Indian Rocks Christian School

12685 Ulmerton Rd

Largo, FL 33774

28 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by student on December 10, 2024

The school is so nice, and loves all of the students.
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2024

Where to start. This year was a myriad of changes that drastically affected our worklife and homelife. IRCS raised tuition in just 3 years over $4,000 per student in differing grades. They have no plans of stopping the increases also after explaining they plan to raise millions more in the next few years for “projects”. In addition to raising tuition drastically, they changed school start and stop times, eliminated after school drop off care, lost a ton of staff, eliminated the ability to choose weekly summer school program (instead they made parents pay for 7 weeks entirely), regularly carry out group punishments grade wide while not notifying parents of issues they’re attempting to correct with these actions, administrators ignore emails and concerns of parents and many teachers have odd methods of discipline. There is a culture of tattle-tailing that will inevitably get your children disciplined for something another student reports to teachers. Administration also admit they don’t directly witness the behavior they punish all of the time. Grandparents day was a disaster with “safety concerns” amid their overzealous new safety protocol. Many more changes are on the horizon. A school with too much demand but not enough accountability to the parents for poor choices that will drastically affect you. Avoid this school.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2023

Unfortunately even though there is one particular Teacher we like the school they ARE operating like a Public School. The tuition now 10/2023 will be over $13,000 and rising..Maybe this price would be acceptable if the class was say under 18 student per class.The most important problem is what many other parents have left for, Bullying!As a Christian it is the Administrations responsibility to fix this ongoing problem that has been ignored! Public school curriculum with a fake ambiance of what true Christianity is.. Hmmm time for the church to do some house cleaning!!!
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2022

Unfortunately, our experience hasn't been the best at all. Although this school asserts that it partners with parents to produce successful outcomes, it's only arbitrary. The school does not provide the necessary accommodations for all students. I don't recommend this institution at all for your child's academic or spiritual needs.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2021

This school allows ongoing bullying and staff retaliates against the victim instead of the bully. Some kids are held to lower expectations and go unpunished or under punished because of the family’s socioeconomic status, student in sports, or what their family donates (financially) to the school. There are very few Christian values portrayed within the school and the entire staff needs to be evaluated. My kid wants to go back to public school because they weren’t treated this way there. Administration needs to be revamped as the current admins do not care about the students or their well-being—they only care about MONEY MONEY MONEY. As I can see from previous reviews, this is nothing new.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2020

This school is one of THE best schools out there if you're looking for a private Christian school! Our son went all 4 High School years and just graduated within this pandemic. The school went out of their way to deliver yard signs to the seniors (BEFORE all the other schools did the same). They postponed the graduation and were dedicated to keep it to honor the seniors. They truly care about the students spiritually, emotionally, and academically. Our son graduated with almost an A.A. degree because of dual-enrollment options. We loved Mr. Banse, Mrs. Bates, and really the entire staff. I highly recommend this school! -Mom
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2019

I feel that this school is a great option for Christian families in Pinellas County. Parents must note that they are not a covenant Christian school, meaning that one does not have to be a Christian to go there... so students potentially come from different spiritual backgrounds or none at all. (Although current/prospective students do understand that it is a Christian school in every way.) There are great opportunities for missions trips & class trips; there seems to be a good amount of school spirit and turn out at games are significant. Administration and faculty are great and they seem to really care for the students. My kids are enjoying their time there! Some cons: Diversity is wanting though, and there are a few students don’t seem used to interacting with (and respecting) those from different ethnicities. I feel like security could be a little tighter and more visible at Morning drop-off and afternoon pickup as well. There are not many clubs for middle school. But all in all, great school and we’re absolutely blessed to be there!
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2018

Both of my children enjoy the environment and the education they are receiving. The entire staff is warm, welcoming and helpful. No bad experiences. We feel privileged to attend.
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2016

Absolutely love the preschool....the teachers are so patient and wonderful. My daughter is really thriving....We certainly plan on keeping her here for her entire academic career!
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2014

IRCS is a great school. My family's experience has been with the middle school and high school. The teachers are excellent and are very knowledgeable in their given subject area. The sports and fine arts programs are first class. Each year high school students are offered an opportunity to do a mission trip. It really makes a difference in a young person's life. The school leadership is very approachable and makes decisions on what is best for the community.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2014

wonderful school, way too expensive. I can't afford to pay for two kids at this school and barely afford one that is going into kindergarten next year
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2014

I am a proud parent of an Indian Rocks Christian Middle School student. This is our second year there and I can't imagine my daughter being at any other local school. The teachers go out of their way to make learning fun and are always available for any extra help if needed. The campus is gorgeous and there is an extra curricular activity for every interest from bowling to football. The student body is kind and respectful to each other & staff. Most importantly, my child is safe in an enviroment that is secure.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2014

Indian Rocks Christian School (IRCS) is an outstanding school that offers rigorous academics, athletics, arts, music, etc., superimposed upon a bible-based curriculum. This is a rare jewel in Pinellas County, especially in this day and age when God is stealthily being removed from the classroom. History reveals that early intellectual education that led up to (Ivy League level) was primarily bible-based & other academic subjects were built upon this foundation. IRCS has many graduates that have gone many highly competitive colleges as well as into the Ivy League-- IRCS recognizes that education and character building starts at home with parents/caregivers who are intentional about their children's academics & spirituality, the direction of their lives after college, and their impact and influence in society and the world. IRCS offers a Christian-based, scientific-factual-responsible education that not only prepares students for college and careers. it prepares them for life and beyond. All that is academic, scientific, artistic, creative, and athletic, is just a derivative of the biblical -- Just ask God.
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2014

Unfortunately, this school puts the priority on the "bible" vs. any actual needed education. If you really want your kids to go out into the real world and try to get a job while stating that Noah had dinosaurs on the ark, then this may be the school for you! Just don't expect your child to get into an Ivy-league school or gain any sort of scientific-factual-repsonsible education. They graduate from IRCS and go directly to fast food service.
Submitted by teacher on November 23, 2013

IRCS has been my home now for 15 years and my husband and I have never given thought to belonging anywhere else before. There is comfort in knowing that the staff you teach along side each day genuinely cares about each other. And their love and concern is for both staff and students alike. Our two children have attended IRCS since kindergarten and I believe it is because of the staff that we have continued to raise them here. I believe in IRCS and will continue to support the goals and direction that our administration has for our school. There is assurance in knowing God has a plan for my family and that IRCS is a part of it!
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2013

We Love IRCS! Here's why... Our three children have attended IRCS since kindergarten. Our son is a senior this year, one daughter a freshman and the youngest now in middle school. IRCS has prepared our son for college in many ways; Duel credit college courses, AP and honors classes, SAT/ACT prep class, practice ACT's/ SAT's and a challenging academic course track. He has excelled in athletics as well and will participate in track and cross country in college. He has had the opportunity to serve in countries around the world through our school's mission program every year in high school. The best part of it all is that my children are in a Christian environment with teachers, coaches and staff that really care about every child. I know my son is prepared for his future education and my daughters will be too. Yes, I have sent my children to only one school their entire lives, but I didn't do it with blinders on. I have explored other educational options like the IB program, magnet programs and high school collegiate programs, but I always come back to this... my kids love their school. That speaks volumes to me.
Submitted by other on November 20, 2013

I graduated several years ago. I am thankful to the Lord that I was blessed to be able to attend this school. Wonderful teachers.
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2013

Our daughter has been at IRCS for 13 years and we have never regretted our choice to make the sacrifice to send her there. We are extremely satisfied with the education she has received and feel it has prepared her well for college. Dee Bates, the MS/HS guidance counselor, has always made herself available to help our daughter make informed decisions regarding class selection, dual enrollment choices and college prep tests. Additionally, and most importantly, the administrators and teachers have always made us feel that our daughter's future matters.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2013

I LOVE IRCS! My kids went here from Kindergarten through graduation. The teachers and staff are wonderful, smart and very caring. There is something for everyone whether in the Arts department, sports, media, etc. When my son was at a University he thanked me for sending him to IRCS because it really prepared him for college. There is a diversity of students that attend. It doesn't matter what your race or religious background is you are made to feel welcomed and loved. You are taught straight from the bible not by religion, fair and equal. For HS they offer a lot of dual credit and AP classes. The Elementary school is wonderful! I always felt that my children we very safe and secure. All the teachers really care about the students! The discipline is pretty strict which I appreciate. When you spend this much money you don't want disruption in your classes. If you want an awesome education and wonderful friends for your children this is the place to be! If you have problems with your child this is not a place for them to be "straightened out"! The teachers are busy teaching and the students won't put up with it! Even though it was a sacrifice to send our kids here it was worth!
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2013

My daughter has attended IRCS since VPK and she is in 1st grade now. Instead of helping her in areas she struggled in, they are asking her not to come back to the school. Are you serious? This is what you do to a child that is struggling instead of helping them. Do not recommend this school! They are all about money!!!