ALMetro360 Magazine

ALABAMA CHRISTIANACADEMY (ACA) 4700Wares Ferry Road, Montgomery, AL 36109 TELEPHONE: 334.277.1985 WEBSITE: www.alabamachristian.org MISSION/PHILOSOPHY: The mission of Alabama Christian Academy is to glorify God by providing a quality, Christ-centered education which challenges students and teachers to maximize their potential so that graduates are prepared to further their education while becoming productive Christian citizens – to thrive in wisdom and serve in spirit. RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church Of Christ FOUNDING/ACCREDITATION: Founded in 1942, Alabama Christian Academy (ACA) is an independent Christian, college preparatory, coeducational school for students frompre-kindergarten through the 12th grade. Affiliated with the churches of Christ and operating under an independent board of directors, ACA is accred- ited by Cognia (AdvancEd/SACS) and the National Christian School Association (NCSA). ACA is also a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association. ENROLLMENT: 750 AVERAGE CLASS SIZE K-12: 16:1 EXTENDEDCARE PROGRAM: ACA’s extended day program is offered daily from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m for K3-6th Grade. FORMAL RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION: The goal of ACA is to help students develop an authentic faith in God lived out daily in a thriving, supportive school community while experiencing meaningful relationships developed through daily life and activities designed to support student spiritual, social, and academic devel- opment. FACULTY: More than half of Alabama Christian Academy’s teachers hold an advanced degree. ACA provides a faculty and staff who model the core values of the School and support the mission. They are passionate about their work and the role they play at ACA. Collaborating with colleagues and parents for the betterment of the students and to foster a mutually supportive environment. They are committed to personal and professional growth and develop- ment. UNIFORM: Yes AWARDS/HONORS/RECOGNITION: ACA students are reg- ularly awarded college scholarships based on PSAT, ACT, and SAT scores. In addition, each year several students are named AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Honors, and AP Scholars with Distinction. ELEMENTARY: Small class sizes, certified teachers, and a stan- dards based curriculum provide elementary students a foundation for success. Kindergarten and first grade students meet daily with a small group reading coach in addition to classroom reading in- struction. Integrated art, music, and stem programs provide daily enrichment for K-5th grade students. ATHLETIC PROGRAM & ACHIEVEMENTS: As part of an overall Christian education, Alabama Christian Academy provides coeducational athletic programs for grades 6-12. The ACA athletics programs stress the importance of body and spirit, promoting faith, character and sportsmanship. ACA competes as a Class 4A school and is a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) and the Capitol City Conference (CCC). During ACA's fall season, students can don the Eagle's uniform in the following 34 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com In today’s day and age, finding the best school for your child can be a daunting experience. When making important decisions that will impact the lives of your children, you need as much information about the choices that are available. Aside from the basic questions of cost and affordability, there are many different factors to consider when choosing where to educate your kids. Selecting a private school, like so many things in life, requires care and attention to detail, so we have compiled a list of important factors to consider when choosing a final private school for your child. MAKE A LIST OF THE SCHOOLS This is the fun process. Most private schools have websites with great photo galleries and video tours, with ample information about their programs. So you and your child can surf the internet to- gether and find schools you would like to consider. VISIT SCHOOLS This is critical. You simply cannot rely on the opinions of others or a website to tell what a school is really like. Schedule a visit for your child whenever possible. It will give them a good feel for their prospective new home away from home. It can also give parents peace of mind, knowing where their child will be spending their time. In the months ahead, most schools will be hosting “open houses.” Make plans to attend.