The Best Private Schools in Kissimmee, Florida
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Kissimmee. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Lake Highland Preparatory School
Independent
Lake Highland Preparatory School is a highly acclaimed independent school located in Orlando, serving the Kissimmee area with a rigorous academic curriculum. Founded in 1970, it offers a comprehensive education from pre-K through 12th grade, emphasizing college preparation, STEM initiatives, and extensive extracurricular programs including robotics, fine arts, and competitive sports. The school boasts small class sizes, experienced faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities, contributing to its strong parent satisfaction and high student achievement rates.
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The First Academy
First Baptist Church of Orlando
The First Academy is a respected Christian college preparatory school that serves families in Kissimmee and the greater Orlando region. Established in 1986, it provides a faith-based education integrated with academic excellence, featuring advanced placement courses, fine arts programs, and athletic opportunities. The school is known for its dedicated teachers, modern campus facilities, and a supportive community that fosters character development and high graduation rates, making it a top choice for parents seeking a balanced private education.
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Windermere Preparatory School
Nord Anglia Education
Windermere Preparatory School, part of the global Nord Anglia Education network, offers an elite private education accessible to Kissimmee residents. Founded in 2000, the school features the International Baccalaureate program alongside robust STEM and performing arts offerings. With a focus on personalized learning, world-class facilities, and a diverse range of extracurriculars, it prepares students for global citizenship and college success. Parent reviews highlight its innovative approach and strong academic outcomes, solidifying its reputation in Central Florida.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Kissimmee, Florida
What are the main types of private schools available to families in Kissimmee, Florida, and how accessible are the top-rated schools in neighboring areas?
Kissimmee itself is home to several well-regarded private and parochial schools, such as Celebration Christian Academy and Kissimmee Christian Academy. However, many families in Kissimmee also consider prestigious preparatory schools in the greater Orlando area, which are a manageable commute. Notably, Lake Highland Preparatory School (Orlando), The First Academy (Orlando), and Windermere Preparatory School (Windermere) are top choices. Accessibility depends on your specific location in Kissimmee, with commutes to these schools typically ranging from 20 to 45 minutes via major routes like the Florida's Turnpike and I-4. It's common for Kissimmee residents to utilize private school bus services or carpool networks for these routes.
How does Florida's school choice scholarship programs, like the Family Empowerment Scholarship, affect private school tuition for Kissimmee families?
Florida's robust school choice programs significantly impact affordability for Kissimmee families. The Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) and the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) provide state-funded assistance that can be used at participating private schools. Eligibility is based on household income, with the FES also offering unique provisions for students with special needs. Most top private schools in the Orlando/Kissimmee area, including the ones listed, participate in these programs. It's crucial for parents to apply for these scholarships early, as funding is limited, and to confirm directly with each school how the scholarship is applied to their specific tuition structure.
Given Kissimmee's diverse population and proximity to major tourism and tech corridors, what unique academic programs or specializations do local private schools offer?
Private schools in and serving the Kissimmee community often design programs that leverage Central Florida's unique economy. Many offer strong STEM/STEAM tracks with potential links to the aerospace and engineering sectors from the nearby Space Coast and Orlando's modeling/simulation industry. Bilingual programs (particularly Spanish) are common due to the area's demographic. Furthermore, schools like Windermere Preparatory School offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, providing a globally-focused curriculum. Some schools also incorporate unique electives related to hospitality management, environmental science (drawing on Florida's ecosystems), and performing arts, the latter benefiting from proximity to Orlando's entertainment industry.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and key admission requirements for competitive private schools in the Kissimmee/Orlando area?
The timeline for top-tier private schools like Lake Highland Prep, The First Academy, and Windermere Prep is rigorous and often begins over a year in advance. Key dates generally include: opening applications in August/September for the following academic year, with deadlines for first-round consideration typically between January and February. Key requirements almost always include a completed application, standardized entrance testing (such as the ISEE or SSAT), school records, teacher recommendations, and a family interview. For Kissimmee families, planning is essential due to the competitiveness and the need to coordinate testing and interviews, which are usually held on the school's campus. We strongly recommend attending open houses in the fall.
For a family moving to Kissimmee, what are the primary factors to consider when choosing between a high-performing public school (like those in Osceola County's choice program) and a private school?
The decision hinges on several Kissimmee-specific factors. Osceola County offers magnet and choice programs in public schools, which can provide specialized curricula without tuition. However, private schools offer distinct advantages: typically smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, often a broader range of advanced and specialized courses, and values-based or specific pedagogical approaches (e.g., religious, IB). For families in Kissimmee, commute is a major practical factor—the top private options require daily travel, whereas public schools are zoned. Additionally, private schools may offer more consistent extracurricular and athletic programs. The decision often comes down to prioritizing specific educational philosophy, resources, and community fit versus the convenience and cost-savings of a high-quality public option.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top-Rated Secular Private Schools in Kissimmee, Florida
If you're a parent in Kissimmee typing "secular private schools near me" into a search engine, you're likely seeking an educational environment that focuses on academic excellence and character development without a specific religious doctrine. This is a common and important consideration for many families in our diverse community. While the Orlando-Kissimmee metro area is home to several outstanding faith-based institutions, finding a truly secular private school option requires looking at the broader definition and understanding the local landscape. The distinction is crucial, as many excellent private schools may have historical religious affiliations but operate with a primarily secular, inclusive academic program.
In Central Florida, the term "independent school" often aligns more closely with what parents seek in a secular education. These schools prioritize a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum, innovative teaching methods, and a diverse community, with any spiritual component being optional or non-denominational in nature. For Kissimmee families, this means your search may extend into neighboring areas like Orlando and Windermere, where several top-tier institutions fit this model. While not geographically within Kissimmee city limits, schools such as Windermere Preparatory School are a manageable commute for many local families and represent a prime example of a secular, independent education. Its curriculum, centered around the International Baccalaureate program, emphasizes global perspectives, critical thinking, and academic inquiry without religious instruction, making it a strong contender for your list.
Another aspect to consider is the growing trend of specialized academies and schools with a focused ethos, such as those built around STEM, the arts, or specific pedagogical approaches like Montessori. Exploring these options in the wider Osceola and Orange County region can yield excellent secular choices. When evaluating schools, it's essential to look beyond the label on the website. Schedule a visit, ask detailed questions about the daily schedule, assembly topics, and the core values taught in the classroom. A school might reference "Judeo-Christian values" in its founding, but its daily operations and admissions policies may be fully inclusive and secular in practice.
For parents in Kissimmee, the journey to find the right secular private school involves balancing commute times with educational philosophy. The good news is that our region's educational landscape is rich and varied. Start by clearly defining your priorities: is it a specific advanced academic program, a particular arts or athletic focus, or a deeply diverse student body? Then, use those criteria to guide tours and conversations. Don't hesitate to reach out to admissions offices at schools like Lake Highland Preparatory School or The First Academy to ask explicitly about the role of religion in academic classes and student life; you may find their programs in certain divisions are more secular than you assume. Your perfect fit—a school that challenges your child academically and nurtures them socially without a prescribed religious framework—is likely within reach, just waiting to be discovered with careful, local-focused research.
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