WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Right now the transformation of an old car dealership into a school is almost complete. Come September the former Mazda dealership on South Dixie Highway will be home to hundreds of children. It's a project local real estate mogul Jeff Greene has been working on a for a year.
"My wife and I decided that we wanted to create something that would be on par with the finest elementary schools in the world," Greene explained.
The Greene School's curriculum is designed to offer students a foundation in the scientific and design processes. School staff includes some of the best in education worldwide, including new head of school Nan Wodarz who was recruited from an elite school for the gifted in Massachusetts.
"What will look different is you will see students collaborating in the piazza area of our building where they might be working on robots," said Wodarz. "Where they might be doing an art project or where they're doing an integrated humanities project using technology perhaps skyping with experts."
iPads, robots and coding will be part of each day for students at The Greene School, but this unique education comes at a price. Tuition starts at $20,000 a year and a fat checkbook does not guarantee admission.
"When it comes to the older grades we are testing the children," Greene said. "And we will make sure they're able to handle a rigorous academic program."
The Greene School is for gifted children, even for those who can't afford the tuition. As long as students meet or exceed cognitive abilities test score requirements, The Greene School's doors are open.
"It looks like they're in and they can pay whatever they can afford," Greened detailed. "We know half of our kids are getting some type of financial aid. Obviously it would be great if they can pay the whole thing, if they can't that's fine too."
The Greene School is hosting an information session Thursday April 28 for families interested in Pre-K through 4th grade. If you are interested you can RSVP to Julie Carpenter at Jcarpenter@thegreeneschool.com.