ACADEMICS

We believe in the development of the whole child, and our curriculum (beginning with our youngest learners) is designed to bring out the full potential of each of our students.

Our teachers create a supportive, stimulating and fun environment that allows our youngest students to grow into confident and independent individuals and develop a lifelong love of learning. Because our classes are small and personal, children can explore their unique skills and talents, while developing new friendships and new confidence. We help your child build a wide range of skills for success, from learning to interact with peers to acquiring the foundations for scholastic success.

For three-year olds, students have Bible instruction and memorization; fine arts enrichment through music and art; regular show-and-tell; mastery of colors, shapes, days of the week, and months of the year. There is an emphasis on socialization and the concept of sharing. For four-year olds, the students will have Bible instruction and memorization; an introduction to phonics and number concepts; manuscript writing; and fine arts enrichment through music, art, and poetry. There is an emphasis on socialization and the concept of sharing. Field trips are also planned to reinforce learning.

Our Elementary School program builds upon the strong Biblical and academic foundation of our pre-school and kindergarten.  The elementary program uses a blend of Abeka, Bob Jones, and Purposeful Design curriculum.

Scott Foresman Reading Street and Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop are used in 5th grade.  Students also have a weekly rotation of Fine Arts, computer skills, library, and physical education. From “See You At The Pole” in September to National Day of Prayer in May, our students quickly learn about the power of prayer and it’s importance in our everyday lives.  We have a group of dedicated parents that meet on campus every Thursday morning to lift up our school, our students and their families, our faculty and our administration, our community, our nation and our leaders.  Elementary students also attend Chapel for a time of worship and continued teaching from the Bible and also have opportunities to lead worship in our Chapel times.

Elementary students have many opportunities for enrichment through activities such as Girls on the Run (girls in grades 3-5), 5th Grade Band, Bricks for Kidz and we have recently started a Cyberkids Robotics team for 4th and 5th graders.  Students in grades 1-5 are also able to participate in our Jr. Eagles Athletic program in soccer, basketball, cheerleading, t-ball, and coach pitch.  Our High school students also provided after-school sports clinics for our Elementary students. Technology is one of our focuses as we work to engage the 21st century learner.  We have recently added two Net Book labs for teachers to take into their classrooms. Several of our classrooms have interactive whiteboards installed for the students to utilize in addition to several mobile interactive whiteboards in our building. Our desire is that Christ is glorified through all that we do at GCS.

The Gaston Christian Middle School Program works in partnership with families to meet the developmental need of students in grades 6-8. The middle school years are years of change as students leave behind elementary school and prepare for the rigors of high school.

To encourage families as they navigate these years of uncertainty, middle school teachers work diligently in multi-disciplinary teams to help meet the spiritual, academic, emotional, and physical challenges of this energetic age group. An eight-period day offers various academic core subjects including Bible, English, history, math and science as well as opportunities to explore course offerings in the Fine Arts. An elective program on Wednesday afternoons provides Fine Arts, life application and STEM activities.

Weekly chapel programs bring the student body together for corporate praise and worship and biblical teaching. Students are also involved in activities designed to build Christian character, promote team building, and serve in community and international projects throughout the year. Student life in the middle school is enhanced through class field trips, activities sponsored by the Student Government Association, Spirit Week, and participation in the Gazette Spelling Bee and the Geography Bee. A full range of athletic opportunities is also available: boys and girls basketball, soccer, and tennis; baseball, volleyball, cheerleading; co-ed cross country, swimming, and track.

The Gaston Christian High School Program is designed to help meet both the spiritual and academic challenges of more than 250 students in grades 9 – 12.

In keeping with the school’s mission statement, all courses are college preparatory, and a variety of Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) classes are available to qualifying students.Partnership with Sevenstar Academy and the College and Career Promise Program through the NC Community College System allows GCHS to offer a broader curriculum to better meet the academic needs of the students. Electives in Fine Arts, Technology, and Wellness are also offered.. Since 1997, GCS seniors have posted College Board SAT scores that are substantially higher than national, state, and county averages. Ninety-eight percent of GCS graduates attend college, and a number of these students have received substantial scholarship offers.

Daily Bible classes and a weekly chapel program offer spiritual challenges to the students. In addition, several days each fall are reserved for a spiritual retreat at the Windy Gap Young Life Camp, and in the spring the school hosts a speaker for Spiritual Emphasis Day.

GCS high school students have many opportunities to develop athletic skills through participation in teams that compete in a 3-A conference for Charlotte-area schools. These options include boys and girls soccer, co-ed cross country, boys and girls tennis, girls volleyball, co-ed swimming, boys and girls basketball, girls cheerleading, boys baseball, girls softball, co-ed track, and boys and girls golf. The GCS high school program also offers a wide range of service-oriented clubs that focus on community and international projects. Academic competitions include Mock Trial and Quiz Bowl, both of which compete against private and public schools in the region.