Academics
At Spicewood Christian Academy, our academic program is designed to cultivate both intellectual growth and Christ-centered character. We provide a strong, well-rounded curriculum that challenges students to think critically, communicate effectively, and pursue excellence in all areas of learning. Through small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and a nurturing environment, students receive individualized attention that helps them develop confidence and a lifelong love for learning. Every subject is taught through a biblical worldview, encouraging students to see God’s truth and purpose in every area of study while preparing them for future academic success and meaningful service in the world.
Educational Philosophy
“Train up a child in the way he should go…” Proverbs 22:6. Our purpose is to provide an excellent academic education, which is correlated with Biblical Christianity. Our educational objectives reach into the following areas:
- To teach that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that we receive salvation through accepting Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior.
- To teach that God is the Creator and the one who sustains the universe, animals, humans, and all creation.
- To teach that growth in the Christian life depends upon fellowship with God through Bible reading, prayer, and service.
- To teach that the Bible is the only inspired, inerrant (incapable of being wrong) Word of God and that it is practical and essential to daily life.
- To teach the application of Biblical principles to every part of daily life.
- To teach academic subjects integrated with Biblical truth.
- To help students realize that they are created in the image of God and, as such, we want them to possess a positive self-image. That God does not make mistakes and He has created us either male or female from the womb without any error to His creation.
- To teach students love for one another as unique creations of God.
- To teach students their role in the community with non-Christians and with Christians who hold differing viewpoints.
- To teach our American heritage, a sense of honor and respect for our nation, and a Christian view of the current problems facing our country and the world; and earning from the wrongs in the past to help build a better future and nation.
- To teach students to think for themselves and to stand up for personal convictions in the face of pressure, and to be the leaders God has called them to be.
- To teach students to apply themselves to their work and to fulfill various responsibilities.
- To teach students to work independently and cooperatively.
- To teach the knowledge and skills required for future study or for occupational competence.
- To encourage a desire and a discretion for wholesome physical and mental recreation.
- To teach civic responsibilities and prepare each student for adult responsibilities as a Christian.
Curricula Overview
Our curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong academic foundation while nurturing their spiritual growth. From early childhood through high school, students engage in a comprehensive program that includes language arts, mathematics, science, history, and biblical studies.
Pre-K Programs
- Reading
- Grammar
- Math
- Bible
- Social Studies
- Science
- Music
- Movement
- Typing
- Art
Core Academics K-4
- Reading
- Grammar
- Math
- Bible
- Heritage
- Social Studies
- Science
Core Academics 5-12
- Mathematics
- English Language Arts
- Bible
- Science
- History
Langages & Skills K-12
- Spanish — K through 12
- Typing — K through 12
- Life Skills — Middle–12
Arts & Movement
- Music — K through 5
- Movement — K through 5
- Art — K through 6
- Art — Middle & High (Elective)
- Media Arts — Gr. 5–12 (Elective)
- Yearbook — Gr. 5–12 (Elective)
Faith & Leadership
- Student Council — K–12
- Worship Team — 5–12 (Elective)
- College In Roads partnership
- Chapel & Spiritual Formation
Computer Lab — Possible Courses
- All Grades
- 3D Printing *
- Coding — Middle–12 *
- Robotics & STEM †
- AI & Research — Middle–12
* Subject to sufficient enrollment. † Additional program fee applies.
Technology & the SCA Student
During the course of the school day, our emphasis is NOT on placing every student in front of a screen, or sending them home with the latest in tablet technology. And, we are very intentional about this. At SCA, we are purposefully “low tech.” Why? For several reasons.
One, today’s students are the Digital Generation. Their lives are already interwoven with technology at every turn. Teens carry a mini-computer – their smart phone – with them throughout their day. They connect with each other via snapchat, tweet, text, tiktok, or other apps. Younger elementary students are often on tablets or iPads, watch youtube videos on a computer screen or TV, and see the adults around them interacting all day with their phones. In short, our teens especially, but all of our children, live in a digital world.
Two, when these students are together “IRL” in real life – they need to take advantage of that opportunity. At SCA, we want to connect them in more important ways – with each other, in real interaction. Because our students spend just 30 hours each week with their classmates at SCA, our focus is not on providing technology during that time. The other 138 hours of their week include plenty of technology. We provide an alternative to that, in purposely low-tech classrooms that are filled instead with group interaction, group projects, discussions, debates. Students talk to each other, with each other, and team up to meet objectives.
Three, IRL (“in real life”) is more than a text abbreviation. It is an important component of our children’s lives. They need to experience community. They need to learn social skills “IRL.” They need more human interaction, less screen time. At SCA, we are purposeful about providing community learning, through an interactive environment – students interacting with each other, and not technology.
For these reasons, SCA classrooms have a minimal tech component. Our STEM and Coding/Keyboarding classes, for instance, include computer use. But our overall focus is on interacting with the teachers and classmates in the community.
Education Support
Spicewood Christian Academy aligns its curricula with state and national grade-level standards. Through our application and enrollment process, we take the time to understand each student’s learning history, needs, and any existing plans or evaluations. From there, we work closely with families, and when appropriate with Special Education professionals, to develop an approach that our school can faithfully support. Our goal in every case is to provide the very best educational experience
for each child who walks through our doors.
- A parent or a teacher requests a conference with the ESS to discuss issues that have been identified as possible impediments to the student fully mastering the course content.
- The ESS will interview the teacher, student and parent in this conference.
- The ESS will provide feedback on the level and type of support recommended.
- The ESS may recommend adjustments to student practices, and the parent support of these adjustments: time management; study practices; organization of study materials; classroom participation. These adjustments will not require retaining ESS services.
- The ESS may recommend engaging ESS services, and the parent makes the decision whether or not to do so.
- If/when ESS services are retained, the ESS begins with observation of the student and teacher(s) in the classroom.
The ESS provides a written plan of action encompassing the following elements:
- Recommended classroom accommodations. These must be compatible with our classroom environment, but may include a different seating arrangement, use of a recorder, additional time for assessments, quiet space for work or assessments, and similar. Although we expect this to be a rare occurrence, SCA will consider the classroom accommodation of the presence of an Aide for a student, hired and retained by the parents, if recommended and trained by the ESS.
- Recommended at-home modifications. While SCA does not modify curricula as would occur in an IEP, we do encourage parents to make modifications to the curricula as needed and recommended by the ESS. This is more comparable to a 504 plan. Examples of at-home modifications include obtaining audio versions of course texts; partner-reading and discussion with parents of assigned reading from texts; outside subject tutors; dictation for writing assignments.
- Continued support and input: The ESS will evaluate the student and the student’s work, will observe the student, and will provide feedback to the parents for as long as ESS services are needed.
- The ESS will regularly confer with the teacher(s) to answer questions, act as a resource, make recommendations, and communicate implementation and adjustments to the student and the parents.
- Additional conferences between ESS and the family can be scheduled as needed, up to once per month.
The Service Agreement will conclude at the final week of the school year, but parents are free to request and retain ESS services on an hourly basis over the summer break.
For additional information about the ESS which will be offered in the 23-24 school year, contact: assistantdirector@scatx.org.
