The Best Private Schools in Deland, Florida
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Deland. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Trinity Preparatory School
Independent
Trinity Preparatory School is a premier independent college preparatory school serving the greater Central Florida region, including DeLand families. Located approximately 30 minutes from DeLand in Winter Park, this highly selective school offers a rigorous academic program with 26 Advanced Placement courses and extensive honors options. The 100-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science and innovation labs, performing arts center, athletic complex, and extensive library resources. Trinity Prep consistently achieves top academic results with graduates attending prestigious universities nationwide. The school emphasizes character development, leadership, and community service alongside academic excellence.
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St. Barnabas Episcopal School
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
St. Barnabas Episcopal School is a highly-regarded private school located in the heart of DeLand, serving students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. The school emphasizes a balanced education with strong academic foundations in reading, mathematics, and science, complemented by comprehensive arts and character education programs. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school maintains a nurturing environment while achieving strong academic outcomes. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, and dedicated art and music spaces, providing students with a well-rounded educational experience grounded in Episcopal traditions while welcoming students of all faiths.
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The First Academy
First Baptist Church of Orlando
The First Academy is a highly respected Christian college preparatory school serving families throughout Central Florida, including the DeLand area. The school offers comprehensive educational programs from pre-K through 12th grade with a strong emphasis on academic rigor integrated with Christian values. The campus features modern academic buildings, STEM labs, fine arts facilities, and extensive athletic complexes. The curriculum includes numerous Advanced Placement and dual enrollment options, with graduates consistently earning acceptance to top-tier universities. The school maintains a strong community atmosphere with extensive extracurricular opportunities and maintains a reputation for excellence in both academic and character development.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Deland, Florida
What are the primary private school options available for families in DeLand, Florida, and what are their key characteristics?
DeLand, Florida, offers several notable private school options, each with distinct characteristics. St. Barnabas Episcopal School, located in DeLand, provides a faith-based, co-educational environment for students from Pre-K through 8th grade, emphasizing a strong academic foundation within a Christian community. While Trinity Preparatory School and The First Academy are highly regarded, it's important to note they are located in Winter Park and Orlando, respectively, representing a commute for DeLand residents. For families in DeLand, St. Barnabas is the primary local independent option, while others may explore nearby Volusia County private schools or consider the commute to Seminole or Orange counties for larger college-preparatory campuses.
How does tuition for private schools in the DeLand, Florida, area compare, and are there state-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition in the DeLand area varies significantly based on the school's grade levels and programs. For a local DeLand option like St. Barnabas Episcopal School, annual tuition typically ranges from approximately $8,000 to $10,000 for elementary and middle school. Schools in the broader Orlando metro area, like Trinity Prep, can exceed $25,000 annually. A critical financial consideration specific to Florida is the state's robust school choice scholarship programs. Many DeLand-area private schools participate in the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES), which provide state-funded assistance to eligible families based on income or other criteria, making private education more accessible.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible to DeLand residents?
Private schools accessible from DeLand often provide specialized programs that leverage Central Florida's unique environment. While St. Barnabas in DeLand integrates STEM and fine arts with its Episcopal identity, schools a commute away offer broader arrays. For instance, Trinity Preparatory School is renowned for its advanced STEM curriculum and extensive arts programs. A notable local advantage is proximity to higher education; several private schools cultivate partnerships with Stetson University in DeLand, offering potential for dual enrollment, mentorship, and access to university facilities for advanced students, which is a distinctive benefit for families in this college town.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in and around DeLand, Florida?
The enrollment process for DeLand-area private schools generally begins in the fall or winter for the following academic year. For a school like St. Barnabas Episcopal School, open houses and applications often open in October, with priority deadlines in January or February. The process typically includes a completed application, submission of past academic records, teacher recommendations, a family interview, and a student assessment or visit day. Due to limited seats, especially in popular grades, early application is strongly advised. Many Florida private schools also require proof of immunization and a physical exam, adhering to state health regulations, as part of the final enrollment steps.
How do the educational environments and outcomes of private schools in the DeLand area compare to the public schools in Volusia County?
Choosing between private and public schools in DeLand involves considering environment, class size, and curriculum focus. Volusia County public schools, like DeLand High School, offer diverse programs, including IB and career academies, but often have larger class sizes. Local private options, such as St. Barnabas, provide smaller, more personalized learning environments with a consistent values-based education. Academically, many area private schools boast standardized test scores above state and district averages and near-100% high school graduation and college acceptance rates for their upper schools. The choice often hinges on a family's priority for specific religious integration, individualized attention, and a particular community culture versus the no-tuition cost and comprehensive extracurricular scope of larger public schools.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Best Private Schools in Deland, Florida: A Parent's Guide
If you’re a parent in DeLand, Florida, typing “good private schools near me” into a search engine, you’re likely seeking more than just a list. You’re looking for a meaningful educational fit for your child within the unique fabric of our community. DeLand offers a distinctive blend of historic charm, a vibrant downtown, and a strong sense of family, and the local private school options reflect that character, providing alternatives that prioritize individual attention, specific values, and specialized academic pathways. Your search is about matching your child’s needs with an environment where they can thrive, right here in West Volusia.
The landscape of good private schools near you in DeLand encompasses a range of philosophies and settings. For many families, the journey begins close to home with institutions like St. Barnabas Episcopal School. Nestled in the heart of DeLand, it offers a co-educational, faith-based education from preschool through eighth grade. Its smaller size fosters a tight-knit community feel, which is a hallmark of DeLand itself. The focus on character development alongside a strong academic foundation makes it a compelling choice for parents seeking a structured, nurturing environment before the high school years. It represents the kind of community-anchored option that makes private education here so personal.
As students grow, the search for good private schools near me often expands to include renowned college-preparatory institutions a short drive away. Schools like Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park and The First Academy in Orlando are within a commutable distance for dedicated DeLand families. While the drive is a consideration, these schools attract parents seeking rigorous academic curricula, extensive advanced placement and honors courses, and state-champion athletic and arts programs. For a student with very specific academic or extracurricular ambitions, this broader radius can be a worthwhile investment. It’s a common consideration for Volusia County parents who balance the benefits of a world-class preparatory experience with the logistics of daily travel.
Choosing between a local community school and a regional preparatory academy ultimately comes down to your family’s values, your child’s learning style, and practical logistics. We encourage you to move beyond the search phrase. Visit campuses, feel the atmosphere, and talk to teachers and administrators. Attend a school play or a soccer game. Does the school’s culture feel like an extension of your family’s values? Does its schedule align with your life in DeLand? The best private school is the one where your child is known, challenged, and inspired. Thankfully, in and around DeLand, you have several excellent options that can provide just that. Your proactive search is the first step in finding a partner in your child’s education, right here in our own community.
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