About Our School

General Information

Our History

Spessard L. Holland was Florida's governor from 1941 to 1945 and a U.S. senator from 1946 to 1971. He was a leader in helping pass the 24^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which outlawed the poll tax at elections. The law school administration building at the University of Florida is named for Holland. He was a graduate of Summerlin Institute.

Upon review of Spessard Holland's accomplishments, the committee chose his name for Polk County's newest school in 2009. District three school board member Hazel Sellers explained the significance of naming the elementary school after a historical figure. She stated, "Not only do we have an opportunity to honor Spessard Holland, but all of the children who will attend this elementary school will have a personal link to Florida history; the history of this area."

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

Spessard L. Holland Elementary strives to engage students in grade K-5 in exciting and innovative programs designed around the use of hands-on learning to develop skills and motivate students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) education. STEAM education will provide experiences for elementary students that encourage academic excellence, innovative thinkers, and problem solvers. Students will attend our STEAM lab once every 5 days in their specials rotation to interact with their science curriculum in a hands-on engaging way.

Spessard L. Holland Elementary is proud to educate the whole child. We stress the importance of academics but also finding your joy outside of the traditional classroom. We have amazing fine arts, music, and PE programs which allow students to maximize their strengths in all areas. Our music program includes a drum line, chorus concerts twice a year, and a strings program. Our PE program includes an annual Fun Run, Jingle All the Way 5k, and more.

The school also has an instructional television news show program that allows the students to produce a news show using professional recording and editing software. The award-winning program also produces a documentary, original music video, commercials, and short films.

Spessard L. Holland Elementary allows students to be mobile in their online learning environment. The school features multiple model instructional technology classroom that allows students to learn with a 1:1 iPad to student ratio.

Spessard L. Holland Elementary is a state of the art school. Each classroom is equipped with interactive learning boards and Lightspeed surround sound audio systems. These audio enhancements amplify the teacher’s voice to assist with instruction comprehension. This allows for students to become fully engaged through visual and auditory instructions rather than just book-based instruction.