The Best Private Schools in Leesburg, Florida
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Leesburg. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
First Academy of Leesburg
First Baptist Church of Leesburg
First Academy of Leesburg is a highly-regarded Christian private school offering comprehensive education from preschool through 12th grade. The school emphasizes academic excellence with small class sizes, advanced placement courses, and a strong college preparatory curriculum. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. The school maintains a strong sense of community with parent involvement and offers diverse extracurricular activities including competitive sports, music programs, and community service opportunities.
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Mount Dora Christian Academy
Mount Dora Christian Church
Located just 15 minutes from Leesburg, Mount Dora Christian Academy is a well-established private school serving Lake County students. The school offers a rigorous academic program with honors and AP courses, complemented by strong athletic programs and fine arts offerings. The campus features modern facilities including a new STEM building, athletic complex, and performing arts center. With a focus on character development and spiritual growth, MDCA provides a comprehensive educational experience that prepares students for college and beyond while maintaining strong parent satisfaction ratings.
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The Villages Charter School
The Villages Charter School System
The Villages Charter School serves students from throughout Lake County, including Leesburg residents, with a comprehensive K-12 program. As one of Florida's largest charter schools, it offers extensive academic opportunities including Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment, and career technical education programs. The school features state-of-the-art facilities, competitive athletic programs, and robust extracurricular offerings. With strong academic performance metrics and high parent satisfaction, this tuition-free public charter school provides private school-quality education while serving the broader regional community.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Leesburg, Florida
What are the primary private school options available for families in Leesburg, Florida, and what are their key characteristics?
Leesburg, FL, offers several notable private school options, each with distinct characteristics. **First Academy of Leesburg** is a prominent Christian school offering a college-preparatory curriculum from Pre-K through 12th grade, emphasizing faith-based education. While not in Leesburg proper, **Mount Dora Christian Academy** in nearby Mount Dora is a popular choice for Leesburg families, providing a comprehensive K-12 program with strong athletic and arts programs. **The Villages Charter School**, located in the large retirement community to the south, is a unique public charter school that also attracts private-school-seeking families due to its specialized programs and high ratings. Additionally, there are smaller parochial and independent schools in the wider Lake County area. The landscape is characterized by faith-based institutions, with limited secular private options directly within the city.
How does tuition for private schools in the Leesburg, Florida, area compare, and are there state-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition in the Leesburg area varies significantly. First Academy of Leesburg's tuition ranges approximately from $7,000 to $9,000 annually for elementary and middle school. Mount Dora Christian Academy's tuition is typically higher, often ranging from $10,000 to $12,000+ for grades K-12. The Villages Charter School, as a public charter, is tuition-free. Florida offers critical state-specific financial aid through the **Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) and Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES)** programs. These programs provide substantial funding for eligible families (based on income) to attend participating private schools like First Academy and Mount Dora Christian. Additionally, many schools offer their own need-based financial aid and sibling discounts. It's essential to apply for these state scholarships early, as funding is limited.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools in the Leesburg, FL, region offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the Leesburg region often leverage their specialized focus to offer unique programs. **First Academy of Leesburg** emphasizes its STEM initiatives integrated with a biblical worldview and offers dual-enrollment opportunities with local colleges like Lake-Sumter State College. **Mount Dora Christian Academy** is known for its robust athletics program (competing in the FHSAA) and fine arts offerings, including theater and band, which are central to its community. **The Villages Charter School** provides unique career academies (e.g., in health sciences, engineering, and business) that are rare at the high school level, benefiting from its connection to The Villages community. These schools often have smaller class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention and specialized tracks (like college prep or honors) that may be more limited in the larger Lake County public school system.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools in Leesburg, Florida, and are there important local deadlines?
The enrollment process for Leesburg-area private schools generally begins in the winter or early spring for the following academic year. For schools like **First Academy of Leesburg** and **Mount Dora Christian Academy**, the process typically involves: 1) A campus tour/open house (often held between November and February), 2) Submission of an application with fees (due by March or April for priority consideration), 3) Academic records review and possible entrance testing, 4) A family interview. Many schools have rolling admissions after priority deadlines, but popular grades fill quickly. A critical local factor is the application deadline for the **Florida state scholarship programs (FTC/FES)**, which usually opens in February. Families must apply for these scholarships separately and be accepted to a participating school to secure funding, making early application to both the school and scholarship program essential.
For families considering both options, what are the key practical differences between private and public schools in Leesburg, Florida?
The key differences in Leesburg, FL, revolve around curriculum, environment, cost, and community. **Public schools** in Lake County are tuition-free, offer a standardized state curriculum, and provide extensive special education services and a diverse student population. **Private schools** in the area (like First Academy and MDCA) offer a religious or value-based education, often with more rigorous college-prep tracks, mandatory uniforms, and stricter disciplinary codes. Class sizes are typically smaller (15-20 students vs. 25+ in public). The major practical difference is cost, though state scholarships can offset this. Transportation is another factor; while public schools provide busing, private schools usually require parent-provided transportation. The choice often comes down to a family's priority on faith integration and specific academic focus versus the no-cost, comprehensive services and broader diversity of the public system. The unique presence of a high-performing charter option (The Villages) further blurs the line, offering a tuition-free "public" school with some private-school-like specializations.
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