How Important is Parental Involvement in a Child’s Education?
Parent involvement in their child’s education is very important. Research has shown that greater parent involvement correlates with greater student success. Parents can get involved by volunteering at and donating to their child’s school, helping their child with homework, and showing interest in their child’s day. Whether your student attends a public school or a private Christian school in Tampa, parent involvement is one of the most important parts of nurturing your child’s success throughout their education.
The importance of parent involvement
There are many reasons as to why parent/guardian involvement is an important factor in helping students excel in school. First and foremost, it sets an example for students, showing them that school is important. Parent involvement also communicates to their child that they are important to them, and that their parents care about their success.
Involvement in their child’s school also gives parents and guardians a different perspective on their student’s learning environment. When parents are spending time on campus during school hours and school activities, it helps parents better understand what is going on in the classroom. The parents are able to get insight on a teacher’s job and how they educate students while also keeping them safe and well adjusted. This shows parents the dedication that teachers, faculty and staff have for the students and the school, which encourages parents to partner with their children throughout their student’s education.
Being involved is important for students of all ages
Generally, parents of preschool and elementary age students are very involved in school activities and volunteering. However, as students get older, parent involvement becomes less frequent. This is because the students are growing to be more independent and there is not as much of a want for their parents to be around at school. Sometimes, parents don’t see as much of an importance to be involved because their students are less dependent on them. Despite these things, being involved in your child’s education in middle school and high school is just as important as it is when they are younger.
The best ways a parent can help their child throughout their education
There are many ways that parents can get involved at their child’s school. Here are some of the ways that we find to be the most effective:
- Volunteer at school during school hours and school events. This type of involvement is required at Bayshore schools because it promotes interest in their student’s education and gives parents insight on what is happening at their child’s school.
- Show interest in their day at school. This opens up room for conversation. Ask open-ended questions instead of yes/no questions, such as “What was the best part of your day?” and “If you had to tell me what your day was like in 5 words, what would you say?” These open-ended questions start conversations that give the parent the opportunity to congratulate your child on their successes and provide support during their struggles. This also shows the child that their parent is genuinely interested in their education and how school is going.
- Help with homework. For many students, homework is where children learn to apply the skills they are taught in the classroom. If they are struggling with their homework, support and guided direction can help further their understanding of what they are learning at school.
- Donate fiscally or with your resources. This helps the school expand and gives them the ability to better your student’s education.
- Check in with the teacher. Ask if they need any support. Talk with them about how your student is doing in their class and if there are any areas that are standing out to the teacher. Creating a good relationship with teachers and staff allows parents to become more involved and aware of what is going on in their child’s education.
Christian schools in Tampa
Are you looking for a school that provides opportunities for parent involvement? Bayshore schools may be the place for you and your student. We encourage parent involvement through all ages of education and believe in the importance of connecting with families.
Contact us, today, if you have any questions about how you can get involved with your students while they are attending school at Bayshore Christian School.
What Extracurricular Activities do Christian Schools Offer?
We send our children to school because we want them to receive a good education that will help them succeed in life. However, we also want them to be able to develop good social skills, create lasting friendships and get involved in activities at school that happen outside of the classroom. That is why it’s important for schools to offer extracurricular activities. If you are looking for a South Tampa FL Christian school, make sure to check and see what extracurricular activities they offer. Though most Christian schools offer all types of clubs and activities that public or other private schools offer, the available clubs vary by school.
Types of clubs and activities
There are not many clubs or extracurricular activities that a Christian school won’t offer simply because they are a Christian school. Therefore, you do not have to sacrifice any activities by going to a Christian school. Regardless, you will need to make sure that the specific schools you’re interested in offer the clubs and activities you want. Some typical extracurricular activities that Christian schools offer are:
- STEM-related extracurriculars, such as robotics club and coding club.
- Athletics of all sorts for both boys and girls, including baseball, football, soccer, track, weightlifting, volleyball etc.
- Performing arts and fine arts such as theater and art clubs.
- Service and community involvement clubs like Key club.
- Other social clubs such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and 4-H club.
- Honors societies and debate clubs.
Some schools may choose not to offer some of these clubs and activities at their school. For example, Bayshore Christian School, a private high school in Tampa, requires all students to complete service hours throughout their education. Therefore, they do not have extracurricular service clubs available for their students to join.
Each school is different. The best way you can inquire more about the specific clubs and activities that a school has is by visiting their website. You can also call the school about any questions you might have regarding extracurricular activities.
South Tampa FL Christian schools
Looking for private high schools in Tampa? We can help! Bayshore Christian school is a private Christian school in South Tampa FL. We offer pre-K through high school education, as well as many clubs, sports, and extracurricular activities for our students.
Contact us, today, if you have any questions regarding our clubs and extracurricular activities, or if you are interested in enrollment. We are happy to help!
What are the Acceptance Rates for Getting into College After Attending a Christian School?
When looking for a high school for your student, you are probably looking for a school with a great college acceptance rate. After all, the goal for many students after high school is to attend the college of their choice. Many parents hesitate to send their child to a Christian high school because they are worried that it may affect their chances of getting into college or university. Though some private schools have better acceptance rates than others, attending a Christian school will not discourage colleges from considering your student’s application. The school’s academic reputation will affect college acceptance, not whether or not the school is private or religious. If your student is attending a South Tampa middle school and you are looking to enroll them in a Christian high school that will help them get into the college of their choice, you should look for a school that provides your child with an exemplary education and opportunities to become a well-rounded individual.
What affects a school’s college acceptance rate?
The rates of college acceptance vary depending on the school. Most colleges are aware of the reputation of the high schools that applicants attend. Typically, a university will observe trends within the grades of applicants throughout the years. If they see consistent low or below average grades from a certain high school, they may choose to not accept as many applicants from there. Colleges also look at how students from different high schools perform during their time at the college or university. If they find that students from a certain high school are not excelling at their college, they may not take future applicants from that school.
The rate of college acceptance for high schools does not only depend on grades. These are some other factors to look for when choosing a Christian high school for your student:
Course rigor. Colleges are more likely to accept students from high schools that provide rigorous courses, such as honors classes, AP classes, or college level courses such as Dual Enrolment classes.
Volunteer and community service hours. Colleges look for well-rounded students who are involved in their community. If a high school requires students to complete volunteer or community service hours, they typically have a high college acceptance rate.
Good English and writing education. Applications for college and university usually include a written essay. By attending a high school that prioritizes good writing and language skills, your student’s application will stand out.
Diversity. Colleges want students who have been exposed to diversity and other cultures. Your student will benefit from going to a diverse high school with people who come from different cultural and racial backgrounds.
Extracurricular activities. Though good grades and test scores are important for college admission, schools also look for students who have played sports, participated in clubs, and served in their community. Attending a high school that offers a wide range of extracurricular activities will help your student get involved and become a well-rounded individual.
Christian schools in Tampa, FL
If your student has attended a South Tampa middle school and is getting ready for high school, you might be looking for schools with high college acceptance rates in the area. Bayshore Christian School is a Christian school in Tampa, FL that has a high school dedicated to preparing our students for graduation and college acceptance. We have a 100% graduation rate and a 100% college acceptance rate. Our goal is to partner with the parents and the students in order to give them the tools needed to be accepted into a college or university of their choice.
Contact us, today, if you have any additional questions about college acceptance rates or what you can do to prepare your child for the college application process.
Do Private Schools Take Standardized Tests?
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Most private schools, like public schools, require their students to take standardized tests. However, private schools have a lot of testing options to choose from, whereas standardized testing in public schools are determined by the state. Christian schools in South Tampa Florida choose to administer standardized tests to help monitor the success of their curriculum. Standardized testing is also required for schools to accept state scholarships.
Types of private school standardized tests
The type of standardized tests that private school students take depends on the school. There are a lot of testing options, and each school has the choice as to what test(s) they utilize. Some of the tests that private schools administer are:
The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS). The ITBS is a standardized test that assesses reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies skills.
The TerraNova test. This test is a standardized test published by McGraw-Hill. It primarily assesses reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, vocabulary, and spelling.
MAT testing. The Metropolitan Achievement Test is a test administered twice a year that measures a student’s language arts, math, science, social studies, spelling, and reading skills.
The i-Ready assessment. The i-Ready assessment is used to determine a student’s needs and progress in the areas of reading and mathematics.
All of these assessments are available for K-12 students. At Bayshore Christian School, a Christian school in South Tampa Florida, kindergarten through eighth grade students take the ITBS. High school students take multiple tests for college admission or their future career, including the PSAT, the SAT, the ACT, the ASVAB (the military entrance exam) and the Strong Interest Inventory.
Public school vs. private school standardized tests
Some standardized tests in public school are different from private school standardized testing. Up until April of 2022, Florida public schools were required to administer the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) to students third through tenth grade three times a year. However, starting in the Fall of 2022, the FSA will be replacing the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (F.A.S.T.) test. Private schools can choose to give this standardized test, but most do not.
College entrance exams
Both private school and public school students are required to take either the SAT or ACT to apply for college in the United States. The SAT consists of writing, language, and mathematics sections. The ACT includes a science section in addition to reading, English and mathematics.
Schools can elect to hold these tests on their campuses. This gives students the opportunity to complete the test during school hours. If a school does not choose to do this, their students will have to sign up to take the tests on other campuses or testing locations.
The only tests that colleges are interested in are the SAT and the ACT. Other standardized testing does not affect college admission.
Why standardized testing?
Standardized tests given in elementary through high school, such as the FSA and the ITBS are for the school’s benefit. They assess the effectiveness of the curriculum and teaching strategies. Additionally, they allow private schools to accept money from state scholarships. Standardized testing also benefits the parents in that they can see where their child is excelling and struggling in school.
Bayshore schools
Bayshore schools are pre-K through 12 private Christian schools in Tampa, FL. Our mission is to educate our students while providing them with an uplifting atmosphere that nurtures their faith in Jesus.
Contact us, today, if you have any questions about standardized testing at Bayshore Christian schools, or if you would like to learn more about our admissions process!