Smithtown Christian School

Smithtown Christian School, a ministry of Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle, opened in 1978, at the former Sweetbriar Elementary School, an excessed Smithtown Public School building that had been purchased by the Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle. A church Christian Education Committee had been formed and these founding fathers had spent the previous year praying, researching, cleaning up the empty building, and purchasing desks, chairs, books and other essentials to start the new ministry. Happy Time Preschool had opened in 1972 at the original Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle-built church on New York Avenue in Smithtown, and the purchase of the 15- acre Higbie Drive campus was with the intention to ultimately move all church and other school operations to that one location.

For 40 years, Smithtown Christian School, a ministry of Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle, has been a place where faculty, staff and administration are committed to preparing the youth of today to be the leaders of tomorrow.
SCS is a faithful, caring community, in the midst of an unstable and confusing world, where students are educated to think Biblically, serve effectively, and lead Christ-centered lives through academic excellence and spiritual growth.

After the close of the 2016-17 school year, Dr. Erdvig was called to serve at another Christian school. Pastor Larry Falco, beloved faculty member at SCS, accepted the SCS Board’s invitation to serve as Interim Superintendent for the 2017-18 school year as the search for a new superintendent began. He provided the spiritual and relational leadership that SCS needed in this season of transition.

Step 1 – Admissions application must be filled out in its entirety.
• One application should be used per student
• Copy of Passport
• Signature acknowledging that you have read the SCS School Policies
• Written Christian personal testimonies of both parents
• Registration fee must be submitted with Admissions Application.
• See included International Students Tuition and Fee Schedule and Admissions Calendar 2019-20 for details.
• To pay the registration fee by wire

• Complete the Affidavit of Support
• Complete the Homestay Agreement

Step 2 – School Records
We need to gain a full understanding of your child’s record of scholastic achievement, challenges and potential. Please submit school records that reflect the previous 3 grade levels.
Standardized Test Results –  ITEP Slate Plus is preferred but we will also consider TOEFL or TEOFL Jr. Arrange to have the results sent directly to SCS.

Step 3 – Liability Waivers
• a) International Student Agreement • b) Student Liability and Travel Release • c) Authorization to Treat a Minor

Step 4 – Health Packet
• SCS International Students Required Health Information 2019-2020 School Year

Please fill out the required information. (Only one immunization form should be completed for each student.)

• Immunization Requirements
• Health History/Immunization Form(Signed & Stamped by Your Child’s Doctor)

Please note that students will need to have a health exam by a New York State doctor before they can start school. The Host Family will arrange the appointment.

Step 5 – Letters of Recommendation
• Prospective Student Pastoral Reference Form
• Prospective Student Family Friend Reference Form
• English Teacher Recommendation
• Math Teacher Recommendation

Step 6 – Student Essay
Students entering grades 6-12 must submit an original essay on why they want to be a student at SCS.  The essay must be 1 page typed, double -spaced +/- 250 words.

The application process will not continue until all the above documents and fees have been submitted to SCS.

Step 7 – Entrance Testing
• Once all documents and fees have been received the Coordinator of International Students will contact you to set up an interview.
• If the parent(s) and child are within the tri-state area, the interview will be conducted at SCS.
• If the parent(s) and child are not within the tri-state area, the interview will be conducted through an online service such as Skype or Facetime.

Step 8
• After the interview is completed, all records, forms and a summary of the interview will be submitted to the Admissions Committee for review. If the student meets all the requirements, the parents will be informed that the student has been accepted and the I-20 will be prepared.