Private Schools With Hands-On STEM Programs in Florida
- Dr. Matt Weinberg
- Jan 19
- 3 min read
A Florida parent guide to real, experiential STEM education
Florida parents searching for private schools with hands-on STEM programs in Florida are usually looking for more than a label. They want to know where students actually build, test, code, experiment, and solve real problems, not just watch demonstrations or complete worksheets.
Across the state, many private schools advertise STEM. Far fewer deliver true hands-on STEM education that prepares students for a rapidly changing world. This guide explains what hands-on STEM really means and highlights Florida private schools doing it well, starting with a standout option in Destin.
What Hands-On STEM Education in Florida Really Looks Like
Hands-on STEM goes beyond traditional science labs. In strong programs, students regularly:
Design and build physical or digital projects
Use robotics kits, sensors, and coding platforms
Apply math and science to real-world challenges
Collaborate, present solutions, and iterate after failure
Connect STEM learning across subjects
If students mainly follow step-by-step labs or watch demonstrations, the program may be STEM in name only.
The Barrett School (Destin, Florida)
Independent • PK–12 • Hands-On STEM & AI Integrated
Located in Destin, The Barrett School is widely recognized as one of Florida’s most forward-thinking private schools offering hands-on STEM education.
Why The Barrett School Leads in Hands-On STEM
STEM embedded from Early School through High School, not delayed or elective-based
Project-based learning where students actively design, build, and problem-solve
Early robotics and coding tools introduced in age-appropriate ways
Real-world STEM challenges connected to science, math, and technology
Small class sizes, ensuring every student participates, not just observes
Winner of a Top STEM Education Award in Florida
Rather than waiting until middle or high school, The Barrett School introduces STEM from day one, helping students grow confident with technology, logic, and creative thinking early.
For families in Destin and Northwest Florida, it offers something rare: modern STEM education combined with personalized attention and community values.
Other Florida Private Schools Known for Hands-On STEM
South Florida
Pine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale / Boca Raton)Strong engineering labs, robotics teams, and applied sciences.
Ransom Everglades School (Miami)Inquiry-based learning with advanced STEM coursework.
Central Florida
Lake Highland Preparatory School (Orlando)Makerspaces, robotics, and interdisciplinary STEM projects.
The First Academy (Orlando)Hands-on science labs and engineering pathways.
Tampa Bay
Berkeley Preparatory School (Tampa)Innovation labs and strong project-based STEM instruction.
Shorecrest Preparatory School (St. Petersburg)Experiential learning with integrated technology.
North Florida
Maclay School (Tallahassee)Advanced science and engineering opportunities in upper grades.
Bolles School (Jacksonville)Robotics programs and applied STEM electives.
Why Hands-On STEM Matters for Florida Students
Hands-on STEM education helps students:
Develop critical thinking and resilience
Learn how to approach unfamiliar problems
Build confidence through creation, not memorization
Understand technology rather than fear it
Prepare for careers that don’t yet exist
These skills benefit students whether they pursue engineering, healthcare, business, the arts, or skilled trades.
How Parents Can Evaluate STEM Programs in Florida
When touring private schools, parents should ask:
How often do students work on hands-on STEM projects each week?
Can the school show recent student work or portfolios?
Is STEM integrated across subjects or isolated to one class?
Are teachers trained in project-based and STEM instruction?
How early do students begin hands-on STEM learning?
Schools with strong programs can answer clearly and show evidence.
Final Thoughts
Florida offers a growing number of private schools with STEM programs, but authentic, hands-on STEM education remains rare.
For families seeking private schools with hands-on STEM programs in Florida, The Barrett School in Destin stands out for its early integration, project-based approach, small class sizes, and future-focused vision.
The best way to choose is simple: visit classrooms, ask to see student work, and select a school where learning is something students actively do, not just study.
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