When Should I Apply For the Step Up Scholarship?

For many people, the ability to send their children to private school seems out of reach because of cost. However, in recent years the State of Florida has made strides to bring private school within reach for thousands, possibly even millions, of students with the popular Step Up for Students scholarship. In fact, as of 2021 around 62% of students in Florida (2.2 million children) are eligible for a tax-credit scholarship or voucher.

If you’re considering applying to Step Up for Students participating schools in Clearwater, FL, there are a few important steps to understand so that you can apply and qualify for this scholarship before funds run out. In this brief article, our team of advisors at Lakeside Christian School shares the most important things to know about the Step Up for Students scholarship and how to take full advantage of the program.

What You Need to Know About Step Up for Students in Clearwater, FL

Step Up for Students scholarships is part of the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which was initiated in 1998 to give lower-income students and families more choice in regard to where to receive an education. That scholarship allowed parents the opportunity to take their children to participating private schools if they felt they were not being served with quality in their local public schools. It has since evolved to include four separate scholarship opportunities:

Florida Tax Credit: Provides students in kindergarten through 12th grade with a scholarship to assist in school choice, expenses, and transportation to public or private schools.
Family Empowerment (formerly known as the Gardiner Scholarship): Created to help children with unique abilities and special needs by directing money toward a combination of programs and approved providers, including schools, therapists, specialists, curriculum, technology – even a college savings account.
The Hope Scholarship: Available to students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade who are enrolled in a Florida public school and have been bullied, harassed, assaulted, threatened and/or a victim of other violent acts.
The Reading Scholarship: Created to help children in third through fifth grade who struggle with reading.

The Step Up for Students scholarship program is different because it targets students who tend to have the most limited options for improving the quality of their education. Families who are active duty military can also qualify for this scholarship. It should be noted, however, that these scholarships may not cover 100% of tuition costs.

When Should You Apply for the Step Up Scholarship?

Although the Step Up for Students Scholarship is a great opportunity, you may find that funds quickly run out if you wait too long to apply. In some cases, the deadline to apply for scholarships for the following school year is June 4.

It can take anywhere from 3-5 weeks to process your application, and in most cases Clearwater, FL private middle schools prefer that you apply for scholarships before or during the application process for admission. However, you may find it more beneficial to speak with the school you are considering directly. School advisors will help guide you through the process of both applying for admission and applying for financial assistance.

It should also be noted that Step Up for Students Scholarship prioritizes the application process for lower-income applicants. If you are applying for a scholarship and do not meet the income requirements, your application may still be processed but it may take slightly longer for a response.

How to Apply for the Step Up Scholarship

When Step Up For Students is accepting applications for the income-based scholarships families must complete an online application and submit the required supporting documentation. These documents may vary from one application to the next depending on each family’s situation. However, you will typically need to submit:

Paystubs (30 consecutive days closest to when you submit your application)
Proof of residency for all members in the household (i.e., health insurance, Medicaid, income documentation, utility bills, court custody documents or residential lease listing household members)
Any other sources of income (i.e., unemployment benefits, social security benefits, child support benefits, etc.)
Driver’s license or passport for primary and secondary parents

To apply for a Christian middle school in Clearwater, FL, including Lakeside Christian School, you will need to speak with the school’s advisors to discuss any additional information that may be needed.

Once you have been awarded a scholarship, you will need to print your award letter and submit it to the school of your choice. Then, the school administrator can complete and submit a School Commitment Form for your student to let Step Up for Students know your child is attending their school on the scholarship. It is crucial to note: for a Florida Tax Credit Scholarship student to be properly enrolled and receive payment, the parent MUST take the award letter to the school of your choice as soon as possible, in order to secure your award.

With over 40 years of experience and a diverse student body of children from families of all socioeconomic backgrounds and income levels, Lakeside Christian School is built on the biblical principles of loving God and loving others. This care is demonstrated through the warm, respectful relationships among staff and between staff and students, and uses a tailored approach to your child’s education. If you’re interested in learning more about how we challenge all of our students to achieve their academic and personal goals, give us a call.

Each year, Lakeside, the best private school in Clearwater, FL, provides over $250,000 in scholarships to qualified families. For more information and to schedule a tour, please call Jim Jensen, Administrator at (727) 477-8542. New inquiries only. For all other concerns, please use: (727) 461-3311.

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

Virtual Learning: What to Expect and How to Get Started

The COVID-19 pandemic created a major need for virtual and hybrid learning. Although many children thrive in an in-person classroom setting, some are finding more comfort in completing their classes online at home. Although the pandemic has shifted, this trend is here to stay. According to recent statistics, In 2021, 75% of schools had or have plans to operate online. This includes 45% elementary students, 64% of middle school students, and 63% of high school students.

If you’re in the category of parents who are considering switching your child to virtual learning, sometimes called eLearning or remote learning, it’s important to consider a few factors and steps to manage your expectations. The team of educators at Clearwater private school Lakeside Christian School have put together a list of what to expect and how to get started so that your child can get the most out of their virtual learning experience.

What to Expect with Virtual Learning

Virtual learning has many of the same benefits as in-person learning. For example, your student will still receive individualized attention and will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in group activities and discussions. Where virtual learning differs is in both the social aspects and the ability to take more personal responsibility regarding one’s own schedule.

During virtual learning at a Clearwater FL Christian school, your child will still be expected to participate in classroom activities via live video sessions and message boards. They will also still receive assignments and homework just as though they have attended in-person. However, your child may have more of an opportunity to learn at their own pace at various times of the day when they feel they may be more motivated for particular subjects. For example, if your child finds that they have an easier time focusing on math during the morning, they may be able to set aside more time in the morning to work on their math lessons.

Virtual learning gives parents an opportunity to get involved in their child’s learning schedule and pace as well. Some children are self-starters and won’t need as much guidance to arrive on time to their video classes, but others might need a little nudge from parents to keep them on track. It’s important to remember to manage your expectations and know that you may need to be available to your child during the day if they choose remote learning.

Aside from these differences, your child may crave in-person connection with their peers. They will still be encouraged to participate in school activities and extracurriculars to build these relationships.

In the end, both the virtual and in-person students will receive attention and care from their instructors and will be on the path to success, whether that means going to college or another program after graduation.

Tips for Remote Learning Success

Remote learning is not without its challenges. There are a few tips you should consider to help your child get the most out of their remote or hybrid learning experience.

Set up a dedicated workspace. This will help your child keep their mindset on school and create a more clear mental boundary between school activities and home life for relaxing. If possible, try to create a space outside of their bedroom where they will be more visible so that you can easily check in with them.
Create a strict schedule and stick to it. Just as adults who work remotely have found, sticking to a schedule can help your child avoid working on schoolwork at all hours of the day and night and can help them stay in a more comfortable routine. This can be especially helpful if your child does plan to transition to in-person learning again in the future.
Encourage interaction with teachers and classmates. Virtual learning can be isolating for some. The more your child talks with their teacher and classmates, the easier it will be for them to stay on track.
Give your teen some freedom with their schedule. Virtual classes offer a very unique lesson in time management. This is crucial for teens to learn in order to succeed at future jobs, so let them practice with eLearning. Let them create a schedule and check in on them periodically without micromanaging. Check in with your teens’ teachers to make sure they are still on track, but give them a little leeway to create their own schedule and routine.

Getting Started with eLearning

If you’re considering switching your child or teen to virtual learning, it’s important to not only evaluate the situation and your level of comfort regarding COVID, but to also speak with the school’s advisors on whether your child might be a good fit. Christian high schools in Clearwater, FL may offer some level of virtual learning or eLearning, but it’s crucial that you find the right fit for your child’s individual needs.

With over 40 years of experience and a diverse student body of children from families of all socioeconomic backgrounds and income levels, Lakeside Christian School is built on the biblical principles of loving God and loving others. This care is demonstrated through the warm, respectful relationships among staff and between staff and students, and uses a tailored approach to your child’s education. For more information on how your student can succeed in a virtual learning program, get in touch with Lakeside Christian School today.

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