Program Overview
University-Model® Approach
This five-day academic program blends classroom instruction with home-based learning. Students spend:
· 2–3 days in the classroom (Central Days)
· 2–3 days at home under parental supervision (Satellite Days)
A professional educator oversees both learning environments, with the supervising parent acting as a teacher’s aide during Satellite Days.
· Central Days: Teachers provide direct instruction in small classes for personalized learning.
· Satellite Days: Students complete assignments at home referencing Schoology, an easy-to-access online platform teachers utilize to communicate assignments and grades.
As students develop academic independence, self-motivation, and organizational skills, parental involvement gradually shifts from active guidance in middle school to a supportive, oversight role in high school, fostering independent learning and work habits.To understand the philosophy of the University-Model, parents must read Character Driven College Preparation by John W. Turner, Jr. (2017 edition) before the school year begins.
Academic Calendar
Anchor Christian Academy follows a university-style calendar, with classes beginning in late August and concluding in early May. Breaks include:
Central Day Class Schedules
Community
Active parental involvement is essential to our educational model. Parents are required to:
Faculty
The faculty at Anchor Christian Academy are carefully selected, dedicated, and born-again Christians from evangelical backgrounds. Every teacher wholeheartedly endorses the academy’s Statement of Faith and embraces the teacher-mentor role. All faculty members hold at least a bachelor’s degree and/or state teaching certification in their respective subjects and grade levels. The academy prioritizes ongoing training and professional development, recognizing that teachers play a vital role in student success and character development.
Course Selection & College Credits
Students are placed in math courses that match their developmental skills and take into consideration their previous math instruction. Math courses include General Math 7, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1A, Algebra 1B, Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus, Calculus, and Consumer Math.
Honors level courses are available for most high school courses. Anchor’s junior/senior level biblical studies and English courses have the option of earning college credits including up to 12 English credits, 3 Philosophy credits, and 3 Cultures credits – all from accredited universities. Additional fees apply.
Beyond the Classroom
Students at Anchor Christian Academy have numerous opportunities for spiritual growth, leadership development, and enrichment. Monthly field trips align with classroom instruction to maximize educational and character-building experiences. Additionally, overnight May trips provide extended educational and community-building opportunities.
Our Innovative Learning Program allows high school students to earn academic credit beyond the classroom through internships, private lessons, athletic clubs, and more. Students submit a proposal, log their hours, and check in with a supervising teacher to earn high school credit.
Co-Curriculars
ACA is a PIAA school offering cross-country and middle school soccer and basketball. Additionally, the academy partners with Lancaster County Christian School (LCCS) and Lancaster Mennonite High School (LHS) to provide a variety of high school sports. Families coordinate transportation for student-athletes participating in LCCS or LHS sports programs. As ACA grows, additional HS sports will be added. ACA students are not eligible to participate in their districts’ extra-curricular programs.
ACA also partners with the Lancaster Academy of the Performing Arts (LAPA) for orchestra, choir, art/drawing, and musicals. Classes and practices typically meet on Thursday afternoons and evenings.
Student Conduct
The Code of Conduct at Anchor Christian Academy fosters a Christ-like learning environment and promotes positive Christian relationships among students. Core Christian virtues such as respect, love, obedience, and service are encouraged and expected. Discipline concerns are brought to the parents’ attention promptly and principles of Christian communication and confidentiality are maintained in all circumstances.
Tablets, cell phones, and smartwatches that receive messages or notifications are not permitted during school hours. Parents are required to actively monitor and establish clear boundaries for student internet usage. By adhering to ACA’s Tech-Wise Expectations, families contribute to a unified community with consistent technology standards, helping to reduce peer pressure related to owning and misusing personal devices.
Organizational Structure
Anchor Christian Academy is a member school of University-Model Schools International (UMSI) and a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Dual accreditation through UMSI and Cognia is in process, with our accreditation visit scheduled for April 2025.
Registered as a private religious school in Pennsylvania, ACA issues state-recognized diplomas and most students qualify for public school district bus transportation. The academy is governed by an engaged school board which values long-term sustainability and a culture of constant improvement.
This five-day academic program blends classroom instruction with home-based learning. Students spend:
· 2–3 days in the classroom (Central Days)
· 2–3 days at home under parental supervision (Satellite Days)
A professional educator oversees both learning environments, with the supervising parent acting as a teacher’s aide during Satellite Days.
· Central Days: Teachers provide direct instruction in small classes for personalized learning.
· Satellite Days: Students complete assignments at home referencing Schoology, an easy-to-access online platform teachers utilize to communicate assignments and grades.
As students develop academic independence, self-motivation, and organizational skills, parental involvement gradually shifts from active guidance in middle school to a supportive, oversight role in high school, fostering independent learning and work habits.To understand the philosophy of the University-Model, parents must read Character Driven College Preparation by John W. Turner, Jr. (2017 edition) before the school year begins.
Academic Calendar
Anchor Christian Academy follows a university-style calendar, with classes beginning in late August and concluding in early May. Breaks include:
- Thanksgiving Break: One week
- Christmas Break: Four weeks (includes a two-week "Winter Term" project)
- Spring Break: One week.
Central Day Class Schedules
- Middle School (7th–8th grade): Tuesdays & Thursdays, with an optional Monday for electives and/or tutored work periods.
- High School (9th–12th grade):
- Math, Science, & Foreign Language – 3 days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)
- Biblical Studies, English, & Social Studies – 2 days per week (Tuesday, Thursday)
Community
Active parental involvement is essential to our educational model. Parents are required to:
- Attend meetings and training sessions
- Complete volunteer clearance paperwork
- Commit to volunteering to support the school community
Faculty
The faculty at Anchor Christian Academy are carefully selected, dedicated, and born-again Christians from evangelical backgrounds. Every teacher wholeheartedly endorses the academy’s Statement of Faith and embraces the teacher-mentor role. All faculty members hold at least a bachelor’s degree and/or state teaching certification in their respective subjects and grade levels. The academy prioritizes ongoing training and professional development, recognizing that teachers play a vital role in student success and character development.
Course Selection & College Credits
Students are placed in math courses that match their developmental skills and take into consideration their previous math instruction. Math courses include General Math 7, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1A, Algebra 1B, Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus, Calculus, and Consumer Math.
Honors level courses are available for most high school courses. Anchor’s junior/senior level biblical studies and English courses have the option of earning college credits including up to 12 English credits, 3 Philosophy credits, and 3 Cultures credits – all from accredited universities. Additional fees apply.
Beyond the Classroom
Students at Anchor Christian Academy have numerous opportunities for spiritual growth, leadership development, and enrichment. Monthly field trips align with classroom instruction to maximize educational and character-building experiences. Additionally, overnight May trips provide extended educational and community-building opportunities.
Our Innovative Learning Program allows high school students to earn academic credit beyond the classroom through internships, private lessons, athletic clubs, and more. Students submit a proposal, log their hours, and check in with a supervising teacher to earn high school credit.
Co-Curriculars
ACA is a PIAA school offering cross-country and middle school soccer and basketball. Additionally, the academy partners with Lancaster County Christian School (LCCS) and Lancaster Mennonite High School (LHS) to provide a variety of high school sports. Families coordinate transportation for student-athletes participating in LCCS or LHS sports programs. As ACA grows, additional HS sports will be added. ACA students are not eligible to participate in their districts’ extra-curricular programs.
ACA also partners with the Lancaster Academy of the Performing Arts (LAPA) for orchestra, choir, art/drawing, and musicals. Classes and practices typically meet on Thursday afternoons and evenings.
Student Conduct
The Code of Conduct at Anchor Christian Academy fosters a Christ-like learning environment and promotes positive Christian relationships among students. Core Christian virtues such as respect, love, obedience, and service are encouraged and expected. Discipline concerns are brought to the parents’ attention promptly and principles of Christian communication and confidentiality are maintained in all circumstances.
Tablets, cell phones, and smartwatches that receive messages or notifications are not permitted during school hours. Parents are required to actively monitor and establish clear boundaries for student internet usage. By adhering to ACA’s Tech-Wise Expectations, families contribute to a unified community with consistent technology standards, helping to reduce peer pressure related to owning and misusing personal devices.
Organizational Structure
Anchor Christian Academy is a member school of University-Model Schools International (UMSI) and a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Dual accreditation through UMSI and Cognia is in process, with our accreditation visit scheduled for April 2025.
Registered as a private religious school in Pennsylvania, ACA issues state-recognized diplomas and most students qualify for public school district bus transportation. The academy is governed by an engaged school board which values long-term sustainability and a culture of constant improvement.
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 challenges facing young Christian students in today's cultural moment.
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 challenges facing young Christian students in today's cultural moment.
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.