WINONA LAKE – After applying for and waiting to see if they would be selected to participate in the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program, Lakeland Christian Academy announced Tuesday that it will participate in the new statewide school voucher program.
Through the School Scholarship Act, Lakeland Christian Academy will start accepting vouchers from qualifying families immediately for the 2011-2012 school year. Children in seventh through 12th grade who previously attended a public school for the prior two semesters are eligible to apply.
Students qualifying for the federal free-and-reduced price lunch program (around $40,000 for a family of four) can receive a voucher for $4,840.64 toward tuition at LCA, according to a press release from LCA.
Children from families who earn up to 150 percent of the program (around $60,000 for a family of four) are eligible for a voucher worth $2,689.24 toward tuition at LCA. A student must enroll at the school before they can begin the application process for a voucher.
In the press release, Joy Lavender, administrator at LCA, said, “I am excited to participate in the voucher program. There are many families that desire to send their children to LCA for the spiritual emphasis, community service opportunities and the academic challenges that are the distinctives of Lakeland Christian Academy. The voucher program will provide more families with this educational choice.”
Interested families should contact the school office directly by calling 574-267-7265 for assistance with the application process. More information and the LCA application process is also available on the school’s website at www.lcacougars.com.
On Aug. 4 at 7 p.m., a meeting will be held at LCA. The purpose of the meeting is to inform parents and the community about the school and its admission standards. Information about the School Choice voucher program also will be covered.
LCA is a private Christian junior high/high school in Kosciusko County. They have been in existence since 1974, and are located at 1093 S. CR 250E, Winona Lake.
Lakeland Christian Academy is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International and North Central Association on Certification and School Improvement. Its students represent approximately 50 churches and come from Columbia City, Syracuse, Manchester, Warsaw, Winona Lake and the surrounding areas.
According to information from LCA, the school’s SAT scores are higher than the national and state averages.
LCA boast a 100 percent graduation rate with approximately 90 percent of the graduates going on to college.
In addition to allowing for vouchers, the new law also expanded the existing Indiana Scholarship Tax Credit Program, which provides eligible lower-income families with scholarships from certified Scholarship Granting Organizations to attend the school of their choice. Individuals and corporations can claim a 50 percent tax credit for contributions to approved SGOs. The new legislation increased the amount of available tax credits from $2.5 million to $5 million.
The new law also allows families with children who are enrolled in a private school to claim a $1,000 tax deduction per child for approved educational expenses such as tuition or textbooks, according to the press release.
