Questions to Ask at a School Open House

When you’re searching for a new school for your child to attend, it’s important to attend the open house. This is your opportunity to play an active role in your child’s education and experience the school firsthand. You’ll want to make sure it lives up to what you researched and expect in a school. North Tampa Christian Academy, a Tampa private school, warmly welcomes prospective families and encourages these questions to be asked. 

School Mission
One of the most important questions to ask a school is what their mission is. What is the school known for? North Tampa is an innovation school with a project-based learning environment, which is producing Christian leaders who impact the global community for God’s glory. Our grace-oriented philosophy is interwoven throughout the curriculum that incorporates competency-based grading and real-world teaching. Whatever your child’s passion is, you’ll find it here.

Class Sizes
The class size will determine how your child learns. Too many students in one classroom means that less focus will be placed on your child and her needs. Our innovative learning space provides an intimate educational opportunity, so your child will feel welcomed, encouraged, and focused.

Financial Aid
North Tampa works diligently with our partners to offer a highly competitive tuition rate, but we understand some may need assistance. We encourage families to apply for financial aid, including the Step-Up, McKay, and Titan Scholarships. If you are eligible, the money is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Financial aid is offered to help make our quality education available to as many students as possible. 

Teacher Certified
Teachers must have development opportunities in order to maintain the implementation of best education practices. How does the school invest in teachers? Are there resources and regular trainings on campus? We consistently provide professional development for our teachers, bringing the most recent and effective teaching practices. All of our teachers are certified in the areas in which they teach, and the majority of them hold master’s degrees.

Hands-On Activities with Brain Breaks
If a child is spending too much time at a desk, it can inhibit their learning experience. Children needs “brain breaks” and short movement activities to keep them focused. Hands-on activities stimulate both hemispheres and improve your child’s ability to retain information. We encourage our teachers to use multiple sources for lesson planning to meet the needs of diverse learners. Students are taught critical thinking through the project-based learning model, which has proven to result in higher scores on standardized tests than more traditional classrooms. Hands-on learning will teach your child to create, explore, conquer fears, build confidence, and find joy in challenging themselves. 

Philosophy on Homework Volume
A homework policy should be discussed prior to your child attending a new school. In general, homework is personalized so that students are equipped to master the next steps in their goal-setting profiles. It is our intent that each student advance in a consistent, reasonable manner.

Individualized Services for Special Needs
If your child has special needs, it’s crucial that you discuss individualized services that a school may offer. We track students through consistent assessment to ensure they are advancing from their beginning baseline. The flexible schedule and team-teaching approach we apply allows us to spend individual time with students who may need additional help with math, reading, and writing skills. We have incorporated advanced strategies for personalized learning in our curriculum that are proven to produce measurable results.

At North Tampa Christian Academy, a Tampa private school, the faculty, staff, and families work as a team. Our service-oriented approach builds Christian leaders who think deeply, choose wisely, create beauty, and use their dreams to solve problems. Want to learn more about what makes us different? Contact us today.