Spotlight On: Kevin Plummer, Head of School, Tampa Preparatory School

December 2025 — Tampa Preparatory School continues to redefine innovation in education through cutting-edge facilities, strong partnerships, and a deep commitment to nurturing creativity and emotional intelligence. Head of School Kevin Plummer spoke with Invest: about how the new Building of Learning and Discovery (BOLD) is transforming student experiences, why thoughtful integration of AI matters, and how the school’s mission keeps growth grounded in purpose. “The job of schools is to help children breathe — intellectually, artistically, and emotionally,” he shared.

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What changes over the past year have most significantly impacted Tampa Prep?

The biggest change for us is having our first full school year with the addition of the Building of Learning and Discovery, or, as we call it, BOLD. It has had a tremendous impact, not just visually with its three floors of science, but in how it allowed us to reimagine the use of our campus.

Through accompanying renovations, we created a new space in the heart of the school called Mitchell Commons, recaptured a lecture hall with an LED volume, built the Mahaffey Student Health and Learning Lounge (SHELL), the Dutkowski Center for Academic Support (CAS), and added seven new classrooms. Together, BOLD and the interior upgrades helped us rethink student services in ways that are pro-student, pro-community, and pro-collaboration.

How does this new facility enhance the student experience and reflect your commitment to innovation?

On the science front, it lets us live the fullest and most accurate expression of collaborative bench science. The best medical schools, such as USF’s Morsani College of Medicine, embrace this model because healthcare today is inherently collaborative.

With BOLD, we’ve positioned our building, curriculum, and student experience to reflect that same mindset. Our labs are state-of-the-art, comparable to those at leading medical schools for biology, chemistry, and physics, but designed for high-school students.

Are there any new programs or partnerships you are particularly excited about?

Absolutely. Being a downtown school allows us to view the city as our classroom. On the science side, we partner with Tampa General Hospital, BayCare Health System, AdventHealth, and Moffitt Cancer Center. Our art students regularly walk across the street to the Tampa Museum of Art, where many of them recently won Scholastic Art awards.

Our proximity to institutions like the Straz Center makes it possible to integrate real-world experiences seamlessly into learning.

How does Tampa Prep attract and retain top teaching talent?

We tell our story honestly because Tampa Prep isn’t for everyone. Teachers here must buy into core principles of relationships, kindness, and trust. Our school day starts at 8:50 a.m., based on brain research showing the benefits of later starts, and that’s one example of our student-centered approach.

When hiring, we emphasize authenticity and creativity. We support teachers so they can innovate freely. I often tell new hires: we’re not asking you to copy someone else’s curriculum, we want you to bring your passion every day. Retention comes from empowering teachers to do just that.

What major trends are shaping independent education right now?

The biggest one is the thoughtful integration of artificial intelligence. We’re approaching it slowly but purposefully. AI must be grounded in safety, ethics, and responsibility. For us, AI is a tool, like an iPad or a desk. Students must understand when and how to use it appropriately. We’ll always emphasize critical thinking, communication, and numeracy, but now we must also teach students to engage with technology ethically and intelligently.

How is Tampa’s rapid growth influencing the school and its community partnerships?

Tampa’s growth has made it an incredibly attractive place to live, and for us, the challenge is finding what I call “mission-critical families.” We want families who buy into our mission to think, create, be yourself, aspire to excellence, and go beyond.

Creativity is central to our identity. We encourage students to flex both intellectual and artistic creativity and to be comfortable in dynamic, diverse conversations. We’re proud to be one of the few schools in Florida offering two levels of Native Heritage Spanish-speaking classes.

Our students are what I call “joyfully complicated.” For instance, our middle blocker on the state champion volleyball team is also one of our best singers, plays electric guitar in two school bands, and excels academically. That’s the kind of multidimensional learning we celebrate.

You have spoken passionately about fostering emotional intelligence. What does that look like in practice?

The job of schools is to help children breathe — intellectually, artistically, socially, and emotionally. When schools aren’t careful, they can unintentionally suffocate dreams and hopes.

At Tampa Prep, that mindfulness starts with our faculty. Students quickly learn that kindness and respect are essential. If a student can’t align with that, they move on. The same goes for parents. Our homecoming and prom courts aren’t popularity contests, they’re affirmations of kindness. Those honored are relentlessly kind to everyone, and that’s the culture we protect.

Looking ahead, what are your key goals and priorities for the next two to three years?

We’ll continue to be thoughtful about growth and the integration of AI into our programs. Success can challenge a school’s humility, so staying grounded in our mission and values is essential.

In the near term, we’re focused on helping young people navigate what feels like a tumultuous adult world. We want to preserve their childhood — their hope, dreams, and inspiration — while modeling empathy, compassion, and understanding.

Our mission remains clear: to guide our 700 students through the Tampa Prep experience so they can reach college and beyond believing they can do great things.

Want more? Read the Invest: Tampa Bay report.