Grace Christian Academy is expanding yet again. The school will offer grades pre-K through 4 and 9 through 12 for the upcoming academic year, and enrollment is open now. GCA is also holding an open house on Friday for families interested in any grade level.
The open house will run from 6-8 p.m. at Yellow Creek Baptist Church (5741 KY 144), where classes are currently held. The open house will include a school tour and Q&A, and will allow families to meet the staff and faculty. More information about GCA and the open house can be found on their website gcaowensboro.org.
Founded in 2018 by a group of families from evangelical churches in the area, GCA opened its doors to students in the fall of 2020, initially with only a freshman high school class. They’ve added one high school grade level per year, and the upcoming group of seniors will be the first to graduate from GCA. The school also is a candidate for accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International.
Last year, the school also added a program that included preschool and kindergarten classes. With the addition of grades 1-4 this August, GCA is continuing to expand its offerings beyond the original high school grades planned.
Chris Holmes, head of school for GCA, said they are committed to providing a quality education that equips students with a Christian worldview.
“As GCA continues to grow, we remain humbled that God has blessed our endeavors to build an enduring and vibrant ministry that will benefit this community,” Holmes said. “We are grateful to point children and their families to the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ, and to see Him at work in the spiritual lives of our students.”
Hannah Goebel serves as the elementary administrator. Curriculum is faith-based from the very start of a student’s education at GCA. There is also a focus on multi-sensory education and social skills taught through play and team activities for pre-K and K classes.
“We want to begin instilling a Christian worldview as well as the standard letters and numbers to our young learners,” Goebel said. “The goal of our elementary classes is to create a nurturing, Christ-centered environment where children will learn to love learning. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to educate and impact so many more students by adding more elementary grade levels next year.”
GCA is also making two more notable additions at the elementary level. One begins next year, when they’ll offer before- and after-school child care. The other is the recent hiring of an intervention specialist to support children with special academic, social, and behavioral needs.
Preschool runs from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday, while Kindergarten runs from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. Grades 1-4 are in school from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
At the high school level, GCA’s mission to provide a biblically integrated education is even more evident. In addition to standard subjects and required Bible courses, GCA offers a variety of electives including government, personal finance, and fine arts options such as art and choir. GCA is also expanding its offerings to include dual-credit options, and desires to offer advanced placement (AP) classes, mentorships, internships, and other innovative learning strategies.
Outside the classroom, GCA also offers a robust high school sports program that includes basketball, volleyball, cross country, bass fishing, and golf. Cross country will also be offered to elementary school students.
“We view education as discipleship, and believe that the worldview of those shaping our children is of utmost importance,” Holmes said. “Our goal is to equip students with strong Christian convictions and a solid education, in a safe and secure environment for spiritual, emotional, and physical growth.”
Holmes said balancing the cost of education with affordability for families is a top priority for GCA, adding that the school has received generous support from individuals and organizations who support the school’s mission. Tuition assistance is available to help families with the cost.
The school’s board of directors — consisting of parents, professionals, and community leaders — has made significant contributions to the launch of GCA, including purchasing a 40-acre plot of land for the future campus. Until then, Yellow Creek Baptist Church (5741 KY 144) has provided classroom space for the school.
GCA is an independent, nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation with a non-denominational and evangelical Christian perspective. The school’s statement of faith outlines the Christian convictions that are fundamental and essential to the school. The head of school is responsible for day-to-day operations, with the board of directors governing the overall direction of the school. GCA serves the region of Daviess as well as neighboring counties.
