Dress Code for MS and HS

Dress Code for Elementary

Starner and Whittaker Selected for Leadership Decatur County

Congratulation to our Head of School, Mr. Starner and Mrs. Allyson Whittaker
for being selected to participate in the 2017-2018 Leadership Decatur County Class.  

GCA Earns SACS and ACSI Accreditation

The administration, faculty and staff of Grace Christian Academy are proud to announce that GCA has been granted accreditations from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS CASI) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

GCA was first accredited in 1994 by the Georgia Accrediting Commission (GAC). This state accreditation has continued for the past 23 years.  As the school has grown, a goal was set to seek additional regional and nationally-recognized accreditation.  The school partnered with ACSI and SACS CASI for the past two years, and the faculty and administration have worked diligently to achieve joint accreditation status.

On August 1, 2017 GCA was accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International.  ACSI is a highly regarded Christian educational organization and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. ACSI member schools seek accreditation to validate their quality and verify that they are striving for excellence based on a solid Christian philosophy of education.

Accreditation from ACSI assures that the school is meeting the following standards:  true to its mission, vision, core values, and goals; meets high standards of educational quality; provides credibility through an on-going peer review process; promotes accountability to the overall school community; improves instruction; increases student achievement;  and, ensures biblical and spiritual integration into the school curriculum.

On June 30, 2017 GCA accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), an accreditation division of AdvancED., was verified.  To earn accreditation, schools must meet SACS CASI’s high standards, be evaluated by a team of professionals from outside the school, and implement a continuous process of school improvement.  Accreditation demonstrates to students, parents, and the community that the school is focused on raising student achievement, providing a safe and enriching learning environment, and maintaining an efficient and effective operation staffed by highly qualified educators.

SACS CASI accreditation is recognized across state lines, which not only eases the transfer process as students move from accredited school to accredited school, but also assures parents that the school is meeting nationally accepted standards for quality and successful professional practice.

Dr. Mark Elgart, President/CEO of AdvancED, the parent organization of SACS CASI, stated, “SACS CASI Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school on the primary goal of creating lifelong learners. Grace Christian Academy is to be commended for engaging in this process and demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement.”

Parents and interested community members can learn more about accreditation at www.acsi.org and www.advanc-ed.org.

Drop Off & Pick Up Procedures

Mr. Starner Has A "Wild" Birthday

When Mr. Starner arrived at school today his office
was all decorated for his Birthday

Mr. Starner holds baby alligator!

We will miss you Mrs. Darla!!

The faculty and staff gave Mrs. Darla (Darla Castoro) a "going away" reception on Thurs., March 23rd.  She has served in several positions at GCA over the past 8 years and we will miss her greatly!

Thank you for all your years of service and love to GCA!!

GCA Preschool Recognizes Mrs. Glover for her service!

Malori Glover, one of our K4 teacher, was surprised at lunch today with lots of love and hugs.  Malori is moving on to other endeavors and we are excited for her and her family.  However, we will miss her here at GCA!

      We love you Malori!!

GCA Accreditation Survey Report

Starner Named New GCA Head of School

The Board of Directors are pleased to announce the selection of Rob Starner as the new Headmaster of Grace Christian Academy.  Rob comes to us with 23 years of experience in Christian education where he has served schools in Florida and Georgia as Elementary Principal, Director of Schools, and Head of School.  He has a B.A.in Psychology from Clearwater Christian College and a M.S. ED. in Counselor Education from the University of Southern Maine  He is a certified ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) Administrator and serves as an ACSI District Representative. Rob is married to Joella and they have two grown children and four children that are of middle and high school age. 

Rob will join the rest of the GCA administrative team in early July.  Joan Shiver, who has graciously held GCA together this past year as the Interim Head of School and Guidance Counselor, will now be able to focus on Guidance and Accreditation.  Dr. Carol Widner will continue doing an amazing job as our Lower School Principal and Mrs. Warr will remain our Director of Development. 

Grace Christian Academy continues the tradition of providing an excellent education grounded in traditional Christian principles!

Smith and Barber Join GCA Faculty

Kathy Smith

The GCA Board of Directors and Administrators are excited to announce the addition of two new faculty members for the 2016-2017 school year. Kathy Smith will be joining the GCA team as our new first grade teacher and Lisa Barber will be coming on as our new fourth grade teacher.

Kathy Smith has 24 years of experience in 1st grade and 4th grade and comes to us from West Bainbridge Elementary.  She has an A.A. in Pyschology from Bainbridge State College, a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Valdosta State University, and a M.A. degree in Reaching Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University.  She is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bainbridge.

Lisa Barber

Lisa Barber has 28 years of experience in numerous grades and comes to us from John Johnson Elementary.  She has a B.S. Degree and a M.A. Degree in Early Childhood from Troy University.  She also has a Gifted Endorsement. She is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bainbridge.

We are so excited to have these fine ladies joining the GCA Team!!!

           

          

2015-16 Pre-Planning

Many, many thanks to the Chamber of Commerce, 
First Port City Bank and  Palmer Insurance for providing 
donuts and coffee during pre-planning.  It was truly a blessing!

GCA Faculty working on the new social media policy.

Mrs. Shiver going over policies and plans for the new year.

Small groups working and planning!

Widner Joins GCA as Lower School Principal

The GCA Board of Directors are excited to announce the addition of Carol Widner to the school's administration team.  She will serve as the new Lower School Principal (K3-8th).  She joins Grace with 33 years of experience in elementary/middle school classroom instruction and coaching, curriculum development, and accreditation management.

Carol has a BS and MS in Elementary Education from Troy State University along with a PhD in Leadership/Ed. Administration.  "We are thrilled to have one of our own join the administration team as the Widner's have been a part of the Grace family for the past nine years," stated Chairman, Mark Harrell.   Carol is married to Chad Widner and both of their girls, Callie (7th) and Lilah (8th) have been at GCA since K4.  "Looking forward to an exciting school year."

Student-Parent Directory Coming

2014-15 Strategic Improvements for GCA

GCA Announces Strategic Improvements for New Academic Year

Grace Christian Academy's Headmaster Charlie Strickland has announced three strategic improvements for this school year: a new preschool director, all-day preschool for K3, and tuition discounts for large families.

Kim Adams, who holds a master’s degree in Education with certification in Early Childhood, is GCA’s new pre­school director. Adams has been trained in Lindamood Bell Learning strategies, which are research-validated programs that have improved reading, spelling, comprehension, and math for all ages of individuals.

“Lindamood‐Bell reading strategies help increase phonemic awareness and reading comprehension skills so that students can learn basic reading skills and develop a love of learning and reading,” said Strickland. “We will also continue to use A Beka Christian curriculum, along  with hands‐on learning activities.”
Strickland also announced that an all-day program, three or five days a week, will be added to GCA's K3 program. Parents can choose the full-day program or the half-day program, three or five days a week. The school's K4 program also offers a half-day or full-day program, five days a week, and the K5 program is offered five full days a week.

"All of GCA's K3-K5 teachers are highly qualified in their areas," Strickland said. GCA's K3 teachers are Joan Morris and Glennie Cox, who have many years’ experience and knowledge in working with preschoolers. Kim Adams and Mallory Glover teach K4, and Megan McRae teaches K5.

In addition, GCA now offers large family tuition discounts of 10% savings for the second sibling and 50% savings for the third sibling. Larger families pay no additional tuition beginning with their fourth child.

"Your children are a precious gift from God, and we feel very blessed to have the opportunity to teach them," Strickland said. “Our goal is for students to be able to grow spiritually, socially, and academically throughout the year as we implement both exciting and challenging activities. We want students to enjoy learning, but most importantly, to have a Christ-centered education.” 

For more information, call the school office at 229.243.8851 or email schooloffice@gcacougars.org. For immediate help, call Charlie Strickland at 229.726.7990.

Yancey Hired as new Athletic Director

GCA Welcomes New Athletic Director

Grace Christian Academy (GCA) welcomes Thomas Yancey this week as its new athletic director. Yancey has more than 10 years of experience coaching basketball and has also coached baseball and soccer.

"The first thing you will notice about Coach Yancey is that he is a people person with a deep love for people and for coaching," said Charlie Strickland, Head of School at GCA. "Tommy is a Christ-follower who tries to live each day as an ambassador for Christ."

 Yancey comes from a sports family. His father was a major league baseball player and ACC/SEC basketball official. Because of his father's influence, Yancey said that he has a keen knowledge of athletics and the rules and practices associated with sports. He also lettered in baseball, basketball, football, and tennis in high school and was All-State in football and basketball.

Most recently Yancey promoted health and wellness to students, faculty, and staff in his position as wellness coordinator at St. Johns River State College, which has three campuses and more than 8,000 students.

Yancey is married to the former Ginny Mithen of Bainbridge, and they have three sons: Elliott, 7, Breckin, 3, and Dominic, 6 months.

Strickland - Head of School

We are pleased to announce that the Board of Directors have named Charlie Strickland Head of School for GCA. All the administrators will continue their current roles ( Charlie Strickland - Head of School/Upper School Principal, Steve Murr - Lower School Principal/Athletics,  Joan Shiver Pre-School Principle/Counselor, and Cile Warr - Director of Development).  The Board felt that they needed a point person, but we will continue to function as an administrative team.  Therefore, parents please remember that your first contact should be the appropriate school-level administrator.  

Mr. Strickland has been involved at GCA for more than five years, having started the strings program with Jeff Eenigenburg in 2008.  He has a master's degree in music and an administrative certificate from Georgia Southern University and is an elder at Grace Church.  Before coming to GCA, he taught part-time at Bainbridge College after retiring from the public school system, where he had experience teaching at all levels and served as the literary coordinator, choral director, and band director.  In 2001, he was named Star Teacher at Ware County High School.  Mr. Strickland was in the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam.

GCA Welcomes Steve Murr

GCA has grown and developed in many ways over the past several years. These improvements, in concert with our ongoing accreditation, have led the school board to expand the administration team of GCA. As we begin the 2010-2011 school year in August, we will have two administrators. Each will work with the school board to oversee various aspects of the school.
Joan Shiver, who has served as the school-wide Principal for the past five years, is excited to specialize in the role of Lower School Principal and School Counselor. She will oversee Preschool and Elementary, and be the school-wide Guidance Counselor.
Steve Murr has recently been hired as our Upper School Principal and Athletic Director. He will oversee Middle and High School, and coordinate all our athletic programs. Steve comes to us from Grace Christian School in Sanford, NC. He has a Master's degree in Education/Adminstration from Liberty University. His background includes Principal, Teacher, Athletic Director and Coach. Steve and his wife Angela have three children.
2010-11 is going to be an exciting year for Grace Christian Academy! With your continued prayers and support, along with our dynamic administrative team and our wonderful staff, we will be able to take the next step in "Growing Grace Fully."