Admission Process

MDCA will only consider applicants who meet the following criteria:

• The parent and student support MDCA's mission and philosophy as a Christian school.
• Applicants should demonstrate evidence of success in a traditional classroom setting.
• Applicant must show proficiency at the 50th percentile or higher in reading and math on standardized testing. For state testing (FAST), this means achievement level 3 or higher. 
• Applicant must have a proven track record of success in standard, advanced, honors, or AP courses. Examples include teacher recommendations indicating applicant is working on or above grade level, As and Bs on current and previous report cards, and unweighted GPA in the MDCA average range of 3.4.  
• Excellent behavioral recommendations and conduct records from current and past schools: The applicant should have a clean discipline history with no suspensions, expulsions, or history of behavioral issues. 
• Acceptable attendance records: Applicants should not have more than 10 absences in a semester unless an exception or hardship is noted. 
• Applicants with an IEP, 504, or other accommodation plan must meet the abovementioned admission criteria. Admission may not be offered if it is determined that MDCA cannot meet the student's academic, emotional, medical, or behavioral needs as outlined in the accommodation plan. MDCA does not have a special education program.
• Applicant must have ability to speak, read, and write in fluent English.

Please ensure you have read the Admission Criteria above before continuing.

Applications for the 2026-2027 school year opened on October 1, 2025.

A nonrefundable $125 fee must be submitted with each application. Please allow the Enrollment Management Office 24 to 48 hours to process your application. 

Priority consideration is given to children of full-time MDCA&CH employees, qualified siblings of current MDCA students, church of Christ members, and children of MDCA alumni, where space is available.

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Your child’s application will be complete when the following documents have been submitted to the Enrollment Management Office. If documents show that your child does not meet our admission criteria as stated above, your application will at this point be denied.

Applicants must provide results from a current grade-level assessment within the last 12 months to demonstrate proficiency in reading and math. The following assessments are accepted: ACT, SAT, PSAT, MAP Growth, iReady, FAST Reading: Grades 3-10, FAST Math: Grades 3-8, STAR Reading, STAR Early Literacy (K & 1)

Applicants unable to provide one of the above assessments are required to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). 

2025-2026 Test Dates: 

Monthly testing dates begin in January and continue through July. The cost varies from $125 to $205, depending on grade level and testing location. To register your child for testing, contact the Office of Enrollment Management at ashton.ward@MDCAcademy.org or visit iseeonline.erblearn.org.

Mid-Year Transfers:

Testing for mid-year transfer applicants is proctored on an as-needed basis. To learn more, please contact admissions@mdcacademy.org.

After confirming your child meets the admission criteria, you will be invited for a family interview with our Head of School and Director of Enrollment Management. These interviews will typically be held on Wednesdays beginning in December and January.

The applicant's file will be presented to the admission committee for consideration. Admission decisions are made monthly February through May. After June 1, contact the Enrollment Management Office for availability before applying. Once an admission decision has been made, you will be notified via email. 

Accept

The Admission Committee is pleased to offer the candidate a continuous enrollment contract, which must be completed within one week of an offer of enrollment to guarantee their seat for the school year.

Personal tours are offered once admission is offered. Enjoy a walkthrough of our beautiful 72-acre campus, including classrooms and facilities. Schedule your tour by contacting our Enrollment Management Office at 352-720-0355 or complete the form below to request more information. 

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Student Shadowing

Shadowing for students in grades K-5 is available on a case-by-case basis. Students will be partnered with a current MDCA student in their grade level who will accompany them throughout the day. Shadow days are scheduled at the discretion of teachers and based on availability. To reserve a student shadowing session, contact Natalie or Ashton in the Enrollment Management Office at 352-720-0355.

Upon a student’s acceptance to MDCA, parents/guardians will receive a continuous enrollment agreement via email. The enrollment agreement, including the tuition payment plan setup, must be accepted and completed online within one week, or your seat may be released.

**Typical admission season runs October through May. However, MDCA is able to accept qualified applicants year-round for immediate or mid-year transfer provided there are seats available. Call or email the Enrollment Management Office if you would like to inquire about an immediate or mid-year transfer between June and January.

MDCA will only consider applicants who meet the following criteria:

• The parent and student support MDCA's mission and philosophy as a Christian school.
• Applicants should demonstrate evidence of success in a traditional classroom setting.
• Applicant must show proficiency at the 50th percentile or higher in reading and math on standardized testing. For state testing (FAST), this means achievement level 3 or higher. 
• Applicant must have a proven track record of success in standard, advanced, honors, or AP courses. Examples include teacher recommendations indicating applicant is working on or above grade level, As and Bs on current and previous report cards, and unweighted GPA in the MDCA average range of 3.4.  
• Excellent behavioral recommendations and conduct records from current and past schools: The applicant should have a clean discipline history with no suspensions, expulsions, or history of behavioral issues. 
• Acceptable attendance records: Applicants should not have more than 10 absences in a semester unless an exception or hardship is noted. 
• Applicants with an IEP, 504, or other accommodation plan must meet the abovementioned admission criteria. Admission may not be offered if it is determined that MDCA cannot meet the student's academic, emotional, medical, or behavioral needs as outlined in the accommodation plan. MDCA does not have a special education program.
• Applicant must have ability to speak, read, and write in fluent English.

Personal tours are offered daily. Enjoy a walkthrough of our beautiful 72-acre campus including classrooms and facilities. Schedule your tour by contacting our Enrollment Management Office at 352-720-0355 or complete the form below to request more information. 

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Please make sure you have read the above Admission Criteria before continuing!

Applications are open 2025-2026 school year in select grades. Please call the Enrollment Management Office at 352-720-0355 to check availability. 

A nonrefundable fee of $125 must be submitted with each application. Please allow the Enrollment Management Office 24 to 48 hours to process your application. 

Priority consideration is given to children of full-time MDCA&CH employees, qualified siblings of current MDCA students, church of Christ members, and children of MDCA alumni, where space is available.

Apply Now

Student Shadowing

We invite applicants to experience a day in the life of an MDCA student. Students in grades 6-12 will be partnered with a current MDCA student in their grade level who will accompany them throughout the day. Shadow days are scheduled at the discretion of teachers and based on availability. To reserve a student shadowing session, contact Natalie or Ashton in the Enrollment Management Office at 352-720-0355.

Your child’s application will be complete when the following documents have been submitted to the Enrollment Management Office. If documents show that your child does not meet our admission criteria as stated above, your application will at this point be denied.

6th-12th Grades

• Transcript (6th-12th): Records Request form (3-year minimum of course listing and grades)

• Standardized Test results (past 3 years minimum)

• Attendance Record

• Discipline Records (if there is no discipline record, please have the school indicate in writing)

• Accommodation Plan if applicable (includes IEP, 504 plan, psycho-educational assessment results, or any other school-issued support services plan)

• School Recommendation form completed by the most current school principal, assistant principal, or guidance counselor

• Incoming 6th-12th Math Teacher Recommendation

• Incoming 6th-12th English Teacher Recommendation 

• Personal Recommendation form completed by a pastor/minister from the church congregation where you are a member 

• Florida Certificate of Immunization from DH680 or Florida Religious Exemption from Immunization form DH681

• State of Florida School Entry Health Exam form DH3040 dated within one year or, for grades 6-12, an FHSAA el02 sports physical form completed by a physician and dated within one year

• Certified Birth Certificate

• Custodial Parent/Guardian documentation, if applicable

Applicants must provide results from a current grade-level assessment within the last 12 months to demonstrate proficiency in reading and math. The following assessments are accepted: ACT, SAT, PSAT, MAP Growth, iReady, FAST Reading: Grades 3-10, FAST Math: Grades 3-8, STAR Reading, STAR Early Literacy (K & 1)

Applicants unable to provide one of the above assessments are required to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). 

2025-2026 Test Dates: 

Monthly testing dates begin in January and continue through July. The cost varies from $125 to $205, depending on grade level and testing location. To register your child for testing, contact the Office of Enrollment Management at ashton.ward@MDCAcademy.org or visit iseeonline.erblearn.org.

Mid-Year Transfers:

Testing for mid-year transfer applicants is proctored on an as-needed basis. To learn more, please contact admissions@mdcacademy.org.

After confirming your child meets the admission criteria, you will be invited for a family interview with our Head of School and Director of Enrollment Management. These interviews will typically be held on Wednesdays beginning in December and January.

The applicant's file will be presented to the admission committee for consideration. Admission decisions are made monthly February through May. After June 1, contact the Enrollment Management Office for availability before applying. Once an admission decision has been made, you will be notified via email. 

Upon a student’s acceptance to MDCA, parents/guardians will receive a continuous enrollment agreement via email. The enrollment agreement, including the tuition payment plan setup, must be accepted and completed online within one week, or your seat may be released.

**Typical admission season runs October through May. However, MDCA is able to accept qualified applicants year-round for immediate or mid-year transfer provided there are seats available. Call or email the Enrollment Management Office if you would like to inquire about an immediate or mid-year transfer between June and January.