We’re more than just a school. We’re a family.

Protects

Encourages

Challenges

Loves

Prays

A Guide for Prospective Families

A school family that:

www.IRCS.org

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WELCOME

PRESCHOOL

KINDERGARTEN & ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MIDDLE SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

STEM PROGRAM

FAMILY VALUES

AFFORDABILITY

When reflecting on all my years at IRCS, I can’t help but feel overwhelmingly blessed. To have grown up in such a God-fearing, loving atmosphere is an incredible gift to have been given, and I cherish every memory I can recall - from the adorable, to the embarrassing, to the impactful, and to the life-changing. To me, the best part about being an IRCS family is what was produced over years of investment in the school - the symbiosis of faith, family, and education. Not many schools can give you a great education, diverse opportunities, and an array of extra-curriculars while operating out of a foundation in Jesus Christ.

– Kaitlyn Yu, IRCS Class of 2019

Table of Contents

Dear Parent,

We know that searching for the best school for your family can be stressful. Whether your first child is preparing to start school, you’re relocating to the area, or you are looking for a school that aligns with your values and the needs of your child, we’re glad you are considering Indian Rocks Christian School.

This parent information packet is designed to give you a closer look at the culture of Indian Rocks Christian School and how we help children excel in academics, discover talents, grow in faith, and develop character.

The Indian Rocks Christian School family is built on the foundation of Biblical truth and God’s saving love through Jesus Christ. IRCS is a school where every child is treated as a creation of God. Students at Indian Rocks are immersed in a culture that protects, encourages, challenges, loves, and prays for them.

As you continue in the school search process, we pray that you will find a school that will nurture your child and family. We also invite you to visit our campus and contact our admissions team with any questions you may have. We look forward to meeting you.

Welcome

Sincerely,

WALT WELLER SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

A Small but Mighty Start

04 PRESCHOOL (PRE-K2, PRE-K3, & PRE-K4)

Social and Emotional Growth Preschoolers learn respect, sharing, concern for others, and concepts of a good self-image. They also learn patience when they are taught to raise their hand and wait to be called on before speaking.

Reading and Writing Readiness In addition to listening to stories, children have opportunities to talk about what is happening in pictures in books, make up their own stories during dramatic play, and tell stories with drawings and free-writing. All of these activities lead to reading and writing readiness.

Listening Skills By listening to stories, music, and teacher instructions, children improve their listening skills and gradually increase their attention span.

Self-Reliance Snack time, bathroom breaks, and center times are some of the activities that allow children to practice completing things for themselves, leading to greater independence.

Bible stories are included in each preschool day. Children learn prayers, songs, and other elements of worship in the classroom and during weekly chapel services.

Fine and Gross Motor Skills Painting, playing with blocks, and kicking a ball in the younger preschool years progress to learning how to hold a pencil, use scissors, skip, and balance on one foot as children approach kindergarten age.

Math Readiness Games help children learn to count, categorize objects, and understand one-to-one correspondence.

WITH A GOAL OF KINDERGARTEN READINESS

05 KINDERGARTEN & ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (K-5TH GRADE)

The kindergarten and elementary years are a time of building firm foundations for the future. Our comprehensive elementary curriculum combines academic excellence with a Biblical worldview integrated into every lesson. Our kindergarten and elementary school curriculum includes:

English-Language Arts

Math

Spanish

Science

Social Studies

Bible

Art

Music

Interactive Technology (through Chrome Books and Mimeo White Boards)

Library

Physical Education

Morning Show Media & Hosts

Preparing for the Future Now

Above Average ExcellenceIndian Rock Christian School students in kindergarten through fifth grade consistently score above national and state averages in the areas of reading, math, and language use on the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test.

Turning the Page of a New Epic

06 MIDDLE SCHOOL (6TH–8TH GRADE)

The middle school years have the reputation of being an awkward transitional time full of preteen angst. At Indian Rocks Christian School, we emphasize the value of each child and inclusion and respect for peers. Our teachers and our intentional Christian culture mean the middle school years are an exciting time of positive exploration, remarkable academic leaps, building healthy relationships, and maturing in faith.

Engaging STEM activities

for all students with options to complete Algebra 1 and a

pre-honors 8th grade science class that includes an extended

research project. After-school robotics and coding clubs are also available.

A robust arts program, including band, drama, choir, digital arts, and visual arts

competing in

17 SportsHands-on Field Trips

A sixth grade trip to Seaworld, Orlando, Fl.

A seventh grade state capitol trip to Tallahassee, Fl.

An eighth grade trip to Washington D.C.

Some features of middle school include:

35 TEAMS

Tutoring younger studentsgives our middle school students the opportunity to earn volunteer hours for Jr Honor Society

Arts programs, including choir, drama, musical theater, marching band, concert band, visual arts, and digital arts.

07 HIGH SCHOOL (9TH–12TH GRADE)

Our faculty and staff create an environment that helps teens mature and grow to be independent young adults. The high school program is academically rigorous, offers a wide array of extracurricular activities, and helps each student develop a strong moral compass focused on Biblical principles.

Exercising More than the Mind

The Eagles Nestis a state-of-the-art athletic facility that includes lighted baseball/softball, football, soccer, and track fields, as well as four beach volleyball courts.

The Mini-mester program allows each high school student to serve in a missions project in the US or abroad. Through the years, IRCS has sent 3,432 students and staff to 15 states and 28 countries on five continents.

Each high school juniormeets with our college advisor to make an individual plan for the college selection and application process.

Dual enrollment credit classes through St. Petersburg College are available for Grades 11 & 12

9AP Classes

16 Honors Classes and 4 Honor Societies

Distinctives of our high school include:

08 STEM PROGRAM (ALL AGES)

At Indian Rocks Christian School, we strive to enhance our student knowledge in areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). We provide them with project-based learning and real-word applications to stimulate their creativity. Even though our program is in its beginning stages, IRCS has made great strides in implementing a variety of STEM opportunities for students at each academic level.

Shaping Minds into Critical Thinkers

PreschoolOur teachers create fun and imaginative learning environments where hands-on activities allow our youngest learners to ask questions and be creative problem-solvers.

Computer/Engineering Lab

Discovery Center

Challenge Room

Digital Arts Lab

Communication Room

Project Room

Mentor Room

Donor Wall

Eco Center outdoor greenhouses and learning space

ElementaryIRCS has made great strides in implementing a variety of STEM opportunities for students at each academic level. With the addition of our newly renovated STEM Resource Center, our students now have a designated state-of-the-art STEM facility to enhance their hands-on learning experience.

Our STEM center includes:

Middle SchoolIn addition to regular STEM projects in the classroom, middle school students have several after-school opportunities to develop their talents with robotics, coding, and research projects.

High SchoolAs students work to build their STEM resume for future education and employment, the opportunities increase. We provide after-school clubs for robotics, environmental concerns, medical career awareness and python coding. IRCS participates in several engineering and math competitions, and our students consistently bring home awards. Students may also participate in a STEM Mini-mester, where projects become life-changing realities for people in remote parts of the world.

Protects, Encourages, Loves, Challenges, and Prays

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A Family that

Indian Rocks Christian School is dedicated to creating an environment of genuine Christian love and concern. Our community actively protects, encourages, loves, challenges, and prays for each child and each family.

ProtectsPhysical, social, emotional, and spiritual safety are priorities at Indian Rocks Christian School. Our campus is equipped with cameras, locked doors, a visitor screening process, and security staff that are present both during the school day and at school events. We have a strong anti-bullying culture to prevent and address physical, verbal, and relational bullying. We also have a culture of spiritual safety that allows children to understand who God is, what the Bible says, and what that means for them as they grow into adulthood.

EncouragesOur teachers serve as Godly role models and mentors who encourage children to discover gifts and talents, grow spiritually, and excel academically. Students are able to come to teachers with problems and concerns, knowing that teachers will respond from a place of genuine care.

It is critical for us as parents of three kids to secure one primary goal for our children in their education process: a high-quality Christian education. IRCS has done an amazing job accomplishing this goal over the seven years our children have attended the school. The staff and teachers at IRCS are great and truly care about the students’ academic and spiritual success. We are thrilled to partner with IRCS in the educational success and spiritual growth of our children.”

– Don and Jen Flagg, IRCS Parents

FAMILY VALUES

PraysYou can find faculty and staff praying for students before school, students praying in weekly chapel, and prayer in classrooms, small-group studies, and on the athletic field. Indian Rocks Christian school is a community that prays.

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LovesNot only do children at Indian Rocks know they are loved by their teachers and the school community, we teach students the Biblical principles of love. This influences relationships with peers, families, the community, and the world. Our mission and service programs start in kindergarten with children making Build-A-Bears for foster children and continue all the way through graduation, with high school students traveling nationally and internationally as part of the mini-mester program.

ChallengesWe challenge each child to reach their potential — whether that means deeper Bible studies and prayer time; more focused athletic or drama practices; or taking more challenging classes. In addition to rigorous academics, our 3,600 square-foot STEM Center lets students from kindergarten through grade 12 discover, create, and design real world projects in a dynamic environment.

FAMILY VALUES

Variable Tuition A sliding scale tuition rate determined by multiple factors of a family’s financial means.

Discounts for Multiple Children Families that have more than one child enrolled at the school are eligible for tuition discounts.

Monthly Payment Plans Indian Rocks Christian School offers a 10-month and 12-month payment plan for families.

11 AFFORDABILITY

The tuition at Indian Rocks Christian School is intentionally lower than most private schools because of our partnership with Indian Rocks Baptist Church, helping to make the school more affordable. Other programs that help make our school accessible to families throughout our community include:

Quality education that’s Affordable

Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten Program This state program can help families who have a four-year-old. It is open to any child who lives in Florida and turns four years old on or before September 1 of the upcoming school year.

Florida Tax Credit and Family Empowerment Scholarship Programs These state programs expand education opportunities for children from families that have limited financial resources.

Come Tour Our Campus

The best way to determine if Indian Rocks Christian School is the best fit for your family is to visit our campus. There are three ways to schedule a tour.

12685 Ulmerton Rd Largo, FL 33774

Schedule a

tour onlineCall our admissions office at

727-593-8731Email:

ircs-admissions@indianrocks.org

www.IRCS.org

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