How Can I Afford Private School?
Private school is more affordable than you might think. Though tuition and fee payments can seem like a lot at first, there are many options that private schools provide to families that make these payments affordable. Most schools provide financial aid, scholarships and payment plans. Furthermore, if you are looking for a private school in the state of Florida, such as private middle schools in Tampa FL, additional state scholarships are available.
Finding the right fit
First and foremost, you should find a school that fits your family’s values and needs. If you are looking for a Christian education for your child, you should look for a private Christian school. If STEM is important to you, look for a school with a good STEM program.
Additionally, it is beneficial to compare tuitions of different schools that meet your needs. Some schools ask for tuition that is unreasonable for what the school provides. Other schools do not provide financial aid or scholarships. These are things to take into consideration when searching for a private school.
Financial aid
Most private schools provide some type of financial aid. Financial aid helps cover some of the cost of tuition, and in some cases fees as well. Unfortunately, many families think that they will not qualify because of their household income. They think that they make too much to be eligible, so they do not apply. However, the average salary of families who apply for financial aid is $100-150K, and many families receive some financial support. You will not know if your family qualifies unless you apply, so we recommend that you do!
School scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to help with tuition costs. Many private schools offer scholarships, including athletic, merit-based, and academic scholarships. Scholarships benefit both the school and families. The school has the opportunity to attract a more diverse group of students, and families can take advantage of the lower tuition rates.
State scholarships
The School Choice Office through the Florida Department of Education has a number of different scholarships for families. If you are looking for a school in the state, such as private middle schools in Tampa FL, or an elementary or high school, your family or child might be eligible for these scholarships:
Scholarships for low-income families.
The maximum qualifying income has raised over the past year so that more families are eligible for this resource.
Scholarships for dependents of military personnel.
Scholarships for children with disabilities/special needs and siblings of children with special needs.
What is considered a “disability” varies widely among private schools. This definition greatly depends on what each school can accommodate. Your child may not be accepted into a school, not because they do not want you there, but because they do not have the resources to provide assistance that will benefit your child.
Some disabilities that many schools recognize include ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), speech and language impairments, developmental delays, mental and emotional disorders, and physical impairments that require accommodation.
Students that have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 from public schools are eligible for the McKay scholarship and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA). Both these scholarships are in place to help fund a family’s choice of a private education for their child with disabilities.
Financing plans
Most private schools also offer financing plans for families. These payment plans are in place to alleviate the burden of having to pay tuition in full. Instead, these plans allow you to pay smaller monthly fees throughout the school year.
South Tampa Christian Schools
Are you looking for a private Christian school for your child? We might be a great fit for you. Bayshore Christian School is a South Tampa Christian School for grades pre-K through 12th grade. We offer low tuition rates, as well as financial aid, payment plans and scholarships for additional support.
Contact us, today, if you have any questions about financing, as well as if you have any general questions about our programs!
Is Private School Really Worth It?
Deciding where to send your child to school can be difficult, especially if you are trying to choose between public schools and private schools. You might be wondering if enrolling your child in a private school would make that big of a difference in their life. After all, from an outside perspective, private schools can appear to just be smaller schools that cost more money and require students to wear uniforms. However, there is a lot more to them than those things.
Sending your child to a private Christian school gives them the opportunity to create a foundation for their faith. Building this foundation doesn’t just stop at elementary or middle school. Enrolling your child in a private high school in Tampa FL will provide a continued space for growth in their faith to prepare them for college and beyond.
Is private school right for your child?
Though we believe that private school is worth it, how much of a positive difference it makes for students depends on a few factors.
It depends on the family. Some children may benefit more from attending a private school than others. This is especially true for students from Christian families. Unlike most public schools, Christian schools in Tampa FL have character development lessons incorporated into their curriculums. Additionally, the teachers have the opportunity to teach about God, so these lessons are often faith-based. Enrolling your child in a private Christian school provides them with the opportunity to learn and develop in an environment that encourages living how God has called us to live. This stands true for high school-aged students as well. We recommend looking for private high schools in Tampa FL so that your child can continue to grow their faith into adulthood.
It depends on the school. It is important to find a private school that lines up with your families values and priorities. When evaluating different private schools, we suggest that you ask about their beliefs about things such as teaching methods and behavior management strategies, as well as about their doctrine of faith. Attending private school may be the right choice for your child, but finding the right private school can greatly impact how “worth it” it is to send them there.
Christian schools in Tampa FL
Bayshore Christian school is a private Christian school in Tampa FL with a vision to shape young people in Christ to make an impact on the world. We offer curriculum for pre-K up through 12th grade. Contact us, today, if you are searching for a private Christian school for your child. We might be the perfect fit for you!
Is Private School Better Than Public School?
The simple answer is yes, private school is better than public school. Why is this? Overall, receiving an education at a private school leads to a better outcome for students compared to education from a public school.
Generally, private schools have more resources for students, have smaller class sizes, and focus heavily on incorporating life skills into their curriculum. From preschools in Tampa FL to South Tampa middle schools, we believe that choosing to enroll in a private school is the best option for your child.
Better preparation for life beyond grade school
Private schools better prepare children for college and adulthood. Unlike public schools, most private schools heavily focus on life skills teaching. Some of the things that they offer that most public schools do not are:
Character education: Grade school is one of the primary environments that nurtures a student’s character development. Most private schools make an effort to provide character education to teach students about good morals and core ethical values. This is especially true of private Christian schools in Tampa.
More focus on the Arts and PE: Though some public schools have PE and art classes, they do not take on as great of an importance as they do in private school.
Other benefits of private schools
Besides a better preparation for life after high school, there are other benefits to receiving an education from a private school.
Teachers have more autonomy over what they teach, when they teach it and how they teach it. Teachers can more easily control the pace at which the curriculum is taught and have the ability to alter the lessons if they feel it would be better for the students. On the contrary, public school educators typically have to follow a strict schedule to meet specific deadlines throughout the school year.
Class sizes are smaller. The average graduating class size for public schools is significantly larger than the average graduating class size for private schools. Smaller class sizes lead to more intimate relationships with peers. It also allows for students to be better known by their teachers, which personalizes their education.
The service is better. It is easier to reach faculty and staff at private schools to resolve any issues that may occur. This is partially because the staff are responsible for fewer students in private schools compared to public schools.
A personalized education
Private schools provide students with an education and experience that is altered to fit their needs. Because private school student populations are smaller, they have the resources to work with each student on a more personal level and assist them in ways that will better their learning experience.
Additionally, private schools are generally more focused on the success of each student rather than just making sure the curriculum is being taught on schedule. They are accommodating to ensure that the students are successful and truly learning, rather than just passing their classes. These factors are especially important if you are looking for South Tampa middle schools and high schools.
Private Christian schools in Tampa FL
Bayshore Christian School is a private Christian school in Tampa that has been providing preschool through high school education since 1971. If you are looking for a private school for your child, we would love to discuss our programs with you!