OUR MISSION
TO EDUCATE IN BIBLICAL TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO BE LIFE-LONG LEARNERS BY PURSUING EXCELLENCE, AND TO DISTINCTIVELY OPERATE AS A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
OUR GOALS
GCA SEEKS TO EDUCATE YOUR CHILD TO HIS FULLEST POTENTIAL SO THAT HE IS READY TO ANSWER GOD'S CALL ON HIS LIFE, WHATEVER THAT MAY BE. WE SEEK TO EDUCATE HIM ACADEMICALLY, SPIRITUALLY, AND SOCIALLY.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The purpose of Christian education is to assist the family and church in the ministry of reconciliation through instruction centered upon Jesus Christ and founded upon the absolute truths of His Word (II Corinthians 5:18; John 1:1-5). Jesus Christ is the center of all truth/education; therefore, GCA only selects curriculum that keeps Christ at the center of all learning.
CLASSROOM AUTHORITY
GCA believes in absolute knowledge and authority. As the creation of God, man is ultimately responsible to his Creator, regardless of man’s view of God. Man’s view of God does not change the reality that he is accountable to God (Col. 1:17; Rom. 1:20). There is also a standard structure for authority on this earth (I Tim. 2). When man steps outside his designated authority, there are consequences.
Likewise, GCA believes that the best learning environment is created when the teacher is in charge of the classroom. Though this may appear to be common knowledge and commonly accepted, that is not the case. There is a philosophy of education that believes that the student and teacher are co-learners and that the student constructs his own knowledge by experience and social interaction. In this environment (the notion of no authority), not only are textbooks looked down upon, but grading and other set objectives are also. This philosophy of no authority is contrary to GCA’s philosophy. The teachers at GCA lead their classrooms and set the learning outcomes and standards. The teachers at GCA do not believe that knowledge is constructed or subjective, but rather that knowledge is objective (as given by God); therefore, GCA will still teach facts, concepts, and textbooks.
CHILD'S NATURE
The Bible is clear that all men are sinners by nature (Rom. 5:12). Because GCA holds to this philosophy, this affects how the teachers manage their classrooms. There are classroom rules that each student must abide by in order to create the best learning environment for each child (Ps. 58:3). GCA does not believe that each child is naturally good, nor does GCA believe in a neutral, behavioristic philosophy that teaches that the students are shaped by their environment and no one can change that, not even the students. GCA believes that a child left to himself will grow up in conformity to his sinful nature. He must be taught and trained (Prov. 22:6). A child must learn how to study, to be self-disciplined, to focus, and to discern the difference between right and wrong.
LEARNING VS. EDUCATION
Every educational institution battles with the realm of time. The school only has so many hours in a day with each student. Therefore, GCA will not be able to offer every possible elective that is available. The goal of GCA is to provide each student with the best liberal arts education so that he can be ready for God’s calling. Liberal arts are defined as providing many areas of core study (math, English, science, history, etc.) as opposed to STEM, Art schools, or other specialized subjects. Because it is not possible for GCA to satisfy every area of interest, we recommend that the student continue to pursue his interest through hobbies or other extracurricular activities.
PARENT/SCHOOL RELATIONSHIP
Throughout the Scriptures, parents are commanded to raise their children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Eph. 6:4). GCA strives to assist the family and church in fulfilling this charge. The school cannot take the place of the parents or church in this calling and, therefore, cannot relieve them from their responsibilities. Rather, it serves as an extension of both in rearing future generations to be followers of Jesus, well prepared for the fulfillment of God’s desire for their lives.