Program Overview
University-Model® Schedule
The University-Model is a five-day academic program with students spending 2-3 “central days” in the school classroom and 2-3 “satellite days” in their home classroom. Both classrooms are under the supervision of a professional educator. Because the goal is to prepare students to become spiritually and academically independent, the University-Model provides a gradual transition from the home to the school.
Anchor Christian Academy follows an annual calendar similar to a university calendar. Classes start late in August and conclude in early May. Thanksgiving and spring breaks are each one week in length with an additional Easter break. There is a four week Christmas break from central classroom days. However, students devote two of those weeks to an extensive Winter Term Project crafted around a hands-on project of their choice including a research paper. The year culminates with overnight grade-level experiential learning trips in May.
During central classroom days, teachers provide direct instruction. Class sizes are small to foster individualized attention and to enhance learning opportunities. Teachers provide detailed instructions and guidelines for satellite days at home through an online platform that is easily accessed through the computer or cell phone. Satellite days are further enhanced through the use of carefully selected curriculum that is proven to work well with the University-Model program. Parents are also provided answer keys and teacher guides as needed. A parent or responsible adult is required to aide with instruction and monitor student progress on satellite days, but does not need to have teaching experience. As the level of parental involvement progresses from a guide (middle school) to course monitor (high school), parents are expected to continue exercising responsibility for their children through graduation. Consistent feedback is provided by teachers to students and parents regarding students’ progress in each class.
In middle school, central day classes meet two days per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays). In addition, middle school students have the option of attending a third central day (Monday) for tutored study halls and electives. At the high school level, math, science, and foreign language classes meet three days per week at school (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays), while Bible, English, and social studies classes meet two days per week (Tuesday and Thursdays). Students in 12th grade are encouraged to take at least one college course through Lancaster Bible College's Jumpstart program. One class per semester is free (note that students must have minimum scores from the PSAT, SAT, ACT, or CLT and Anchor administration approval).
To fully understand the philosophy and ambition of the University-Model® program, the supervising adult or parent is required to read Character Driven College Preparation by John W. Turner, Jr. (2017 edition) before the start of school.
Community
Both parental involvement and student cooperation are essential for the academy to successfully collaborate with parents to educate and biblically anchor students. Therefore, parents are required to actively participate in the school community by attending necessary meetings and trainings, committing to serve both in school and on a volunteer team, and obtaining and submitting all necessary clearance paperwork to ACA. We believe this parent, teacher, staff, and student connection to be an essential part of fostering a thriving school community.
Faculty
The faculty of Anchor Christian Academy are carefully selected, dedicated, born-again Christians from evangelical Christian backgrounds. All teachers whole-heartedly endorse the academy’s Statement of Faith and the academy’s focus on the teacher-mentor role. All faculty members hold at least bachelor’s degrees and/or state teaching certification in the subject areas and grade levels they are teaching. Anchor Christian Academy prioritizes training and professional development of our teachers recognizing that they are vital to each student’s success.
Beyond the Classroom
Numerous opportunities for spiritual growth, student leadership development, and enrichment opportunities are also available. Parent-run electives, student-run game time, and a spiritually-focused opening are built into the central day schedule. Monthly field trips are coordinated with the teachers to maximize the educational and/or character development benefit of each trip. Class trips are scheduled in May with further educational and community-building opportunities.
Our innovative learning program provides opportunities for high school students to earn high school credit beyond the classroom through internships, private lessons, athletic clubs, and beyond. Students submit a proposal, log their hours, and check in with a supervisory teacher.
Student Conduct
The purpose of Anchor Christian Academy’s Code of Conduct is to promote a Christ-like attitude in its learning environment and to encourage the development of positive Christian relationships among its students. Virtues of Christian character such as respect for others and for God, love, obedience, and service are strongly encouraged through the academy’s character development program. Discipline concerns are brought to the parents’ attention and principles of Christian communication and confidentiality are maintained in all circumstances.
Organizational Structure
Anchor Christian Academy is a developing member school with University-Model Schools International (UMSI) and a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Recognized as a private school in the state of Pennsylvania, the Academy issues state-recognized diplomas and students from public school districts within 10 miles (measured by the nearest public road) have transportation privileges from their home school district. A parent-nominated board and culture of transparency are organizational priorities. Anchor Christian Academy also offers an option for homeschool students to enroll in their classes.
The University-Model is a five-day academic program with students spending 2-3 “central days” in the school classroom and 2-3 “satellite days” in their home classroom. Both classrooms are under the supervision of a professional educator. Because the goal is to prepare students to become spiritually and academically independent, the University-Model provides a gradual transition from the home to the school.
Anchor Christian Academy follows an annual calendar similar to a university calendar. Classes start late in August and conclude in early May. Thanksgiving and spring breaks are each one week in length with an additional Easter break. There is a four week Christmas break from central classroom days. However, students devote two of those weeks to an extensive Winter Term Project crafted around a hands-on project of their choice including a research paper. The year culminates with overnight grade-level experiential learning trips in May.
During central classroom days, teachers provide direct instruction. Class sizes are small to foster individualized attention and to enhance learning opportunities. Teachers provide detailed instructions and guidelines for satellite days at home through an online platform that is easily accessed through the computer or cell phone. Satellite days are further enhanced through the use of carefully selected curriculum that is proven to work well with the University-Model program. Parents are also provided answer keys and teacher guides as needed. A parent or responsible adult is required to aide with instruction and monitor student progress on satellite days, but does not need to have teaching experience. As the level of parental involvement progresses from a guide (middle school) to course monitor (high school), parents are expected to continue exercising responsibility for their children through graduation. Consistent feedback is provided by teachers to students and parents regarding students’ progress in each class.
In middle school, central day classes meet two days per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays). In addition, middle school students have the option of attending a third central day (Monday) for tutored study halls and electives. At the high school level, math, science, and foreign language classes meet three days per week at school (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays), while Bible, English, and social studies classes meet two days per week (Tuesday and Thursdays). Students in 12th grade are encouraged to take at least one college course through Lancaster Bible College's Jumpstart program. One class per semester is free (note that students must have minimum scores from the PSAT, SAT, ACT, or CLT and Anchor administration approval).
To fully understand the philosophy and ambition of the University-Model® program, the supervising adult or parent is required to read Character Driven College Preparation by John W. Turner, Jr. (2017 edition) before the start of school.
Community
Both parental involvement and student cooperation are essential for the academy to successfully collaborate with parents to educate and biblically anchor students. Therefore, parents are required to actively participate in the school community by attending necessary meetings and trainings, committing to serve both in school and on a volunteer team, and obtaining and submitting all necessary clearance paperwork to ACA. We believe this parent, teacher, staff, and student connection to be an essential part of fostering a thriving school community.
Faculty
The faculty of Anchor Christian Academy are carefully selected, dedicated, born-again Christians from evangelical Christian backgrounds. All teachers whole-heartedly endorse the academy’s Statement of Faith and the academy’s focus on the teacher-mentor role. All faculty members hold at least bachelor’s degrees and/or state teaching certification in the subject areas and grade levels they are teaching. Anchor Christian Academy prioritizes training and professional development of our teachers recognizing that they are vital to each student’s success.
Beyond the Classroom
Numerous opportunities for spiritual growth, student leadership development, and enrichment opportunities are also available. Parent-run electives, student-run game time, and a spiritually-focused opening are built into the central day schedule. Monthly field trips are coordinated with the teachers to maximize the educational and/or character development benefit of each trip. Class trips are scheduled in May with further educational and community-building opportunities.
Our innovative learning program provides opportunities for high school students to earn high school credit beyond the classroom through internships, private lessons, athletic clubs, and beyond. Students submit a proposal, log their hours, and check in with a supervisory teacher.
Student Conduct
The purpose of Anchor Christian Academy’s Code of Conduct is to promote a Christ-like attitude in its learning environment and to encourage the development of positive Christian relationships among its students. Virtues of Christian character such as respect for others and for God, love, obedience, and service are strongly encouraged through the academy’s character development program. Discipline concerns are brought to the parents’ attention and principles of Christian communication and confidentiality are maintained in all circumstances.
Organizational Structure
Anchor Christian Academy is a developing member school with University-Model Schools International (UMSI) and a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Recognized as a private school in the state of Pennsylvania, the Academy issues state-recognized diplomas and students from public school districts within 10 miles (measured by the nearest public road) have transportation privileges from their home school district. A parent-nominated board and culture of transparency are organizational priorities. Anchor Christian Academy also offers an option for homeschool students to enroll in their classes.
Guiding Principles
Christian Worldview
Education is never neutral. It is more than the mere transmission of facts; it involves the communication of life principles and values and, therefore, requires a spiritual context. Because God created, sustains and will consummate all things through His Son, Jesus Christ, we believe that facts, whether mathematical, historical, scientific, or otherwise, can only represent truth if they are taught in the context of a Christian worldview. This belief will permeate our goals and objectives, our teaching methods and our curriculum.
Christian and Non-Denominational
Anchor Christian Academy is not a ministry of any particular church or denominational body, nor does it promote or endorse any particular denomination. It is our desire to maintain this position for the purpose of unity and fairness to each student, avoiding any dissension that may be caused by denominational distinctives. As a Christian organization, all board members, faculty, staff and students' parents profess faith in Jesus Christ.
Family Ministry
At Anchor Christian Academy, we affirm that parents are the child’s first and best teachers. Parents are the single most influential factor in a child’s educational performance, as well as in emotional, social, and spiritual development. Therefore, Anchor Christian Academy seeks to assist parents in their God-given task to train their children in mind, body, and spirit (Deuteronomy 6 and Ephesians 6:4). By providing time, flexibility, and academic expertise, we promote a partnership that enables parents to adequately fulfill the Lord’s commands for the education and training of children for His glory. Anchor Christian Academy provides a support structure for parents through leadership and character development programs, as well as through seminars for parents to deepen their own understanding of academic subjects and the way in which faith shapes their worldview.
Joy of Learning
At Anchor Christian Academy, our goal is to challenge our students without exasperating them. While we will maintain rigorous academic standards for our students, we resist a learning environment hampered by excessive competition or pointless drudgery. We foster wonder and delight in the academic process through hands-on learning, real-life experiences, field trips, and special academic events that bring joy to learning. Education should not be rigid or dull, but full of life. We desire our students to not only learn, but to love learning.
Education is never neutral. It is more than the mere transmission of facts; it involves the communication of life principles and values and, therefore, requires a spiritual context. Because God created, sustains and will consummate all things through His Son, Jesus Christ, we believe that facts, whether mathematical, historical, scientific, or otherwise, can only represent truth if they are taught in the context of a Christian worldview. This belief will permeate our goals and objectives, our teaching methods and our curriculum.
Christian and Non-Denominational
Anchor Christian Academy is not a ministry of any particular church or denominational body, nor does it promote or endorse any particular denomination. It is our desire to maintain this position for the purpose of unity and fairness to each student, avoiding any dissension that may be caused by denominational distinctives. As a Christian organization, all board members, faculty, staff and students' parents profess faith in Jesus Christ.
Family Ministry
At Anchor Christian Academy, we affirm that parents are the child’s first and best teachers. Parents are the single most influential factor in a child’s educational performance, as well as in emotional, social, and spiritual development. Therefore, Anchor Christian Academy seeks to assist parents in their God-given task to train their children in mind, body, and spirit (Deuteronomy 6 and Ephesians 6:4). By providing time, flexibility, and academic expertise, we promote a partnership that enables parents to adequately fulfill the Lord’s commands for the education and training of children for His glory. Anchor Christian Academy provides a support structure for parents through leadership and character development programs, as well as through seminars for parents to deepen their own understanding of academic subjects and the way in which faith shapes their worldview.
Joy of Learning
At Anchor Christian Academy, our goal is to challenge our students without exasperating them. While we will maintain rigorous academic standards for our students, we resist a learning environment hampered by excessive competition or pointless drudgery. We foster wonder and delight in the academic process through hands-on learning, real-life experiences, field trips, and special academic events that bring joy to learning. Education should not be rigid or dull, but full of life. We desire our students to not only learn, but to love learning.