Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Bhaktivedanta Academy prepares students for advanced academic work by cultivating strong habits of thinking, concentration, and personal responsibility.

In the early and elementary years, Montessori education develops executive functioning, sustained focus, and intrinsic motivation. As students enter adolescence, the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme strengthens analytical thinking, interdisciplinary understanding, and real-world application.

Student progress is monitored through classroom observation, nationally norm-referenced testing beginning in Grade 3, and IB criterion-based assessment. By the time students graduate, they have developed the independence, work habits, and intellectual confidence needed for advanced study.

Assessment at Bhaktivedanta Academy combines qualitative observation with objective academic benchmarks.

Teachers evaluate student progress through ongoing observation, student work, and classroom engagement. Beginning in Grade 3, students participate in nationally norm-referenced assessments that provide insight into academic development over time. In the Middle Years Programme, students are assessed using International Baccalaureate criterion-based standards, and students in Grades 9 and 10 complete Florida End-of-Course examinations where applicable.

Admissions applications open in January, with enrollment decisions communicated by April for the following school year, which begins in August.

Families are encouraged to begin the process early, as space in many classrooms is limited.

Pre-K at age 3 offers the greatest likelihood of admission.

Many families join Bhaktivedanta Academy in the early years and remain through Grade 10. As a result, openings in later grade levels are limited and depend on available classroom space. Opportunities at later grade levels are more limited, though admission is possible when space becomes available.

A campus visit is an important part of the admissions process and will be scheduled after an application is submitted. Visiting the school allows families to observe classrooms, meet teachers, and gain a clear understanding of daily life at Bhaktivedanta Academy.

Students entering Grade 1 and above complete a brief reading and math assessment. This assessment is diagnostic and helps teachers understand a student's current academic level. It is used for placement purposes rather than as a competitive exam.

No. Bhaktivedanta Academy welcomes families who respect and support the school's spiritual foundation, regardless of their personal background.

Spiritual formation rooted in bhakti is integrated into daily life at the school, and students participate in devotional practices and the study of spiritual principles as part of the educational program.

Students participate in daily devotional activities as part of the school program. The only specific expectation while at school is maintaining a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet.

There is no expectation of participation in temple activities outside of school programs. Families are welcome to participate in community events and festivals if they wish.

Rather than organizing students into single-grade classrooms, Bhaktivedanta Academy uses multi-age learning environments designed to support individual guidance and collaborative learning. Because learning is guided individually rather than delivered through whole-class instruction, the level of teacher attention a student receives is not determined simply by the number of students in the room.

The best way to understand how these environments function is to visit the school and observe a classroom in action.

No. Bhaktivedanta Academy does not provide transportation. Families are responsible for daily drop-off and pick-up.

Students bring their own lunch and snacks from home.

Bhaktivedanta Academy also partners with a local caterer who provides prepared lunches several days each week. Families receive a monthly order form and may select which lunch days they would like to participate in.

Bhaktivedanta Academy's school day begins at 8:00 a.m., with student drop-off available beginning at 7:50 a.m.

Dismissal times vary by program level:

• Pre-K (Age 3, Partial Day): 12:00 p.m.
• Pre-K (Age 4) and Kindergarten (Full Day): 2:00 p.m.
• Grades 1–10: 3:00 p.m.

Pre-K students with older siblings enrolled at Bhaktivedanta Academy may remain in aftercare from 2:00–3:00 p.m. until the 3:00 p.m. dismissal.

For extended after-school care, Bhaktivedanta Academy partners with Alachua Learning Academy (ALA), which serves students in Kindergarten through Grade 10. ALA operates Monday through Friday from 2:00–6:00 p.m. and offers a structured environment that includes:

• A fresh meal for all participants
• A variety of enrichment classes and activities

Transportation from Bhaktivedanta Academy to Alachua Learning Academy is arranged by the school for participating students.

Many Bhaktivedanta Academy students continue their education through dual enrollment at Santa Fe College, allowing them to begin college-level coursework while completing their secondary education.

During a student's final year at Bhaktivedanta Academy, the school works closely with families to plan the most appropriate next step based on each student's goals, academic preparation, and individual readiness.