Boarding School for Athletes in Tampa Bay FL area

IMG Academy, Manatee County:
Situated on a state-of-the-art 450-acre campus in Bradenton, south-west Florida, IMG Academy is an accredited Pre-K–12th grade college preparatory boarding school for ages 11 and up. IMG Academy is proud to provide a challenging and supportive academic and athletic program for student-athletes from all over the world. Over half of our students come from international backgrounds, and our student-athletes experience different cultures and become friends with others from around the globe.

IMG Academy is located in Bradenton, Florida which is on the beautiful Gulf Coast of Florida about one hour south of the Tampa airport (TPA) and 15 minutes from the Sarasota-Bradenton airport (SRQ).

Located on a beautiful, state-of-the-art 450-acre campus in Brandenton, south-west Florida, IMG Academy has proven itself over the course of 30 years as a world leader in total athletic development for student-athletes of all ability levels. We are also a private, Pre-k-12th Grade college preparatory school with boarding for students in Middle & High School, ages 11+. IMG Academy also hosts ESL, TOEFL, and SAT courses for students across the globe.

IMG Academy houses boarding students in three areas on campus. Careful consideration is given with regards to placing your child into his or her housing environment. We always match student athletes based on gender first and age second. 

- Main Campus Housing:
Centrally located in the front of campus. It is where we typically place our younger students. 

- Champions Walk Housing:
Located behind our tennis courts, and many of our male students are currently housed in this area.  This area includes standard housing as well as limited opportunities for parents to purchase Upgraded Housing.

- Academy Park Villa Housing:
Located behind our baseball fields, and most of our female students are currently housed in this area.  This area includes standard housing as well as limited opportunities for parents to purchase Upgraded Housing.

In addition to the quantity, all facilities are of elite quality. Professional-quality facilities and immaculately maintained fields/surfaces are the standard on campus to ensure that there is no letdown in training - the type of environment typically only utilized by pro athletes.

Student Life Facilities:
- Residence Halls, apartments and villas
- Health Clinic
- Physical Therapy Clinic
- Junior and Adult Dining Halls
- Wellness Spa
- IMG Academy Sports Shop

Athletic Facilities:
- 12 soccer fields
- 2 lacrosse fields
- 4 basketball courts
- 2 football fields
- 52 tennis courts (hard, clay, indoor and outdoor)
- 3 full-size baseball fields and 4 practice diamonds
- 12 indoor and outdoor batting cage stations, 15 practice mounds
- 10,000 square-foot weight room, 4-lane track (2 turf lanes, 2 composite lanes), covered turf practice field
- 18-hole golf course, double-sided driving range, putting greens, multiple target greens for chipping/pitching

Academic Programs:
- Middle School
- High School
- SAT Courses
- Advanced Placement / Honors Courses

Post-Graduate Programs:
- Intensive English Post-Graduate Year
- Post-Grad High-School Program
- Post-Grad University Program 

English Language Programs:
- TOEFL Exam Preparation courses
- Intensive ESL Programs
- Part-time English Programs

Athletics:
IMG Academy features seven sport programs (Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Bollettieri Tennis, Golf, Football and Lacrosse) as well as Athletic and Personal Development disciplines that facilitate improvement in areas like strength, speed, leadership, nutrition and more.

Teaching Methodology:
At IMG Academy, academic enrichment and athletic skill development represent only a portion of the training that student-athletes receive.

We instill the confidence that allows our student-athletes to aspire for anything that their mind can imagine, while providing the tools to help them reach those goals.

How many international students attend IMG Academy?
Over half of our students come from international backgrounds. If you are uncomfortable speaking English, you will find that many IMG Academy faculty and staff members are multilingual.

Do I need to be able to speak fluent English?
International student athletes do not need to be able to speak English fluently. However, we do expect students to have a basic proficiency level in order to participate in the classroom, particularly in high school.

Do I need a student visa? (International Students)
Most academic programs at IMG Academy are considered full-time study by the U.S. government.

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you will need to obtain a student (F-1) visa or check the status of your current visa. Certain categories of visa holders are eligible to enroll, as well as certain dependents (spouse or children) of visa holders.

What does IMG Academy look for in a student-athlete?
IMG Academy looks for student-athletes who have a strong commitment to academics, athletics and personal growth. Student-athletes must be diligent in their school, sport and community duties, with a willingness to give their all in each area.

What is the minimum age?
It varies by sport: Baseball (age 11), Basketball (13), Football (11), Golf (8 for non-boarding, 11 for boarding), Lacrosse (14), Soccer (12), Tennis (8 for non-boarding, 11 for boarding).