Often experiencing the culture or atmosphere of a place tells you more than any written description. This Blog entry is an attempt to put in words our desire for the culture of Palmetto Christian Academy of Greenwood.
We are planning for this school to be much like we want our homes to be; a place where each person is appreciated for who they are, where grace reigns and forgiveness is quickly given, where laughter is often heard, and where expectations for students are high. The “About Us” tab on the PCAG website has a “Spiritual Formation” section that says a lot about what kind of students we want to develop at our school.
James Drexler, in his book Schools as Communities describes such a school:
"A Christian school that is pursuing God's kingdom and purposes will do the following:
-Reflect and imitate unconditional love instead of conditional love based on human achievements.
-Celebrate the wholeness of each student instead of holding to a 'constricted, learning-machine view of students.'
-Offer through its curriculum a deep and rich appreciation for all facets of humanity instead of appreciating just high scores on standardized tests.
-Provide a community with meaningful and supportive relationships instead of keeping people rushed, fragmented, and fearful.
-Inspire calm instead of a constant striving and business.
-Be deeply rooted in the wisdom of God instead of 'hydroplaning on the shallowest understandings of the purpose of life.'
-Advocate higher expectations, humility, and the peace of God instead of superficial definitions of the Christian life.
-Encourage a life of obedience, gratitude, honesty, and hope instead of a life of self-indulgence, self-serving, and self-importance."
Pray for us and join with us as we strive to provide such an environment for our children.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tuition and Financial Aid
Setting tuition levels for Palmetto Christian Academy of Greenwood has been a significant challenge for the Steering Committee. While striving to set the tuition at a level many families could afford, we still need funds to recruit and retain high quality teachers. The budget for the school is what drives the cost of tuition. Our budgetary priorities are:
1. Recruit and retain high quality faculty. We want to provide our teachers with a respectable income and benefits package. While recognizing that teaching in a Christian school is a calling, we believe that the laborer is worthy of proper support. Even with a competitive salary, teachers are still making a sacrifice when they choose to teach at a Christian school over other career choices.
2. Financial Aid. All tuition income and undesignated gifts to PCAG will be subject to a financial aid tithe. Ten percent of these funds will be designated for financial aid.
3. Discipline in budgeting. The budget is built on tuition income, not donations. Donations will be used to defray start-up costs and provide non-budgeted extras to enhance the school’s educational goals.
4. Affordable tuition. We seek to make tuition as affordable as possible in light of the considerations listed.
The average yearly tuition for PCAG is approximately $5000 ($500 monthly for ten months). If the school has 100 students, there will be $50,000 available for financial aid! We are using an outside agency, Family Financial Needs Assessment (FFNA), to evaluate individual families’ needs for financial aid. This allows families to keep their financial affairs private. FFNA will report to our principal what percentage of tuition should be covered by financial aid for each family that qualifies. Only our principal, or the Financial Aid Coordinator, will know which students receive financial aid.
Quality Christian education at PCAG may be more affordable than you think! Please contact Mrs. Gore at 554-6272 to inquire about Financial Aid.
1. Recruit and retain high quality faculty. We want to provide our teachers with a respectable income and benefits package. While recognizing that teaching in a Christian school is a calling, we believe that the laborer is worthy of proper support. Even with a competitive salary, teachers are still making a sacrifice when they choose to teach at a Christian school over other career choices.
2. Financial Aid. All tuition income and undesignated gifts to PCAG will be subject to a financial aid tithe. Ten percent of these funds will be designated for financial aid.
3. Discipline in budgeting. The budget is built on tuition income, not donations. Donations will be used to defray start-up costs and provide non-budgeted extras to enhance the school’s educational goals.
4. Affordable tuition. We seek to make tuition as affordable as possible in light of the considerations listed.
The average yearly tuition for PCAG is approximately $5000 ($500 monthly for ten months). If the school has 100 students, there will be $50,000 available for financial aid! We are using an outside agency, Family Financial Needs Assessment (FFNA), to evaluate individual families’ needs for financial aid. This allows families to keep their financial affairs private. FFNA will report to our principal what percentage of tuition should be covered by financial aid for each family that qualifies. Only our principal, or the Financial Aid Coordinator, will know which students receive financial aid.
Quality Christian education at PCAG may be more affordable than you think! Please contact Mrs. Gore at 554-6272 to inquire about Financial Aid.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Seeking wisdom
As we travel down this road of starting a new Christian school, we have a strong desire to get it right. We want a school that challenges young minds to be full of curiosity and wonder as they learn of history, math, art, and the world around them. We want them to be exceptional observers and communicators. We want them to think of their role in this world as living and loving in response to a God that has shown them great mercy. The enormity of this task is humbling.
In an effort to get it right, we have asked advice of three seasoned Christian school administrators and consultants, as well as the board chair of a young and very successful Christian school in a neighboring state. We asked those that have traveled this path before, “What is it that makes a successful school?” The advice they gave was very similar.
Here is a sampling of their advice to us:
1. Clarify ends or goals– what you want as your end product – what kind of students will you produce? Clarify who your moral owners are – to whom will you listen and respond?
2. Assess your movement toward your goals – have a strong commitment to assessment.
3. As a board, keep your focus on global objectives and policies, don't get distracted. Pull together in the same direction.
4. Have clarity about roles and boundaries between faculty, administration and the board.
5. Hire quality faculty. Fund and reward excellence.
6. Pay attention to relationships – if staff members don’t get along, it will cause problems.
7. Trust in the Lord – not in your means or successes. Pray often over every decision.
We are committed to following the advice we have been given. Please join with us as we develop a school where students have “A love for God and a passion for learning.”
Randy Cain
Steering Committee Chairman
In an effort to get it right, we have asked advice of three seasoned Christian school administrators and consultants, as well as the board chair of a young and very successful Christian school in a neighboring state. We asked those that have traveled this path before, “What is it that makes a successful school?” The advice they gave was very similar.
Here is a sampling of their advice to us:
1. Clarify ends or goals– what you want as your end product – what kind of students will you produce? Clarify who your moral owners are – to whom will you listen and respond?
2. Assess your movement toward your goals – have a strong commitment to assessment.
3. As a board, keep your focus on global objectives and policies, don't get distracted. Pull together in the same direction.
4. Have clarity about roles and boundaries between faculty, administration and the board.
5. Hire quality faculty. Fund and reward excellence.
6. Pay attention to relationships – if staff members don’t get along, it will cause problems.
7. Trust in the Lord – not in your means or successes. Pray often over every decision.
We are committed to following the advice we have been given. Please join with us as we develop a school where students have “A love for God and a passion for learning.”
Randy Cain
Steering Committee Chairman
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
A new member of the PCAG family
It is with great pleasure that I welcome a friend and colleague Mr. Jim Fyock to the PCAG family. Jim has a wealth of knowledge and experience in Christian education and strong teaching and administrative credentials that will help make Palmetto Christian Academy an outstanding educational organization. His dedication to Christ and excellence in education is obvious to everyone who knows him. I am thankful to the Lord for bringing Jim to PCAG to serve in whatever capacity he is needed. Jim will be establishing the social studies and history curricula.
As the excitement continues to grow concerning the opening of PCAG this fall, I will continue to inform you of the outstanding faculty and staff God brings to our school to teach your children. To God be the glory.
Principal Joan Gore
As the excitement continues to grow concerning the opening of PCAG this fall, I will continue to inform you of the outstanding faculty and staff God brings to our school to teach your children. To God be the glory.
Principal Joan Gore
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The furniture is here!
The new office furniture for Mrs. Gore's office arrived today along with many new tables for the elementary wing. A real trooper, our principal has been working out of a temporary office at the school until her office could be renovated and furniture purchased. The principal's position at PCAG is a busy one of interviewing teachers, processing student applications, talking with parents as well as all the other details of starting a new school. A well equipped office will go a long way to helping her be more efficient.
The elementary tables will be set up later this week. Please stop by the school and see how things are shaping up. The next big task is meeting with our computer consultants to plan the school computer system. Now that we have a committement from one of our donors, we will soon be purchasing new laptop computers and other supplies for the school. Thank God for His provision and faithfulness!
The elementary tables will be set up later this week. Please stop by the school and see how things are shaping up. The next big task is meeting with our computer consultants to plan the school computer system. Now that we have a committement from one of our donors, we will soon be purchasing new laptop computers and other supplies for the school. Thank God for His provision and faithfulness!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The paint is drying!
Wow! What a busy week at Palmetto Christian Academy. Quinn Mack of Mack Construction has been supervising the updates and renovations of our new facility at Hyde Park Baptist Church. The Elementary Wing had a complete facelift including the renovation of two bathrooms. The school office is also ready to go. This week new furniture will be purchased for the office. Painting and renovation of the school library was completed today. A very spacious room, the library will house our new collection of over 1,000 books. The shelves will be moved in this week and the books will be organized.
Grading equipment was brought in to level the fenced elementary play area. New seed will be scattered soon to make sure we have a lush playarea for our students. Playground equipment will be the next agenda item for this area!
Stop by the school to see the changes. Also plan on attending our open house on March 13th. We are busy lining up teachers and enrolling students! We are grateful to God for how He is blessing this endeavor and may it be to His glory.
Grading equipment was brought in to level the fenced elementary play area. New seed will be scattered soon to make sure we have a lush playarea for our students. Playground equipment will be the next agenda item for this area!
Stop by the school to see the changes. Also plan on attending our open house on March 13th. We are busy lining up teachers and enrolling students! We are grateful to God for how He is blessing this endeavor and may it be to His glory.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Caution....wet paint!
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” We have been humbled and awed as God has met every need of Palmetto Christian Academy in ways beyond anything we could have imagined. He has blessed us with a new home, faithful friends and supporters, and new friends at Hyde Park Baptist Church who have opened their doors to us and welcomed us as brothers and sisters.
The last few days have been busy with paint, paint, and more paint! Members of the Steering Committee as well as many friends and even some future students are polishing their remodeling skills. We have been painting rooms, laying tile and replacing sinks. We are on target for our open house on March 13th. Teachers are being hired and students are signing up. We know that there is a lot more work to do, but it is such a joy to see the school begin to take shape.
Please continue to pray for Palmetto Christian Academy and the teachers and students the Lord will bring to us. “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever.”
The last few days have been busy with paint, paint, and more paint! Members of the Steering Committee as well as many friends and even some future students are polishing their remodeling skills. We have been painting rooms, laying tile and replacing sinks. We are on target for our open house on March 13th. Teachers are being hired and students are signing up. We know that there is a lot more work to do, but it is such a joy to see the school begin to take shape.
Please continue to pray for Palmetto Christian Academy and the teachers and students the Lord will bring to us. “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever.”
Monday, February 4, 2008
Palmetto Christian Academy has a home!
Palmetto Christian Academy of Greenwood is pleased to announce its new location, Hyde Park Baptist Church. The Steering Committee of the school has entered into an agreement to lease the church’s facilities located at 330 Deadfall Rd. in Greenwood. We are very excited about our relationship with Hyde Park. The congregation has been warm and welcoming. The facilities are beautiful and will be an excellent home for the school. The facility has over 20,000 square feet of space which includes a full size gym/multipurpose room that will be used as a cafeteria as well as for gym class, sporting events, and school assemblies.
While members of the church will serve as advisory members on the facilities committee, the school board will be elected by the parents. The school has five core values which the steering committee has decided on: teaching foundational Biblical truths (interdenominational); developing the mind of Christ in our students; challenging our students to achieve their highest academic potential; maintaining accountability among parents, teachers, and administration; and practicing integrity.
Enrollment for the 2008-09 school-year opened in January and we already have received a good number of student and teacher applications. We plan to have an open house within the next few weeks to give parents and students an opportunity to tour the facility. Applications for both students and teachers are available on the web site, www.pcagwd.org or by calling the school office, 554-6272.
While members of the church will serve as advisory members on the facilities committee, the school board will be elected by the parents. The school has five core values which the steering committee has decided on: teaching foundational Biblical truths (interdenominational); developing the mind of Christ in our students; challenging our students to achieve their highest academic potential; maintaining accountability among parents, teachers, and administration; and practicing integrity.
Enrollment for the 2008-09 school-year opened in January and we already have received a good number of student and teacher applications. We plan to have an open house within the next few weeks to give parents and students an opportunity to tour the facility. Applications for both students and teachers are available on the web site, www.pcagwd.org or by calling the school office, 554-6272.
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