Florida College ranks #1 in alumni giving back to their school among 1146 schools who reported their stats to US News. Florida College is a small 4 year liberal arts school in Temple Terrace, FL. Student attendance hovers around 500. When I was there I think there were about 350 students. The small size promotes a closer relationship between students, teachers, and alumni than a larger college would be able to offer. The strict adherence to biblical principles as well as the respect, love and obedience to God gives the students a safe place to enter adulthood, to learn about the world past their own immediate family and home town. It gives the parents a sense of security knowing that their child will be loved, respected and offered not only excellent educational opportunities but opportunities to serve others and build relationships that will last a life time.
I attended FC one semester before marrying. My husband attended 2 years (FC was a 2 year school at the time) studying Bible for the most part. My sister and brother both attended FC. Two of my children have graduated from FC. One with an associates degree who went on to get his bachelors at another school and one who received both his associates and his bachelors degree at FC. One son just completed his first semester and will be returning to FL next week to start his second.
We have never required our children to attend there. We have given a short list of schools they are allowed to attend (at least for their first 2 years). FC is one of those and these 3 boys have loved every minute of it.
There are strict rules at FC. Not as strict as when I was a student there but stricter than the average schools. There are no co-ed dorms. The curfew is strictly enforced. The dress code requires modesty and respect for the education they are receiving. A Bible class is required every day that another class is taken. The entire school assembles for chapel every weekday morning giving everyone a few minutes to reflect on the word of God together.
Many have asked how we can send our children to a school so far away. We are the parents that won’t even allow them to attend the neighborhood elementary school. That shows the confidence we have in the people who run FC. When I attended there, the vice president was also the preacher at the congregation I worshiped with. By the time my first son attended FC, this same man was the president of the school. Several of those who my sons have as teachers were students when we were there. Dropping my 17 year old off nearly 1000 miles from home was hard but I knew he was in good hands. I knew that if he needed anything, he would be able to get it.
The fact that so many alumni are willing to financially support Florida College tells me two things. The first is that they received an education that allowed them the resources to give financially back to the school. The second is that the school meant as much to them as it did and continues to mean to me. If you are looking for a college that will give your child a solid education and a good transition into adulthood, consider Florida College.
