Okeechobee Adventist Christian School

Florida's Only One-room Christian School (Grades 1 - 8)

With never more than 12 students, we provide the closest alternative to homeschooling for families who need a school environment—personalized attention in a nurturing Christian atmosphere, backed by the resources of a 30-school Adventist network

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Years of Excellence

0

Max Students

1:6

Educator Ratio

0

Network Schools

SINCE 1935

Nearly 90 years of Christian Education Excellence

Building relationships with Jesus and preparing productive citizens.

Our Mission

The Mission of the Okeechobee Adventist Christian School is to lead students to love and respect God, others, and themselves, and to prepare students to serve God and their communities with joy and confidence.

Our Story

We have been providing quality Christian education in Okeechobee for nearly 90 years. It is our goal to prepare our students to be productive citizens, while at the same time, building a relationship with Jesus that will lead to eternity in God's kingdom.

As Florida's only one-room Christian school, we offer a unique educational experience where every student receives individualized attention in a nurturing, family-like atmosphere that upholds strong Christian values.

OUR UNIQUE ADVANTAGE

Why Parents Choose OACS

Intimate Learning Environment

With never more than 12 students, every child receives one-on-one attention and instruction tailored to their learning style and pace - the closest alternative to homeschooling.

Christian Values & Character

Daily worship, biblical principles integrated throughout the curriculum, and a nurturing Christian atmosphere that builds character and faith alongside academic excellence.

Network Resources & Support

Backed by a 30-school Adventist network, students benefit from comprehensive curriculum resources, professional development, and proven educational excellence.

Family Atmosphere

Multi-age learning creates a family-like environment where older students mentor younger ones, building leadership skills, empathy, and lasting friendships.

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

Academic Programs

Multi-age learning approach with personalized instruction for grades 1-8

Core Curriculum

Comprehensive education in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Bible, aligned with Florida Conference of SDA standards.

STEM Focus

Hands-on learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through inquiry-based projects and real-world applications.

Arts Integration

Creative expression through music, visual arts, and performance opportunities that develop well-rounded individuals.

Character Education

Biblical principles integrated daily, teaching respect, responsibility, integrity, and service to others in a Christian context.

Multi-Age Learning

Students learn at their own pace with individualized instruction, while benefiting from peer mentorship and collaborative learning.

Field Experiences

Educational field trips and outdoor learning experiences that extend classroom learning into the real world.

JOIN OUR FAMILY

Admissions Process

Simple steps to enroll your child

Submit Application

Complete the online application form below or contact us to schedule a visit to learn more about our school.

School Visit

Tour our facility, meet our teacher, and experience our unique one-room school environment firsthand.

Application Review

We'll review your application and contact you regarding enrollment decisions and next steps.

Submit Application

Complete the online application form below or contact us to schedule a visit to learn more about our school.

Ready to Apply?

Applications are now open for Spring 2026 and the 2026-2027 school year. Only 5 spaces available due to our 12-student maximum.

Apply Now

Call (863) 763-0763

INVESTMENT IN EXCELLENCE

Tuition & Fees for 2025-2026

Affordable Christian education with family discounts

FIRST CHILD

$6,750

Annual Tuition

Full Grades 1-8 Curriculum
Daily Christian Instruction
Personalized Learning
Network Resources

SECOND CHILD

$6,600

Annual Tuition

Save $150

THIRD CHILD

$6,500

Annual Tuition

Save $250

Additional Fees

Registration Fee $500

Field Trip Fee $300

Resources & Information

Download School Handbook

View Major Dates Calendar

Financial Aid Information

What We Do Different

Adventist Education

Adventist Education nurtures mind, body, and spirit, combining academic excellence with faith-based values to inspire a lifetime of purpose and service. Click the image to learn more about what Adventist Education means for your child, regardless of your religious affiliation.

Adventist Robotics

Explore innovation with Adventist Robotics! Students design, build, and compete, developing STEM skills and teamwork in a Christ-centered environment. Click the image to go to the Adventist Robotics home page.

Outdoor Education

Experience hands-on learning through outdoor education! Students explore nature, develop teamwork, and grow spiritually amidst God's handiwork. Click on the image to see what that would look like for your child.

HEAR FROM OUR FAMILIES

Parent & Student Testimonials

Don't take our word for it...

Brandon

Student

"I’m at peace here. There’s no chaos, there’s a lot of space for me to either read, relax, study, or move around. Also, I like to climb."

Jay

Student

"My favorite thing here is that I get to do my coding and work with the robotics. Because there are so few students, I get a lot of attention there and I get to spend a lot of time in those areas."

John Sufficool

Teaching Principal

"I’ve been teaching here for 25 years and have loved nearly every minute of it. My favorite part of this is helping kids reach their full potential, and in this small school setting, I can do that better than I ever could in a large overfilled classroom."

Amanda

Student

"Math is my happiest part of the day. Mr. Suffa cool gives me a lot of attention when I have questions whenever I need it, and he helps me understand how I use it in real life."

Emily

Student

"I like that there are not a bunch of kids, because if there were a bunch of kids, we’d probably get sick more."

Helen

Student

"I like the art here, because we get to draw and paint. And I’m really good at drawing."

Esmeralda

Student

"Fridays are my favorite part because we get to do art, and it’s more of a free day to recap and put into practice what we’ve learned during the week."

Message from the Principal

John Sufficool

For nearly 90 years, our school has been a place where children are known, valued, and nurtured—not just as students, but as individuals with unique gifts and God-given potential.

With never more than 12 students in our one-room school, I have the privilege of knowing each child deeply. I see their strengths, understand their challenges, and celebrate their growth every single day. This isn't just a job for me—it's a calling I've pursued for 25 years, and I can honestly say I've loved nearly every minute of it.

In today's world of overcrowded classrooms and one-size-fits-all education, we offer something different: a family atmosphere where older students mentor younger ones, where learning happens at each child's pace, and where Christian values aren't just taught—they're lived.

If you're searching for a school that will truly see your child, challenge them academically, and guide them spiritually, I invite you to visit us. Come see what makes our small school such a special place.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Apply for Spring 2025

Limited Spaces Available - Apply today to secure your child's spot

Apply Now

Call (863) 763-0763

TRANSPARENCY & SAFETY

Standards of Ethical Conduct & Reporting

Adopted from the Florida State Department of Education

Reporting Educator Misconduct

All employees and agents of schools have a legal responsibility to report misconduct by instructional personnel and administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student.

Learn More

Our school values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of democratic citizenship. Essential to the achievement of these standards are the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all.
Our primary concern is the student and the development of the student's potential. Employees will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity.
Concern for the student requires that our instructional personnel:
- Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student's mental and/or physical health and/or safety.
- Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.
- Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view.
- Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student's academic program.
- Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
- Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student's legal rights.
- Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
- Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
- Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.
Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of colleagues, of students, of parents, and of the community, employees of our school must display the highest degree of ethical conduct. This commitment requires that our employees:
- Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
- Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition if otherwise qualified, or social and family background deny to a colleague professional benefits or advantages or participation in any professional organization.
- Shall not interfere with a colleague's exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.
- Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct which unreasonably interferes with an individual's performance of professional or work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education or which creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and, further, shall make reasonable effort to assure that each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination.

Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.

TRAINING REQUIREMENT

All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and administrators are required as a condition of employment to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct.

REPORTING MISCONDUCT BY INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATORS

All employees, educational support employees, and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors. Reports of misconduct of school employees should be made to the OACS principal:

Mr. John Sufficool

School Office: 863-763-0763

Email: John Sufficool <john.sufficool@flcoe.org>

Reports of misconduct committed by OACS administrators should be made to the Florida Conference Superintendent:

Frank Runnels

Office Phone: 407-644-5000, ext. 2411

Email: frank.runnels@flcoe.org

Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student are posted throughout the school, and on our website at www.oacschool.com

REPORTING CHILD ABUSE, ABANDONMENT OR NEGLECT

All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call 1-800-96-ABUSE or report online at: https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/abuse-hotline/how-report-abuse

Signs of Physical Abuse: The child may have torn, stained or bloody underwear, trouble walking or sitting, pain or itching in genital area, or a sexually transmitted disease. A child experiencing sexual abuse may have unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively, fear a particular person, seem withdrawn or depressed, gain or lose weight suddenly, shy away from physical contact, or run away from home.
Signs of Neglect: The child may have unattended medical needs, little or no supervision at home, poor hygiene, or appear underweight. A child experiencing neglect may be frequently tired or hungry, steal food, or appear overly needy for adult attention.
Patterns of Abuse: Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.

LIABILITY PROTECTIONS

Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by law, or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. (F.S. 39.203)

An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former or current employee upon request of the prospective employer or of the former or current employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the former or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under F.S. Chapter 760. (F.S. 768.095)

Reporting Child Abuse

Reporting Child Abuse is EVERYONE'S Responsibility. Under Florida law, anyone who suspects a child may be abused or neglected has a responsibility to report it.

Learn More

Non-Discrimination Statement

Florida Conference Seventh-day Adventist schools admit students of any race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, and sexual orientation. Our schools do not discriminate on the basis of any of the aforementioned categories in decisions for admission, discipline, or application of education policies. We promote a sharp focus on learning and caring while requiring all students to adhere to behavioral expectations set out in a strict code of conduct supported by the Biblical beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Okeechobee Adventist Christian School unique?

We are Florida's only one-room Christian school with never more than 12 students, providing the closest alternative to homeschooling for families who need a school environment. We offer personalized attention in a nurturing Christian atmosphere, backed by the resources of a 30-school Adventist network.

How many students are in each class?

Our school has never more than 12 students total in the entire school, allowing for highly personalized, one-on-one attention similar to homeschooling. Students in grades 1-8 learn together in a multi-age classroom environment.

What is the tuition cost?

Tuition for the first child is $6,750, second child $6,600, and third child $6,500 (family discount). Additional fees include a $500 registration fee and $300 field trip fee.

What grades does the school serve?

We serve students in grades 1-8 with a multi-age learning approach that allows for individualized pacing and instruction tailored to each child's needs.

How long has the school been in operation?

We have been providing quality Christian education in Okeechobee for nearly 90 years, since 1935. Our long history demonstrates our commitment to excellence and our deep roots in the community.

Is your curriculum accredited?

Yes, we are accredited by the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and follow their comprehensive educational standards. We also benefit from curriculum and resources shared across the 30-school network.

Do students need to be Seventh-day Adventist?

No, we welcome students of all Christian backgrounds. While we teach biblical principles and Adventist values, families from various Christian traditions choose our school for its strong moral foundation and personalized approach.

What is the student-to-teacher ratio?

With a maximum of 12 students and dedicated teaching staff, our ratio is approximately 1:6, ensuring every child receives abundant individualized attention and support.

How does multi-age learning work?

Students of different ages learn together, which allows older students to mentor younger ones while reinforcing their own knowledge. Teachers provide individualized instruction at each student's level, creating a family-like atmosphere that promotes leadership, empathy, and collaborative learning.

How can I schedule a visit?

We'd love to show you our school! Call us at (863) 763-0763 or (863) 610-1291 to schedule a personalized tour. You can also submit the application form on our website and we'll contact you to arrange a visit.