News

Mrs. McCoy's Class "Falls" In Love With The Season

Leaves, trees, and seasons. Those are the words that the kindergartners in Patti McCoy’s class were exploring in this month’s unit on seasons. 

“I love discussing the different seasons with my students!” McCoy said. “We read the book "A Tree for all Seasons" and it's so sweet to see how fascinated they are by God's creation! It led us into some great conversations about growth and how even when we can't see the Lord he's always at work.”

Putting their newfound knowledge on leaves into play, with brown paper bags in hand, the class took off to explore nature and find materials to make “leaf people” then set back off to the classroom to put material to paper. Moss for hair, pinecones for props, and of course leaves for the body, the creativity was going full speed.

“I now have students picking up leaves at recess because they found the veins that carry the water through the tree. They also just want to show off all the beautiful colors! It's wonderful to see them making connections and sharing what they've learned.”

Kindergartner, Tusker Tanner, said his favorite part of this activity was building his leaf man because, “it’s fun to build new stuff.”

PCA Awarded ACSI Reaccreditation!

Palmetto Christian Academy received some wonderful news last week as it was awarded a 5-year reaccreditation from ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International). A team of educators from around the Southeast traveled to PCA last Monday to visit the school, review submitted evidence on whether we were in compliance in a multitude of areas, and complete the accreditation process. The team spent three days last week at the school where they observed 54 classes, and conducted interviews with 7 Administration Team members, 23 teachers, 9 support staff, 30 students, 15 parents, and 3 current and 2 former Board members. 

Accreditation with ACSI includes a vigorous process of organizational appraisal and improvement as reflected in their accreditation philosophy - “Excellence grows where a commitment is made to systematic school improvement.” The primary areas they consider:

• How are we assessing and improving student learning?

• Are we staying on mission?

• Do we focus on systematic processes?

What they found is great affirmation that PCA’s faculty and staff are committed to putting our mission front and center daily in our classrooms and beyond to equip students to passionately pursue Jesus Christ. Our major commendations, where we are achieving well above norms, include:

• The executive leadership, faculty, and staff continually support the advancement of the philosophy, mission, and vision of the school.

• Mentoring and discipleship experiences focus on spiritual formation, character development, and the instilling of Christian values. The school provides a structure whereby each student is known personally by at least one adult who can provide support for that student’s spiritual formation.

Headmaster, JD Zubia, says, “Our school could have been commended for having the best academic program or many other things that would not set us apart from any other school, but to be commended for advancing the Christ-centered mission of our ministry, as well as the mentoring and discipleship we have worked so hard to achieve, is exactly why we exist and gives the utmost glory to God!”