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CHOCACHATTI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Microsociety and Performing Arts Magnet School

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A group of children in colorful costumes perform on a brightly lit stage in Dare to Dream performance.

Welcome to Chocachatti Elementary School!

Principal and assistant principal pose for a photo.
A vibrant, colorful banner with the word Chocachatti; in large, block letters.
A group of people, many wearing green shirts, stand together under a blue and white striped tent at 4-H expo
Two young children in red shirts proudly display their colorful crafts from art class.
Three people stand together, each holding a unique piece of NASA pieces.
A group of people stand behind a table with a banner that reads 'BATTLE OF THE BOOKS'.
A group of children in matching yellow and orange shirts stand together outdoors receiving their character trait awards.
A group of children and adults, some wearing bright vests, pose for a photo with a black dog.
A group of children stand together in a large pile of white foam, smiling.
Three young girls hold hands while running together outdoors during the Fun Run.
People hold a large cloud of blue smoke, creating a vibrant display outdoors during the Color Run.
A man in sunglasses and a woman with a pink wand stand in an office having fun.
Two smiling young boys stand next to a display of baked goods and a certificate.
A group of people stand behind a table laden with food, smiling.
Two smiling girls pose for a selfie, one with blonde hair and the other with her hair in a braid.
Three people in Minion costumes smile for the camera, wearing yellow shirts and blue overalls.
A group of people pose for a photo in front of a large VOGUE magazine cover display celebrating CES Teacher of the Year.
A man in a blue t-shirt and hat hugs a young girl in a teal and white tie-dye outfit.
Two young pigs, one black and white, the other pink, stand in green grass.
A young girl stands between two adults who are pointing out she is principal for the day.
Three smiling people, a women and a young girl and boy, pose for a selfie indoors.
A large group of children and adults pose for a photo outdoors on a sunny day.
A person in a Marshmello costume stands behind a DJ setup, with hands on the controls at Monster Mash.
A person in a green shirt guides a black and white pig in an outdoor arena at the 4-H expo.
A group of smiling young students in school uniforms pose for a photo at the reward table.
Admin team pose for a photo in front of a colorful balloon arch with movie-themed decorations.
Two children smile at the camera, posing indoors.
Children in colorful costumes perform on a stage decorated with red, white, and blue bunting.

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Safety is one of our top priorities. We have secure campus entry points, regular emergency drills and guardians trained in emergency response. Our visitor management system ensures that all guests are signed in and monitored.

  • Our student school hours are 9:30 a.m. and ends at 4:10 p.m., with before-school and after-school programs available for families needing extended care. The office is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

  • Chocachatti Elementary is proud to be a public magnet school in the Hernando County School District, offering specialized programs in MicroSociety and Performing Arts. Because of our unique focus and high demand, enrollment is not automatic – you’ll need to apply through our magnet application process.

    🎯 Here’s How It Works:

    • All students must apply through our lottery and/or portfolio process.

    • The magnet application window typically opens in mid-October and remains open for approximately one month.

    • When you apply, you’re applying for the following school year – so plan ahead!

    We encourage families to explore our programs, attend informational sessions, and prepare any required materials early. Once the application window opens, you’ll find the registration link to the SchoolMint Website.

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  • In Hernando County School District, technology is seamlessly integrated into classrooms to enhance teaching and learning across all grade levels. Students benefit from a one-to-one Microsoft laptop program, giving them daily access to powerful tools like Microsoft 365 and Canva for Education. Teachers use interactive smartboards such as Promethean and Newline to deliver dynamic lessons, while platforms like Canvas LMS and Nearpod support personalized instruction, real-time feedback, and student engagement. Classrooms are also equipped with audio enhancement systems to ensure every student can hear clearly, improving focus and accessibility. These tools foster collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, preparing students for success in a digital world while promoting responsible digital citizenship.

Upcoming Events

Accessibility View of Full-Page Calendar

View the full calendar to see all the exciting events we have happening in the next few weeks and months!

School Profile
A group of children pose with administrators at the camp site


Mission Statement:

Our mission is to nurture students’ growth as compassionate, responsible individuals who value kindness, creativity, and community. Through a rich blend of academics and the arts, we empower students to build confidence, express themselves, and develop the skills needed to become productive, caring members of society.

We believe strong partnerships with families and the community are essential to student success. By working together to connect home and school, we create meaningful experiences that allow every child to shine.

Grades: VPK – 5th
Enrollment: 787 students

School Hours: 9:30 am – 4:10 pm
Office Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Principal’s Message

Principal posing in front of the school

Dear Students, Families, Staff, and Community Members,

Welcome to Chocachatti Elementary School! It is my pleasure to welcome you to another exciting year at our public magnet school for the Performing Arts and MicroSociety, where every student is encouraged to discover their unique talents, embrace new opportunities, and let their light shine.

This year's theme, Step Into the Spotlight: The Stage Is Yours, reminds us that every child has a place to shine. Whether performing on stage, creating a masterpiece, solving a challenging problem, leading a project in MicroSociety, or showing kindness to others, every student has the opportunity to take center stage and make a meaningful impact. At CES, we believe the spotlight belongs to every learner, and we are committed to helping each child build the confidence, skills, and character needed to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Our innovative programs integrate academics with the performing arts and real-world experiences, creating engaging opportunities for students to think creatively, collaborate with others, and develop leadership skills. Through these experiences, students discover their passions while preparing for a bright future.

Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and inspiring learning environment where every child feels valued and supported. Along the way, we intentionally cultivate the six pillars of character, Caring, Citizenship, Fairness, Respect, Responsibility, and Trustworthiness, because we know that strong character is the foundation for lifelong success.

We also know that the greatest performances happen when everyone works together. The partnership between our families, staff, and community is essential to helping our students thrive. We encourage every family to become an active part of our school community by volunteering, participating in school events, and supporting your child's educational journey. As part of this commitment, each family is asked to contribute eight volunteer hours during the school year, helping us create memorable experiences for all of our students.

I encourage you to stay connected through our website, social media, and school communications so you don't miss a moment of the incredible learning and celebrations happening throughout the year.

Thank you for being part of the Chocachatti Elementary family. Together, let's encourage every student to Step Into the Spotlight because the stage is theirs, and we cannot wait to see them soar.

Warm regards,
Nicholas Pagano
Principal

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