Why do you use individualized instruction?

We believe that our students are best served by a curriculum that is tailored to  their needs.  We require students to master concepts before progressing, rather than failing a unit and moving on because the calendar demands it.  Our students must achieve a minimum test score of 80% in order to progress to the next unit.  Individualized instruction affords every student the opportunity to learn in a way that best suits their specific needs.

Where do we buy uniforms?                           

You may purchase uniforms at the store of your choice provided they conform to the official dress code.

   Girls: navy blue jumpers or skirts to the middle of the knee or longer, A white blouse that buttons up the front (no polo type shirts), dress shoes (closed in heel and toe and no visible tread).                                                                     

Boys: navy blue dress pants, white dress shirt, navy blue tie, dress shoes (no visible tread).  

A full delineation of dress code is available at the school office.  Be sure to consult it before purchasing your student's uniform. 

How can teachers work with so many lesson plans within one class?

Our classroom and curriculum are designed and organized to support the individualized approach.  Teachers deal with students every moment  of the day on a one-on-one basis as well as in tiny groups when beneficial to the students.  The curriculum is set.  Some material requires little supervision (i.e. seatwork or drill work). Other material requires detailed direction and oversight.  Teachers are alert and organized to provide each student with the appropriate level of instruction and supervision.  It may sound foreign to you, or difficult to achieve, but, actually our system makes it easily attainable.  Our small student-teacher ratio helps support the individualized approach.

Are you accredited?

Yes, our school is accredited by both the National Association of Christian Education and the National Private Schools Accreditation Alliance.  In addition to maintaining a qualified staff, well rounded curriculum, and proper facilities, we administer annual achievement testing to each student.  These are the kinds of issues evaluated by an accrediting agency.  

What kind of teachers do you have?

All of our teachers are active members of Crestwood Baptist Church.  They have agreed to live by Biblical standards and attempt to have an excellent testimony within the community.  Our teachers do not smoke, drink, curse, attend movies, nor do they in any way dress immodestly both professionally or personally.  All of our staff have at least a college degree.  Each has received training beyond a Bachelor's that equips them to deal in our system. Several have received post graduate degrees.  All of our teachers have a love of children and a desire to compel children to become the best person possible spiritually, morally, emotionally, and academically.  All of our teachers pray for their students regularly and delight in their ministry opportunities at Southwide Academy.

Do you administer the FCAT?

No, we do not.  The FCAT is designed to evaluate the public school system.  We do not hold the position that achievement tests are the total measure of a school's success or that year's curriculum should focus primarily on the content of an achievement test.  We do administer annual SATs and OLSATs.  Our students do very well, but we do not look at the total scores to determine we are doing a good job.  We prefer to view each individual's progress, personal development and performance in class in balance with those scores to evaluate whether or not we have successfully achieved our goals for that student.  

What is your student to teacher ratio?

Kindergarten is one teacher to a maximum of 15 students.  First through Eighth Grades is 1 full-time teacher to 12.5 students.  Ninth through Twelfth grade has 1 full-time teacher to 20 students. 

How can you offer such a low student-teacher ratio at the price level of schools with a higher ratio?

Our school staff is committed to serve this community's children.  Our church is committed to offer a loving, Christian environment where students can flourish.  We keep our classes small by design, and our prices down, through the committed sacrifice of the church as well as the school staff.  

Is the initial testing a factor in my student's acceptance to Southwide Academy?

No, the initial testing is strictly a placement test.  The tests allow us to see your student's academic strengths and weaknesses.  It also helps us to develop a program best suited for your student.

We're not Baptists.  Is that a problem?

We do not reject students based upon their spiritual background or church membership.  We have had a broad spectrum of faiths represented in the student body over the years.  We do teach the Bible.  We believe it is God's Holy Word, and it is the foundation of our school's philosophy and approach.  Each week, students memorize verses that have been discussed in daily morning devotions.  Students also attend weekly chapel services.  Bible is an organized academic subject.  We do teach that salvation is found through faith in the blood payment made through the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, God's perfect Son, as an atonement for our sins. 

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." I Corinthians 15:3,4 

What Electives do you offer?

Click Here to view our list of electives.  

(Click Here to download free Acrobat Reader.)

Do you offer an extracurricular sports program?

No, because of our caps on class sizes, we do not have the student population that supports a sporting team that competes with outside schools.  Our area enjoys many organized sporting opportunities through local parks and recreation organizations.  We do try to keep our Physical Education program exciting and do have some intramural competitions.  

What enrichment activities do you offer?

Each grade level is offered a variety of enriching activities including Art, Music, Logic, and other thematic studies. (For example, one year students in the Elementary ran a post office within their room.  Postage was earned by good work in class.  Every child had the opportunity to fulfill the duties of a mail carrier and postmaster.)

Do you have computers?                  

Yes, we do.  Every student is required to take computer lab.  Children have an opportunity to learn how to operate programs and enjoy hands-on experience with a variety of programs which are both educational and entertaining.  (Additionally, older students may also take Computer Applications as an elective).  The computers are also available for research in the classroom.  However, by design, we do not offer Internet access within the classroom.  This helps to avoid some of the unseemly things that can be found on the Web.  We believe the Internet is an area that requires close parental supervision in the home setting.  

Are scholarships available?

  We do not have any other scholarships available at this time.  Some individuals have underwritten specific students' tuition, but all of those scholarships have been filled.  If you would like to underwrite tuition for a student, please contact the school office.

Do your students attend college?

 Yes, they do.  Our students have been accepted at a variety of Schools . Some include: Click here for list.  Click Here to download free Acrobat Reader.

Are there any other financial commitments beyond tuition?

There are no required donations or fees beyond the annual Registration Fee, Book Fee and Monthly Tuition.  The Book Fee for the average student totals $240.00 for the year.  The initial payment of $80.00 covers the first 20 books.  (Which are usually completed by December).  The remaining amount is billed in increments 2 or 3 other times throughout the year.  If you would like the option to purchase a yearbook or school photos, those are available at an additional cost. (Last year's yearbook cost $35.00.  Photo packages range from $10.00 to $60.00.) 

Do you have bus transportation?

We do not offer bus service.  However, we will try to coordinate carpools among families.  We also have some older students who utilize the Palm Tram System.  We have a stop a short walking distance from the school

My child is bored in the classroom.  The work is too easy.  Can you help my child?

Yes, we can.  Because your child is given a placement test at the time of enrollment, our staff is aware of his/her academic level.  We will place your child in curriculum that will challenge him/her.  When warranted, teachers also create opportunities to expand your child's curriculum.  Honor Roll projects are assigned as well.  We feel the Bible principle, "To whom much is given, much shall be required," applies to advanced students.  We endeavor to keep all students achieving and growing.  Stagnating is not an option.  Our staff has had much experience and success in dealing with advanced students. 

My student struggles in reading and seems to be behind other children of the same age.  Will my child be able to catch up?

We would like to think so.  Because every child and situation is unique, we could never offer a guarantee or suggest that every child will advance 2 or 3 years in reading after one year's time.  That would be impossible to consider without personal knowledge of your child.  

However, we have seen children make real strides in advancing their reading levels in a given school year.  Some children gain a year's knowledge and advancement in a school year, while others have exceeded that rate.  We endeavor to remediate reading levels at the rate that best ensures long-term success.  We do not want the quality of  learning experience to suffer for the sake of quick results, nor do we want to prevent acceleration because of the calendar.  A balanced approach has always enabled us to find success for students.  

Our staff is experienced in dealing with these situations.  We keep the parents abreast of the child's progress throughout the school year.  Our teachers know how to motivate and encourage students who are lagging behind, so to speak.  We have enjoyed seeing students of all ages become confident readers and "succeeders".

Do you accept "average" students?

Yes, we do accept students that others may classify as average.  We consider all students to be unique and special.  We make a concentrated effort to encourage all students to strive, grow, and achieve.  Average students have strengths that can be built upon and weaknesses that should be strengthened.  Your child's teacher looks for both areas and has the experience to develop both areas.  

Why do you use multi-grade classrooms?

Because of our individualized approach, multi-grade classrooms allow students of similar ages to co-exists without calling attention to their varying achievement levels.  For example, a 6th grader with a 4th grade reading level, a 6th grader on level and a 6th grader with an 8th grade reading level all work one-on-one with their teacher without the social pressures of being behind or ahead.  Multi-grade classrooms offer a unique social opportunity for students.  They become examples to those younger than themselves and are looking up to those older than themselves.  Both aspects create opportunities for maturity and social development among students.

Students of varying ages do not mock or intimidate younger students.  As a matter of fact, across the student body, students love and accept each other.  Students do not call each other names or make fun of one another.  (Any students who decided to mock another student would meet with immediate staff intervention and severe disciplinary consequences).  The Golden Rule rules!  We are grateful to the Lord who gives to us a wonderful, caring student body.  

How does the school discipline children?

Our philosophy is based on an old axiom, discipline is what is done for the child, not to a child.  Students learn that every action has consequences for which they must be accountable.  Within the classroom, students who break the rules (i.e. talking during class time, passing notes, etc. ) are issued a demerit.  The demerit represents a warning to students.  They will lose 5 minutes of their nearest break time as a consequence to their action.  Demerits do not carry over to the next day.  If excessive demerits persist, students become ineligible for Honor Roll.  Your student's teacher would contact you if this were the case.  If in a given day a student earns 3 demerits, they will receive a detention.  Parents receive written notice and the detention is served the following day after school.  Detentions are another consequence of poor behavior.  Because a student with poor behavior takes from the class, he must contribute to the class by performing assigned maintenance type chores.   

On the other hand, students without demerits receive one merit for each demerit free day.  Students receive merits for helping the class and the teacher.  Merits accumulate throughout the year.  A student who achieves 600 merits in a year's time, and many do, they are awarded a day off from school, a letter of commendation, lunch out with the teacher and 2 free school lunches.  These good actions also have consequences.

Certain behaviors, such as lying or disrespectful answers, result in automatic detentions.  Other behaviors result in automatic expulsions.  These include, but are not limited to, mentioning drugs or alcohol in a positive way, bringing cigarettes or any illegal or legal mind-altering substance to school, fighting, threatening to fight or remaining silent when aware someone else is involved in those behaviors.  Discipline is done in love, in a consistent, structured manner.  

 

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