News Archive

  • Academics
The Importance of Starting Independent Education Early

An independent school education can provide a variety of benefits for a student in the early stages of their education and development.

Canterbury Alumni Spotlight: Matt Authement '08

A great school understands the importance of guiding their students towards their own personal version of success. Canterbury students experience a supportive and challenging academic curriculum, where they build college readiness skills and discover their postgraduate ambitions. In this blog, we’ve checked in with Canterbury alumni Matt Authement, who’s career path and success began at Canterbury and our College Counseling program.

St. Petersburg School Honors Head of School’s 17 Year Tenure

Canterbury School of Florida recently honored Head of School Mac Hall and his family with the dedication of its baseball field on the Knowlton Campus.

Affording Independent School

Learn about Canterbury tuition and how to afford private education. Read how to obtain financial aid and scholarship opportunities for financial assistance.

Building Confidence and Independence in Elementary Students

Canterbury School of Florida introduces Motor Lab on Hough Campus.

Achieving academic success is directly linked to a child’s motor skills and early childhood development.

Canterbury Alumni Spotlight: Dante Tornello ('14)

Dante Tornello has always embraced the value of confronting challenges—no matter the pit stops or hairpin turns that may lie ahead.

A proud Canterbury alum, Tornello joined the CSF community as he entered third grade.

Marine Studies Program

At Canterbury, we’re known for our many advanced academic offerings and signature programs, like our Character Education program (also known as LEADS). However, one program that sets Canterbury apart is our Marine Studies program, which teaches our students the importance of conservation as well as how to become environmental leaders. Canterbury students also have the opportunity to learn through our state of the art Cousteau Center for Marine Studies and local partnerships with other key environmental leaders.

  • Academics
  • Community
  • Development
Canterbury Invites Tampa Bay Youth to Dive Into a Summer of Adventure

Canterbury School of Florida is offering summer camp programs to provide students with an active, educational, and explorative summer experience. Providing full and half-day camps, the summer program is open to all Tampa Bay youth in PK3 through Grade 12, not just Canterbury students. Attendees will be able to choose from a variety of unique camps that will encourage them to step out of their comfort zone and try something new.

  • Character
  • Development
What is Character Education?

According to the U.S. Department of Education, character education is defined as “a learning process that enables students and adults in a school community to understand, care about and act on core ethical values.” To put it simply, the definition for character education can be found in its name—it is the idea that education can not simply teach the mind, but it must also help to develop a student’s overall character.

  • Athletics
  • Character
  • Development
Canterbury Alumni Spotlight: Miguel Turcios

Great schools are made up of an ongoing partnership between parents, students, teachers, and alumni, and when students join the Canterbury community, they become a part of that unique family for a lifetime. In this blog, we’ve checked in with Canterbury alumni Miguel Turcios, who is constantly redefining success and pushing through boundaries.

  • Academics
  • Admission
  • Development
What Makes a School “Good”?

When choosing an elementary, middle, and high school for their child, most parents have their own unique predispositions about what is the right fit for their child, but what truly makes a school stand out above the others? 

  • Admission
Pros & Cons of Private School Education

Selecting a school for your child’s education is one of the most important decisions a parent has to make.

  • Athletics
  • Awards
Canterbury Named Athletic Program of the Year by FACA

We are pleased to announce that the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) has named Canterbury as the Cary McDonald Athletic Program of the Year in the 2A classification!

  • Character
  • Community
Canterbury Student Art on Display at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
  • Development
Tampa Bay Business Journal Features Hollis Amley and the national Head of School search

After completing a national search, Canterbury School of Florida is excited to announce Hollis Amley has been unanimously appointed as their ninth Head of School, effective July 1st, 2022.

  • Admission
Canterbury’s First Day of School is Wednesday, August 18

A welcome letter from the Head of School, Mac H. Hall. 

  • Awards
Canterbury Named Best Private School By St. Pete Life Magazine

We’re pleased to announce that Canterbury has been recognized as St. Petersburg’s best private school by St. Pete Life magazine in their “Best of St. Pete” issue.

  • Academics
Gr. 4 Presents Florida History for Parents

Fourth grade reenacted Florida's early history up until the Seminole Wars demonstrating their mastery of this unit! Students not only learned about Florida’s historical significance as an intricate part of American history, but also came to understand the consequences when two cultures clash.

Fifth grade with CASA donation 2021
  • Character
  • Community

Through our LEADS program, students engage and learn about service and community by lending a hand to neighbors in need. It is crucial to our mission. Our students identify with and want to support peers who are in distress, and having a local organization like CASA with which to build a relationship is incredibly rewarding to them. 

  • Athletics
  • Community
Cason Wins Regional PCA Double-Goal Coach Award


Boys Varsity Basketball Coach Marquel Cason is a Regional Winner of the Double-Goal Coach® Award! Athletic Director Monica Talley comments that Coach Cason's dedication to his players shows in their continuous growth and improvement, both on and off the court. 

  • Admission
Announcement: Tuition Freeze for 2021-22


We are excited to announce that tuition at each grade level will not increase this next school year!

  • Athletics
Pedersen joins the 1K Point Club!

Recently, senior guard Percy Pedersen III scored the 1,000th point of his basketball career at Canterbury! 

He went on to score a school record of 52 points at last Friday night's game against Bell Creek and led the team to another victory. 

students attend virtual visit with Native American artist


Shonto Begay is a nationally known Navajo author, poet, children’s book illustrator, and fine artist. Shonto is a born storyteller, who grew up listening to his father, a Navajo Medicine Man, tell the ancient stories of his people. Shonto tells these stories through his paintings, which are featured in museums around the country - including our very own James Museum. We were unable to go to the James Museum because of Covid-19, but that didn’t stop us from bringing Shonto Begay and the James Museum to us!  

students in make up celebrating dia de los muertos
  • Chapel
  • Community


Day of the Dead is a holiday mostly celebrated in Mexico but is rapidly spreading to other countries. It is not Halloween. In fact, it would more closely align with the Christian celebrations of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.  

The Day of the Dead celebration is Nov. 1 and 2. It is marked by parades, special foods, festivals, and the creation of ofrendas to celebrate the deceased. An ofrenda is covered with marigolds, pictures, candles, and symbols of the deceased's life. It is believed that the spirits of the deceased return to visit their families during this time.

  • Academics
CSF on the Radio

Upper School Principal Donnamarie Hehn and the 2020 Valedictorian Maddie Fine were featured guests on local radio station HOT 101.5 with hosts Holly and Miguel. 

Affording Canterbury
  • Admission

Learn more about Canterbury's inclusive approach to affording tuition. 

Gr. 8 Soccer Standout Scrimmages with U.S. Women's Soccer Team


Grade 8 Soccer Standout J. McFarland recently had an amazing opportunity to play against the US Women's Soccer Team to help them prepare for their next big win!

  • Athletics
Congratulations, Science Fair Winners!


Canterbury's middle school science fair competition was held this week. Six judges from professional science backgrounds like the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and USF College of Marine Science voted for our winners.  

  • Athletics
Senior Signs to Play Softball at NSU


Canterbury senior signs to play softball at Nova Southeastern University with her family and teammates at her side. 

Canterbury on ABC Action News


Last week, Sean Daly from ABC Action News visited the Hough Campus to cover a story about kindness in St. Pete. What better place is there to study kindness in action? 

Daly was blown away by the breadth of our Character Education program, and even though this year's theme is focused around kindness on the Hough Campus, he was surprised and encouraged to hear how Character Education and kindness reach throughout our entire school from the Buddy Program to service-learning and beyond. 

Canterbury's Varsity Football Team to Play in State Semifinals at Home this Saturday


Congratulations to the Canterbury Crusaders! Our varsity football team was victorious on Friday night over two-time defending state champion Academy at the Lakes! The final score was 33-27. 

Crusaders Celebrate 2019 Spirit Week

Crusaders showed their school spirit during Homecoming week. Blue and gold filled the campus for Spirit Week festivities. Check out the costumes, class colors, decorations, parades, games, the FLASH MOB, and more! 

2019 Commencement


The Class of 2019 crossed the stage and stepped into their future on Saturday. Forty-eight college-bound students gathered at the First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg along with their families, friends, and supporters to witness the culmination of their high school years and the commencement of their next adventures. 

Canterbury Partners with Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital for Community Event

On Tuesday, April 30, Canterbury is partnering with Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital to bring this event to our community. Hear from Dr. Melissa Faith, a licensed clinical psychologist and a board-certified specialist in clinical child and adolescent psychology at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. This chat is designed for parents of middle school-aged children but is relevant to all parents with school-aged children.

Canterbury Singers Perform the National Anthem at Rays Game


You wouldn't know it from their pre-performance chatter, but this group of ten talented singers might have had a few jitters. They played it cool as they took a few selfies and 'usies' by home plate. They barely even noticed the professional players on the field nearby warming up for the game. Clearly, they were excited at the opportunity to perform in the notorious hometown venue, Tropicana Field.

Eighth Grader Awarded Honorable Mention for Environmental Engineering

Sasha F., grade 8, was awarded honorable mention in the Environmental Engineering category at this year's fair, which was held in Lakeland, Florida. The competition at the state fair was intense, with over 900 finalists from all over the state coming together to showcase their outstanding scientific research. 

Keep St. Pete Lit Guest Teacher Jeff Donnelly

Talented Canterbury faculty Jeff Donnelly is a guest teacher for Keep St. Pete Lit for the month of February. Mr. Donnelly is teaching from a playwright’s point of view and how it helps with fiction writing.

Marine Studies Director Jenna LoDico wins Margaret Riggs Outstanding Alumna Award

Canterbury's Marine Studies Director Jenna LoDico was recently honored by receiving the Margaret Riggs Outstanding Alumna Award from Eckerd Women’s Resources Center. This award is given to alumni for professional achievement. She credits the tremendous support and educational opportunities while she attended Eckerd to her passion for marine education and conservation.

Eighth Graders Move on to Final Round in National History Day Competition


Congratulations to eighth-grade history students who will continue to the final round in the NHD competition. 

Music Teacher Lubas Performs with the Florida Orchestra

Lower School music teacher, Allison (Novak) Lubas recently sang with The Florida Orchestra. She was the second soprano soloist in Mendelssohn's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". 

Varsity Boys Basketball Headed to Regional Finals

Join us in congratulating Canterbury's Varsity Boys Basketball team for moving on to the Regional Finals for the first time since 1977. We will host Orlando Christian Prep on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 7:00 p.m. with a trip to the State Final Four on the line.

Exchange Students from Monaco Experience Canterbury
Canterbury Students Place 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in the Pinellas County Science Fair

Canterbury students place 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at the Pinellas County Science Fair.

School Science Fair Winners

 

Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 Canterbury Middle School Science Fair!   

During the fair, each student met with six different judges and presented his or her project. The six judges were local scientists and former science educators from the Tampa Bay area. These six judges evaluated the student’s projects and determined a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner for the school fair.  

Mental Health Matters: Johns Hopkins All Children's Director of Psychology and Neuropsychology Dr. Katzenstein Talks with Parents about Recognizing Anxiety in Children and How to Help!

 

Dr. Jennifer Katzenstein, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, educates us about anxiety symptoms, including social anxiety across development, and ways parents and educators can identify symptoms, provide support for students, and find necessary resources in the community.

Science is Cool: Astronomy Class hosts an Eclipse Viewing Party

Canterbury's astronomy class hosted a total lunar eclipse viewing party for students.

Canterbury Hosts Sports Conference

Canterbury will host Academic Sports Conference lead by Brett Brenner, University of Tampa Asst. VP for Enrollment Management. Brenner is an athlete financial aid expert will be talking to the community about .

Canterbury Makes an Impact at the Pinellas County All-Star Game

 

Canterbury Crusader athletes and coaches participated in the Pinellas County All-Star Classic Football Game on Wednesday, Dec. 12! Three football players, three cheerleaders, three football coaches, one of our Varsity cheer coaches, and a Mike June courage award winner joined other all-stars from the county at the event.

Science Teacher Meredith Mikell Wins the Barrett Award


Upper School Science Teacher Meredith Mikell won the Barrett Award based on her colleagues' and students' recommendations, an essay, and review of her teaching methodologies using virtual reality and augmented reality programs in Anatomy & Physiology class. 

CSFeatures 2018 Summer


CSFeatures is a publication of Canterbury School of Florida, a PK3 - Grade 12 independent school in St. Petersburg, FL. CSFeatures covers the school's students, faculty, alumni, parents, and events.

Pardon Our Dust!


Security upgrades are happening now thanks to our incredible supporters! Keep an eye out for this and other campus improvements! 

A Ladybug Adventure at Canterbury's STEAM Garden


A local publication, the Northeast Journal believes in “paying forward” what’s good about a community! Recently, an article about the Lower Campus's STEAM Garden ladybug release was a featured story. 

Canterbury Faculty Published in SAIS Magazine


Allison Lester, Grade 4 teacher and Molly Smith, Upper School Assistant Principal and AP US History teacher recently wrote a blog about how the Big Buddy/Little Buddy program helps to build a strong sense of community at Canterbury. They were published in SAIS - Serving and Accrediting Independent Schools's spring magazine! Click on the link and learn more!

Canterbury Middle School Student Competes at Florida State Science & Engineering Fair

Congratulations to Sasha F. ('23) for his success at the Florida State Science & Engineering Fair. The fair was held from March 27-29 at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland, FL.  At this event, more than 900 finalists from across the state gather to present their projects to judges in the three day competition.

Jody Moore Wins PCA's Double-Goal Coach Award

Congratulations to Canterbury Varsity Softball Coach Jody Moore! Coach Moore was recently named a National Winner for the Double Goal Coach Award sponsored by the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA). 

Canterbury Students Participate in National History Day Competition

For the first time, Canterbury sent students to participate in the National History Day competition at the county level. This year's theme was Conflict and Compromise, and it proved to be a great framework for our 8th grade Honors History students to pursue their personal interests as they relate to national and world history topics.

Canterbury Teams Earn 3rd in Their Division at Ocean Bowl

Canterbury sent two teams to compete in the Ocean Bowl competition on February 24 at USF's College of Marine Science.  Teams A and B both placed 3rd in their division!

Congratulations to District Champions Varsity Boys Basketball!

Congratulations to our District Champions for their big win last Friday night! They will host a regional semi-final game this Thursday at home.

Friday Farmers' Market on Hough

Our new STEAM garden has everyone wanting more veggies!

Middle School Students are Big Winners at Regional Science Fair

On Saturday, February 3rd, three of Canterbury's middle school students competed in the Pinellas Regional Science & Engineering Fair at Seminole Middle School.  During the competition, our students explained their projects to judges from the professional scientific community.  Awards were announced on Tuesday evening at Largo Middle School and all of our students were big winners!

Middle School Geography Bee Winner Advances to Qualify for State Competition