Upper School Curriculum
Our upper school curriculum and extra-curricular activities have been developed to help transform our students from young adults into responsible adults who engage in their families, communities and World. Our goal is to inspire students to excel academically and develop strong Christian character by exposure to a challenging curriculum and opportunities to serve others. We will provide our students with opportunities to become servant leaders, assist them in making college and career choices, encourage them to participate in competitive athletics, and help them develop their creativity through artistic expression.
Academic Excellence
A college preparatory curriculum is offered to 6th-12th grade students to equip each student with the knowledge and skills necessary to gain entrance to the college of their choice. Students are challenged throughout the curriculum to reach their full academic potential as they develop a life-long passion for learning. Our rigorous and challenging academic program allows all students the opportunity to acquire strengths in specific areas as well as academic breadth. Our curriculum is designed to provide the pre-university student with direction, skill, and strategy to be successful in the local and global community.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Middle School (6th-8th)
The middle grades serve as a bridge from elementary school to high school. Students are given a variety of opportunities to explore their interests and celebrate their strengths. This level of curriculum is designed to meet the individual differences of students particularly in the areas of reading and mathematics. In addition to a formal study of the Bible, students will be involved in chapel, Christian outreach, and spiritual guidance. Core courses include math, English, social studies, science, and literature. Exploratory classes are offered in art, Spanish, computers and physical education. Middle school students who excel in one or more of the content areas may apply to take Alphas (Academic Leaders Pursuing Higher Achievement and Success) enrichment courses in math, science, English, and social studies.
High School (9th-12th)
The high school curriculum design ensures that students are able to meet the needs of an increasingly dynamic and complicated society. Entering college, students must be prepared to undertake rigorous academic coursework. They must be equipped with organizational skills, advanced writing and reading abilities, critical thinking ability, and problem solving skills. SJCA provides a demanding college preparatory curriculum that includes courses offered at the college preparatory, honors, advance placement and dual credit levels. Advanced juniors and seniors who earn qualifying test scores are exposed to a college curriculum in our Early College Academy in which they can earn 36 college credits through Trident Technical College. Our Honors Academy is designed to prepare accelerated students in 8th-11th grades to successfully complete dual credit college courses while in high school.
With a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, our faculty has the availability and dedication to respond to each individual. Our faculty understands the importance of inspiring a student’s quest to excel academically and the development of the wisdom needed to apply that knowledge as leaders in the 21st Century. Our students are encouraged to participate in a variety of academic competitions and enrichment activities.
Servant/Leadership
As a Christian school, our purpose is to train children – pre-school through high school – to become servant leaders who kindly and courageously engage in their school, community, and world for Jesus. We hope to encourage in them an understanding of and love for the Word of God, and how it can change their lives if they will look beyond themselves to see and serve others.
To accomplish this, we invite our students to particiapte in the following:
- Daily Bible class including instruction, discussion and prayer
- Weekly chapel services with spirit-led praise and worship and relevant messages
- A challenging curriculum that integrates Biblical principles and promotes a Christian world view
- Meaningful service, missions, and outreach projects
- Athletic competitions that encourage good sportsmanship and teamwork
- Student leadership organizations: Student Government, Junior and Senior Beta Clubs, Praise and Worship Team
- Opportunities to worship through the Fine Arts
Personalized College Counseling
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not
to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11
What: College counseling at SJCA is designed to assist our students in their preparation for life after SJCA through personalized college and career planning. We are proud to play a part in our students’ search for the college/university which will inspire their continued academic success. We strive to guide students as they refine their unique gifts and passions, discover their best self, and develop the competence necessary to keep pace and develop as leaders within the context of a complex and ever-changing world. We guide students in taking ownership over their high school education and college planning process. Doing so will maximize their college options that will later become available to them.
How: The college planning process formally begins in the sophomore year with a College Prep class that focuses on study skills, time management, test-taking skills, ACT/SAT test structure, and college research. Beginning in their junior year students will participate in informational meetings and events, explore online resources, and visit colleges of their choice. All high school students will be provided with opportunities in their daily curriculum to prepare for and strengthen their ACT/SAT scores.
The college counseling office also engages middle school students in developmentally appropriate ways so that they, too, may be inspired to position themselves optimally for a broad range of college options.
Artistic Expression
“Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” –Psalm 150:1-6
God invites His people to communicate with Him through prayer and worship. At St. John’s, we encourage students to deepen their creative expression through engaging worship in our chapel services. We also offer fine arts classes that emphasize the history, theory, and practice of music, drama, dance, painting, drawing and photography as methods of praise to our Creator.
Upper and Middle school students participate in weekly chapel services that include student-led music and drama, as well as daily special area pull-out classes that include art, music, and drama. Students are encouraged to share their talents at SCISA art and music competitions and at school and community events.