The Four Keys to Gateway Christian Academy

1. Individualized:

The G.C.A. Model adapts to the learning speed of your child. This is unlike the "Public School Model" where the group is lock-stepped regardless of the student’s academic abilities. The G.C.A. Model allows your child to progress independently through the curriculum and not as a group. The "Public School Model" holds back the faster learner and forces all the students forward regardless of their "learning gaps". Over a million alumni demonstrate that Individualized learning produces academic excellence.

2. Diagnosis:

The child is given a diagnostic test to determine current academic ability and clearly identifies any learning gaps within all subjects. For example, your child’s English grammar may be above his/her grade level. However their punctuation skills may be below grade level. Your child is then placed in curriculum at his/her academic performance grade level in each subject and the learning gaps are then addressed.

3. Goal Setting:

The Students learn through setting daily goals and are challenged by marking their achievement. This key to learning allows the child to visualize and plan daily progress. This unique discipline of G.C.A. places responsibility and accountability on the student for learning, thus establishing a lifetime appreciation for goal setting and achievement.

4. Mastery:

The Biblical value of excellence in all things we do is translated into mastering subject content. This is the foundation upon which all future learning is built. The G.C.A. Model reinforces honest achievement that results in advancement. Students must master a minimum of 80% of the material before advancing.

THE IMPORTANCE OF INDIVIDUALIZATION

"How do children learn?"

The answer to this question can unlock the door to achievement for your child. Our studies indicate that children:

• Have varying IQs and learn at different rates.
• Must learn specific developmental skills.
• Process information differently at different developmental levels.
• Learn best through mastery with repetition, then review.
• Vary in their abilities to learn through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic/tactile stimuli.

1. Since children have different IQs and learn at different rates, testing to determine each child's knowledge and performance level is critical.
2. Testing also reveals whether a child has attained certain developmental skills. For instance, skills that are prerequisite to the learning-to-read process include sequencing, recognition of colors and shapes, relationships, coordination, and the ability to process some information on a subconscious level while processing other information on a conscious level. These skills are mastered in the Kindergarten with Ace and Cristi program.
3. Children process information differently in varying stages of physical development. Nearly all children from preschool to puberty are able to answer the "who, what, when, and where" questions. At puberty, brain chemistry changes, and most children are able to answer "how and why" questions. Our core curriculum below 7th level concentrates its presentation on the "who, what, when, and where" questions, but "how and why" questions are heavily addressed at the above 7th level. These critical skills of deductive reasoning and logical thinking are necessary for your child's college preparation as well as for his preparation for life.
4. Our curriculum is mastery-based. Most children need to have a concept repeated 5 to 7 times for mastery. Therefore, vocabulary words are introduced, repeated, and practiced before tested. Academic concepts are presented in sequence and mastered with repetition, then review follows in a spiral approach. Progress is controlled, and your child moves on only after he has demonstrated understanding and mastery of the material.
5. Some children like to learn best visually. Some like to learn best auditorily. Others like to learn best by hands-on experience (kinesthetic). Although children tend to want to learn through one medium, their dominant one, they should be encouraged to gain understanding of academic material in different ways. You will notice that your child's PACEs incorporate color, pictures, diagrams, and other enhancements to stimulate learning. He also has the opportunity for individual attention by reading aloud or discussing concepts with his supervisor or you, his parent, to assure mastery.

Children learn on an individual basis, and Accelerated Christian Education meets your child's specific educational needs.

To God be the glory-great things He has done and is doing for our children.

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