ADMISSIONS INFORMATION As you pray about this most important decision, we ask that you learn about what holistic faith based education is and ensure this is the right fit for your child and family. Additionally, we ask that you read through our website (click here) to learn about holistic faith based education and what we offer to our students and their families. Please ensure that your child and your family are enthusiastic about admission to Ocala Preparatory Academy since we have very limited enrollment.
WHAT DO YOU PROVIDE? Ocala Preparatory Academy (OPA) is a holistic, faith-based (Christian) school for children who thrive in a smaller, caring inclusion classroom setting or may need additional academic support in our Additional Supports Classroom. Holistic faith based (Christian) education would be considered the most similar to Montessori and Waldorf. Additionally, we also pray with our students and integrate Christ into all we do.
Click here to meet our staff.
Classrooms we offer for the 24-25 instructional year are as follows (notated if there will be changes for the 25-26 instructional year):
K-1st Grade Classroom Our K-1st grade classroom is a blended (different grades instructed together) inclusion classroom. Students are working at grade level and some students may be working a little below or above grade level. Instruction is holistic,hands and is scaffolded to the level of each student.
2nd-3rd Grade Classroom Our 2nd-3rd grade classroom is a blended (different grades instructed together) inclusion classroom. Students are working at grade level and some students may be working a little below or above grade level. Instruction is holistic, hands on and and is scaffolded to the level of each student.
Lab Classroom (24-25 instructional year only)-includes 4th & 5th grade students* Our lab classroom is a blended classroom (different grades instructed together) with students enrolled in grades 4th-11th, mostly working at 4th and 5th academic work. Some students in this classroom need additional supports and others are students in 4th and 5th grade not needing additional supports. Lab classroom students needing additional supports are included with peers working on the same grade level. The facilitator alongside with a paraprofessional &/or resource teacher or other staff member provide core instruction and may provide supports at other times of the instructional day as well. By embracing students that need additional supports, (alongside those that are working on grade level) we are opening the door to endless possibilities, where your child can thrive and reach his/her full potential in a supportive environment in the least restrictive and supportive environment. Instruction is holistic, hands on and at the level of each student, as needed.
Middle School Classroom Our middle school classroom has 6th-8th grade students, and for 4th quarter of the 24-25 instructional year, select 5th graders will be spending time with our middle schoolers to start the process of learning more rigorous instruction. The middle school classroom is a blended inclusion classroom. Students are working at grade level and some students may be working a little below or above grade level. Instruction is holistic, hands on and is scaffolded to the level of each student.
High School Classroom Our high school classroom has 9th-12th grade students, and for 4th quarter of the 24-25 instructional year, select 8th graders will be spending time with our high schoolers to start the process of learning more rigorous instruction. The high school classroom is a blended (different grades instructed together) inclusion classroom. Students are working at grade level and some students may be working a little below or above grade level. Instruction is holistic, hands on and is scaffolded to the level of each student. Some students are working towards a standard 24 credit high school diploma, an 18 credit ACCEL diploma or an ACCESS diploma (click here for more information).
*The Additional Supports Classrom or ASC has joined with the Lab Classroom for the 24-25 instructional year quarter 4 only. This classroom is comprised of 4th-12th grade students (3rd graders will join this classroom for the 2025-2026 instructional year) that may have one or more learning challenges, intellectual disabilities, or need more academic (not behavioral) support than our inclusion classroom setting can provide. ASC students benefit from our faith based, holistic, hands on, and project-based learning models. Most students in our additional supports classroom are working at a 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th grade level. Some students are working towards an ACCESS diploma (click here for more information)
25-26 LIMITED OPENINGS: We have very limited openings in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th grade. We update this website every couple of weeks. This information is up to date as of March 13, 2025. WAITLIST: Kindergarten.
SPECIAL NOTE:
-We do not accept new high school students. All high school students must enter our school as a K-8th grade student. Due to this, please do not request admission for a high school student.
-We are unable to provide admission to prospective students with behavioral challenges or students that need 1:1 support.
-Pursuant to Section 1002.41(1)(j) F.S. A privately placed private school student with a disability does not have an individual right to receive some or all of the education or related services that a student would receive if enrolled in public school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as amended.
Noting this, Ocala Preparatory Academy does not adhere to Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Ocala Preparatory Academy does work with Marion County Public Schools that offers services to parentally placed private school students with disabilities through a Service Plan.
Click here for more information about Parentally Placed Private School Students from Marion County Public Schools.
FAMILY PARTNERSHIP (excerpt from our policy) We believe that a positive constructive working relationship between our staff & a student’s parents/guardians and extended family members (including anyone who drops off/picks up or has any communication with our staff) is essential to the fulfillment of our mission. As a community, it is important that we all collectively engage in an affirming, encouraging atmosphere. The expression of negative feelings & even supposedly "constructive" criticism can do much to undermine any school’s atmosphere. The board, the executive director and the associate director do not seek to suppress any parent concern or grievance, however, we do ask that such concern or grievance be handled in a healthy, constructive manner.
ADMISSIONS & REGISTRATION Our open enrollment and registration for the 2025-2026 school year begins on February 10, 2025.
ADMISSION PROCESS 1. Complete the Student Admissions Interest Form. We accept Student Admissions Interest Forms on a rolling basis for current instructional year spots available OR starting in January 2025 for the upcoming instructional year. We ask that you do not complete Student Admissions Interest Form unless we have a spot for the instructional year you are seeking admission.
2. Next, you will be contacted to schedule a Student Admissions Phone Interview. Once we have reviewed all documentation, we will make the determination if your child will continue in the admissions process.
3. If your child continues in the admissions process, we must receive the following information:
-Social Security Card
-Birth Certificate
-Form DH 681, Religious Exemption From Immunization or Florida Certificate of Immunization form DH 680
-Physical Form DH 3040 dated within the last 12 months
-Transcript from current or previously attended private school-we will request your child's transcript)
-Report Card-current and previous year (public or private school) Special note-we should already have this information from your Student Admission Interest Form or after the Preadmissions Phone Call.
-Most Up To Date 504 Plan OR IEP Special Note: We should have received this information through the Student Admissions Interest Form or the Preadmissions Phone Call. This information helps us to determine if we are able to provide supports needed.
-Teacher Recommendation Form (from prior or current school)
Once all required information and documents are received, our admin team will decide if your child will move forward in the admissions process. If we decide to move forward in the admissions process, we will provide you a link to complete our 25-26 Admissions Application (not available on our website) and then a trial visit (a minimum of one week during the instructional year OR a minimum of two weeks during our Summer FUN Education Program during the month of June) will be scheduled.
4. After your child's trial visit, you meet with our admin staff to go over standardized testing and classroom assessment.
5. If your child is accepted for admission to Ocala Preparatory Academy, you will be invited to complete a financial contract for the upcoming (or current) instructional year. Your child's costs associated with enrollment will be provided at this time (tuition and fee schedule is available on the Student Admissions Interest Form below for your review).
See below to complete our Student Admissions Interest Form
