The Best Private Schools in Felda, Florida
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Felda. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Canterbury School
Independent College Preparatory School
Canterbury School is a premier independent college preparatory school that serves families throughout Southwest Florida, including those from Felda seeking top-tier private education. Established in 1979, Canterbury offers both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs across its comprehensive Pre-K through 12th grade curriculum. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science research labs, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic complexes. With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, Canterbury provides exceptional individualized attention and maintains a 100% college acceptance rate to selective institutions. The school's robust transportation system serves students from throughout the region.
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LaBelle Christian Academy
Independent Christian School
LaBelle Christian Academy is a highly-regarded private school serving the Felda and greater Hendry County area. Established in 1999, this Christian school offers comprehensive college preparatory education from Pre-K through 12th grade. The academy features small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, providing personalized attention. Their robust academic program includes Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM curriculum, and extensive fine arts offerings. The campus includes modern science labs, technology-enhanced classrooms, and athletic facilities. The school maintains strong college acceptance rates with graduates attending top universities nationwide.
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Clewiston Christian School
Independent Christian School
Clewiston Christian School serves students from Felda and surrounding communities with a classical Christian education model. Founded in 1994, the school offers education from elementary through high school with a strong emphasis on traditional academic excellence. The curriculum integrates classical education principles with modern teaching methods, including dual enrollment opportunities with local colleges for high school students. The school features comprehensive athletic programs, competitive sports teams, and extensive music and arts education. Facilities include a modern campus with science laboratories, computer labs, library resources, and athletic fields serving the regional community.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Felda, Florida
What are the realistic private school options for families living in Felda, Florida, given its rural location?
Due to Felda's small, rural community in Hendry County, there are no private schools physically located within Felda itself. Families typically look to neighboring towns. The most accessible and notable options include LaBelle Christian Academy in LaBelle (about a 20-minute drive north), Clewiston Christian School in Clewiston (a 20-25 minute drive southeast), and the highly-regarded Canterbury School in Fort Myers (a 45-60 minute commute). This means choosing a private school in this area requires planning for transportation, which often involves carpooling with other local families.
How does the tuition at private schools near Felda, FL, compare to the state average, and are there any Florida-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition for the schools serving Felda families varies widely. LaBelle Christian Academy and Clewiston Christian School generally have lower tuition rates, often between $5,000-$8,000 annually, reflecting their community-based, parochial models. In contrast, Canterbury School's tuition is significantly higher, aligning with elite college-preparatory standards. Florida offers critical financial assistance through the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) and the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC). These state programs provide income-based and other eligibility funding that can be applied to tuition, fees, and transportation at participating private schools, making private education more accessible for Felda residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Felda offer that address the local environment and economy?
Schools in this agricultural region often integrate local context into their programs. Clewiston Christian School, in the "Heart of the Everglades" and sugar cane industry, may emphasize environmental science and agriscience. LaBelle Christian Academy, in the county seat, often has strong community service and civic engagement components. Canterbury School offers a stark contrast with a comprehensive college-prep curriculum, advanced STEM labs, and extensive arts and athletics facilities that are more typical of a metropolitan area. For Felda families, the choice can be between a school with deep local roots and one offering a broad, competitive preparatory experience.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Felda, and are there waitlists?
Enrollment processes differ by school. For LaBelle Christian Academy and Clewiston Christian School, enrollment often begins in early spring for the following fall, with rolling admission if space permits. These schools may have more flexibility. Canterbury School in Fort Myers follows a much more competitive and structured timeline, with applications due in January or February for the next academic year, requiring entrance testing, interviews, and teacher recommendations. Due to its reputation, Canterbury frequently has waitlists, especially for certain grade levels. Felda families are advised to initiate inquiries at least a full year in advance, particularly for the more sought-after institutions.
For a Felda resident, what are the key factors in choosing between the local public school (like Country Oaks Elementary) and a private school in a neighboring town?
The decision hinges on priorities for educational approach, community, and logistics. The public school in Felda (part of Hendry County District) offers the convenience of a very short commute and a tight-knit, local community. The private school options require a significant daily commute but offer distinct alternatives: a faith-based education with smaller class sizes (LaBelle/ Clewiston Christian) or a rigorous, resource-rich college preparatory environment (Canterbury). Parents must weigh the importance of religious integration, specific academic rigor, and extracurricular breadth against the time and cost of transportation. Many Felda families value the personalized attention and specific values alignment of private schools enough to undertake the commute.
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