By B.C. Manion
A pastor in Zephyrhills doesn’t want money to be the only reason that a child doesn’t get a Christian education.
“We have a lot of kids who come at no cost. We’ve been doing that since Day 1,” said Mike Smith, pastor at Fair Haven Baptist Church and principal of Zephyrhills Christian Academy, 34927 Eiland Blvd.
The pastor’s philosophy is to “never allow money to be the issue.”
Smith said he interviews students and parents during the admission process.
“When I do interviews, I talk to the kid,” Smith said. “I’ll say, “Do you want be here. If they say “Yes,” I’ll give that kid a chance.”
In some cases, a family may be unable to afford the tuition, Smith said.
He said he informs them of scholarships that are available through the “Step Up for Students” program and through the McKay Scholarship program.
But if they are unable to secure those and cannot afford the tuition, Smith said he will do what he can to work with the family.
It costs about $400 a month to attend the Christian school, Smith said.
The school’s enrollment typically hovers between 130-140 students, Smith said.
“I would love to crack 150 this year,” Smith said, noting that a larger enrollment will help the school to expand its facility. Right now, it operates out of 22,000 square feet of space. It wants to add 6,000 square feet, he said.
Smith said he thinks the enrollment would be higher if more people were familiar with the school, which offers a Bible-based curriculum for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
It also provides a wide array of athletics and activities including football, volleyball, basketball, weight lifting and bowling.
When the school opened in 1999, it had just 30 students.
He thinks the enrollment would be even greater if more people were aware of the school.
“I don’t think a lot of people know about our school,” Smith said.
For more information about the school, call (813) 779-9829.
