Greater Gainesville is known for its prestigious variety of public schools, but the wide range of private schools also contribute greatly to the area’s highly regarded education system. Alachua County is home to a selection of faith-based and secular private schools. These schools offer extracurricular and enrichment classes that provide meaningful experiences and prepare students for college and life after graduation. Parents can often enjoy opportunities to be more involved in their children’s education and to form relationships with teachers at private schools.
HERE IS A GUIDE TO THE ESTEEMED PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN GREATER GAINESVILLE:
Christian Life Academy
Christian Life Academy is a quaint Pentecostal school established in 1994, with 40 students total in kindergarten through 12th grade. The relatively small student-teacher ratio of 6:1 means students receive more support and in-depth help in the classroom. The school also addresses learning difficulties, such as dyslexia.
Aside from its religious affiliation, Christian Life Academy is affiliated with the other school association(s) and the AdvancED. The Academy is accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission, North Central Association on Accreditation and School Improvements, Southern Association of Colleges and School Council on Accreditation and School Improvement. Christian Life Academy offers eight Advanced Placement classes, including Algebra I and II, Chemistry, English Honors I-IV and Physical Science.
Students’ three choices for extracurricular classes are Chess Club, drama and music. Christian Life Academy students’ SAT score average is 1100, with an acceptance rate of 92%. Enrollment at Christian Life Academy is limited, so the admission process typically considers members of Christian Life World church first, followed by members of other churches.
Cornerstone Academy
Cornerstone Academy is a private, non-church affiliated Christian school founded in 2000. The school’s 187 students are in prekindergarten through 12th grade. Students benefit from a small student-teacher ratio of 8:1, and 35% of teachers have advanced graduate degrees. The school offers 10 Advanced Placement courses, including Calculus BC, Computer Science, English Language, English Literature, Macroeconomics and Physics. Both of Cornerstone’s extracurricular activities, junior classical league and robotics, have won national and international titles. Cornerstone Academy also has a diverse athletic department for students in first through 12th grade. The volleyball, basketball and varsity soccer teams have competed nationally.
Oak Hall School
Founded in 1970, Oak Hall School is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, the Florida Council of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools. The school’s mission focuses on the ideals of scholarship, leadership and service to serve students from diverse backgrounds. Oak Hall School serves 744 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10:1, with 56% of faculty possessing graduate degrees. The school offers a testing college preparatory program for students in prekindergarten through 12th grade. Perhaps this contributes to students’ high average acceptance rate of 95%. Oak Hall School students’ average SAT score is 1300, and their average ACT score is 27.
Oak Hall School provides an abundance of choices for academics and extracurriculars. There are 26 AP classes and 14 diverse sports available, such as diving, golf, lacrosse, basketball, baseball and tennis. In addition, Oak Hall School strongly encourages students to take a challenging college preparatory program, which offers 33 extracurricular activities, including the Chinese National Honor Society, Chess Club, Honor Council, Health Club, Science National Honor Society and Black Student Union, among others. Oak Hall School strives to strengthen students’ self-esteem and encourage them to develop their talents. The school’s mission is to support the quality of young people’s intelligence, wisdom and moral commitment and attract a wide curiosity for the world around them and how to make changes.
“Our academic program and enrichment clubs from preschool through the upper school give students guidance toward what they want to do in the future,” said Ashli Wharton, admission associate. “Oak Hall has excellent educational programs with a challenging curriculum.”
It is important to the school to maintain a familiar feeling of safety and emotional support where teachers are there to uplift their students. That allows students to focus on other areas, with a variety of extracurricular opportunities to achieve leadership skills that can be applied in daily life. At Oak Hall School, students can find a combination of academic, artistic, athletic and environmental opportunities to strengthen their leadership skills, as well as developing a strong urge for social and personal responsibility.
“As a mom, the road that Oak Hall is paving for my children is amazing,” said Corinna French, parent of an Oak Hall School student and the school’s marketing and communications coordinator. “The opportunities afforded in terms of academics and character.
The future of healthcare is bright with Oak Hall graduate Ayesha Khuddus
Every year, Oak Hall proudly sends off an amazing group of graduates who have earned phenomenal scholastic, artistic and athletic accolades. This year, Oak Hall student Ayesha Khuddus has not only risen as a top scholar and athlete at Oak Hall but also to the national level being selected as a National Merit Scholar. As a National Merit Scholarship recipient, she was selected from nearly 1.6 million students who entered the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program and sits among the elite 7,500 2021 graduates awarded this high honor. Oak Hall is thrilled for Ayesha to be awarded such a prestigious award and has enjoyed seeing her excel during her time as an Oak Hall Eagle.
Ayesha’s excellence spanned across her academic career being top of her graduating class, noted as a top scholar in math, science and world languages courses, she took an academic program including 15 Advanced Placement classes — the most of any student in this year’s class — and five honors courses, reflecting the highest level of rigor in every core discipline. She was a leader among her peers in the co-curricular arena as Treasurer of the National Honor Society, Secretary of the Student Government Association and athletically, competing as a two-sport varsity athlete (cross-country and soccer). Ayesha has developed a passion for helping others with a specific interest in medicine and public health policy. She will proudly go forward as a University of Florida Gator, being selected to take part in the Honors Program and University Research Scholars Program. However, to Oak Hall, she will always be an Eagle.
Queen of Peace Academy
Queen of Peace Academy is a Florida Catholic Conference accredited K-7 school that focuses on a solid academic, psychological, social and spiritual foundation, with an emphasis on parents serving as their children’s primary teacher. The student-teacher ratio is 13:1. Students have the opportunity to combine their Catholic faith with academic growth and set high standards for achievement.
Queen of Peace amplifies the Diocesan curriculum, “Curiosity, creativity, interdependence and technology –– infused in rigorous content and imbedded in the ideals and traditions of the Catholic faith –– are the hallmarks of the Diocesan curriculum.”
A curriculum is a set of learning goals, which includes assessment, conversations, direct learning, classmate and teacher interactions, as well as research and extracurricular activities, such as athletics and the performing arts. The academy is advanced regarding technology, with programs on MacBooks, iPads and robotics. Queen of Peace Communications Director Darlene Coogan believes what makes Queen of Peace a great is school is “the Catholic Advantage-Excellence” in academics.
“An Academy education can make a profound impact today and in the years to come,” Coogan said. “Characterized by small class sizes and led by dynamic dedicated educators, The Academy classes address the social, emotional, physical, ethical and creative development of each child in a faith-filled environment. Our core studies and specialist curricula engage students in the arts, music, technology multimedia, world languages, athletics and physical education.”
The Academy is determined to attract a more diverse student body. With the help of Step Up for Students, a future with endless opportunities is available.
At Queen of Peace Catholic Academy, students are invited to passionately “embrace knowledge, to create, inspire and nurture in an environment that embraces gospel values and meets the challenging academic needs of each student while developing a sense of understanding for others, and the courage to act on their beliefs in a spiritual, moral and intellectual way,” Coogan said.
The Academy prepares students for college by embracing their academic and social skillsets through programs including life management skills, Chinese, Spanish, The Amazing Shake, advanced math, art, music, robotics and STREAM, which stands for science, technology, religion, engineering, art and math. The school also offers an advanced math class and teaches students to write research papers in MLA format and how to do high school lab reports. It provides extracurricular activities including robotics, art, band, choir, music, media research and Chinese and Spanish language classes from preschool through eighth grade. The academy offers various scholarships, such as AAA Scholarships, Step Up for Students and the QPCA Education Scholarship.
St. Francis Catholic Academy
Saint Francis Catholic Academy was established in 2004 and is associated with the National Catholic Educational Association and other school association(s). It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, an accreditation division of AdvancEd. Saint Francis focuses on preparing its students for college and to be leaders who value service, faith, community, honor and scholarship according to the Catholic tradition. The academy serves students in ninth through 12th grade. The student-teacher ratio is 12:1, with more than 60% of faculty having graduate degrees.
“Engaged students, caring faculty and an extended school community all contribute to making SFCA great,” Principal Jason Acosta said. “We offer 21st-century educational tools to help position our students for success in our global society, innovative programs and opportunities for all students to participate in athletics, extracurricular activities, fine and performing arts and community service.”
Saint Francis differs from other private schools in Alachua County because it is the only Catholic high school. It draws students from all 10 counties in North Central Florida, thus accommodating a diverse student body.
“We strive to inspire students and pursue excellence by creating an environment where students have the ability to succeed and grow spiritually, intellectually and athletically,” Acosta said.
Saint Francis is great for athletics, with an estimated 80% of students engaging in sports. There are 18 athletic teams to choose from, and many students even participate in multiple sports spanning the entire school year.
“The Office of Campus Ministry at Saint Francis Catholic Academy enables members of the school community to experience, claim and celebrate the richness of the Catholic tradition and spirit. Students learn the importance of actions as a reflection of faith,” Acosta said.
From the school’s first graduating class in 2008 through the most recent class of 2020, Saint Francis students have performed a total of nearly 110,000 hours of community service. Since Saint Francis is an AP Capstone School, which is a College Board Program that helps students prepare for college with independent research, college-level communication and collective teamwork. An estimated 75% of students are involved in at least one campus activity or club, and more than half of students are part of at least one honor society.
The 16 offered AP courses, 55 regular courses and 21 honors courses lead to the Capstone Diploma. Program concentrations include Engineering Technology, Television Production Technology and the Health Sciences Institute, which currently offers EKG and pharmacy tech certification programs, as well as clinical hours for future health sciences majors. Students also receive access to educational tools, such as an Anatomage Table, which gives students the opportunity to observe animal and human remains, get real-life practice and have the opportunity to understand medical terminology.
“[An] Augmented Reality Sand Table, MakerBot 3D Replicators and classroom sets of the TI-Nspire Graphing Calculators are substantial pieces in providing our students with challenging practical and applicable knowledge and skills for their higher education and career plans,” Acosta said. “Our Academic Support Program provides learning strategies for students, as well as individual accommodations for students with documentation. The program 8th Hour provides individual tutoring, and our Guidance Office offers students assistance in seeking out college opportunities.”
Aside from the prestigious academic program and the preparation for college, Saint Francis also offers opportunities outside of the classroom, which includes six honor societies and 16 student organizations. Saint Francis accepts Florida School Choice Scholarships, as well as Academic Achievement Accessible, and limited financial assistance is also available thanks to the kindness of many donors to the scholarship account at Saint Francis. Merit-based, recurring scholarships are available to incoming freshman students. Since religious education plays a major role at Saint Francis, students are being prepared to thrive a Christian social conscience through their service and educational programs, such as community service. Each student is required to complete 25 hours of community service annually. Campus staff help students identify service projects.
Rock School
The Rock School was founded in 1993 and is one of the area’s largest private schools, serving 526 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade. The Christian school prepares students for college with an emphasis on faith. Tuition is all-inclusive, which means there are no added fees for books, materials or registration. Each year, $300,000 in financial aid is available to families. The Rock School has a student-teacher ratio of 18:1. Students’ average SAT score is 1190, and their average ACT score is 23. The Rock School offers nine AP courses, including Calculus AB, Computer Science A, Biology, Chemistry, English Literature, English Language, World History, Modern European History and United States History. As for extracurriculars, The Rock School offers nine sports teams and 10 extracurricular classes.