Narrowing Down Your Choice of Private Christian Schools in Clearwater

The decision to send your child to a private school will have an incredible and long-lasting impact on their education and future. All that’s left is to pick a school. Should be easy, right? Not exactly. 

There are 101 private schools in Pinellas County, each offering their own unique take on education and many of which are in the City of Clearwater. Narrowing this down to a single choice will be no easy task for parents. In this brief article, we’re going to help you narrow down your options until you’re left with only the private middle schools in Clearwater, FL, that are right for your child. 

The Right Approach 

Narrowing down your school choices will be easy once you decide what type of school you want your child to attend. As stated in an article published by the Tampa Bay Times, “The choices include religious schools, independent and secular schools, and schools for students with disabilities or special needs in every grade level. Some are a combination of all of the above.” You will need to carefully consider your child’s needs and decide which program is right for them. We encourage you to research all available options and to visit schools when possible. At Lakeside Christian School, we love hearing from new families and are always happy to give a tour of our private middle school in Clearwater, FL

The Right Grade Level 

You’ll also need to take into account your child’s age and grade level when looking at private schools in the greater Clearwater region. A number of outstanding schools, such as the many private high schools in the area, only serve certain grades. At Lakeside Christian School, we teach kindergarten classes all the way up to 12th-grade courses. If you are struggling to find a school that will welcome your middle schooler and guide them through the remainder of their school years, consider a private middle school in Clearwater, FL, that teaches grades K-12. 

The Right Choice 

We might be a little bit biased here, but we think that Lakeside Christian School is the best private middle school in Clearwater, FL. But don’t take our word for it. We encourage you to peruse through the list of top Clearwater private schools put together by Private School Review. You’ll find that we have a sterling five-star rating and place among the top 20 percent of private schools in all of Florida. We are accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), and we welcome families to compare our school to others until they find the choice that’s right for them. If you are looking to narrow down your choices of private middle schools in Clearwater, FL, look no further than Lakeside Christian School. 

If you would like to learn more about Lakeside Christian School, a private middle school in Clearwater, FL, please give us a call at (727) 239-7808 or schedule a tour of our campus.

Saying “Thank You” to the Donors Who Make the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program a Success

Since 2002, the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program has funded more than 784,000 scholarships thanks to approximately $3.9 billion in donations from the corporate community. This landmark achievement is responsible for strengthening school choice in the State of Florida while simultaneously making private education significantly more affordable for low-income families. Remarkably, the FTC Scholarship is only one of several scholarships offered by Step Up For Students, a state-approved nonprofit scholarship funding organization that helps administer scholarships for students in Florida; however, we will be focusing solely on the FTC Scholarship in this article — more specifically, the amazing donors that make this program such a resounding success year in and year out.

Related: Step Up For Students in Clearwater, FL

Empowering Parents

When the Florida Legislature established the FTC Scholarship Program in 2001, it signaled a new era of school choice for parents looking to provide their children with the best education possible. According to Step Up For Students, “the Florida Department of Revenue gives dollar-for-dollar tax credits to companies that contribute their eligible tax dollars to fund the K-12, income-based education scholarships.” This provides a significant incentive for donors to continue contributing to Florida’s economically disadvantaged children on an annual basis, as indicated by year-over-year growth in the number of scholarships provided. The FTC Scholarship Program is the largest of those offered by Step Up For Students in Clearwater, FL. Recipients of the FTC Scholarship have two financing options:

  1. Financial assistance for private school tuition and fees.
  2. Financial assistance for transportation costs required to attend public school in a different district.

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis; however, priority is given to renewal families, followed by families with the greatest financial need. Acknowledging that the homestead may be required to relocate for any number of reasons, the FTC Scholarship is transferable to any eligible school in the Sunshine State.

Related: Qualifications and Eligibility for the Family Empowerment Scholarship

Corporate Contributions

Without the gracious corporate sponsors that support the FTC Scholarship Program, none of this would be possible. Dollar-for-dollar credits are offered for numerous financial liabilities, including:

  • Alcoholic Beverage Excise Tax
  • Business Rent / Commercial Lease Sales Tax
  • Corporate Income Tax
  • Direct Pay Sales & Use Tax
  • Insurance Premium Tax
  • Oil and/or Gas Severance Tax

Those who have chosen to involve their businesses have made life-changing contributions to countless children while furthering the ultimate goal of Step Up For Students: choice of learning environment for the betterment of every child’s education. As one of the Step Up For Students participating schools in Clearwater, FL, Lakeside Christian School would like to give a heartfelt thanks to all of those who have contributed to this program. Your generosity has aided our mission to provide top-flight education services for children who wouldn’t otherwise have access to a private education.

If you would like to learn more about Lakeside Christian School, one of the Step Up For Students participating schools in Clearwater, FL, please give us a call at (727) 239-7808 or schedule a tour of our campus.

Why More and More Florida Parents Are Sending Their Kids to Private Schools

Private school enrollment is on the rise in Florida and has been for some time. In an annual report published by the Florida Department of Education, it’s shown that 380,295 students were enrolled in private schools across the state during the 2018-19 school year. This is an incredible increase from a decade ago when enrollment was hovering just above 300,000 students. Parents are clearly choosing to send their children to private schools at an increasing rate. But what’s behind this increase, and why are parents willing to trust their child’s education to a private institution? In this brief article, we answer these questions and more as we discuss the many benefits of having kids attend an affordable private elementary school in Clearwater, FL.

Unparalleled Learning 

Educators should be celebrated no matter what institution they’re a part of. But that’s not going to stop us from touting the benefits of our academic process. At Lakeside Christian School, we believe in challenging students to achieve their academic, social, and career-minded goals. We employ data-driven instruction to assess student needs and make necessary adjustments throughout the school year. Too often, talented students who just need a little help and attention are left behind. Parents know that a private school will do everything possible to ensure that doesn’t happen to their child. 

The Experience of a Lifetime

A major concern for parents who are considering private elementary schools in Clearwater, FL, is the possibility that their child will somehow miss out on important life experiences, experiences that they believe can only happen in a public school setting. But that’s just not the case. For example, we just sent our students home with their school portraits, and K-12 yearbooks are available so that students can look back on the memories made here at Lakeside Christian School. Our athletics program offers a variety of sports, including football, soccer, volleyball, baseball, and cheerleading, to students of all ages. And our drama department produces a number of musicals and plays throughout the school year for our talented students to perform in. Just because we’re a private school doesn’t mean we can’t offer students the experience of a lifetime! 

An Affordable Alternative 

Why are parents sending their kids to private schools? Because it’s more affordable than ever! Florida has six K-12 scholarship programs that “allow parents unprecedented choice among public and private schools.” These scholarships are designed to help children and their families who may be in need, such as low-income families. All told, Lakeside Christian School provides over $250,000 in scholarships to qualified families each year. We’re proud to be a part of why parents time and again choose to send their kids to private schools. If you’d like to join the thousands of parents who trust their child’s education to a private school, schedule a new parent tour and see why Lakeside Christian School is one of the best private elementary schools in Clearwater, FL

If you would like to learn more about Lakeside Christian School, an affordable private elementary school in Clearwater, FL, please give us a call at (727) 239-7808 or schedule a tour of our campus.

Why Private School Is the Right Choice for Your High Schooler

As children get older, they start to experience some important self-realizations that will, at least partially, solidify their path into the future. Your child may aspire to be any number of things — a doctor, a scientist, an author. To ensure that these goals are in reach post-graduation, your child needs a strong finish to their formal education. For many students, a Christian high school in Clearwater, FL, is the ideal setting to complete their education, as it provides them with several distinct advantages. In this article, we will discuss these advantages and cover several reasons why private high school is the right choice for your teen.

Individualized Education

If you want your high schooler’s education to magnify their strengths and help them reach their peak potential, private school may be the more suitable option. Private schools come in all shapes and sizes. The distinct differences between the various types of private schools ensure that students are receiving an education that sets them apart. Individualized education is strengthened by smaller class sizes that allow students to interact with teachers more closely, build relationships that fortify the academic experience, and forge bonds that exist long after matriculation. There are many Christian high schools in Clearwater, and each one boasts unique strengths. One of the best aspects of private education is the ability to select the school that aligns with your high schooler’s educational aspirations. Of course, we recommend Lakeside Christian School to any family searching for a Christian high school in Clearwater, FL.

Related: Benefits of a Small School Setting

The Financial Factor

For a long time, criticism of private schools centered around affordability; however, this is no longer an issue thanks in part to gracious, state-funded scholarship opportunities courtesy of Step Up For Students in Florida. Today, schools that support Step Up For Students, such as Lakeside Christian School, are helping more and more families gain access to top-tier educational services. Since 2002, more than 784,000 Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarships have been awarded to low-income families, and that is only one of several scholarships offered in the State of Florida. 

Related: Who Can Benefit From Step Up For Students?

Seizing the Opportunity

In How Private Schools Improve College Readiness, we noted that some studies indicate that “private school students are more likely to obtain a high school diploma, attend a four-year college, and earn a bachelor’s degree.” The statistics don’t lie. More private school graduates reach college because they are given the tools to succeed from the beginning. At Lakeside Christian School, college readiness is woven into the fabric of every child’s educational journey, ensuring that, if they so choose, they can pursue a wholesome life of academia. Are you looking to provide your child with the opportunity of a lifetime? Consider enrolling your child at a Christian high school in Clearwater, FL, to take advantage of the numerous benefits of an individualized private education.

If you would like to learn more about Lakeside Christian School, one of the top Christian high schools in Clearwater, please give us a call at (727) 239-7808 or schedule a tour of our campus.

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