Family voices
What do families say about Gateway Christian School?
Gateway Christian School is a Christ-centered school in Mount Dora, Florida. Families here describe a small, family-like community where children are known by name, feel safe, receive one-on-one attention from teachers, and are taught a faith that shapes how they treat one another.
“I like GCS because everyone that works there is so inviting. They love our children and the learning environment is engaging. The first day we visited the school, my children didn’t want to leave. Then and there we made the decision that GCS was the one.”
On belonging
“I like GCS because everyone that works there is so inviting. They love our children and the learning environment is engaging. The first day we visited the school, my children didn’t want to leave. Then and there we made the decision that GCS was the one.”
On safety
“We chose GCS because of the small family-like environment. My children receive lots of one-on-one with teachers in a safe Christian environment.”
On values
“GCS has felt like an extension of what we are teaching our children at home in regard to morals and values. We know our children are loved and taken care of by all the staff when they are there.”
On belonging
“I want future students to know that you do not have to worry about your first day here and having no friends, because you will have friends on the first day. They teach us about Jesus here, and how He showed us how to treat each other.”
On safety
“It is a lot of fun and there is no bullying. The teachers help you get your grades up.”
On faith
“When I first started, I didn’t understand much about the true God but I now know about Him and I really want to stay at this school.”
What Do We Do Differently?
Message from the Principal
Natasha Martinet
Proud to be Christian, American, and servants of God
Your child will have fun learning here!
Non-discrimination Policy
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.
Get to know Gateway
Frequently asked questions
Tuition, Step Up For Students scholarships, VPK, faith, and how to visit: quick answers for Mount Dora and Lake County families.
For the 2026-27 school year, tuition at Gateway Christian School is $8,200 for kindergarten through 8th grade, or $820 a month over ten payments. Registration is $550, and the application fee is $50 per student. Step Up For Students scholarships apply toward this cost. You can find every fee, discount, and payment option on our tuition page.
Yes. Gateway's half-day VPK program runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. and is paid by Florida VPK, so families pay no tuition, registration fee, or application fee for those hours. For 2026-27, full-day PreK is $4,100 a year with VPK or $7,600 without it. To find the PreK schedule that fits your family, call (352) 383-9920 or email GCSInMtDora@flcoe.org.
Yes. Florida's Step Up For Students private school scholarship averages about $8,000, and it is open to Florida students in kindergarten through 12th grade regardless of household income. Gateway Christian School accepts Step Up For Students scholarships and Florida VPK funding. Families apply directly through Step Up For Students and then direct their award to Gateway. Visit our Scholarship Links page or call (352) 383-9920 with any questions.
Yes, and we would love to show you our Mount Dora campus. To book a tour, just call our office at (352) 383-9920. Applying takes three steps: complete our online application and pay the $50 application fee (half-day VPK has no application fee), our admissions committee reviews it, and accepted families receive an acceptance letter by email with registration instructions.
No. Non-Adventist families are warmly welcome at Gateway Christian School. Gateway is a Bible-based Christian school, a Seventh-day Adventist school and a ministry of the Mount Dora SDA Church, so it is a great fit for families who want their child to learn and grow within those Christian standards and who will support its Christ-centered mission and practices, such as the Sabbath as a day of rest. To talk about how faith is part of the school day, call (352) 383-9920 or email GCSInMtDora@flcoe.org.
That is one of the most important questions a parent can ask. Gateway keeps the entire building locked, every visitor is buzzed in and signed in at the front office, and every classroom door stays locked and opens only with a 4-digit PIN. Students are always supervised, including at drop-off, pick-up, and recess, and a parking lot sensor lets the office know whenever someone arrives. If a parent ever reports bullying, an incident report is completed and the principal personally investigates. To see it for yourself, call (352) 383-9920 to book a tour.