How to Apply
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A Quick Reference for Rowlett Middle Academy
We are a Public Charter School:
Rowlett Middle Academy (RMA) for the arts, communication, and leadership is a tuition-free, public school run by a not-for-profit corporation under contract with a sponsor, usually the local school board. Rowlett Academy is not for profit Florida Corporation recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt, 501 (c)(3) corporation, under contract with the Manatee County School Board. Under Florida Law, charter schools are fully recognized as public schools. All students in Manatee County are eligible to apply to attend RMA.
Mission Statement:
The mission of Rowlett Middle Academy is to provide a high-quality educational experience that will foster a love of learning. Rowlett Middle Academy will promote creativity and excellence in academics by integrating communication, the arts, and leadership through a framework of 21st-century learning.
Rowlett Middle Academy believes we can best accomplish our mission by utilizing a curriculum in the core subject areas (math, science, social studies, and language arts) that infuses and integrates the visual and performing arts. At RMA we also offer a broad range of visual, performing arts, and communication elective courses.
RMA Contract:
All students and parents will be required to sign and adhere to our contract. The contract requires students and parents to be involved and to support our policies, procedures, rules, and volunteer commitment. Failure to uphold the contract may result in the student attending another school.
Uniforms:
RMA is a uniform school. All students are expected to strictly adhere to the RMA school dress code. RMA uniforms can be purchased locally from Manatee Apparel! Please order via their website at https://stores.inksoft.com/rowlettmiddleacademy/home or visit them at 1130 9th Street W. Bradenton FL 34205.
Uniform shirts can also be purchased independently from your choice of store, but must abide by our detailed dress code. For shirts requiring the RMA patch, you can purchase a patch from the RMA office to be sewn on clothing items. In addition, you can bring shirts to Joyce Cacese, the owner of Sew What???, who has been given permission to embroider the RMA logo directly on to uniform shirts that parents provide to her. She can also sew on any patches that you buy from the RMA main office. Sew What ???, 3217 6th Ave West Palmetto, FL 34221 Owner: Joyce Cacese 941-721-0775. You may also order RMA uniforms online from Lands’ End.
The RMA administration has the final authority in determining if dress attire is appropriate. As fashion trends change, this policy, without notice, may be adjusted accordingly.
Transportation:
Transportation is provided on a first-come, first-served basis for Manatee County students. Students are picked up at hub stops located conveniently throughout our county.
Teacher and Administrators Qualifications:
Teachers employed by RMA are certified by the State of Florida. RMA will not employ an individual to provide instructional services or to serve as a teacher’s aide if the individual's certification or licensure as an educator is suspended or revoked by any state. Administrators, staff, and any other employee will be selected on the basis of educational background and/or work experience that demonstrates appropriate preparation for the position as determined by our Board of Directors. All employees and independent contractors will be fingerprinted.
This information is provided to assist parents and students who are considering enrolling in Rowlett Middle Academy. This information was accurate at the time of publishing. Specific information may change. If you have questions, please call 941-462-4001 and speak to a member of our office team.
Please contact our school office at 941-462-4001 and/or email our registrar, Valerie Meridan - [email protected] or Choice Coordinator, Erica Levey - [email protected] if you have questions about the tour/enrollment process!
Lottery Details
If the number of applications exceeds the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or building, all eligible applicants shall have an equal chance of being admitted through a random selection process that complies with Florida law. The lottery will create a primary list of students and the initial waiting list from the students who have applied. Numbers will be randomly chosen to decide which students will be accepted into the school openings in each class offered.
If the number of applications exceeds the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or building, all eligible applicants shall have an equal chance of being admitted through a random selection process that complies with Florida law. The lottery will create a primary list of students and the initial waiting list from the students who have applied. Numbers will be randomly chosen to decide which students will be accepted into the school openings in each class offered.
Choice Confirmation
All students who are granted acceptance will be notified, sent paperwork, and will be required to submit the paperwork within 14 days. If the paperwork is not received within the deadline date, the next student on the waiting list will be granted that position. If you have questions regarding the paperwork, please call Mrs. Valerie Meridan, RMA’s registrar at 941-462-4001 extension 1103.
All students who are granted acceptance will be notified, sent paperwork, and will be required to submit the paperwork within 14 days. If the paperwork is not received within the deadline date, the next student on the waiting list will be granted that position. If you have questions regarding the paperwork, please call Mrs. Valerie Meridan, RMA’s registrar at 941-462-4001 extension 1103.
Required Documents to Finalize Registration and Enrollment
Once we have received your verbal or email confirmation accepting choice placement at Rowlett Middle Academy, the following Registration and Enrollment paperwork will be requested and required to be submitted within the deadline posted on your RMA acceptance letter:
1. Rowlett Academy Enrollment Packet to include the Letter of Commitment and Parent/Student Contract
2. Parent/Legal Guardian Photo ID
3. Official Birth Certificate
4. Physical Examination dated within 1 year of the first day of school
5. Florida Immunization Form DH 680
6. Proof of Address (utility bill/mortgage/lease, etc.)
Once we have received your verbal or email confirmation accepting choice placement at Rowlett Middle Academy, the following Registration and Enrollment paperwork will be requested and required to be submitted within the deadline posted on your RMA acceptance letter:
1. Rowlett Academy Enrollment Packet to include the Letter of Commitment and Parent/Student Contract
2. Parent/Legal Guardian Photo ID
3. Official Birth Certificate
4. Physical Examination dated within 1 year of the first day of school
5. Florida Immunization Form DH 680
6. Proof of Address (utility bill/mortgage/lease, etc.)
Only if applicable:
- Custody Documentation
- Final Report Card/s for all Middle School years (only if entering into 7th or 8th grade and coming from an out of Manatee County School, homeschool, online school or a private school)
- Copy of current IEP/504 Plan (if coming from an out of an out of Manatee County School, homeschool, online school or a private school)
Note: if you are living with a family and you are not the homeowner, you will need to complete and provide a Homeowners’ Acknowledgement of Residency (a statement/letter from the person you are currently residing with affirming this fact).
Controlled Open Enrollment
Florida has an open borders policy. Controlled Open Enrollment allows a parent from any school district in the state to enroll his or her child in and transport his or her child to any public school, including charter schools, that has not reached capacity.
For more information, please visit FL DOE’s website: http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/other-school-choice-options/controlled-open-enrollment.stml.
School Capacity: 715
Student Capacity by Grade Level
Below is our student capacity/seat availability, by grade level, as of October 1, 2025. We are required to update this information every 12 weeks -- please note that the capacity number may change during the 12-week period as family members may withdraw or new families apply. We suggest you apply if you are interested in being added to the school's waiting list and/or reach out to our school’s registrar for the status.
Florida has an open borders policy. Controlled Open Enrollment allows a parent from any school district in the state to enroll his or her child in and transport his or her child to any public school, including charter schools, that has not reached capacity.
For more information, please visit FL DOE’s website: http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/other-school-choice-options/controlled-open-enrollment.stml.
School Capacity: 715
Student Capacity by Grade Level
Below is our student capacity/seat availability, by grade level, as of October 1, 2025. We are required to update this information every 12 weeks -- please note that the capacity number may change during the 12-week period as family members may withdraw or new families apply. We suggest you apply if you are interested in being added to the school's waiting list and/or reach out to our school’s registrar for the status.