As parents, we strive to see our children succeed in all aspects of life, and reading is no exception. Mastering the skill of reading is fundamental for academic success and personal growth. However, learning to read can be a challenging process for some children. At Lakeside Christian School, the leading private school in Clearwater, Florida, we recognize the significance of reading and are eager to share valuable tips on how you can support your child in expanding their reading skills. By implementing these strategies, you can cultivate a love for reading and provide a strong foundation for their educational journey.
Reading with your child on a regular basis is crucial for their literacy development. Set aside dedicated time each day to read together, whether it’s a book, newspaper, or magazine. This activity improves their vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking abilities. Encourage them to ask questions about the story, discuss the characters and plot, and express their thoughts and opinions. By engaging in shared reading experiences, you create a positive and interactive environment that fosters a deep connection with literature.
Allowing your child to select their reading material helps cultivate a love for reading. Take them to the library or bookstore and allow them to explore various genres and topics that interest them. If your child is facing reading challenges, assist them in finding books that align with their current reading level to boost their confidence. Offering a range of options and respecting their preferences empowers them to take ownership of their reading journey.
Reading extends beyond books. Encourage your child to engage with reading materials in the real world. When you’re out and about, invite them to read signs, menus, and labels, reinforcing their reading skills in practical contexts. Additionally, consider incorporating audiobooks into their reading routine. Audiobooks provide a refreshing alternative to traditional reading and improve comprehension and listening skills.
Phonics and sight words are essential building blocks for reading proficiency. Phonics teaches children to decode words by recognizing and blending individual sounds, while sight words are commonly used words that require memorization. Regularly practice these skills with your child through interactive games and activities. This approach strengthens their reading foundation and boosts their confidence as they become more proficient readers.
Learning to read is a gradual process that demands patience and positivity. Encourage your child through every step of their reading journey, even if they encounter challenges. Maintain an optimistic attitude and celebrate their progress, regardless of how small it may seem. By fostering a supportive environment and acknowledging their achievements, you nurture their self-esteem and motivation to continue learning.
Reading plays a vital role in a child’s academic and personal growth. By implementing these strategies from Lakeside Christian School, you can support your child in developing strong reading skills and igniting a lifelong love for literature. Remember, reading should be an enjoyable experience that sparks the imagination, expands knowledge, and cultivates a thirst for learning. Empower your child to embark on this remarkable journey, and watch as their reading skills flourish, opening doors to endless opportunities.
Get in touch with Lakeside Christian School, the best private school in Clearwater, Florida, and discover how we can assist you this academic year – Contact us!
Deciding to enroll your child in a private school is not an easy choice to make. It’s normal to feel like your child might not fit in or be afraid that a private school is just not the right fit for you or your child. However, private schools have been proven to not just be more inclusive than traditional public schools, but the early jump start the students get in the private school puts them way ahead of their peers.
Some of the best private schools are in Clearwater Florida, but when deciding whether or not to enroll your child you should consider three things, the increased academic rigor, school safety, and options beyond academics.
In general private schools have a much more demanding graduation requirement than public schools. This is due to the fact that they prepare their students more as such they are tested to a much higher standard.
If your child is already showing signs of not being challenged in school or you would like for them to have a much more in-depth curriculum, then a private school might just be the perfect place for your child.
It is also never a bad idea to give your child the best possible start, luckily some of the best private elementary schools are in Clearwater Florida.
All you have to do nowadays is turn on the news and see just how unsafe traditional public schools have become. With bullying, behavioral issues, and much more public schools are almost always rated among the lowest when it comes to safety.
Yet when you look at private schools all these cases of bullying or fighting among the student body drop by a significant margin. This in part is due to the students feeling challenged and heard, and secondly due to the highly trained staff they hire. The staff is better equipped and experienced to help your child work their way through what is troubling them.
When funding gets harder to find the first thing that is always cut from schools are extracurricular activities, band, football, and clubs these are always the first thing that goes. This is not the case in private schools. Not only will your child always have the extracurricular activities available to them, but they will also have many more opportunities to join new and unique clubs that can spark a new passion in them.
If everything above interests you and your child then at this stage you must be considering possible private schools. There are plenty of options to pick and each one is a good option, but Lakeside Christian School is unlike any other private schools currently available. With over 40+ years of experience, highly qualified staff, and an abundance of extracurricular activities ranging from K-12 Lakeside Christian School will help your child prepare from the very beginning till they are ready to move on.
If you have any questions feel free to contact us, Lakeside Christian School is the best private school in Clearwater Florida.
The foundation of any civilization is education, which is why parents strive to provide their children with the best education possible, regardless of their financial background. However, with the ever-changing socio-economic conditions of the world, many parents are left wondering how they can afford to send their children to private schools.
Fortunately, Lakeside Christian School, the best private school in Clearwater, FL, has the solution. If you’re seeking affordable private school options, here are a few things to consider.
Not all private schools are expensive. Day schools are generally less expensive than boarding schools and religious schools can be less costly than secular ones. Lakeside Christian School is a religious school that welcomes students of all races, nationalities, and ethnic origins, without discrimination. We offer a comprehensive program for our students and accept McKay and S.U.F.S. scholarships.
If you’re searching for other private school options, research great schools in your area and read their reviews. While some schools may be affordable due to lower fees, ensure that they don’t compromise on the quality of education.
There are numerous scholarships available to students, including those from organizations such as Florida P.R.I.D.E. and Children First, offering scholarships like Step Up for Students. These scholarships provide up to $7,700 annually to low-income families, students with special needs, students who have been bullied, and children of family members in the armed forces.
Many private schools offer financial aid to families who cannot afford full tuition. Options include tuition payment plans, tuition loans, grants, merit scholarships, outside scholarships, and discounts.
Lakeside Christian School offers truly affordable education without compromising on quality teaching. We have been providing education for all since 1975 and offer various scholarship options. Take the first step towards your child’s better future and join us at Lakeside Christian School.
To learn more, give us a call at (727) 239-7808 or schedule a tour today.
Every child deserves a high-quality education, regardless of income. As one of the leading private middle schools in Clearwater, FL, Lakeside Christian School is committed to providing individualized education guided by God for all children. Through various scholarship opportunities, you can provide your child with the best education and opportunities possible without worrying about the cost of tuition.
Read on to learn more about applying for the various scholarship programs available at Lakeside Christian School.
There are multiple scholarship programs available under Step Up for Students in Clearwater, FL.
The most popular among them are the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and Family Empowerment Scholarship. There are also scholarship options for students with unique abilities.
Established in 2001, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program offers an income tax credit for corporations that donate to SFOs or Scholarship Funding Organizations. This scholarship is aimed at expanding educational opportunities for children coming from low-income households so that they can achieve greater excellence in terms of education.
The eligibility criteria that must be met in order to benefit from the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program are as follows:
The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program bill was expanded to include two branches in 2022. The eligibility of the students is based on family income.
This scholarship provides K-12 students with options to choose among the participating private schools. Families must apply through one of the approved SFOs.
The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program offers students with unique abilities who are as young as three years old access to additional options for educational institutes. Families can choose a different public school or receive a personal education savings account for their children.
With ESA funds, families can access private school tuition fees, online learning programs, private tutoring, higher education costs, college expenses, and other approved learning materials.
Here are the steps to apply for a private school scholarship to benefit from the programs mentioned above.
Information about the documents and additional information about the eligibility criteria are detailed in the scholarship handbooks.
If you are looking for quality education for your children, consider Lakeside Christian School. As a leading private middle school in Clearwater, FL, we offer the best education for your child, regardless of your household income.
To learn more, give us a call at (727) 239-7808 or schedule a tour today.
Clearwater once held the record for most consecutive days of sunshine at 768 days. For this reason, it is evident that God’s creation continues to bless us all. However, when it comes to education, many people are still disadvantaged.
17,500 of every 115,000 people live below the poverty line in Clearwater, Florida. But, their lack of income should never deter their dreams of education. That is why at Lakeside Christian School, we offer many scholarships for private schools so that their children still receive the best education.
Here is the list of Scholarship Options that you can look into for private schools in Clearwater, Florida.
The Step Up for Students Scholarship is one of the most sought-after scholarship funds in Clearwater, Florida. With this, you can enroll your children in participating private middle schools in Clearwater, FL, private high schools in Clearwater, FL, and private elementary schools in Clearwater, FL.
This scholarship is in demand because it allows parents to get their children into institutions that can offer the best growth opportunities. Moreover, the family members of active military personnel can also take advantage of this scholarship, and get rewarded up to $7,000 for their educational needs.
If your family income is above the Step Up limits, and you still need access to more affordable tuition, the FACTS scholarship assessment has you covered.
With this option, you send your children to any participating elementary school, high school, or private middle schools in Clearwater, Florida. Under this scholarship, a targeted financial response can be offered to help bring the tuition cost in line with a parent’s ability to pay.
The McKay scholarship is meant for children with special circumstances. 30,000 students have access to this fund every year, giving them a chance to attend a suitable private school. However, this scholarship doesn’t only cover private schools, but also public schools. For instance, if you want your child to be enrolled in a school that can facilitate teaching for their special needs, you can do so.
While the term “special needs” tends to be ambiguous, let us give you some clarification in this regard. “Special needs” refers to:
That said, there are other requirements that a student must meet to become eligible for this scholarship.
The Family Empowerment Scholarship Programs are for students with unique abilities. Families with special-needs children as young as three years old can benefit from this program. It offers two options to the parents of such students:
The money from the Personal Educational Savings Account can then be used to pay tuition fees in private schools.
Whether your children will be attending private middle schools in Clearwater, FL, private high schools in Clearwater, FL, or private elementary schools in Clearwater, FL, there are many scholarship options for you, including the AA, Florida Tax Credit, Opportunity, and more.
Learn more about Lakeside Christian Schools and contact us today to hear about the wide range of scholarships available here for your children.
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program began in 1998 with the objective of giving low-income families a choice in where their children attended school. The Step Up for Students scholarship is one of the most beneficial scholarship programs for private school students.
Since its inception in Clearwater, Florida, Step Up for Students has grown to serve approximately 80,000 students across the state. The scholarship allows parents to send their children to participating private schools if they believe their children are not receiving proper education at their local public schools.
Learn more today about whether your child is eligible for a private school scholarship through Step Up for Students.
Students who have the fewest alternatives for improving their educational quality are eligible for the Step Up for Students funding program. Step Up for Kids grants primarily aid low-performing pupils and allow parents to assist their children in reaching success.
The Step Up for Students grant allows private elementary schools in Clearwater, Fl to deliver a high-quality elementary education to their community in order to help them achieve a better future. The Step Up for Students scholarship is also available for private middle schools in Clearwater, Fl, and private high schools in Clearwater, Fl, providing young, bright minds with the opportunity to receive a high-quality, private education.
A family of four with an annual income of up to $111,000 is one example of who would be eligible for the 2022-23 school year. The scholarship amount is determined by the student’s residence and grade level. Please click here to see the scholarship award amounts for 2022-23.
In terms of age,
Other families that are eligible for a scholarship include:
Yes, Lakeside Christian School, one of the best private high schools in Clearwater, Fl, accepts students from the Clearwater area whose parents qualify for the Step Up for Students award.
Through the Step Up for Students scholarships and Lakeside Christian School, the same educational benefits that were previously solely available to those with financial means are now available to everyone. All students at our K-12 private school receive the top curriculum and resources they need to learn more quickly than they would in a regular classroom. Regardless of parental status, there is a large segment of children, both nationally and locally, who have significant gaps in prior grade-level skills, preventing them from succeeding in high school and college.
Do you have questions about the Lakeside Christian School application process? Contact us today and learn more from one of our trained staff members.
Private schools can often offer more individualized and tailored education for students. With smaller class sizes and more unique programs, many families seek out private school education for children.
As one of the most beneficial scholarship programs in Florida, Step Up for Students in Clearwater, Fl is one of several scholarships accepted at Lakeside Christian School. To learn more about our top scholarship program option, read on.
Started in 1998, the Step Up for Students Scholarship serves over 80,000 students across Florida and is a product of the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program. The goal of this scholarship is to allow parents the opportunity to enroll their children in private schools without financial burden.
This scholarship helps students with the most limited options for expanding their education, like those in low-middle income families, those that are victims of bullying or abuse, and those with special needs. It also allows educators to accelerate student learning beyond the normal pace of mainstream education.
If you are a parent wondering how you can afford to send your child to the best private schools in Clearwater, Fl, the Step Up for Students scholarship may be a good fit for your family.
Every year, Lakeside Christain School provides qualified students and families with more than $250,000 in financial assistance. And, Step Up for Students is not the only scholarship accepted.
We also accept the McKay Scholarship, available to all current students in the public school system who have a qualified IEP or 504 plan for specific learning issues. Additionally, the FACTS Scholarship is an income-based program that covers 100 percent of tuition and is available for all parents who desire their children to attend Lakeside Christian School.
Depending on your child’s unique needs, they may be eligible for one of our scholarships.
At Lakeside Christian School, one of the Step Up for Students participating schools in Clearwater, Fl, our team is dedicated to serving all kinds of families and students, not just those with financial ability. If you’re searching for the top elementary and middle schools or the best private high schools in Clearwater, Fl, call us at (727) 239-7808 or complete our contact request form to schedule a tour today.
In the past, a private school education was out of reach for many because of the financial aspect. This put many parents of kids who were being bullied, or parents of those with a learning disability or special medical needs at the whim of the public school system with few options. Thankfully, the Step Up for Students scholarship was created in Florida to give greater school choice to those in special circumstances, creating more accessibility to a private education for all who need it.
In this brief article, our team at Lakeside Christian School, one of the Step Up for Students participating schools in Clearwater, FL, has more information on the Step Up for Schools collection of scholarships to help you make the best choice for your child, regardless of tuition price.
According to their website, “Step Up For Students empowers families to pursue and engage in the most appropriate learning options for their children, with an emphasis on families who lack the information and financial resources to access these options.”
Step Up for Students was dreamed up by founder John Kirtley, who began the Children’s Scholarship Fund of Tampa Bay. After legislation supported the ability of parents to use these scholarships to place their children in better schools and once combined with the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program enacted in 1988, the Step Up Scholarship was created.
The overall goal of the Step Up for Students scholarship is to allow parents the opportunity to take their children to participating private schools if they felt they were not being served well in their local public and/or charter schools. The Step Up for Students scholarship program targets students who tend to have the most limited options for improving the quality of their education.
Originally, the scholarship fund housed two smaller scholarships, but in recent years it has been expanded into four separate funds. These include:
This is an incredible organization that gives to those who need it most. Step-Up For Students writes, “A state-commissioned researcher has determined that scholarship students “tend to be among the lowest-performing students in their prior school, regardless of the performance level of their public school.”
Ultimately, these scholarship funds make private schools in Clearwater, FL more accessible to any income level, reading level, or level of ability – all of which are welcomed by Lakeside Christian School.
Although the Step Up for Students scholarships are housed under the same umbrella, each scholarship within Step Up has differing requirements.
A few of the requirements for this collection of scholarships include:
The Income-Based Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship: A child may be eligible for an FTC scholarship for any of the following reasons:
Gardiner Scholarship: This scholarship is for children with special needs and unique abilities. Students between the ages of 3 and 22 who have yet to complete the 12th grade may qualify for the Gardiner scholarship. Your child may qualify for the Gardiner scholarship if they have:
Your child may also qualify if they are in a hospital or homebound.
The Step Up for Students scholarship fund is important because it gives access to children who might be facing more hurdles than others in public schools. Although public schools may individually have excellent test scores, or may have a positive curriculum, ultimately your child may not be able to receive the individual attention they need.
Think of a child who struggles in reading. A public school may not be able to slow down the curriculum in place to help one struggling child, and if you find that your child also does not respond well to a private tutor, what can you do? You can switch to a school with smaller class sizes and more focused, data-driven learning methods that give your child the attention they need to succeed.
You can also consider the positive impact on children with special needs. The need may not seem big to a public school – for example, if your child suffers life-threatening anaphylaxis due to food allergies – but in a private school setting there are more eyes on the child more consistently, creating a safer environment. This can decrease stress not only for the student, but for their caregivers as well.
In the ever-inflating market, schools that encourage Step Up for Students in Clearwater, FL can keep your child in the right school no matter what is happening in public schools or the economy.
Lakeside Christian School wants to help create a positive foundation for the rest of your child’s life for all students, and welcomes recipients of the Step Up for Students Scholarship. With over 40 years of experience and a diverse student body, 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.
If you would like to learn more about Lakeside Christian School, the best Clearwater private school, please give us a call at (727) 239-7808 or schedule a tour of our campus.
One of the most common reasons people don’t choose a private school for their children is because they don’t believe they can afford it. What many parents are surprised to learn is that there are several scholarships available that put private school within reach for nearly every family of every income level. Thanks to legislation expanding school choice, private schools across Florida accept millions of dollars in scholarships each year to ensure greater access to better education.
In this brief article, our team at Lakeside Christian School, an affordable private elementary school in Clearwater, FL, has shared a few of the scholarships available to help you remove the barrier of finances from providing your child the education they deserve.
At Lakeside Christian School, we want to remind you that YES! You can afford a private education at the best private school in Clearwater, FL. This is made possible through a combination of affordable tuition and the following scholarships to fill in any financial gaps or needs:
If you don’t qualify for the scholarships above, you may still be able to use the FACTS program. This in-house scholarship is designed to create more affordable tuition for low-income families and is available to new families who have decided that Lakeside Christian School is right for them. Financial aid is available to all qualifying families through a process called FACTS. FACTS is an online financial aid assessment program.
It should be noted that currently the McKay and Step Up scholarships do not cover 100% of tuition costs.
Once you’ve realized that private school is within reach, the next question we often get is how to apply for scholarships that are available as well as their deadlines to apply.
Many Christian elementary schools in Clearwater ask that parents apply for scholarships prior to 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.
Each year, Lakeside Christian School provides over $250,000 in scholarships to qualified families. Our team can help you navigate the ins and outs of applying for scholarships and financial aid and will discuss any deadlines so that you have plenty of time to apply and meet those deadlines. You’ll benefit from speaking with Step Up for Students participating schools in Clearwater, FL.
Lakeside Christian School wants to help you make the right decision for your family. With over 40 years of experience and a diverse student body of children who participate both in virtual learning and/or an in-person setting, 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.
For more information and to schedule a tour, please call Jim Jensen, Administrator at (727) 477-8542.
If you would like to learn more about Lakeside Christian School, one of the Step Up for Students participating schools in Clearwater, FL, please give us a call at (727) 239-7808 or schedule a tour of our campus.
Although it is anticipated that students between the ages of 5 and 12 will soon be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, schools are still coping with day-to-day challenges and changes, and navigating the best way to keep students safe. Add in the fact that many public schools are caught in a tug-of-war with the state for funding and mask mandates, and it creates a perfect storm of stress for educators and parents alike. With that in mind, many parents are still considering changes to their original education plan, looking for the best educational experience available during and after the pandemic.
In this brief article, the team at our Clearwater, FL Christian school has shared a few tips to help you understand your child’s educational options and explains why it’s never too late to change to a private school like Lakeside Christian School.
Virtual learning has been a staple at many schools navigating COVID outbreaks. Certainly during 2020, virtual learning proved it’s worth. Yet the public school system hasn’t prioritized keeping virtual learning as an option for medically vulnerable students or for those who prefer the independence of virtual learning.
Virtual learning has many of the same benefits as in-person learning, but it sometimes has a bad reputation because there is a stigma that, if given the opportunity for flexibility, students won’t actually commit to learning. However, that stigma is largely unfounded because your child will still be part of the class and as such will receive individualized attention and have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in group activities and discussions. Where virtual learning actually 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 Christian middle school in Clearwater, FL, 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. But, unlike classes that take place in-person, 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.
If you have a child who you believe will thrive in a virtual environment, you can connect with the school virtually as well to learn more and schedule a tour. You may find it helpful to attend a virtual open house, visit the school’s website, or tune in to a virtual information session. If this is a return “visit” to find out more about a particular area of the school, such as extracurriculars, curriculum, or the specifics of a college prep program, then a private Zoom call may be more appropriate.
If your child learns best in an in-person environment, that shouldn’t have to stop just because of COVID. The key here is choice. Being able to choose between in-person or virtual instruction and not being at the whim of a school district can make your COVID-19 plans less nerve-wracking.
If you are considering in-person learning for your child, here are some examples of the types of questions you may want to ask a potential school, as provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Of course, COVID precautions aren’t the only thing you should ask about. Extracurricular activities and learning opportunities outside of the classroom can be just as important to your student’s in-person learning and educational experience as lesson plans. You may want to ask a private middle school in Clearwater, FL what types of activities students can expect to participate in on a regular basis.
There seems to be the idea that you can’t, or shouldn’t change your child’s school once the academic year has begun. However, that’s not always the case. If your child is struggling in a traditional public school because of the impacts of COVID-19, you have the option to switch to one of the private Christian schools in Clearwater, FL.
With over 40 years of experience and a diverse student body of children who participate both in virtual learning and/or an in-person setting, 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. We also have set forth clear guidelines that will take the guesswork out of the way that we handle COVID-19 outbreaks to mitigate future disruption. 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.
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.
Are you ready to join the Lakeside Christian School community? Contact us, and schedule a tour today.
Parents of Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan, Click Here.