1. What minimum degree or certification do your teachers hold?
All of our teachers hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and many also hold advanced degrees in education or their subject area.

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2. Are teachers state-certified or do you require alternative credentials?
Yes, all teachers at SPCS are state-certified or meet equivalent professional requirements through private school accrediting bodies.

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3. Does the school require teachers to have subject-specific qualifications?
Yes. Teachers are placed in subject areas where they are trained and certified, ensuring expertise in the content they teach.

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4. What is the average teaching experience of the faculty?
On average, our faculty has over 10 years of classroom teaching experience.

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5. Are first-year teachers hired, or is prior classroom experience required?
We value experience highly, but when we hire newer teachers, they are carefully mentored and supported by veteran staff.

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6. What is the teacher-to-student ratio for Kindergarten?
Our Kindergarten teacher-to-student ratio is 1 teacher for up to 14 students. In addition, every Kindergarten teacher has an aide in the classroom each morning during instruction time to provide extra support. In the afternoons, students attend specials taught by dedicated faculty in Music, Art, Spanish, Technology, PE, Library, or Makerspace — giving them a well-rounded educational experience and allowing their homeroom teacher additional planning time.

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7. Are teachers required to pass background checks and fingerprinting?
Yes. All faculty and staff undergo a Level II background check and fingerprinting in compliance with Florida law prior to employment.

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8. What is the teacher retention rate?
We are proud of our strong teacher retention rate, with many of our staff serving at SPCS for 10+ years.

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9. Is the school accredited? If so, by what accrediting body and how often is it reviewed and renewed?
Yes. St. Petersburg Christian School is fully accredited through Cognia and the League of Christian Schools. Cognia is the largest accrediting body in the world, serving more than 40,000 schools across 90+ countries. Accreditation reviews are conducted on a regular cycle of every 5 years to ensure we maintain rigorous academic, safety, and operational standards, with ongoing reporting requirements.

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10. Is the school licensed by state or local authority?
Yes. As a private school in Florida, we are registered with the Florida Department of Education and comply with all applicable requirements.

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11. Are there any specific compliance standards the school must meet?
Yes. Accreditation requires us to meet rigorous standards in academics, safety, operations, and teacher qualifications.

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12. Is the curriculum aligned with state or national education standards?
Yes. Our curriculum is designed to go beyond Florida state standards with an emphasis on critical thinking skills. For example, our Kindergarten program is aligned with what is typically taught in kindergarten AND first grade, and our math and reading benchmarks consistently surpass those of Florida public schools.

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13. Do students take standardized tests, and how does the school perform compared to state and national averages?
Yes. Students take annual standardized assessments (Stanford Achievement Test), and our school consistently scores above state and national averages. Unlike many schools, we begin this testing in Kindergarten, because we believe that if you cannot measure progress, you cannot improve it. However, we do not “teach to the test” or alter our curriculum for the sake of test performance.

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14. Has the school received any awards or special recognition?
Yes. St. Petersburg Christian School has received numerous honors that reflect both academic and extracurricular excellence. We won the People’s Choice Award from the Tampa Bay Times (2024/2025), and we have been recognized by Cognia for over 25 years of excellence. Our students consistently shine in competitions: the school is a top finisher in the regional Math Olympics every year, and students in grades 3–5 (the only grades eligible to compete) regularly place in the regional Spelling Bee, with all three grades earning first place in 2024/2025. In addition, our sports teams frequently place well in tennis, volleyball, soccer, and basketball tournaments, showcasing the well-rounded achievements of our student body.

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15. What is the track record for graduates’ high school acceptance rates?
While we are a K–8 school, our graduates go on to thrive in top high school programs—both private and public—and consistently place into honors, advanced, and accelerated tracks. Families and high schools alike commend our students for being exceptionally well-prepared academically and socially.

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 SPCS Class of 2025 – High School Placements

• 12 to Calvary Christian High School
   

• 1 to Clearwater Central Catholic
   

• 1 to Keswick Christian
   

• 2 to Northside Christian
   

• 1 to SailFuture Academy
   

• 1 to Shorecrest Preparatory
   

• 1 to St. Pete Catholic High School
   

• 1 Homeschool
   

• 4 to St. Pete Collegiate High School
   

• 1 to Hollins High (Cambridge Program)
   

• 7 to Northeast High (4 Finance; 2 Culinary; 1 General)
   

• 1 to Jacobson Tech (Veterinary Tech Program)
   

• 3 to St. Petersburg High (2 IB Program; 1 General)
   

Total: 19 Private | 1 Homeschool | 16 Public

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Students leaving SPCS at the end of 8th grade are fully prepared for high school—both academically and socially—and are eager to take that next step. Many K–12 schools report their highest attrition between 8th and 9th grade, as students are ready for a new environment. Our graduates reflect that same readiness and excitement as they transition to high school.

 

16. What security measures are in place on campus?
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Our facility remains locked during the school day, and the only entry point is through the front office, where all visitors must be buzzed in. Every guest is required to check in through our Visitu system and present a valid ID before entering campus.

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We also maintain a full-time, armed security officer on site. Officer Jackson, a U.S. Marine veteran with over 20 years of private security experience, provides a strong and reassuring presence on campus. (As he likes to remind us, there’s no such thing as an “ex” Marine.) Beyond his training and professionalism, Officer Jackson is a beloved member of our team, well-known and respected by students, families, and staff alike.

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In addition, we conduct monthly safety drills with our student body to ensure everyone is prepared in the event of an emergency. These include fire, severe weather, and campus lockdown scenarios. It is of the utmost importance to us that these drills are carried out without causing unnecessary anxiety or fear—each one is announced in advance so students know it is only a drill. By practicing calmly and consistently, our students gain the confidence to respond appropriately should a real emergency ever arise.

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We also work closely with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and follow their recommendations to continually update and strengthen our safety protocols. Their partnership helps ensure that our campus remains aligned with the latest best practices in school security.