Setting
the Trend…
School Rates High In Academics and In the Cafeteria
What
makes the Alachua Learning Center a special school?
Some like the small class-size and the individual attention
each child receives. Others
look to the high test scores: ALC rates highest overall in the county
-- despite being a rural, "Title One" school where 20% of the
students speak English as a second language. [Title One is a classification
for children of lower income status]
But many of the parents, visitors, and yes, students agree, one of the most important features of the Alachua Learning Center is the delicious school lunch. For the past 5 years the Alachua Learning Center has served its students a complete vegetarian lunch.
Here, special emphasis is given to the quality of meals served to the children. Plant-based vegetarian meals are cooked on-site and served daily. These meals include such delicious, healthy choices as fresh salads, soups made from scratch, home-baked whole grain breads, and Mexican, Italian, and Indian entrees, as well as traditional American favorites.
"Our philosophy is that a happy, healthy student is a well-focused and good student" explains Linda Powell, Food Service Director. "We provide a healthy breakfast and lunch at minimal cost to ensure all students are well-fed and satisfied. The result is that students perform well during the day, are peaceful and exceed academically. They're also healthy and in good physical condition."
No fast foods or junk foods are served in the Alachua Learning Center kitchen. And there are no vending machines to tempt children away from the healthy meals offered on site.
"It's probably the best food I've ever had. And most certainly the best food I've ever had at school. Nothing in any other school can compare, or even come close…." (Diane Delgabo, Education Specialist...Diane regularly visits several of the Alachua County schools)
Do the kid's like it? You bet! Over 97% of the kids choose to eat the vegetarian lunch each day.
Alachua Learning Center is a small charter school with an enrollment of approximately 125 students. It is situated in the town of Alachua, just outside of Gainesville, Florida.