Elementary

Elementary Overview

Grace Academy students experience the excitement and joy of learning in a loving and nurturing environment. We strive to grow students by building a strong biblical and academic foundation and encourage the dreams, talent, and imagination of each individual child to glorify God.

The Word of God is the foundation and context for all learning as students experience an excellent and well-rounded education that nurtures their souls, their minds, and their bodies as they mature and become “conformed to the image of Christ.” (Romans 8:29)

The elementary program offers classes for K3-5th grade.

K3 and K4 are flexible preschool programs to help your child develop emotionally, socially, academically, spiritually, and physically. Our loving environment encourages students to grow at their own pace with hands on integrated activities that will build on fundamental foundational skills. We offer a three or five day full day program or a five day half day program (K3 only).

Grades K5 – 2 is an important time to build a solid spiritual and academic foundation. We have strong academic programs that emphasize foundational skills of reading, writing, and math. We use a variety of hands-on strategies and technology to build on phonemic awareness, reading comprehension, writing stages, number sense, and problem solving. Biblical integration in all subjects is essential along with a daily class of Bible. Students attend a weekly chapel, memorize Bible passages, and are expected to apply biblical principles in their daily living.

Grades 3-5 in the elementary school years represent a time of great growth in knowledge, academic skills, and independence in studies. Specific content areas, such as social studies and science, are expanded and students learn research skills. Students grow academically as they progress from learning to read to reading to learn, and they develop independence as they become increasingly accountable for their study and organizational habits. Biblical integration occurs in all subjects along with a daily Bible class. Students attend relevant chapels weekly and are expected to apply biblical principles in leadership and relationships with others. Learning in grades three through six occurs in a challenging, affirming environment with appropriate expectations in classrooms that use teaching methods suited for varied learning styles. These years of growth are important for developing a love of learning and for building a solid foundation for learning in all areas of life.

Bible Version

The KJV, NKJV, NIV and NASB will be the primary biblical translations used in the classroom for memory work and for tests. Other versions may be used for reference purposes. Students in grades one through twelve should bring their own Bibles to school.

Curriculum

Grace Academy uses A Beka Publication, Bob Jones University Press, ACSI, and other recognized publishers as resources to meet National Standards.

Teaching Staff

Grace Academy teachers are born-again Christians, hold degrees in the areas in which they teach, and are certified by ACSI or achieve certification soon after hire. Many staff members have graduate degrees and many years of teaching experience. Teachers are expected to continue their education, improve their teaching skills, and maintain their ACSI certification.

Student Special Activities

Students are offered the following specials:

  • Spanish
  • Art
  • Computer
  • Physical Education
  • Music
  • Library
  • Enrichment/Remediation Services

Grading Scale

K3 and K4
K3 and K4 students are given narratives twice a year by their teachers that chart their growth and progress. Students are assessed with a variety of measures and communicated with parents.

Kindergarten through Second Grades

Students in Kindergarten through second grade receive letters of a general grade on the following scale:

C = Commendable Progress

S = Satisfactory Progress 

M = Making Progress (improving from an “N”)

N = Needs Improvement (unsatisfactory)

Third through Sixth Grades

Students in third through sixth grade are eligible for the school honor roll and will receive numerical grades for academic classes as follows:

A = 90-100 Excellent

B = 80-89 Above Average 

C = 70-79 Average

D = 60-69 Poor

F = 0-59 Failing

In non-academic classes such as physical education, music, art, penmanship, phonics, and also for the student’s behavior grade, C, S, M, or N will be awarded. (See above scale.)

Honor Roll Criteria:

Distinguished Honor Roll
All grades 90 or above

“C” or “S” for the non-academic classes listed above

Honor Roll

All grades 80 or above

“C” or “S” for the non-academic classes listed above

Behavior, citizenship marks, and subheadings on the report card have no bearing on honors eligibility.