If you’re a parent of a motivated eighth-grader, and you think you can’t afford private school, you might be surprised.
Many top, private Broward County high schools offer some need-based financial assistance, and some schools offer generous scholarships based on high test scores and academic, arts, sports and community achievements.
Angelo Castaldi of Sunrise has three sons attending Pine Crest School on scholarship. Castaldi said his eldest son, Joseph, 17, a senior, just made a verbal commitment to Yale University for next year.
“A lot of people don’t even know there’s a possibility. When he was an eighth-grader, his [Bair Middle School] basketball coach told me Joe is a tremendous athlete and student, and ‘If he was my son, I’d go to Pine Crest.’ He saw Joe had the potential,” he said.
“What happened to me is a great example of somebody taking the time to make a recommendation. Joe’s going to Yale is just a continuation,” Castaldi said.
While Castaldi’s son excelled at sports, the scholarship was not based solely on athletic ability. Athletes cannot be enticed to private high schools by reduced tuition as it is against the policies and bylaws of the Florida High School Athletic Association, said Associate Commissioner Bill Grey.
“Private schools cannot offer scholarships for athletic purposes, but they can offer financial assistance programs based on need and through organizations recognized by the FHSAA,” Grey said.
While athletic ability is good, high grades and test scores, talented artists and good, well-rounded students are desirable at all the private high schools.
For most private schools, applicants must take a test called the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) as part of the evaluation process for admission.
When applying for aid at a private school, prospective parents must supply all financial information, W2s, and tax form 1040s. That financial information is sent to School and Student Services for Financial Aid in Princeton, N.J., where the information is analyzed.
North Broward Preparatory School Assistant Headmaster Jeanne M. Korn said students who score 97 percent or higher on reading or verbal and math on the SSAT might qualify for a 50 percent to 100 percent academic scholarship, depending on other criteria.
Tuition at the school is $13,000 to $15,000 a year. Besides academic awards, families may also apply for need-based financial assistance at the school.
Korn said about 11 percent of students at the Coconut Creek school are on some form of financial assistance.
“We are looking for outstanding students, good citizens, average-to-gifted children. Applicants must bring in recommendations to demonstrate community involvement,” Korn said.
The Randazzo School in Coconut Creek not only offers a lower tuition — $8,500 plus $500 in fees — it also accepts Florida State Opportunity Scholarships, McKay Scholarships and Florida Pride corporate vouchers for low-income families, Assistant Headmaster Sherri Holzman said.
She said about 15 percent of the school’s 60 high school students are on some type of voucher program.
Holzman said The Randazzo School offers small classrooms and the option of dual college enrollment for juniors and seniors. Acceptance is based on an interview with the headmaster. No testing is required, and the school seeks diverse, well-rounded students culturally and socio-economically, Holzman said.
Holzman encouraged parents not to be dismiss private schools because of finances. “I think every parent needs to be aware that every private school I know offers some type of financial aid,” Holzman said.
While most private schools have financial aid, funds are also offered through other programs.
Step Up For Students is Florida’s corporate tax credit scholarship program. Spokeswoman Jenny Rothenberg said the program connects donors who are interested in deferring their tax dollars into scholarships with low-income students who want educational options. Students have to qualify for the free or reduced lunch program and must be currently enrolled in a public school or entering kindergarten or first grade. “What’s really special about this program is that it gives options to students and families who might not normally have access to the kind of educational options they want,” Rothenberg said.
Nineteen private high schools in Broward County are participating in the program, including Cardinal Gibbons High, Aukela Military Christian Academy, Alazhar School, Fort Lauderdale Preparatory School, Phyl’s Academy, Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School, Broward Christian Academy, Cooper City Christian Academy, Florida Bible Christian School, Grace Christian Academy, Hollywood Christian School, Sheridan Hills Christian School and Westlake Preparatory School.
Families that want options but are not ready for the private school route can attend the Broward County Magnet Showcase on Nov. 30 at the Broward County Convention Center. At the event, 63 magnet programs at 47 schools will be represented. For more information, call 754-321-2380. For more information about tuition assistance, please call the schools directly:
FOR MORE INFORMATION
American Heritage School and American Academy
12200 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation
954-472-0022
Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School
500 E. Chaminade Drive, Hollywood
954-989-5150
David Posnack Hebrew Day School
6511 W. Sunrise Blvd., Plantation
954-583-6100
Pine Crest School
1501 NE 62nd St., Fort Lauderdale
954-492-4100
North Broward Preparatory School
7600 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek
954-247-0011
The Randazzo School
2251 NW 36th Ave., Coconut Creek
954-968-1750
The Sagemont School
2585 Glades Circle, Weston
954-389-2454
The University School at Nova Southeastern University
3301 College Ave., Davie
954-262-4400
For more information about the Step Up For Students scholarship program, go to
