What services does Christian Schools of Florida provide?

FDOE-Recognized School Accreditation

CSF provides high-quality and FDOE-recognized school accreditation through participation in the School Effectiveness and School Improvement Program (SESIP). The strands, standards, and processes are research-based and reflect the highest national consensus and study.

Visits are conducted by peer review teams comprised of members from other CSF accredited schools. The emphasis is upon school effectiveness and school improvement based upon objective data, so that each school can be assured that it is engaged in a continuous process of becoming more effective.

The SESIP provides each school with an excellent program for self-evaluation, measurement, and goal setting, and is one of the main benefits of CSF membership.

Co-Accreditation

Co-Accreditation is available with the National Council for Private Schools Accreditation (NCPSA), the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSSACS), and Christian Schools International (CSI).

Eligibility for Participation in the Florida VPK

Eligibility for participation in the Florida Voluntary Pre-kindergarten Program (VPK) is provided in accordance with state statute for all CSF-accredited schools. Although accreditation is not required at this time for participation in the other two state scholarship programs, the McKay and the Florida Tax Scholarship programs, support for maintaining eligibility in these two programs are readily shared among participating member schools.

Exemption for Early Childhood Programs

Exemption for early childhood programs from state licensing is provided under FS 402.316 for all CSF member schools.

FHSAA

The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) accepts CSF accreditation for membership into its association.

Teacher Certification and Re-Certification Assistance

CSF provides assistance to member Schools with teacher certification and re-certification. A CSF director of teacher certification provides direct access to the DOE Bureau of Educator Certification and is available to member schools for guidance and assistance. CSF has an FLDOE-approved process that enables teachers to meet state certification requirements for demonstrating professional competencies.

Teacher Certification and Re-Certification

Teacher certification and re-certification is a process in which we give assistance to member schools. A director of teacher certification is available for guidance and assistance. A process approved by the Florida Department of Education is available to all member schools.

Teacher Professional Development

Teacher professional development is led by a director of professional development who oversees an outstanding web-based CSF Master Inservice Program. Components satisfy FDOE requirements for re-certification. Member schools share components, workshops, and seminars via the web-based program with over 200 components available.

Professional Development Opportunities

Professional development opportunities are advertised by member schools with open invitations to participate with them in these activities.

Statewide Inservice Seminars

Statewide inservice seminars and workshops are planned by the director of teacher inservice activities. These are occasional one day drive in workshops.

FAANS

Each member school has a voice at the Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools (FAANS) meetings through a CSF representative. CSF is one of the founding member organizations of FAANS. One of its staff is the immediate past president of FAANS. CSF is an approved accrediting member of FAANS, enabling member schools to participate in VPK and state corporate tax scholarship programs, to receive exemption from state licensing, and to participate as members in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA).

NCPSA

Each member school has a Voice at the National Council of Private School Accreditation meetings throught a CSF representative. CSF is an approved accrediting member of the NCPSA, enabling member schools to receive national co accreditation from the NCPSA and from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Electronic Newsletters and Emails

Electronic newsletters and emails are sent each month to member schools containing leading-edge education articles, legislative news, professional development ideas and opportunities, and news from and about member schools.

Quarterly Meetings

Quarterly school head and academic division leader meetings are held in Tampa and Orlando in order to conduct the business of the organization. Accreditation is addressed at these meetings, including reviewing and modifying accreditation standards and processes, as well as taking action on individual schools and reports received from the peer review visiting teams. All member schools vote on the continuing accredited membership of schools.

CSF is Heavily Participatory

CSF is heavily participatory without employing policies and practices of a national body or a highly empowered state level executive committee. CSF offers the advantage of being a statewide organization where member school heads and division leaders participate together to determine the programs and directions of the organization. Member schools build and manage the programs and processes of the organization by which they voluntarily agree to participate and support each other towards effectiveness and continuous school improvement.

The CSF Discussion Group on Google

The CSF discussion group on Google gives teachers and school administrators opportunity to converse with other member school personnel about issues, problems, programs, etc. This is a close forum accessible by password only.

Spiritual Fellowship

Spiritual fellowship is a feature of the quarterly meetings. Godly fellowship, times for prayer, mutual encouragement and support, sharing common problems and solutions are major elements in the quarterly meetings.