The Best Private Schools in De Leon Springs, Florida
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in De Leon Springs. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Barnabas Episcopal School
Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida
St. Barnabas Episcopal School is a highly-regarded private institution located just minutes from De Leon Springs in DeLand. Founded in 1960, this accredited school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education with small class sizes and individualized attention. The school emphasizes academic excellence through a balanced curriculum that includes strong STEM components, fine arts, and character development rooted in Episcopal traditions. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and athletic spaces. Parents consistently praise the dedicated faculty, nurturing environment, and strong community atmosphere that prepares students for high school success.
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The Montessori School of Deltona
American Montessori Society
The Montessori School of Deltona provides authentic Montessori education to children from De Leon Springs and surrounding communities. Founded in 1993 and accredited by the American Montessori Society, the school serves students from toddler through elementary ages. The Montessori method emphasizes individualized learning, hands-on materials, and development of the whole child. The campus features specially designed Montessori classrooms, outdoor learning environments, and enrichment programs in art, music, and foreign languages. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, experienced Montessori-trained teachers, and the development of independent, confident learners well-prepared for future academic success.
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Deltona Christian School
Independent Christian School
Deltona Christian School serves families throughout Volusia County, including De Leon Springs, with a comprehensive K-12 educational program. Established in 1978, this accredited Christian school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum integrated with biblical worldview education. The campus features modern classrooms, science and computer labs, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and offers extensive extracurricular opportunities including competitive sports, music programs, and community service initiatives. Parents consistently report high satisfaction with the academic quality and supportive Christian environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in De Leon Springs, Florida
What are the primary private school options serving families in De Leon Springs, Florida, and what are their educational approaches?
While De Leon Springs itself is a small community, families typically look to nearby schools in the surrounding Volusia County area. The top options include St. Barnabas Episcopal School in DeLand, offering a faith-based, traditional education with a strong sense of community; Deltona Christian School in Deltona, providing a Christ-centered, college-preparatory curriculum; and The Montessori School of Deltona, which focuses on child-led, hands-on learning within a multi-age classroom environment. Transportation from De Leon Springs to these schools is an important consideration for parents.
How does Florida's school choice programs, like the Family Empowerment Scholarship, affect tuition affordability for private schools near De Leon Springs?
Florida's state-funded scholarship programs significantly impact private school affordability for De Leon Springs residents. Programs like the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) and the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) provide income-based and need-based funding that can be used at participating private schools, including those like Deltona Christian School and St. Barnabas. Eligibility is based on household income, and many local families utilize these scholarships to offset tuition costs. It's crucial to check each school's participation status and application process for these state programs.
What unique outdoor or environmental education opportunities do private schools in the De Leon Springs area leverage due to the local geography?
Private schools near De Leon Springs uniquely incorporate the region's natural resources into their programs. Given the proximity to De Leon Springs State Park (the famous "Old Spanish Sugar Mill"), Spring Garden Ranch, and the St. Johns River, schools often organize field trips for environmental science and Florida history lessons. Some schools may integrate studies of local ecosystems, hydrology from the springs, or Florida's agricultural heritage into their curriculum. This provides a hands-on, place-based educational advantage that is specific to this region of Central Florida.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like St. Barnabas or Deltona Christian School for a family moving to De Leon Springs?
Enrollment timelines for popular private schools in the De Leon Springs area often begin nearly a year in advance. For a fall start, many schools open applications in January or February for the following academic year. The process typically involves a campus tour, submission of application forms and records, a family interview, and possibly student assessment/testing. Due to smaller class sizes and high demand, especially in lower grades, spaces can fill quickly. Families relocating to De Leon Springs are advised to contact schools as soon as possible, as some may have mid-year openings or waiting lists.
For a family in De Leon Springs, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school (Volusia County Schools) with the nearby private school options?
Key considerations include educational philosophy, class size, transportation, and cost. The public school option for De Leon Springs is part of the Volusia County School District, which may involve busing to a designated school. Private schools offer specific religious or pedagogical approaches (e.g., Episcopal, Christian, Montessori) with typically much smaller class sizes. However, they require tuition and a commute to Deltona or DeLand. Academically, private schools in the area often have strong standardized test scores and specific programmatic focuses, while public schools offer a broader range of state-funded special education services and extracurriculars. The decision often hinges on a family's values, budget, and the importance of a specialized learning environment versus the convenience and no-tuition cost of the public system.