New Bible-based school opening in fall

Faith Family Community Church is opening a Bible-based school in Winter Garden for kindergarten through third-grade students in its inaugural year. Parents can register their children at Winter Garden Christian Academy for the 2024-25 school year; a maximum of 64 students will be accepted — 16 per classroom.

In its second year, the school will open up registration for fourth- and fifth-graders as well, with plans to offer a hybrid online option for students in sixth through 12th grades. An early-learning center with 12 classrooms, more administration space and a performing arts center will be added to the six-acre campus, said school administrator Pastor Clark Rivas.

The idea of opening a school has been on the minds of church administration for several years.

“We go on an annual camping trip in March, the men of the church, and every year, the sole purpose of the camping is spiritual formation,” Rivas said. “We had a gentleman speak to us about two years ago about nurturing our families and children, and a huge part of that was our children. We felt spiritually led to think about a school.”

About 18 months ago, a plan was put in place and the school became incorporated and registered with the state of Florida.

“We realize that there’s waiting lists for every other school here in Central Florida, even right here in the Winter Garden locale that aren’t able to accept any more students,” Rivas said. “It’s a great need, and it’s getting greater.”

Some families who are moving to the area already have enrolled after finding the school online.

Winter Garden Christian Academy is providing education vouchers from the state of Florida’s Step Up for Students program. Families will receive about $8,000 divided into quarterly payments. The school tuition is $10,800 annually. Other forms of financial aid are available at the school, Rivas said.

The school’s website will provide updated information about the progress of the campus and give parents and students instructions on purchasing uniforms.

Rivas was the first employee hired last September. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Christian education and a master’s degree in theology and is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene.

Katie Early is the office manager.

There will be one teacher per grade; the hiring of all but one has been finalized. Terrie Osborne will teach kindergarten, Sharon Parsons will lead the first-graders, and Haley Workinger will be in charge of third-graders; the hiring of the second-grade teacher is pending, Rivas said.

As the start of school nears, the campus will look more and more like a school, Rivas said. A playground is being added in a few weeks, and some of the classrooms already are filled with furniture.

The curriculum, based on Biblical world view, comes from Bob Jones University.

“Every subject, whether it’s math or science or geography or science, will have biblical reference in this curriculum,” Rivas said. “We have to attribute these things to a Creator who created us in a way that we’re perfectly engineered.”

Students will have at least five options for elective classes: Judo martial arts, led by an Olympic athlete from Brazil with a focus on self-esteem and confidence; gymnastics, offered through Gymnastics USA; arts and crafts; vocal training and choir; and Bible quizzing, a program in which students will compete against other schools and churches, memorizing scripture and knowing the content of certain passages.

Working behind the scenes is a group of parent volunteers who already is excited about the possibility of expansion. Lessons in saving and investing could be offered as an elective in the future.

Faith Family Community Church has rallied around the school and provided an abundance of volunteers. The senior pastor, Melvin Adams, serves as Rivas’ director, and the church board will oversee the school.

“Our philosophy and mission is to offer an alternative to public education … in a wholesome, nurturing environment as we partner with our students’ parents to help raise their kids where they will serve Christ for the rest of their lives,” Rivas said.

“It’s an absolute honor and privilege to serve families in West Orange County, providing a solid supportive environment for Biblical world view,” Rivas said. “It is my honor to serve the King and His kids.”

Parents can add several upcoming dates to their calendars. Meet the Teacher and open house is from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8. A back-to-school bash is planned after a special 10:45 a.m. church service Sunday, Aug. 11, and will include lunch for everyone

The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 12. Winter Garden Christian Academy will follow the Orange County Public Schools calendar but with a few added days off at Eastertime.