For families across the country looking for faith-forward, flexible education for their children, Fortress Christian School gives them an affordable online schooling option.

Flexibility can be hard to come by, especially when it comes to K-12 education for those hoping to raise their children under the teachings of the Bible.

During these formative years of a child’s life, Christian parents may want to provide their children with a quality education that still centers on the values of the faith.

This is where Fortress Christian School comes in. Offering a mix of flexibility and structure, the school operates as a university-style hybrid instructional model school, with live instruction on Tuesdays and Thursdays while the rest of the week functions as time for independent study.

The school’s adaptability comes from the days of independent study, while the structure and organization of traditional schooling is maintained through the biweekly live classes, teacher support and deadlines for assignments to keep students on track.

The school is run through Florida College, helping the institution to better serve the community’s youth. Classes themselves are teacher led and parent supported, while promoting faith-based education and teaching with a Biblical worldview.

Alex Hale, M.S.E., is the director of online education for the college and the head of school for Fortress Christian.

“Florida College is a faith-based school. Our leadership wanted to extend our mission into families of younger students and families who live across the country. As part of that office of extended learning, Fortress Christian was born. It is a fully online K-12 school, so we’re able to connect with families all across the country, as well as families of younger ages than our typical college-age student,” says Hale.

Each day focuses on academics and spiritual growth, with daily chapel and Bible classes on live class days, in addition to language arts, the humanities, science, math and a high school elective.

While many other affordable online schools may not provide the social benefits of traditional schooling, Fortress Christian also fosters Christ-centered community via some of the on-campus events that the school holds for students.

“There are opportunities for personal connection. So it’s not just a plug and play online, like some of these [schools], where you just go and you never even see another person. That’s not our model, that’s not what we do,” says Hale.

Students are brought out to the college’s campus throughout the year, as well as holding online activities that the students can share in and monthly meetings with families to keep students engaged with the school on a deeper level than just academics.

“Through these efforts, students and families experience what makes Fortress unique: a Christ-centered community that supports spiritual growth, academic excellence and meaningful connection,” Hale says.

The school has offered classes for those in grades seven through 12 since fall 2025, with plans to further expand the program to kindergarten through sixth grade students in fall of this year.

All teachers at the school are Christians themselves, allowing parents to have confidence that their children are being taught by individuals who share the same values as their families.

“As a product of public school myself, I value the hard work of public school teachers, many of whom are working in less than ideal conditions. … I am also aware of the evolving landscape of education. While there are several reasons for this shift, one cannot deny that it is driven in part by moral concerns within certain sectors of public education,” says Hale.

One of these teachers is Emma Hammontree. She is an alum with a history degree from Florida College herself.

Though she currently lives in upstate New York, teaching history to high schoolers in person, upon learning about the ability to teach for the remote school, she jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it.

“They’re not watching pre-recorded videos. They’re logging on to a classroom full of other kids that they get to know through the year, build a community with and get to know their teachers on a personal level. So they can message me or call me and I can help them through their learning experience in a way that’s different than a lot of schools,” Hammontree says.

She additionally explained that the virtual connection between students translates offline as well during the various on-campus community events they have held.

“Several of our students have met up at Florida College for a lectureship series, and it’s amazing to watch the friendships come off the screen. They’ve already interacted in class, and now they’re able to just hang out in person, in a cool way. That’s pretty unique for online school,” Hammontree says.

Fortress Christian School
Temple Terrace
(813) 988-5131 Ext. 327
FortressChristianSchool.net