Why It’s So Important to Apply for Income-Based Scholarships for the 2020-21 School Year

Every year, parents across the state of Florida apply for income-based scholarships so that their children can attend a private school. Income-based scholarships like the Family Empowerment Scholarship have helped thousands of students attend a private school that would have otherwise been out of their reach. This year is no different. Income-based scholarships remain a source of support for families across Florida. However, the current economic crisis makes applying for a scholarship all the more important. 

Below, we discuss how families can apply for income-based scholarships through Step Up For Students, a state-approved nonprofit scholarship organization. We will also discuss why families who have been heavily impacted by the economic crisis have the most to gain from applying. If you’re afraid that your current financial situation is keeping your child from attending the best private schools in Clearwater, FL, we encourage you to consider applying to these scholarships. 

You Can Apply Now 

Step Up For Students is now accepting applications for income-based scholarships for the 2020-21 school year. Families can apply for both the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and the Family Empowerment Scholarship. Both scholarships are based on financial need, and both can be used towards tuition at a Clearwater private school.  

Related: 4 Ways to Give Your Child a Private Education While on a Budget

Eligibility

Your child may be eligible for one of the above income-based scholarships if a member of the household receives federal nutrition assistance or the household income qualifies for free or reduce-priced lunch or is at/or below the thresholds found in this eligibility chart. Please review the Step Up For Students website for additional information and eligibility requirements. Funding for these scholarship programs is limited, so be sure to apply as soon as you can

A Private Education Remains Affordable 

We understand that right now may be a difficult time for your family, which is why we recommend taking another look at the income-based scholarship eligibility requirements. Even if your child did not qualify last year, they may qualify this year if your family was negatively impacted by the current economic crisis. And even if your child doesn’t qualify for the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, they may still qualify for the Family Empowerment Scholarship.

Related: Why So Many Parents Choose Lakeside Christian School

At our Clearwater private school, we believe that children are entitled to a private education regardless of external circumstances. That’s why we provide over $250,000 in scholarships to qualified families every year and proudly accept scholarships from Step Up For Students as well as the McKay Scholarship and FACTS Scholarship. If you would like to provide your child with a private education but are unsure how, we encourage you to reach out to us. We would love to work with you to find a solution that sees your child one day graduating from Lakeside Christian School. 

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

What Sets Lakeside Christian School Apart

When selecting the right school for your son or daughter, you are choosing a school that you believe will help your child develop the necessary skills for future success. Deciding what school is right for your child is a challenging task, as the decision can impact their next chapter in life, including what college or university they attend. College admissions have never been more competitive, and applying can be a challenging time for any family due to the stressful nature of the process. 

When you invest in a private school education like the one provided by Lakeside Christian School, your child will experience a challenging curriculum that will prepare them for a college course load. Furthermore, colleges take careful notice of your child’s graduation requirements and their role outside of the classroom. At Lakeside Christian, we offer students the opportunity to explore a variety of engaging programs outside the classroom, including athletics, the arts, and education-based after school programs. 

Lakeside Christian School is an affordable private school that ranks as one of the top private high schools in Clearwater, FL. We are proud to provide our students with the individualized attention and academic tools they need to flourish. In this editorial, we will discuss how the right balance of schoolwork and extracurricular programs can prepare children of all ages for future success. To learn more about how we challenge students to achieve their academic, social, and career-minded goals, please visit our website.

Related: Why So Many Parents Choose Lakeside Christian

School Programs That Place Your Child on the Right Path

The right school should provide your child with the best environment for success. The programs offered within our high school are here to ensure that our students are well prepared for their academic future while becoming well rounded young adults. Many college admission offices want to see diversity in applicants’ academic achievements and interests as they progress through school. 

As a top private high school in Clearwater, FL, we offer a full complement of scholastic and non-scholastic programs, including athletics and a variety of programs for the arts, including a music and drama department. Our students are always encouraged to discover what works best for them. With the help of our amazing teachers and faculty, they can find the right path for their future success.          

Related: Why Private School Is the Right Choice For Your High Schooler

Many Students Begin Their Path in Elementary School

Preparing your child for college doesn’t happen overnight. Many of our successful high school students were originally enrolled in our elementary school program and steadily developed their academic skills over the years until the day they donned that cap and gown. At Lakeside Christian School, we provide students with a strong academic foundation in elementary school that steadily progresses: 

  • Our elementary school, or accelerated learning division, features mastery, accelerated, and robust learning programs that prepare students for higher education. 
  • Our middle school, or rigorous academic division, prepares students for high school by focusing on a challenging course load, including algebra preparation, study skills, and writing preparation.   
  • Our high school, or college preparatory division, is a true college preparation program that provides core academic preparation and small class sizes. 

When you invest in an education at an affordable private elementary school in Clearwater, FL, your child will develop the tools they need to succeed as they mature through our learning program. Because all students thrive at different things, our dedicated staff of teachers help students focus in the areas they need improvement while continuing to strengthen their skills in the areas they excel in. 

Preparing Students for the Future

Setting up our students for future success is what we strive to achieve. Our focus is on providing a conscious effort to make sure our students are prepared for the next step in their lives. Our rigorous curriculum and smaller class sizes allow your child to be challenged while they progress through school. When your child reaches an obstacle along the way, our supportive staff of teachers will help navigate them back on the road to success. The teachers and faculty at Lakeside Christian School are here to push your child academically, promote college and career readiness, and help your child accomplish their goals, both short term and long term. With opportunities for children of all ages, Lakeside Christian School is committed to helping students achieve their lifelong goals, including enrolling in the college of their dreams.    

If you would like to learn more about one of the best private elementary schools in Clearwater, FL, please give us a call at (727) 239-7808 or schedule a tour of our campus.

What Parents Should Look for in Private Christian Schools

With the upcoming academic year, parents across the United States will be preparing to send their children off to their first year of high school. You know how important it is to choose a school that will contribute to the academic, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of your child, and that’s why you’ve decided to invest in his or her future with a Christian high school in Clearwater, FL

Now, it’s your responsibility to closely examine your options and choose the school that will provide your child with the safe and compassionate learning environment they need in order to flourish during his or her formative years and beyond. Below, we’ll touch on the most important aspects parents should take into consideration when choosing a private Christian school.

Related: Narrowing Down Your Choice of Private Christian Schools in Clearwater

Character Development & Spirituality

A research study conducted by Barna Group in partnership with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) found that current and prospective parents of students in private Christian high schools assigned high priority to intentionally developing children’s character and spirituality when choosing a school. More than 82 percent of parents of current students considered spiritual formation essential when weighing a choice between different schools. 

Private Christian high schools in Clearwater, FL, like Lakeside Christian School, fulfill these expectations by establishing measurable academic and spiritual outcomes for all students. The classroom environment is founded on self-respect and respect for others, and the students are able to find positive role models in their teachers and members of their community. 

Related: Why Private School is the Right Choice for Your High Schooler

Academic Excellence

Yet another top priority for parents of both current and prospective private Christian school students is academic excellence. Nearly all, or 95 percent, of current Christian school parents found academic excellence to be essential, particularly as their children near the window for college admissions. The students at Lakeside Christian School, a Christian high school in Clearwater, FL, benefit from small class sizes and student-teacher ratio, meaning that the students are allowed to interact with their teachers much more closely, gain an individualized education, and forge bonds that outlast the length of their high school experience.

Additionally, Lakeside Christian School utilizes aligned or coherent curriculum. Aligned curriculum is beneficial in preparing your high school student for college in that all assessments, lessons, instructions, and assignments are matched to meet the required standards and the knowledge builds on itself naturally rather than repeating. Any academic gaps or deficiencies are able to be resolved and student improvement can be measured against college and career readiness standards. 

Related: The Benefits of a Christian Education

Safety

Last but certainly not least, parents of both current and prospective parents rated a safe environment as one of the most essential features when choosing a school. The transition out of childhood and into adulthood can be a difficult one, but Christian high schools in Clearwater, FL like Lakeside Christian School can help your student reach their highest academic and spiritual potential by fostering an environment of respect and compassion. Each and every one of our teachers and members of administration actively demonstrates and models Christian principles.   

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

Are School Uniforms Beneficial for Students and Parents?

Yes! School uniforms can be incredibly beneficial for students, especially elementary school students. School uniforms are affordable, promote equality, and show that children are proud to be a part of their school. In this article, we go over these benefits in a little more detail and discuss why your child doesn’t have to be bummed out when they have to put on their uniform in the morning. Just check out these uniform options at Lakeside Christian School, an affordable private elementary school in Clearwater, FL

Affordable Wardrobe 

One of the main benefits of a uniform policy is affordability. Many parents who can afford a private education for their children are still hard-pressed to provide a new wardrobe every year for their growing kids. That’s why private schools like Lakeside Christian School implement uniform policies — parents shouldn’t have to choose between an outstanding education or new clothing for their child. Our uniforms consist of an LCS-issued polo shirt and khaki pants/shorts (skirts are permitted for young ladies). This is just one of the many ways that our school helps parents save money while providing their children with a private education. There’s also the added benefit of not having to scramble to find your kids something to wear in the morning! 

Related: Why It’s So Important to Apply for Income-Based Scholarships for the 2020-21 School Year

Equal Footing

At Lakeside Christian School, we strongly believe that all children are entitled to a first-rate learning experience. School uniforms are one of the many ways we provide this experience. School uniforms promote unity, allowing students to see past superficial differences. This not only helps students bond but also helps prevent instances of bullying. Our uniform policy helps students focus on what matters most: their education and development. Of course, this doesn’t mean that your child can’t showcase their individuality — helping students find their unique voice is a goal of ours. We do allow students to dress down on Fridays!

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

School Spirit 

A school uniform is a perfect way to instill in students the idea that they are not alone, that they are a part of something bigger than themselves. This helps students take ownership of their education and motivates them to achieve their goals. In essence, a school uniform allows your child to display school spirit. At Lakeside Christian School, we believe that obedience, respect, and responsibility are key virtues that students must develop. A school uniform helps them embody and take on these ideals, and once they’ve graduated, these ideals will help them succeed throughout their entire lives. When you see your child in a LCS uniform, you’ll know that you’ve found them a school that they can feel proud of, a school that they can feel at home at. 

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

College Preparation Begins As Early As Elementary School

When you hear the words “college and career readiness,” you likely don’t think of an elementary or even a middle school student. For most parents, elementary and middle school is a time for their student to develop a foundation of fundamental academic skills, basic knowledge, and socialization strategies they’ll need to succeed in their high school education. However, one private school in Clearwater is revolutionizing the way we look at college preparation. 

Lakeside Christian School believes that college preparation begins long before high school or even middle school — in elementary school. The skills and knowledge they acquire in elementary school serve as the seeds for college preparation. In this brief article, we’ll provide an overview of this philosophy as well as the steps Lakeside Christian School has implemented to ensure their students are college-ready and equipped for success. 

Related: How Private Schools Improve College Readiness 

The Philosophy

The philosophy of implementing college and career readiness in elementary school is not, in any means, an attempt to contribute to the latest college admissions frenzy. In no way do we endorse lining up your child’s achievements to consider how they might play on a college application. Instead, our philosophy involves ensuring your child is learning more than simply how to pass a test or get an “A.”

Even as early as elementary school, we believe that students should be encouraged to think about the future and link their interests to potential careers. This goes for parents as well. If you notice your child falling behind, it’s important to act quickly to get them caught up. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will become to get your child back on track. This is a large part of why we believe in starting this process so early.

Related:  3 Important Ways to Foster Your Child’s Development in Elementary School

The Strategy

So how does Lakeside Christian School, a private school in Clearwater, act on this philosophy? First, our Mastering Learning Division supports all our students in grades K-5 with a solid academic foundation in language arts and mathematics, including accelerated learning solutions and robust early reading intervention. We’ve seen firsthand how difficult it is for young students who never developed reading and writing skills, which is why we place such a strong focus on producing competent readers and early reading achievement. 

The results are already clear. At Lakeside Christian School, we are consistently and frequently seeing our students improve by two or more grade levels and even go beyond their grade level in math and reading. Thanks to an effective blend of curriculum, technology, and talented educators, your child will be on a secure path towards college and career readiness. Classes fill quickly. If you are considered attending, we invite you to contact us to find out what we have already done to prepare so many children for a bright future of educational opportunity. 

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

How Lakeside Christian School Is Making the 2020-21 School Year Safe for Students

Lakeside Christian School is on track to reopen starting on August 10, 2020. We know that parents are concerned for the safety of students amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Parents are also worried about the consequences of withholding full-time education from their children, especially those of high-school age who are preparing to transition to college life. In this brief article, we discuss how Lakeside Christian School is complying with state recommendations for reopening. We will also touch on how our LCS Task Force is working to make Lakeside Christian School, a private high school in Clearwater, FL, safe for new and returning students. 

Safely Reopening Florida’s Education System 

On June 11, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis and Commissioner Richard Corcoran announced recommendations for local communities to consider prior to reopening schools. “It is critically important that we continue to show compassion and grace as we make decisions to safely get students back in the classroom,” said Commissioner Richard Corcoran. “Data from across the nation and world clearly indicates it is safe to reopen schools in August.” DeSantis and Corcoran recommend a step-by-step approach to reopening K-12 campuses. Among numerous recommendations, reopening strategies include creating a crisis response team; screening students, employees, and visitors; and creating a disinfectant protocol. 

Related: Why It’s So Important to Apply for Income-Based Scholarships for the 2020-21 School Year

Lakeside Christian School’s Plan for Reopening 

At Lakeside Christian School, we are doing everything we can to abide by these recommendations. We have created unique reopening plans that are tailored to Lakeside Christian School and in compliance with the Governor’s guidelines. These plans include: 

  • Social Distancing Mitigation Procedures: LCS is discouraging large groupings of students, especially in our building’s more confined spaces. 
  • Health Mitigation Procedures: All staff and students will have their temperatures checked prior to entering the building. 
  • Building Cleaning Procedures: We have employed a cleaning company to comply with CDC cleaning requirements for cleaning frequently touched surfaces. Staff will also be cleaning frequently touched surfaces throughout the school day. 
  • Classroom Options: LCS will continue to utilize digital tools to allow students to stay on top of assignments if they stay home from school to quarantine or recover from illness. 

Putting the Health and Safety of Our Students First 

At our private high school in Clearwater, FL, we understand the predicament that many parents are facing. Many of our parents need school to reopen in order to return to work. Other parents want to ensure that their students receive an outstanding education but are concerned about their student’s safety. We want to take this time to assure you that every precaution is being taken to ensure that your child enters or returns to a safe learning environment. 

Related: What Sets Lakeside Christian School Apart?

There simply is no substitute for in-person learning. As always, we strive to provide your child with an in-person learning environment that will set them up for success in their remaining high school years, college life, and careers. Feel free to contact us with any questions about our reopening efforts. 

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

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