Our Mission

For like-minded Christian families and teachers to partner together to create a unique educational environment in which children can achieve academic excellence with a special emphasis on learning moral standards and values according to Biblical principles. The students will grow strong in their faith and be a lighthouse to our community.

How Does It Work?

On Monday and Wednesday, students learn at home with parent instruction, guided by lesson plans provided by our certified classroom teachers. On Tuesday and Thursday, students meet at our school facility and learn in a group setting, taught by our certified classroom teachers. Friday is an optional Enrichment Day (E-Day) Program for younger students, and a half-day of group instruction for middle and high schoolers.

Foundational Philosophy

We believe that...
... Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God who died for our sins and rose from
the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)
... the Bible is the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16)
... every person is a sinner who falls short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)
... there is nothing a person can do on his or her own to earn eternal life (Matthew
5:48)
... the forgiveness of sins, the promise of eternal life and the empowering by the
Holy Spirit are available to those who trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior
(John 3:16)
... Jesus Christ will one day return to earth to reign forever (1 Thessalonians
4:3-18)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should have eternal life.” John 3:16

We believe that our children are gifts from God. Parents are God-ordained trainers and the families at TCCS commit to build a strong family. Teachers reinforce the godly standard of discipline, which is taught at home. The like-minded families share a knowledge of the discipline practices from Growing Kids God’s Way (GKGW), a parenting course based on Biblical principles. Teachers support the discipline of GKGW, which supports the parent's role as well as allows group class time to be focused on academics and positive peer relationships, versus negative behaviors. Teachers display godly character and serve as mentors to the children.

“Bring them (children) up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:4b

We believe the partnership between parents and teachers is the key to a successful community school. Parents and teachers work to be mentors to their children as they learn academic and moral character. Two days a week, parents implement lesson plans which are provided weekly by their child’s teacher. The partnership extends the other three days as parents rotate volunteering in group classrooms. Communication is a key to our partnership, and is strengthened by community meetings. All curriculum integrates a variety of learning approaches. We recognize multiple intelligences and the need to teach according to a child’s learning style. Hands-on experiential learning, cooperative group work, literature-based lessons, theme based lessons, phonics, music, movement and art are included in lesson plans. We build a strong educational foundation by teaching to a child’s developmental and academic level, as well as allowing time for them to master the concepts before proceeding.

Educational Philosophy

The Tampa Christian Community School integrates a variety of methods and materials for teaching our children according to Biblical principles and the ancient wisdom found throughout Scripture.

Our teaching reflects an approach similar to that the of the Classical style, with attention given to the developmental progression of optimum learning stages (The Trivium). During the early years (Grammar Stage), children are taught the language of academic disciplines and how to connect words to ideas. Drill and review are primary tools for teaching at this stage, and much is accomplished through rhyme, chanting and song. Art, music, movement, and hands-on experimental learning provide the counterbalance for the disciplines of memorization and drill. Once basic academic skills are mastered, students are taught how to research and collect information, integrating what they have learned in different subject areas through the rigors of logic and reason (Dialectic/Logic Stage). With this foundation, upper level students are able to logically present and defend their ideas, while continuing the systematic construction of a Biblical world view and deepening their understanding of integrated academic disciplines (Rhetoric Stage).

We agree that literature-based curriculum will move students toward cultural literacy and provide the foundation for a broader understanding of history. At the primary level, we recognize the importance of a strong phonics-based approach to teaching reading skills that is used alongside a consistent exposure to high quality children's literature.

Not all the literature we use is explicitly "Christian", and in fact, we acknowledge that some of it may contain elements that may be thought of as scary, or "un-Christian" or even offensive to some. Why would we include these books? Simply put, what is considered rich literature and intellectually challenging to one person is encountered as offensive to another. We have tried to select great literature that represents well a broad historical perspective, or a wide range of human experience that exposes moral and spiritual dilemmas, or powerfully describes the struggle of a fallen world toward the redemptive act of grace, and so on. We want to engage our students, at age-appropriate stages, in intellectual discussions that provoke high level thinking and expose them to deep questions of the faith. We also believe that God's Word is as relevant today as it has been throughout history and we will always drive the student toward answers that are reflective of God's truth found in Scripture.

History is taught chronologically, integrating that which is recorded in the Bible with that which is not, in a time-line format that properly orders and systematically builds a strong historical foundation in students' minds. A chronological understanding of God's plan of salvation for the world and His sovereignty throughout history provides the backdrop for a deep understanding of a Biblical world view.

Science is taught as an exploration of God's creative design throughout the universe that will give students an understanding of the God-ordained order and physical laws found in the natural world. Life sciences, earth sciences, space science, physical science, chemistry and technology are explored systematically and variously throughout all academic levels. Hands-on experimental learning is a vital part of the science curriculum.

Math is presented as a continuum of skills and conceptual mastery. We use the Saxon approach for the younger grades, which is known for its strengths in teaching arithmetic computation, mathematical principles, and constant integrative review. The primary level features a strong use of manipulatives and is supplemented with additional drill exercises. The Glencoe math series is used in the upper grades in order to give students who are learning more difficult concepts the extra practice they need to master these concepts in preparation for high school and college level math.

Each curriculum selected for use at the Tampa Christian Community School is taught from a decidedly evangelical Christian perspective, even if it is not an explicitly "Christian curriculum". We agree that "all truth is God's truth" and are committed to teaching a sound Biblical world view throughout all academic disciplines. We also seek to establish a global perspective on social, environmental, political, and humanitarian issues that helps prepare students to become world citizens with a broad view of the Great Commission and a proper response to the Lord's command of world-wide ministry. Starting in elementary school, students are taught how to defend their faith. Throughout the teaching of theology, philosophy, science and history, apologetics is represented as a natural and necessary part of living in a post-Christian era. We want to develop in our students (as the writers of the Sonlight Curriculum so aptly put it) "a healthy scholarly skepticism" toward the things they will encounter throughout life, designed to motivate them to seek, find and defend the truth.

We firmly believe and support our educational philosophy that parents are first and foremost responsible for their children's education. The partnership between parent and Christian educator that is a hallmark of the Tampa Christian Community School is a trust relationship based on a mutual desire to honor the Lord Jesus Christ in all that is taught to our children. May He be lifted up and glorified by every aspect of our educational program.