St Nicholas Orthodox Christian School

2801 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688
St. Nicholas Orthodox Christian School founded as a Florida Not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) on October 2, 2003 and is open to children of all faiths. The mission of St. Nicholas Orthodox Christian School, Inc. is to provide the highest level of academic training available to Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. Integrated with Orthodox Religious training and discipline, St. Nicholas shall be operated in accordance with the accreditation standards put forth by the Association of Independent Schools of Florida, AdvancEd-Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on International and Tran-Regional Accreditation and the National Council for Private School Accreditation. St Nicholas Orthodox Christian School will comply with all statutory and administrative requirements imposed by the State of Florida.

School Overview:

St Nicholas Orthodox Christian School
School Membership(s) Southern Association Of Colleges And Schools (SACS)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Religious Affiliation Greek Orthodox
Grades Offered Grades Prekindergarten - 9
Learning Difference Programs Yes
Learning Programs Supported SLD/LD Inclusive K-12th Grade
Year Founded 2003
Student Body
Total Students 60 students
Student Body Type Co-ed
% Students of Color 11% (FL School Avg.: 37%)
Students by Grade
 
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers 10 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio 6:1 (National school avg.: 13:1)
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree 30%
Average Class Size 6 students
Number of AP Courses 14 courses
List of Courses Offered Link to List of Courses
Advanced Courses
IBP Preparatory Cources in Grades 6-8
Matriculation Data Link to Matriculation Data
Finances and Admission
Admission Deadline Aug. 15 / Jan. 10 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost $5,400
Tuition Notes Registration Fee All Grades $150; K-5 Tuition $5,400; Gd 6-8 $7,500; SLD/LD K-8 $8,000; SLD/LD 9th-12th (inclusive classes) $10,000
% on Financial Aid 18%
Average Financial Aid Grant $7,150
Acceptance Rate 85%
Admissions Director Regina M. Planes, Administrator
Sports
Total Sports Offered 7 sports
Sports
Basketball Dance
Flag Football Golf
Soccer Softball
Volleyball
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurriculars 2 extracurriculars
Extracurriculars
After School Athletics Program After School Musical Theatre Dance

School Notes:

  • We are dedicated to providing the best educational environment possible for students of all learning levels. Starting from preschool (3 year old and pre-K programs) and continuing through eighth grade, students are challenged to meet not only state mandated guidelines, but to exceed their highest potential. During the past eight years our students have performed over the national norm for all private, public and parochial schools in the country as provided by the Stanford 10. Over the past four years the students cumulatively reached the 89th and 90th percentiles of all private, public and parochial schools in the nation. See the Stanford 10 results. Our VPK program has been scored among the highest in the State, achieving a score of 200 out of 200 last year.
  • Theotokos Preschool (3 year old and 4 year old Pre-K VPK) Programs: Preschool starts with the three (3) year old program and continues with the four (4) year old Pre-K and VPK programs. Pre-kindergarten children will move toward kindergarten ready to learn through basic skills taught with consideration of the Florida Voluntary Pre-kindergarten Education Standards. Cognitive, social and language skills will be enhanced as well as emotional, regulatory and moral capacities. Preschool children will have the opportunity to use age appropriate materials both independently and cooperatively so that the children have as many learning opportunities as possible. Learning centers will include dramatic play, science, manipulatives and literacy.
  • Elementary School: In accordance with our Mission Statement, St. Nicholas Orthodox Christian School is committed to providing our students with the tools to achieve their maximum potential. Students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade use instructional books and materials published by Harcourt, Inc. These teaching materials are supplemented by other teaching publications including those of Scott Foresman. Mathematics The students are provided with daily instruction, review, word problems, assessments and strategies to solve simple and complex problems. Students practice their math lessons independently and in small group settings. Science The curriculum, which is divided into three branches, provides students with a lifelong interest in Science. The branches include the life cycle, earth science and physical science. Throughout the series, the students are presented with facts to spark an interest and encourage questions. Our goal in Science is to help each student open their mind and achieve success. Language Students in the elementary grades are taught how language works and to understand the writing process from parts of speech, sentence structure and writing strategies. Our focus is on building upon grammar, paragraph writing and learning how to do a research paper. The goal is to build confidence and fluency in the English language. Reading Using our reading books and age appropriate literature, our students will learn decoding and phonics, learn how to make informed predictions, create mental images and master the basic skills necessary to become a competent reader. A wide range of fiction and nonfiction stories are provided. Students receive direct instruction, guidance and cumulative practice and build listening skills. Our goal is to promote strategies to achieve reading success. Social Studies The Harcourt Social Studies series builds consistent and cumulative learning from grades Kindergarten through Fifth. The program allows students at each levels to build on major understandings and skills already acquired for learning yet to come. The curriculum covers geography, history, government, economics, and culture. The ideas have been selected to help students organize their thinking and develop competencies they will need as citizens in a diverse, changing and interdependent world.
  • Middle School: Our Middle School program accents high academic achievement working towards placing our graduates in Honors, Advanced and International Baccalaureate Program (IBP) programs in Pinellas and Pasco Counties. Children moving on from our Middle School have traditionally been place in these more advanced programs. They leave St. Nicholas Orthodox Christina School prepared to make both the right personal decisions as well as achieving academic success. Mathematics The students in Middle School use the Holt, Rinehart, and Winston series for Math. The Sixth Grade text is Mathematics Course 2 which focuses on computation, analysis and problem solving in the areas of integers and rational numbers, patterns and functions, proportional relationships, percents, data analysis, measurement and geometry (plane and solid) and multi-step equations and inequalities. Throughout the series algebraic reasoning and expression is emphasized. Grade Seven is using Pre-Algebra which expands the topics covered in Grade Six and further prepares students for Algebra. Grade Eight is using Algebra which includes preparing students for high school placement. Science Middle School Science uses Holt Science & Technology (Florida Edition). Each year students focus on the current knowledge accepted by the scientific community in Physical, Earth and Life Science. The spiraling curriculum allows for continued emphasis on the interrelationship of these three branches. Through research, modeling, and experimentation, the ability to behave and think scientifically becomes second nature to the students. The selection of the Florida edition gives students a better understanding of their environment. Social Studies Students in Grades Six and Seven use dual texts Harcourt Horizons and Harcourt World Geography. Cultures are analyzed to understand their elements, organization, inter-relationships, and chronology. The Five Themes of Geography are also focused on for each area that is studied. This leads to an understanding of the contributions of a variety of people and improves the student's ability to perform as a responsible citizen. In Sixth Grade students study both Eastern and Western cultures from ancient times through the medieval. The Seventh Grade students study both Eastern and Western cultures from the Renaissance to the present-day. The Eight Grade studies American History from Reconstruction to present-day. Literature Middle school students focus on a variety of literary skills, reading skills, and vocabulary building skills using Holt's Elements of Literature. The text provides a quality anthology with classic and modern selections in a variety of genres. Students are also required to independently read appropriate trade books. Reader's responses to classroom selections and independent reading allow them to practice the skills learned in class. Students work on a variety of listening and speaking activities correlated to the literature. Students experience drama through student productions and field trips to local professional performances. Grammar Middle School students use Elements of Language from Holt Publishing to study the structure of grammar, language conventions, and spelling rules. The skills learned are practiced in both fictional and expository writing assignments from Literature, Science, Math, and Social Studies classes. During Writers Workshop students follow the writing process to take written pieces from pre-write to publishing. Speaking and listening skills are also studied and practiced during grammar classes.
  • Theotokos SLD/LD Program (K through 12): The Exceptional Education program at St. Nicholas Orthodox Christian School serves the needs of students with Specific Learning Disabilities. We recognize children learn in many different ways and because of these differences, our SLD program provides accommodations and modifications suiting the individual needs of our students. We provide students the opportunity to experience success through individual guidance or small group intervention. Our SLD classroom is a structured, nurturing, and positive environment in which to learn. Any student who has a current Individual Education Plan with a primary exceptionality of SLD and a non disabled class time designation of 50% or more is eligible for our program. Our goal is to help each of our students with learning disabilities realize their full potential and eventually matriculate into a full time mainstreamed educational environment. Our SLD/LD Program is recognized by the State of Florida and is eligible to receive student payments under the State of Florida Mc Kay Grant Program.
  • Spanish Language: Primary Grades; Enthusiastically, young children embrace the Spanish language, regardless of their background, through a variety of experiences, including songs, games, and writing activities. They learn to recognize and say the letters of the alphabet, to count to 100, to name the colors and many words and conversational phrases. Intermediate Grades: The students learn reading and writing skills using an extensive collection of books and workbooks on various levels. Elements of Spanish culture are also introduced, including geography, important holidays, foods and customs. Their total Spanish experience is enhanced by learning traditional songs and dances.
  • Religious Studies: Religious studies begin with a morning prayer service (Orthos) for all the children from grade K through grade 8. Father John Bociu, as the Student's Spiritual Advisor, celebrates this Orthos (a five to ten minute service with full child participation) followed by instruction related to the "Life's of the Saints." The Orthos and Studies of the Life's of the Saints are held four mornings a week and last about 30 minutes. Fr. John Bociu with the occasional assistance of Fr. Joseph Samaan, as a visiting instructor, through out the year focuses on three subjects. Each of the subjects is held by grade level. The third and fourth grades are taught the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. These classes are taught in English and include the significance of the various prayers, movements, and the blessing of the sacrament. The fifth and sixth grades study the Sacraments of the Church. The seventh and eighth grades study the history of the first 1,000 years of the Christian Church, the "Common Years". Once a week, the children attend various levels of Bible Study conducted by Regina Planes. The Bible Study covers both the Old and the New Testaments. The class levels are divided up and grouped into four sections. Level one is the Kindergarten and First Grades. Level two is the Second and Third Grades. Level three is the Fourth and Fifth Grades, and Level Four is the Six, Seventh and Eight Grades. Once a month the children, as a school, attend a liturgy. This is generally on a significant Feast Day of the Orthodox Faith.
  • Physical Education for all grade levels: Students participate in physical education every day and are involved in various activities where they learn the principles of athletics and fitness, problem solving, creativity, cooperation, and rules/strategies. The primary focus for the younger students (kindergarten/elementary) are on motor skill development along with eye-hand coordination, body awareness, and an introduction into different sports/games. For the older students (middle school), the concentration is on fitness, sports and skill development, leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Preschool children have a separate playground and playground program that is managed by the Preschool Director.

Nearby Schools:

St Nicholas Orthodox Christian School
Gr. PK-9 | 0 mi. away
First Christian Academy
Gr. PK-8 | 0 mi. away
All Saints Christian School
Gr. Nursery/Preschool-PK | 1.4 mi. away
Solid Rock Community School
Gr. K-12 | 1.5 mi. away
Peoples Christian Academy
Gr. K-12 | 2.9 mi. away
World Of Knowledge: A Montessori School
Gr. K-9 | 3.2 mi. away

View all schools in: Tarpon Springs, Pinellas County, Zip 34688

School Reviews:

Submit School Recommendation:

1. Recommend school?:
Add School Reviews - Recommended Yes
2. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
  • Academic or athletic awards
3. Email address:      I am a:
(we will not reveal your email)

Area Statistics:

Recent Articles:

About Girls' Schools: In Their Words
About Girls' Schools: In Their Words
Published April 15, 2013
Here are a dozen or so girls' schools' public thoughts about themselves and their missions.

Make Summer a Special Time! Make Summer a Special Time!
If you have children in private school, then you are most likely looking at three months, perhaps even longer, which you must fill with activities of one kind or another during the long summer break.

Are You Liable? Are You Liable?
Is your DEL key about to get gaveled? It doesn't matter whether you teach in a public or private school setting. You expose yourself to legal risks every single day on the job.

  • More articles: Why Private School, Paying For It, Pre-elementary, Elementary Issues, Jobs in Private Schools
  • REQUEST FREE
    ADMISSIONS INFORMATION:

    I am a: Parent   Student  
    Email:
    Parent or guardian name:
    First name:
    Middle name:
    Last name:
    Student date of birth:
    Country of citizenship:
    Student is:
    Male   Female  
    Currently grade:    Seeking entry grade:
    Target start date:
    Name of current school:
    School type:
    Public   Private   Parochial  
    Applying for financial aid?:
    Yes   No   Don't Know  

    Please describe academic, athletic, and extracurricular interests of the student.

    Address:
    City:
    Country:
    State:
    Zip:

    (enter "N/A" if not applicable)
    Phone:

    Allow other schools to send me information. Share your information with all schools on our site and let them send you brochures.

    Save this data and create your user profile. Create your own user account so you don't have to re-type your user data each time you request information.You'll also be able to track your information requests, get reminded of application dates, and more!

    Most Popular Articles: