What is a Typical Day Like at IMG Academy Boarding School?

IMG Academy student-athletes balance academics, training for their sport, personal development and extracurricular clubs and activities – all in the span of a single day at our campus in Bradenton, Florida.

IMG Academy's boarding school operates on a full year block schedule that emphasizes a balance of school, sport, and social life, establishing an optimal environment for the development of holistic, well-rounded student-athletes.

From grades 6-12 and at the post-graduate level, IMG Academy leads the way in launching graduates into prestigious higher education programs throughout the country and even across the world.

A Day in the Life of an IMG Academy Boarding School Student-Athlete

So what is an average school day like? How are IMG Academy student-athletes supported to achieve their academic and athletic goals? Here’s a look into what an average day looks like for IMG Academy boarding school student-athlete.

Wake Up in On-Campus Dorm

Wondering what it’s like to live at IMG Academy? Take a peek inside move-in day with our student-athletes.

Breakfast

Student-athletes are divided into morning and afternoon school, but the day always begins with a meal. At IMG Academy, student-athletes have a variety of options for staying fueled for their day.

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A Typical School Day (7:40 AM – Noon for AM Students)

Looking for a typical school day at IMG Academy? While student-athletes’ schedules vary, they spend five periods a day focused on school, whether that’s in working on a project for math class, lab or taking a foreign language.

IMG Academy offers a fully accredited college-preparatory curriculum that prepares student-athletes to succeed at the most competitive colleges.

All students take core courses in English and math, with many also enrolling in advanced classes such as Honors and AP. IMG Academy’s curriculum also includes science, social studies, world languages, and electives, offering a comprehensive academic experience.

In addition, dual enrollment opportunities in collaboration with Barry University allow student-athletes to earn college credits while still in high school, further positioning them for success in college and beyond.

Student-athletes spend part of the academic portion of their days meeting with teachers during office hours. They might be getting extra tutoring in the Learning Resource Center, where tutors are available throughout the day to help with any subject.

Student-athletes have access to the library and campus center to study or complete assignments, and college counselors are available throughout the day to provide guidance and support.

“Our students are so much more than just their sport, and I think it’s important that we make sure that we nurture that here. We have some amazing artists here. We have incredible musicians. So just the talent alone, and the things they talk about they want to do that is not on the field, is something that we have to make sure we prepare them for,” says CaLeathiea Cornelius, Assistant Head of School.

Watch the video below to see how IMG Academy prepared 2024 graduate Sienna Dauer for collegiate athletics.

Lunch

Student-athletes eat in the dining hall or at the student center and then go to their next block, whether it’s their sport or school.

Training (2-5:45 PM for AM School Students)

Student-athletes train for their sport on IMG Academy’s world-class facilities, whether it’s on the golf course, soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse or football fields, building strength in the Performance Center or participating in mental performance and nutrition classes with IMG Academy athletic and personal development experts.

Training time includes on-field or on-court practices and development – including weight training, team sessions on nutrition and mental performance.

Student-athletes learn skills that help them excel in their sports and beyond with techniques that improve focus, resilience, confidence, leadership and energy levels.

“If you’re going through a tough time, that’s where those sessions really helped,” said Dauer of the mental performance classes.

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Dinner

After practice, it’s time to fuel. Student-athletes at IMG Academy are educated in the importance of hydration, fuel timelines, performance plates and more that encourage them to make choices to get the best nutrition to excel at their sport and in school.

Study Time

Whether it’s in groups in their dorms or in the campus center, student-athletes at IMG Academy know the importance of taking time in the evenings to study and catch up on homework and assignments.

Student-athletes study in their dorms or in areas around campus, meet with classmates and utilize tutoring in the Learning Resource Center.

“Once they transition from here to college, they can balance their course load. If they do decide to play at the collegiate level, they are acclimated to what their demand and time management needs to look like so it’s not a huge shock when they get to college and they don’t have anyone monitoring their academics as closely,” adds Cornelius.

IMG Academy alumni and Notre Dame lacrosse player Ryan Sforzo agreed. “IMG (Academy)’s system really helps you to work on your dedication and discipline because everything is so structured like a college athlete would deal with,” he said. “You have to be extremely accountable and make sure you’re going to your teachers and getting all of the right things done.”

See more below from Sforzo on his time at IMG Academy.

Evenings

IMG Academy students participate in a number of extracurricular activities or clubs ranging from the cooking club to school newspaper and broadcast opportunities, cultural affiliation clubs, National Honor Society and Model UN.

On the weekends, day trips include beach days, excursions to Disney World, baseball games and Top Golf.

“Try new things,” track and field student-athlete Averie Cobbs advises new student-athletes. “I feel like (without being at IMG Academy), I wouldn’t have done half of the things that I’ve done.”

Click here to see student-athlete's favorite spots on campus.

Sound like a fit for your student-athlete? Learn more about IMG Academy boarding school here.