50 percent.
What You Need To Know
- Visible Men Academy recently relocated its students to a new building.
- The school plans to increase enrollment from 40 to 60 students.
- A fundraiser called the “Love Lunch” is set for Thursday, Oct. 24 at 11:30 a.m. at Michael’s On East.
The day at Visible Men Academy begins with a warm greeting from principal Tami VanOverbeke.
“Good morning everyone, how are you?” she asks.
However, these recent mornings have been special.
“How do you feel about our new school? Good? What do you like about it? Everything good?” she inquires.
With a new academic year, a new building, and even a new principal, the excitement is palpable.
“The students make my day every single day,” VanOverbeke expressed.
Previously, Visible Men Academy operated in an older building, with some classes in portables. Thanks to a successful capital campaign that raised $2.2 million, they now occupy a larger facility with classrooms designed to accommodate more students. (Spectrum News/Julia Hazel)
VanOverbeke highlights their mission to assist underprivileged boys, noting that all 40 students come from low-income backgrounds, with some facing homelessness.
“Education truly is the way out of poverty,” she remarked.
The leadership has ambitious plans for the future, aiming to raise enrollment from 40 to 60 students. The new facility is a significant step towards achieving that goal.
Previously, students were limited by the constraints of an older building, but the new space offers larger classrooms and more opportunities.
“Research shows that same-sex schools can help boys focus without distractions from the opposite sex. Here, they can truly be themselves,” she noted.
Principal VanOverbeke is committed to making sure these boys thrive in their new environment.
“This is our home now. A place they can feel proud of and consider their own,” she said.
The campus is a nurturing setting where both the students and the school community can flourish together.
Don’t forget to support the upcoming “Love Lunch” fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 24 at Michael’s On East at 11:30 a.m.
Article original publish date: 2025-09-09 05:39:00
Article source: www.baynews9.com
Read the full story at the original source: www.baynews9.com
