Non-religious private schools? (Orlando, University, Winter Park: theater, magnet schools, university)

[onthemove2017]

I'm looking for private schools in the Orlando area for my kids -- elementary and middle, but thinking ahead to high school too.

Preferably north or west of the city, and I'd rather a non-religious school. I've found some Montessori elementary schools online that look good, but not sure where they transition to after 5th grade.

Windermere Prep is the only non-denominational K-12 school I've found, but reviews online make it sound like it's all about the $$ and less about a high-quality education. If there aren't many non-religious schools, are there any that are less religion-focused than others?

[boy3365]

What about Park Maitland (K-8)? It's north of the city.

Orlando - Winter Park | Park Maitland School |

[idr591]

My kids went to Park Maitland and transitioned to Lake Highland. Love them both. Park Maitland is secular and Lake Highland has very little religious content.

[Alabamarose]

Originally Posted by idr591

My kids went to Park Maitland and transitioned to Lake Highland. Love them both. Park Maitland is secular and Lake Highland has very little religious content.

I knew several children that attended Lake Highland and they all loved it. They said that the Athletics were great as well as the theater/ arts program.

I used to teach extra curricular classes for kids to take after school. Sometimes there were kids that I didn't like but I had to pretend that I did. I never had to pretend to like a Lake Highland kid. I taught at least ten of them and they were all very nice, sweet, well mannered and intelligent children.

But I think that they had to wear uniforms.

[Arcenal813]

Have you considered Charter Schools? I'm looking into sending my kids to the ones provided by the Orlando Science Center.

[onthemove2017]

Originally Posted by idr591

My kids went to Park Maitland and transitioned to Lake Highland. Love them both. Park Maitland is secular and Lake Highland has very little religious content.

Thanks for the rec! I think Park Maitland is only K-6, which would mean my youngest would transition 2-3x, but for the right school it might be worth it. Was it a difficult transition to Lake Highland, or were most of the kids already familiar from Park Maitland?

[onthemove2017]

Originally Posted by Arcenal352

Have you considered Charter Schools? I'm looking into sending my kids to the ones provided by the Orlando Science Center.

Thanks, Arcenal -- I was looking into magnet schools for middle/high in Orange County, but didn't look at charters yet. I'll take a look at that one, thanks. Do you know anyone who has gone there? I'm not very familiar with charters (don't have them where we are) but from googling, it seems they're a mixed bag.

[idr591]

Originally Posted by onthemove2017

Thanks for the rec! I think Park Maitland is only K-6, which would mean my youngest would transition 2-3x, but for the right school it might be worth it. Was it a difficult transition to Lake Highland, or were most of the kids already familiar from Park Maitland?

Nearly all of the kids from Park Maitland transition to either Lake Highland or Trinity Prep, so the transition is pretty seamless with a large group moving together. My daughter kept many of her old friends and made many new friends. Park Maitland starts at K4 if that helps.

[bmw335xi]

I have a friend who went to Trinity Prep, he and his family are atheists and didn't feel any religious pressure or anything like that. He is now attending Emory University.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by onthemove2017

Thanks, Arcenal -- I was looking into magnet schools for middle/high in Orange County, but didn't look at charters yet. I'll take a look at that one, thanks. Do you know anyone who has gone there? I'm not very familiar with charters (don't have them where we are) but from googling, it seems they're a mixed bag.

I have a friend whose kids have been attending a while. I've been curious enough about it to do my own research, and consider sending my kids there next year. You are correct that not all charter schools are the same. I've heard of some terrible ones, including some that seem to lure in pregnant teens and troubled youth. Not sure why some are great and some so bad. But here's the one I was referring to:

Home - Orlando Science Charter School