Academic Excellence | Matthews Christian Academy

MCA

Academics

excellence

What does it take to prepare young people for life in a highly sophisticated culture of competing worldviews and constantly shifting values? The answer is excellent Christian education, but excellence does not happen by accident. Excellence in Christian education is possible only when it is undergirded by a Biblical worldview, nurtured by committed faculty and driven by an academically challenging atmosphere.

While we adopt a firmly traditional pedagogical approach, we consistently stay at the cutting edge of education by learning better teaching techniques, and bolstering them with state-of-the art technology. Our faculty members are not only highly trained professionals, but also godly Christians who are dedicated to the success of their students. In this dynamic environment, students are equipped to think and live from a thoroughly Christian worldview.

As a result of our commitment to academic excellence, our students consistently score higher than the state and national averages in Stanford Achievement Scores, NCCSA Academic Testing, and ACT testing.

accreditation

MCA is an accredited member of the North Carolina School Association, American Association of Christian Schools, National Council for Private School Accreditation, North American Christian School Accrediting Agency, and Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary schools. These associations aid us in further teacher development and current methods and materials development. MCA is recognized as a private school by the State of North Carolina Department of Education. All full-time teachers are certified.

Accreditation has many benefits:

• It provides external recognition for a school’s commitment to quality education. Phil 1:10 “Approve all things that are excellent.”
• It encourages continual improvement grounded in best practices from the various educational fields.
• It enables students to transfer credits from school to school.
• It provides greater access to federal loans, scholarships, post-secondary education, and military programs that require regional accreditation.

professional development

Our faculty and staff are required to attend teacher workshops at state and regional conferences. Our inservices are designed to train teachers in the latest technology and educational trends. Our faculty has an extensive professional development program that includes supervised visits, and formative and summative reporting.

achievement testing

Every year in the spring a nationally recognized standardized achievement test is administered to all students in grades K5-11. While it is not the only way to assess our school, it is an important method of evaluating our students, the scope/sequence/content of our curriculum, and our teachers.

college testing

In lieu of taking achievement tests, the senior class is required to take the ACT or SAT college entrance test. Seniors must register for the test on their own and meet the financial obligations. It is highly recommended that this process be handled at the beginning of the school year. While there are several dates from which to choose, students are strongly advised to register for the April test date. Research suggests that students perform better at this time of the school year since they have completed most of their coursework for the twelfth grade.

reports

Matthews Christian Academy uses FACTS. Parents have 24/7 access to grades, behavior, attendance, assignments and grade reports. MCA sends out individual reports every nine-week grading period.

transcripts

Parents, current students, and former students may request official transcripts any time. Transcripts will be released if the account of the student has been paid in full.

graduation requirements

The following academic units are required for graduation from Matthews Christian Academy. These requirements exceed the requirements of the State of North Carolina and the state universities of North Carolina:

English: Grammar, Fundamentals of Literature, Elements of Literature, British Literature, American Literature (Equivalent grammar and literature credits may be accepted in transfer).

Mathematics: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, a fourth credit of math that has Algebra II as a prerequisite.

Science: Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

Social Studies: World History, US History, Government/Economics, Geography.

Foreign Language: Two credits in the same language.

Bible: One credit per year.

Physical Education: one credit

Speech: One credit

Keyboarding/Computer: One credit

Fine Arts electives are encouraged to meet graduation requirements.
Total: Students are required to earn 24 credits for graduation.