Academics

Autism Education

The education and development of children with autism is a distinction of the LCS campus that is significantly impacting lives on a daily basis.

The Discovery Program

The Lakeland Christian School Discovery Program is an educational program for students with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or a related disorder characterized by similar traits as ASD who require a modified academic setting. The program consists of three classrooms with specific curriculum and daily activities designed for students with a diagnosis of ASD.

Our mission is to provide individualized education with the goal of teaching the whole child in the light of God’s Word. Small group instruction is given based on your child’s individual needs in reading and math. Each child will receive an IEP written by the DP teachers driven by data from nationally normed assessments and personal interactions with the student. An annual meeting will be held to discuss student needs and appropriate goals. 

By the second semester of their fifth-grade year, students are assessed to determine the appropriate next step.

About the LCS Discovery Program

  • Offered to students K4-5th grade (*age appropriateness is based on the discretion of the administration)
  • Small Group Instruction
  • State Certified Teachers with ESE certification
  • Intervention Curriculum
  • Academic Focus in the Following Areas:
    •  Reading, Math, Writing, Social Studies and Science
    •  Independent Functioning
    •  Communication
    •  Social Skills
  • Inclusion Opportunities/Inclusion Paraprofessional Based on Student Needs
  • McKay and Gardiner Scholarship Accepted
  • Financial Aid Available
  • Speech/Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Tutoring Available
  • Sensory Room Available Based on Student Needs

Tuition Information (2023-2024)

Payment Schedule

Tuition payments may be made annually, by semester, quarterly, over 10 months or over 12 months. All monthly tuition payments are made via electronic funds transfer to FACTS Tuition Management. The yearly fee for this service is $15 (if paying by semester) or $45 per family (if paying quarterly, over 10 months or over 12 months). There is no fee if paying annually.

View the different tuition levels here:

LCS Discovery Program Brochure

2023-2024 School Term

School Hours: 7:50 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

New Students: 

  • Application Fee: $150.00
  • Non-Refundable Enrollment Fee: K4: $200: K5-12th Grade: $500

Returning Students:

  • Non-Refundable Enrollment Fee K4: $200 from January 9 to February 15
  • Non-Refundable Enrollment Fee K4: $200 after February 15 (if space permits)
  • Non-Refundable Enrollment Fee K5-12: $350 from January 9 to February 15
  • Non-Refundable Enrollment Fee K5-12: $500 after February 15 (if space permits)

Annual Tuition

  • Level 1: $20,300
  • Level 2: $23,200
  • Level 3: $26,100
  • Level 4: $29,000

(Tuition includes two sessions of occupational therapy per week. Two sessions of speech/language therapy services are also provided per week at no charge through a federal grant.)

NOTE: The multi-child discount does not apply to Discovery Program tuition.

Food Service

The Lakeland Christian School cafeteria offers a variety of meal alternatives that cater to our diverse student population. Cafeteria menus and meal item portions are created to meet the varied levels of student preferences. All menus are reviewed and approved by a registered dietician to ensure menus meet nutrition standards and nutrient composition from a variety of food sources that support optimal nutrition.  Students receive three daily meal options ranging from “the classics” (home-style favorites), peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and deli-meat sandwiches. Meal service transactions are processed through a point-of-service register system which allows parents to review and monitor student purchases on a daily basis. Parents are asked to place money in their child’s lunch account and maintain a positive balance at all times. Students may also opt to bring their lunch from home.

Daily meal prices:  $4.50 (Discovery 1), $5.00 (Discovery 2)

Overdue Payments and Early Withdrawal

A late fee of one and a half percent per month may be assessed on charges older than thirty days. For payments returned to the school because of insufficient funds, the school will assess a $30.00 service charge. No student may be enrolled in a new semester unless all previous semester payments have been made. If a student is withdrawn during a semester, the full semester’s tuition is due. Student transcripts/records will only be released after the family account has been paid in full.

Scholarship Information

Lakeland Christian School accepts a number of supplemental scholarship programs.  Families may also apply for additional financial aid. For more information, click here.

Contact the LCS Business Office at (863) 688-2771 for more information.


Lakeland Christian School participates in the educational scholarship programs offered in the State of Florida, including but not limited to the Family Empowerment Scholarship – Unique Abilities (FES-UA).   Parents who elect to enroll their student with a disability at Lakeland Christian School may not have an individual right to receive some or all of the special education and related services that the student would receive if enrolled in a public school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended.

Schedule a Visit

Questions? Please reach out to Julie Rice, our Director of Enrollment, at (863) 688-2771 or jrice@lcsonline.org.
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