Frequently Asked Questions

We serve students ages three years old through high school, and we currently have 330 students enrolled for the 2025-26 school year.

GCA currently offers the following discounts:

• Pay in full by June 20, 2025 (or within 30 days of enrollment) – 2% discount per student.
• Multi-Sibling Discount: 4% for all siblings of the eldest child enrolled at the school.
• Grace Covenant Church Partnership Discount: $250 per student.
• Ministry Discount: Senior pastors can receive a 25% discount per student

Our current student to teacher ratio is 9:1.

While each class varies, our goal is to offer class sizes that maximize student success.

• Our Threes Classes are limited to eight students.
• Our Pre-K classes are limited to nine students.
• Our TK class is limited to nine students.
• Our Kindergarten through 12th grade classes are limited to 18 students per class.

Each kindergarten class has a dedicated full-time assistant. We also have grade level assistants in first through fifth grade. 

ELEMENTARY (K-5) 

• Reveal Math (McGraw Hill)
• Fountas & Pinnell Guided Reading (3-5)
• Reading A-Z
• Letterland phonics (K-2)
• Learning without Tears
• Positive Action for Christ
• FOSS (Full Option Science System)
• Social Studies Weekly

ELEMENTARY WEEKLY ENRICHMENTS

• Spanish
• Library
• Art
• Music
• Physical Education (2x week)
• STEM (3-5)
• Technology (3-5)

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8)

• Glencoe Math (McGraw Hill)
• Bob Jones Language & Literature; novels
• Bob Jones Writing & Grammar
• Bible: Positive Action for Christ 
  • 6th Grade: Old Testament
  • 7th Grade: New Testament
  • 8th Grade: Life of Jesus
• Bob Jones Science
  • 6th Grade: General Science
  • 7th Grade: Life Science
  • 8th Grade: Earth Science
• Bob Jones Social Studies
  • 6th Grade: Ancient Civilization through Middle Ages
  • 7th Grade: World Studies – Middle Ages through WWII
  • 8th Grade: American Republic

MIDDLE SCHOOL ELECTIVES: Students have a variety of elective courses, some of which are:

• Drama
• Visual Arts
• Band
• Music Theory
• Performing Arts
• Spanish
• Art of Worship
• Media/Journalism
• STEM
• Life Skills
• Photography
• Interior Design
• Creative Writing

HIGH SCHOOL (9-12)

• Mathematics: Liberty University Online Academy
• Science: Bob Jones Earth and Physical Science
• English: Bob Jones Language & Literature, Novels
• Social Studies (Bob Jones)
  • 9^th: World History
  • 10^th: US History
  • 11^th: Government
  • 12^th: Economics

GCA middle school students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of electives that are rotated on a six-week schedule Monday through Thursday. Fridays are reserved for Warrior Time. This time is set aside for our Warriors to develop leadership skills and participate in volunteer and mission opportunities. 

Electives include:

• Drama
• Visual Arts
• Performing Arts
• Music Theory
• Band
• Spanish
• Art of Worship
• Media/Journalism
• STEM
• Life Skills
• Photography
• Interior Design
• Creative Writing

Grace Covenant Academy utilizes the IOWA Assessments in grades three through 10. Students in nine through 12 participate in the PSAT/NMSQT. Our 11th grade students also participate in the ACT and the SAT.

Students are eligible to participate in sports beginning in grade 4. All GCA sports teams will have practices, games and meets on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during their individual season. No practices, games or meets will be held on Wednesday to encourage our students to participate in church-related youth activities. 

Fall Sports

• Co-ed Cross Country
• Boys Soccer
• Girls Volleyball

Winter Sports

• Boys Basketball
• Girls Basketball
• Cheerleading

Spring Sports

• Girls Soccer
• Boys Flag Football
• Boys Baseball

Grace Covenant Academy offers various clubs every quarter. Clubs are offered to various grade levels beginning in Early Education and are based on instructor availability and student interest. A few of our past club offerings include: golf club, crafty builders club, chess and checkers club, escape room club, kickball club, imagine that club, history bee club, worship club, yo-yo club, Lego club, Canva club and many more!   

The safety of our campus is a top priority. Grace Covenant Academy utilizes industry-leading school safety software to ensure the safety of our entire community, from students, faculty and staff to visitors and volunteers. 

Grace Covenant Academy has a full-time school resource officer on staff who is present during school days and sporting events. GCA students and staff practice tornado, fire, and lockdown drills to prepare in the event of an emergency.  

Grace Covenant Academy has a full-time nurse on staff to help with any medical needs within our student population. GCA faculty and staff are all trained in First Aid.

Grace Covenant Academy’s teacher selection process is very rigorous. Teachers must profess to be a Christian and demonstrate a growing commitment to Jesus Christ and His work as evidenced in their lives and in their relationships by the fruit of the spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22, 23). They must actively attend and be involved in a Bible-based church. They must have educational and/or experiential background relevant to their particular job description as well as a love for children and a desire to help them discover and fulfill their specific purpose for the Kingdom. Faculty are required to maintain a current certification for their position with the Association of Christian Schools International. Teachers must also demonstrate a positive attitude of cooperation with other staff members and the willingness to work with a servant’s heart and to submit to authority.

This is not a requirement for our teachers, however, more than half of our faculty members have a master’s degree. 

Early Education (3YO, PK & TK)

8:30am – 12:30pm

K-5

8:15am – 3:00pm

Middle School

8:15am – 3:15pm

High School

8:00am – 3:15pm

Middle school students will be offered an Advisory period which allows them to be in the building as early as 7:45 AM.

We offer the following three-year-old classes

3-Day MWF

4-Day M-Th

5-Day M-F

We offer the following Pre-Kindergarten classes

4-Day M-Th

5-Day M-F

We offer the following Transitional Kindergarten class

5-Day M-F

A child must be three years old on or before August 31 of the current school year to enroll in any Three-Year-Old class.

A child must be four years old on or before August 31 of the current school year to enroll in any Pre-Kindergarten class.

A child must be five years old on or before August 31 of the current school year to enroll in any Transitional Kindergarten class.

A child must be five years old on or before August 31 of the current school year to be considered for enrollment in kindergarten.

Recess is scheduled for approximately 30 minutes for all EE-5th grade students. There will always be at least one GCA trained and approved adult and/or staff member with students at recess. While GCA middle school students do not participate in recess, they do participate in P.E. four days a week and health class one day a week.

At Grace Covenant Academy, homework can be assigned to students based on the time guidelines listed below. The guidelines are to give teachers the freedom to assign homework; however, homework is not a daily requirement or mandate. Homework assignments should be reflective of the values of Grace Covenant Academy’s educational philosophy and should be relevant, have a purpose and be either reteaching, reviewing or enriching. Homework is not assigned on Wednesdays to allow for midweek church participation. In addition to homework, students are required to complete daily independent reading.

Grade              Days Per Week                       Maximum Time

K                      M-T-TH-F                                  10 minutes

1st                   M-T-TH-F                                  15 minutes

2nd                  M-T-TH-F                                 20 minutes

3rd                   M-T-TH-F                                 30 minutes

4th                   M-T-TH-F                                 45 minutes

5th                   M-T-TH-F                                 45 minutes

Middle School M-T-TH-F                                1 hour 15 minutes

High School    M-T-W-TH-F                            varies by subject

Grace Covenant Academy embraces the God given individuality of each student. We recognize we are each uniquely made with a variety of strengths and weaknesses, according to God’s perfect plan. Grace Covenant Academy’s Student Services Department offers literacy support to students, families, and teachers from Early Education through Grade 12. When students experience academic challenges, we work together as a team to identify the root cause and implement strategies for student success. Student Services also provides connections to reputable community support services when needed. If you have specific questions, please contact our Director of Student Services.

Grace Covenant Academy teaches cursive writing to our third-grade students.

Morning and afternoon extended care is available to all students in grades K- 5 students. Morning care is offered from 7:15-8:00 a.m. Morning care will be a relaxed time of indoor play where students may eat a morning snack or breakfast item (provided by parent and prepared at home). Students are expected to arrive dressed and ready to begin the school day. Morning care will end with a devotion and prayer time before students are released to their classes.

Afternoon extended care is offered from 3:15-5:45 p.m. Afternoon extended care will be a time to unwind and have fun after the school day. Students will enjoy a parent provided snack, outdoor play time, and dedicated homework time. Daily and monthly rates are available for students who participate in Extended Care. Extended care is not available on early dismissal days, teacher workdays, distance learning days, or inclement weather days. More information regarding extended care and the costs associated with it can be found on the GCA website or by speaking with the Extended Care Coordinator (704-499-0279).

GCA is a ministry of Grace Covenant Church. Approximately 25% of the student body attends Grace Covenant Church; more than 30 other churches are represented.

We hold an unwavering commitment to provide a safe, exciting, academically sound, Christ-centered environment where students develop an eagerness and love for learning. Within our newly updated facilities, students experience biblical values, comprehensive academics, and exceptional educators while our balanced educational philosophy is reflected in weekly enrichment programs.

At GCA, we trust you will see a rigorous educational program with visionary leaders, parent partnership, thriving students, and a pursuit of excellence in a God-honoring environment. We support this mission with weekly chapel, discipline, outreach and prayer.

Weekly Chapel

All Grace Covenant Academy students attend a weekly chapel. God’s Word is brought to life during chapel through interactive worship and relevant teaching. Each Pre K- Eighth grade class leads a chapel each semester, giving a presentation of some kind. This allows our students to demonstrate leadership and responsibility as they teach from God’s Word. Parents are invited to attend weekly chapel.

Discipline

We encourage students to adhere to a code of conduct not only for their own benefit, but for the benefit of others as well. Our aim is not to focus only on the negative, but to acknowledge and encourage positive behavior as well.

GCA students are taught and expected to do the following:

• Honor God
• Be respectful
• Be responsible
• Do your best

Outreach

Grace Covenant Academy is On Mission as we develop a heart of compassion and care in our students. We work with organizations globally and locally, as there are needs around the world and in our own backyard! Students have partnered with Grace Covenant Church Joy Land, Grace Feeding Grace Food Pantry, Caterpillar Ministries, Bags of Hope LKN, Ubuntu Football, the Neighborhood Care Center, Watchmen on the Streets, Operation Christmas Child, and more.

Prayer

Grace Covenant Academy recognizes that it is our privilege to engage in corporate prayer. Prayer is both student and teacher led in the classroom on a daily basis. The GCA staff gathers weekly for a time of corporate prayer for our school and families. The Parent Action Prayer Team gathers for prayer each Friday.

Lunches and snacks are the responsibility of the parent/guardian and student. Healthy and nutritious meals and snacks are encouraged. Student lunches are not refrigerated and cannot be heated. In the event a child does not have a lunch a GCA lunch will be provided, and the family will be invoiced for the cost. Students are not permitted to order lunch to be delivered by outside sources, such as DoorDash, etc. These deliveries will be turned away. Students in Early Education – Grade 12 have the option to participate in the hot lunch program offered by the school. If a hot lunch is ordered and a student is absent during the lunch hour, the meal will be held in the office for pick up until 3:15 or given to a sibling when appropriate. Teachers may ask students to have up to 10 minutes of “quiet time” at the beginning of the lunch period.

Students will participate in field trips throughout the school year. The teachers and staff make every effort to ensure that all trips away from school are educationally relevant, interesting to students, safe, and prior to May 1st. Full participation by students is essential to make these experiences valuable.

All Grace Covenant Academy students are car riders. GCA operates a morning and afternoon car line for EE- 5th grade students. Middle & High school parents/guardians park in the designated parking lot adjacent to the main Academy entrance and drop-off/pick-up their students. Elementary students are not permitted to walk into school with MS/HS siblings and must be dropped off/picked up through car line.

We believe that parents play a vital role in the education of their children, and students are much more likely to reach their full potential when parents are involved. GCA asks that parents embrace the opportunity to volunteer as much as possible throughout the year to increase parent involvement and strengthen a sense of community. We offer many opportunities for parent partnership and volunteerism in a variety of areas including, but not limited to classroom and office volunteers, hot lunch delivery volunteers as well as our Parent Action Team (PAT).

The Parent Action Team (PAT) is a volunteer-based group whose purpose is to enrich the school community by supporting and partnering with GCA staff. The PAT works under the leadership of GCA administration and commits to honoring the mission and vision of GCA while building community through parent/staff relationships and supporting school wide events such as our fall fun run. The PAT consists of teams such as event teams, staff appreciation teams, room parent teams, prayer teams, classroom care teams, and others.