Families in Hunters Creek looking for a private school that pairs rigorous academics with verified educational quality have a meaningful option within reach. The Crenshaw Academy is an accredited, secular college preparatory school serving students from Kindergarten through 12th grade in the Orlando area. With a curriculum designed to develop thinkers rather than test-takers, small class sizes that make individual attention the norm, and accreditation from some of the most respected educational bodies in the country, The Crenshaw Academy offers a standard of quality education that families in this community deserve to know about.
The Importance of Private School Accreditation
Not all private schools are created equal, and accreditation is one of the clearest, most objective indicators of educational quality available to parents. An accredited school has voluntarily submitted to external review by an independent body that evaluates its curriculum, teaching practices, administrative standards, and student outcomes against established benchmarks. When a school earns and maintains that accreditation, it signals a genuine commitment to accountability rather than a self-reported promise.
For families evaluating schools, accreditation matters for several practical reasons:
- It provides independent verification that a school meets documented academic standards
- It ensures that coursework and transcripts are recognized by colleges and universities
- It confirms that the school's administrative and instructional practices meet professional requirements
- It protects families against the risk of investing in a program that lacks genuine educational rigor
A school that has never pursued accreditation has not been independently reviewed. Accreditation is not automatic, and it is not permanent. Schools must demonstrate continued adherence to standards to maintain it.
The Crenshaw Academy's Accreditation Record
The Crenshaw Academy holds accreditation from multiple recognized bodies, and that breadth of credentialing reflects the depth of the school's commitment to academic integrity. Current accreditations include:
- SACS/CASI/COGNIA (formerly the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)
- Association of Independent Schools of Florida (AISF)
- Middle States Association
- Accreditation International
- National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA)
The school's relationship with SACS is particularly significant. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools took note of The Crenshaw Academy's academic program early in its history and accredited the school through its international division, CITA. That recognition was not simply awarded because a school applied; it was earned because the program demonstrated measurable educational quality. Explore the full details of the school's credentialing history on The Crenshaw Academy's accreditation page.
A College Preparatory Curriculum Built for Real Learning
Accreditation establishes that a school meets a standard. What sets The Crenshaw Academy apart is what it does with that foundation. The school's curriculum is challenging, forward-thinking, and flexible, designed to meet students where they are and develop the skills they will rely on long after they leave the classroom.
Learning by Grade Level
Lower School (Kindergarten through Grade 5)
In the earliest years of a student's education, the attitudes and habits they develop will shape how they approach learning for the rest of their lives. The Crenshaw Academy's lower school curriculum is developmentally appropriate, sequenced carefully, and built around the goal of helping young students genuinely love learning. Instruction at this level includes a wide variety of disciplines and places a strong emphasis on foundational skills, early social development, and intellectual curiosity.
From kindergarten forward, students are guided toward self-confidence and independence in an environment that is both challenging and supportive. You can learn more about the lower school experience at The Crenshaw Academy's lower school page.
Middle School (Grades 6 through 8)
The middle school years are a critical transition point. The Crenshaw Academy's middle school program is designed to meet the specific developmental needs of early adolescents by integrating core academic subjects with study skills, community service, athletics, and personal growth. Core subjects include math, English, science, social studies, and foreign language, alongside fine arts, technology, and physical education.
Classes at this level are small and discussion-based, which reflects the school's broader philosophy that genuine learning happens through engagement, not passive reception. The middle school curriculum is interdisciplinary and multicultural, designed to stretch students from concrete to abstract thinking in preparation for the rigors of upper school.
Upper School (Grades 9 through 12)
The upper school is where The Crenshaw Academy's college preparatory mission comes into sharpest focus. The curriculum emphasizes methods of inquiry, written and oral expression, mathematics, the physical and social sciences, the humanities, and modern languages. Students also complete a computer science requirement and engage in community service as part of their educational experience.
Upper school students can elect to take honors courses across all disciplines and pursue independent study for credit in areas not covered by the standard curriculum. Explore the full upper school program at The Crenshaw Academy's upper school page.
Dual Enrollment: College Credit Before Graduation
Eleventh and twelfth graders are encouraged to participate in dual enrollment at Valencia Community College, Lake Sumter College, the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida. They can opt to take one or two college courses per semester while still in high school. This program strengthens college applications, develops real-world academic confidence, and gives students a meaningful head start on their post-secondary education.
Standardized Test Performance
The Crenshaw Academy's students have demonstrated strong performance on standardized assessments. The school ranked above average globally in English on the PSAT NMSQT and above average globally in both English and Math on the PSAT 8/9. These results are not the goal of the Crenshaw education, but they are a natural outcome of a program that prioritizes genuine academic development.
Small Class Sizes: Where Quality Education Happens
No feature of The Crenshaw Academy better reflects its educational philosophy than its commitment to small class sizes. Every structural decision the school makes flows from the belief that students learn best when they are known as individuals and taught accordingly.
The school's student-to-teacher ratios are:
- Lower School: 12 students per teacher
- Middle School: 15 students per teacher
- High School: 15 students per teacher
In a seminar-style class of this size, students cannot disappear into the back row. They participate in discussion, develop the courage to ask questions, practice oral communication, and receive timely, personalized feedback on their work. Teachers are in a position to identify how each student learns and to adjust their approach accordingly.
This model also strengthens the relationship between faculty, students, and families, a dynamic that the school considers central to its program. At The Crenshaw Academy, a student is known by name, not by a seating chart number.
What Families Can Expect From the Admissions Process
The Crenshaw Academy's enrollment process is designed to ensure that every student and family is a strong fit for the program, and that every admitted student receives the individualized attention the school promises.
Here is how the process works:
- Submit a request for an appointment through the school's admissions form
- Meet virtually or in person with an Admissions Advisor
- Complete a campus tour and meeting with administration
- Submit all required documents and forms
- Confirm enrollment through payment of registration and first tuition fees upon acceptance
The school also accepts Step Up For Students scholarships, which means that families who qualify for Florida's school choice program can apply those funds directly toward tuition at The Crenshaw Academy. This makes quality private education more financially accessible than many families in the area initially assume.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accreditation does The Crenshaw Academy hold?
The Crenshaw Academy is accredited by SACS/CASI/COGNIA, the Association of Independent Schools of Florida, the Middle States Association, Accreditation International, and the National Council for Private School Accreditation. The school's SACS accreditation dates to early in its history, when the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools recognized the program through its international division, CITA.
What grades does The Crenshaw Academy serve?
The school serves students from Kindergarten through 12th grade, offering distinct academic programs for the lower school (K-5), middle school (6-8), and upper school (9-12).
How small are the classes?
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12:1 in the lower school and 15:1 in both the middle and upper schools. Classes are intentionally kept small to ensure individualized instruction and meaningful teacher-student relationships.
Does the school offer any college-level coursework?
Yes. Qualifying 6th-12th graders may participate in dual enrollment at Valencia Community College or the University of Central Florida, earning college credit while still enrolled at The Crenshaw Academy.
Is The Crenshaw Academy a religious school?
No. The Crenshaw Academy is a secular, nonsectarian private school. It is not affiliated with any religious organization.
How do I learn more or schedule a visit?
The best way to get started is to reach out directly. Visit The Crenshaw Academy's contact page to request an appointment with an Admissions Advisor.
The Right School Makes All the Difference
For families in Hunters Creek seeking a private school that can demonstrate its quality rather than simply claim it, The Crenshaw Academy offers a clear and verifiable answer. Its accreditations are real, its class sizes are intentional, and its college preparatory curriculum has been producing graduates accepted to institutions like Princeton, Stanford, the University of Florida, and the University of Central Florida for nearly three decades.
If you are ready to take the next step, contact The Crenshaw Academy today. An Admissions Advisor is available to answer your questions and help you determine whether this program is the right fit for your child.
