How to Get into a Private School
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Enrolling into a private school can be intimidating if you don’t know where to start or what to expect. There are often many schools to choose from, so even narrowing your options down can be difficult. There are a few ways to make this process easier. Understanding a school’s values and goals can help you pick what is best for your child and your family. Additionally, knowing how the application process works and what they are looking for can alleviate stress and better your child’s chance of acceptance. Whether you’re looking to start your child’s education in a private school, or you want your student to transfer to a private high school or private middle school in Tampa, FL, here are some tips to help you get started.
Looking for the right fit
Sometimes, the hardest part about applying to a private school is finding the right fit for your student and your family. Here are some ways to narrow down your options:
Identify which schools match your family’s values. Research potential schools to see what their goals are and to get a better understanding about aspects such as teaching methods, curriculum, and conflict management.
Ask the school what they look for in an applicant. Oftentimes, schools have specific qualities or achievements that they require from students for acceptance. Some of these elements are grades and extracurricular involvement.
Grades. Inquire about how your child’s grades and behavior at previous schools may affect admission. Typically, private schools, specifically high schools, have higher standards for admission than public schools. It is important that your student focuses on excelling in middle school so that they have a better chance of getting accepted into their private high school of choice.
Extracurricular activities and specialty schools. Some private schools may focus on specialties, such as sports or performing arts. If you want to send your student to these types of private schools, the school typically looks for students who have some experience in their area of specialty. Being involved in extracurricular activities prior to admission can help better your chances of admission to specialty schools. Additionally, private schools look for well-rounded students. Being active in the community or extracurriculars can help better a student’s chances of admission into private schools other than specialty schools.
Volunteering and family involvement. Private schools want students and families who contribute to the community. They look for students who are open to trying new activities. They want families who are not only willing but excited to get involved in the student body and surrounding community. Different levels of commitment are possible for different families. Understanding a school’s expectations can help you assess what schools are the best fit for you.
Examine tuition, fees, and financial resources. Financial requirements can be a big determining factor for families deciding on whether a private school is a realistic option for their child. The tuition and fees vary depending on the school, so it is important to know all costs to plan ahead and to look for any financial assistance the school may offer. If your child has been awarded a scholarship, you will need to make sure that the school will accept it as payment. Not all private schools accept scholarships.
We recommend picking three to five schools that fit your values and goals. There is not anything “wrong” about only choosing one school, but it may be a good idea to have other options if your top pick does not work out.
The admissions process
Once you narrow down the schools you are interested in applying, you’ll need to find out how to apply. The admissions process often differs among private schools, even within private middle schools in Tampa, FL. Despite these differences, there are many common elements included in a private school admissions process.
- Most private schools require an application. This application often includes recommendations from current or previous teachers.
- The student will most likely have to take an entrance exam.
- The student and/or family usually has to complete an interview with the admissions board.
- Some schools have students shadow before they enroll. Shadowing is when a child attends either part of a school day or a whole school day before they are a student at that school. They are often paired with a current student to show them around. This gives the child a glimpse of what it’s like on campus and what is expected.
All of these steps are designed to help the school get to know the student, and the student to get to know the school. If the school determines that the student and their family are a good fit, they will extend an offer of acceptance. If the family accepts the offer, their child will be able to enroll.
When to start the application process
The application timeline also depends on the school. Some private schools have application deadlines. After a certain date, these schools stop taking applications for the upcoming school year.
Other schools have rolling admissions. This means that application and enrollment is not limited to the start of a new school year. However, there are some limitations for high schools. If a student is working on completing credits required for graduation, they may need to finish out the school year or semester before transferring to ensure that those credits transfer over to the private school and still count towards their diploma.
A good rule of thumb is to look into the admissions processes a year ahead of when you wish to enroll. This ensures that you have enough time to apply and organize any requirements, especially if the school has specific application deadlines. Additionally, some schools have very limited capacity, so it may be important to get your application in as early as possible.
Private high schools in Tampa, FL
Are you looking for a private high school in Tampa, FL? We might be the right fit! Bayshore Christian School is a private school that offers pre-K through high school programs. We have a rolling admissions process and are available to answer any questions you may have about how to get started with your application!
Are All Private Schools Christian or Religious?
When most people think of private schools in the U.S., they often think of religious schools, specifically Christian or Catholic. Although there are many private schools that are Christian or religious, there are also secular private schools. Whether you are looking for Christian schools in Tampa, or you would like to send your child to a nonreligious private school, there are many independent schools to choose from.
Religious private schools
Many independent schools are religious. However, “religious” does not just refer to Christian schools. There are many different types of private schools for other religions, such as Judaism, Islam, and Catholicism.
There are also different types of Christian private schools based on denomination. Some Christian schools may be nondenominational, while others are a specific denomination such as Baptist, Presbyterian, or Lutheran.
Why do families choose religious private schools?
Many families choose a private school based on their religion and how that compares to what the school teaches. However, some families pick private schools based on the moral code that the school follows. Some families may also pick a private school that teaches a religion different from their own because of accessibility due to location or because of the quality of education at that school.
Do you have to be a Christian to attend a Christian private school?
At Bayshore, a Christian school in Tampa, we do not require our students and their families to be Christian. Though a majority of our student body is Christian, we also have Catholic families, Islamic families, and Buddhist families at our school. We have a statement of faith that is on our website that we require our teachers, faculty, and staff to agree to. Though we do not require all of our students to be Christians, we do require that of all our staff.
Additionally, the families need to support our mission. They need to agree that it is okay for their child to receive teachings based on our faith and beliefs, even if they do not match up with their own beliefs. However, there are other Christian schools that require the student and their family to be of the same religion or even denomination as they in order to enroll. These are called covenant schools. In some cases with covenant schools, you have to read the statement of faith and agree to the statement of faith. In other cases, the school is connected to a church, and you have to be a parishioner of that church in order to enroll.
Secular private schools
Just like with religious independent schools, there are a variety of different types of secular private schools.
Academically advanced or gifted schools. Many secular private schools are for families who are looking for an academically advanced education for their child. These schools often have children work grade levels ahead, at a faster pace, or include more in-depth teaching for certain classes or subjects. They usually have more work outside of school and focus more on academic values, rather than other potential priorities such as family time and extracurricular activities. These schools are a good fit for families with education advancement as a top priority.
Private schools for the arts, sciences, or sports. Other secular private schools focus on skills a student may have or wish to excel in. While getting a regular education that helps them complete milestones for high school graduation, these schools allow for students to receive further training in their skills such as art, dance, music, and sporting activities.
Boarding schools. Boarding schools are institutions where the students live on campus throughout the duration of the school year. Most of these schools operate August through May, however some schools are year-round. Some boarding schools may also be shorter in duration and may not match up with the typical school schedule, such as a 20-week therapy program. Some examples of boarding schools include:
- Therapy schools for students who struggle with mental illness, behavioral problems, and psychiatric disorders
- Schools for students with eating disorders
- Schools for students who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse
- Military schools for students with behavioral problems
Private middle schools in Tampa, FL
Bayshore Christian School is a nondenominational Christian school that unapologetically teaches our students using a faith-based curriculum. We are a private Christian middle school in Tampa, FL, as well as offer preschool, elementary and high school education.
Contact us, today, to inquire more about our school and our statement of faith to see if our school is the right fit for your family.
Do Private Christian Schools Receive Federal Funding?
Public schools receive money from state government aid, as well as local contributions (primarily property taxes). Private schools can also receive federal and state funding. Private schools in Tampa FL primarily receive funding through state scholarships awarded to students that enroll in their programs. Schools have to do things such as report student test scores to the state in order to receive money from the scholarships they decide to accept.
Can every private school receive funding?
All private schools have the ability to receive federal or state funding. What money they receive depends on if the school wants to receive funding or not. Funding primarily comes from state scholarships tied to students that enroll into their programs. Families can apply for scholarships that are the best fit for them and their child. If they are given the scholarship (they can only receive one), they will be given an official award letter, which can be taken to any school that accepts funds from that scholarship.
Some common scholarships that private schools receive funding from include:
- The Federal Tax Credit Scholarship: Companies in Florida can donate money to nonprofit Scholarship-Funding Organizations (SFOs). These companies get a tax write-off, and the donations give low-income families access to financial assistance if they would like their child to attend a school other than a public school.
- The Hope Scholarship: Students that have been bullied, harassed, or victims of other violent acts in public school are eligible for this scholarship so that they can transfer to another public school, or enroll in private school.
- Disability scholarships: Students with special needs, as well as siblings of students with special needs, are eligible for these types of scholarships.
- Scholarships for reading programs
- Scholarships for transportation
- Scholarships for military families
Each private school determines what scholarships they will take and what scholarships they will not accept, as well as decide which students they will admit into their program that have those scholarships. Different schools in Tampa FL take different scholarships, so it is important to research which schools accept the scholarship your child has been awarded before applying for enrollment.
What do schools have to do to get funding?
Receiving state or federal funds typically comes with “red tape.” There may be reporting or testing that has to be done by the schools in order to receive funds. For example, within the Florida Administrative Code, it is required from schools to provide student standardized testing information in order to receive funds from state scholarships. Once a year, Bayshore Christian School is required to send test scores for grades 3 to 10 as a marker of their performance. This shows the state that the students are getting a legitimate education from their funds.
Does receiving state and federal funds prohibit schools from teaching certain topics?
As of right now, receiving funds from these scholarships does not affect what can and cannot be taught at private schools. If this were to change, independent schools, especially Christian and other religious schools, would not take the scholarships that affect what could be taught.
Private High Schools in Tampa
Bayshore Christian school is a Pre-K through 12 school that accepts certain scholarships from our students. If you are looking for a private high school in Tampa, we may be the school for you!
Contact us, today, if you have any additional questions about state or federal funding, or if you would like information on the scholarships that we accept.
What Should I Look for in a Private School?
Finding the right school for your child is important. It is helpful to know what you should look for and ask when looking for a private school, especially when searching for a Christian education for your student. Here are some things that we recommend you look for and consider when you are searching for private Christian schools in Tampa FL.
True Christian Education
Christian schools come in many different forms. Just because they are a Christian school does not mean they are going to line up with your specific views and beliefs. Therefore, it is important to consider:
- If they are a specific denomination
- How they implement Christianity into the curriculum and the classroom
- If the teachers and staff are Christians
It is also wise to determine if they are actually a Christian school. Some private schools may claim to provide a “Christian education” but are just loosely affiliated with Christianity.
Tuition
We cannot specify the exact amount or range of what you should look for in terms of tuition costs. What we recommend is that you find a school that has a tuition structure that works for your family. Every situation is different. Some families are able to pay more upfront or more overall. There is no “wrong” answer if it works with your family’s financial situation. Additionally, it is good to inquire about scholarships and financial aid to see if your child or family may qualify for additional funding or assistance.
Curriculum and Academic Rigor
When looking for private Christian schools in Tampa FL, it is also helpful to be informed on the curriculum the school uses. It’s also important to understand how rigorous the classes are that the school has to offer, especially at a high school level. These are some questions that you can ask:
- Are students of all grades succeeding in the classroom?
- Are there classes available for high school students that will prepare them for college?
- What is the graduation and college acceptance rate?
Class size
The size of a class can also be a deciding factor when choosing a school that is right for your student. Most private schools have smaller classes that allow for students to receive a more personalized education. Assess whether the class sizes are manageable and appropriate for the age group. Also consider what your preferences are for your child. You may want a smaller or larger class size than what some schools provide.
Extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities are a large part of a student’s experience in school. Look to see if they have activities or clubs available for all ages. Some programs that may be offered include:
- Honors societies (these can help prepare students for further education and look great on college resumes)
- Art and theater programs
- Chorus and band
- Sports
How important the inclusion of these activities is largely depends on what your child’s interests are. It may also depend on whether or not they want to go to college.
Service hours
As Christians, we should be encouraging our children to serve. Many schools require students to complete a certain number of service hours. If a school does not require this, it might do a disservice to your child and their development in their faith.
Diversity
It’s important to be exposed to other people who are different from you. Choosing a school with a diverse student body and staff helps teach children to be kind and loving towards others, even if they look or act differently than you do. This includes ethnic, cultural, racial, and political differences.
Working and interacting with diverse peers is a life skill. Your child will experience diversity in college, the workplace and life in general, so learning in school how to respectfully interact with people who are different is helpful for success later in life.
Campus Safety
In the world we live in today, it is important to make sure your child attends a safe and secure school. Make sure the school has plans in place for emergencies, and that students and teachers are required to regularly practice drills so that they can be prepared if real danger occurs on campus.
What is Expected of Parents
Most private schools require volunteer hours and fundraising from student parents. Be sure that you as a parent are able to commit to these requirements. If not, that school may not be the right fit for your family.
Accreditation
There are accredited Christian schools and non accredited Christian schools. Accreditation shows that a school is committed to looking at its processes and making them better. It shows that they are committed to improvement.
Tampa FL Christian Schools
Bayshore Christian School is an accredited Tampa FL Christian school that offers education for grades pre-K through 12th grade. We are accredited by The Florida Council of Independent Schools and are also seeking accreditation from the Association for Christian Schools International (ACSI).
Contact us, today, if you have any additional questions about what to look for in a private Christian school, or if you would like to inquire about enrollment at Bayshore Christian School.