Making High School Count

Mapping your future in high School

PCA provides an orderly, nurturing environment where Upper School students can safely experience the successes and failures that lead to mature, Christian adulthood. We seek to develop graduates with hearts and minds that desire to do what is noble, excellent, and of good repute. Our desire is to train Kingdom builders who think critically and will influence culture for Christ in a grace-filled manner.

Academically

James 3:17

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere

Graduation Requirements for PCA (28-32 credits - above minimum SC state standards of 24)

English 4 credits

Social Studies 4 credits

Laboratory Science 4 credits

Mathematics 4 credits - does not include 8th grade Algebra 1

Bible 4 credits

Foreign Language 3 credits

Computer 1 credit

Personal Finance 0.5 credit

Fine Arts 1 credit

Physical Education 1 credit

Senior Thesis 1 credit

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Students have the opportunity to take 33-36 credits worth of college coursework in high school

College Preparatory Coursework:

• All state standards will be covered with a focus on application of knowledge and extension of skills.
• More of a gradual pacing to these courses
• Regular weight applied to these classes with the SC Uniform Grade Scale.
• Remember these classes are still preparing students for college level coursework and have that associated rigor as compared to Enriched Preparatory (EP) classes offered at other high schools.

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• All state standards will be covered with a greater depth of knowledge.
• Accelerated, advanced courses requiring significantly more work
• Prerequisite skills are required including; critical thinking, independent learning abilities, and task management
• Emphasis on college level reading and writing
• May require summer work
• Add another level of “weight: to the student’s high school GPA.

Honors

Coursework:

Dual Credit Coursework:

• College Level Class
• These classes will follow the college calendar and may conflict with high school breaks (Easter, Fall Break etc)
• Treated as transfer credit unless the student is attending that same college post graduation.
• Before taking a Dual Credit course, we want to consider carefully if this credit is accepted by the schools you are interested in attending after leaving PCA (43% are not accepted according to a recent Parchment Survey)
• Cost for class fees and books is paid directly to the University (not PCA)
• There is an approval process for dual credit course requests that are not our Spanish/Gov/Econ already approved courses.
• Grade become part of your college GPA

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• AP classes are college level courses taken in high school
• Classes follow our PCA Calendar
• AP Credits are universally recognized because of their standard of rigor
• Students should be prepared to read and take notes independently outside of school.
• After completing an AP class, students will take the AP exam. College credit is dependent on a passing score.
• Taking an AP course shows colleges that students can handle college level work
• Ap classes add “weight” to a high school GPA but do not affect their college GPA

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AP

Coursework:

How do we assist you in deciding what courses to take each year?

In order to enroll in an honors course, a CP student must have a minimum average of 93% in the corresponding CP course, strong standardized test scores, a teacher recommendation, a solid attendance record, demonstrated diligence in completing homework, strong in class preparation, and completed all summer work. To remain in an honors course, a student must maintain an average of 88% in the course.

In order to enroll in an AP course, an honors student must have a minimum average of 93% in the corresponding honors course, strong standardized test scores, a teacher recommendation, a solid attendance record, demonstrated diligence in homework, strong in class preparation, and completed all summer work. To remain in an AP course, a student must maintain an average of 85% in the course.

Should a student desire to enroll in an honors or AP course without a teacher recommendation, the parents may submit an appeal by email to The Academic Counselor. The Upper School Instructional Coach, Academic Counselor, and Principal will then meet to review the qualifying factors listed above.

Unique to PCA high school coursework

• 4 years Bible curriculum
• 4 years of required core courses-no gap years
• Biblical worldview integration in all courses
• A Senior Thesis project in which students establish and defend a position in a written and oral form

Comparable to other high school’s coursework

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• CP, Honors, AP and Dual Credit coursework offered

Senior Seminar Sample Research Topics:

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• Sport Injuries and the Mental Health of Athletes
• Preserving Wildlife
• Urban Planning
• NIL for College Sports
• Transgenderism and the Corruption of the Image of God
• The Risks of Legal Addictive Painkillers

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SC Uniform Grade Scale

Traditionally GPA is calculated on a 4 point scale. So, if your student earned an A, you count that as 4 points. If it was a B, you count that as 3 points and C is 2 points. You add up all those points and divide by the number of credits earned. All A’s is a 4.0 GPA. That’s the best you can get on that.

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But, South Carolina has a weighted GPA that could be as high as a 6.0. GPA’s are often over 4.0 on SC’s Uniform Grade Scale. Average students doing College Prep work are frequently able to get higher than a 4.0 GPA.

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All A’s are not all equal value. Or B’s or C’s. Each numeric grade converts to a specific GPA value.

Registering for classes next year

Individual Graduation Plan Meeting (May for 9th grade)

– An IGP meeting is an individual meeting with students and parents to discuss graduation requirements and electives specific to student’s interests, goals, and future college/career plans.

*It is very important that parents attend and hear the same information that our students hear.*

Before your IGP meeting, I will send you a link to sign up for your time slot, a copy of what we will cover in your IGP meeting, and a course selection worksheet that your student will complete with their 8th grade teachers on recommended courses for the following school year.

*Our counseling office offers individual advisement for college choice and applications in your junior/senior year. This is a service many parents pay for at other school.

College Acceptances (past three years)

Anderson University*

Appalachian State University*

Arizona State University*

Auburn University*

Baylor University*

Belmont University*

Boston College

Boston University

University of

Honolulu

Charleston Southern

University*

The Citadel*

Clemson University (Honors)*

Coastal Carolina University*

College of Charleston

(Honors)*

Colorado Christian University

Columbia International

University*

Culinary Institute of America

Creighton University

East Tennessee State

University*

Elon College

Erskine College*

Flagler College*

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Southern College

Florida State University

Furman University*

Georgia Southern University

Grand Canyon University

Hawaii Pacific University

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High Point University*

Iowa State University

Kansas State University

Kennesaw State University

Lesley University

Liberty University*

Lipscomb University

Louisiana State University

Loyola Marymount University

Mercer University

Michigan State University

Middle Tennessee State

University

Newberry College

North Carolina State

University

Northeastern University

Northwestern College

North Greenville University*

University of North Texas

Palm Beach Atlantic

Pennsylvania State University

Pepperdine University

Presbyterian College

Purdue University

Queens University

Regent University

Ringling College of Arts

Rochester Institute of

Technology*

Samford University*

Savannah College of Art and

Design

Sewanee: University of the

South

Southern Methodist

University

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Taylor University

Texas A & M

Texas Christian University

UNC - Greensboro

University of Alabama

University of Arizona

University of Central Florida

University of Colorado

University of Florida*

University of Georgia*

University of Hawaii

University of Iowa

University of Kentucky

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of Mississippi*

University of Montana

University of North Carolina*

University of Richmond

University of South Carolina

(Honors)*

University of Tampa*

University of Tennessee

University of Utah

University of Virginia

University of Wisconsin

Utah State University

Virginia Tech

Western Carolina University

Wheaton College

Winthrop University*

Wofford College*

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*Matriculated

Spiritually

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

How Students are Impacted Spiritually

• 4 years Bible curriculum
• Biblical worldview integration in all courses
• Small Groups
• Chapel
• Christ in the Marketplace
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• Prayer in the classroom
• Christian coaching
• Lunchtime/Before and after school Bible Studies
• Christian College Fair (yearly)

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Socially

1 Thessalonians 5:11

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Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Community Service

Service Learning

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Select community service that allows you to love God, love people, and explore a calling. We use the app Mobile Serve to help our students track hours and find local groups seeking volunteers.

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• Education: VBS, volunteer tutor, camp counselor, classroom volunteer
• Water Missions, Habitat for Humanity, Animal Shelter, Orphan Relief

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80 Hours required for PCA graduation.

Co-Curricular Activities on Campus

Student Government Association STEM Club

National Honor Society Fishing Club

Spanish Club Knitting Club

FCA AV/Broadcasting Club

Eagle Ambassadors Ducks Unlimited

Chick-fil-A Leadership Program Student Broadcast Team

JV and Varsity Athletics (SCISA)

• Football
• Cross-country
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Tennis
• Equestrian
• Archery

• Cheerleading
• Swimming
• Track & Field
• Golf
• Baseball
• Soccer
• Wrestling

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Athletics

Wisdom to share

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• Upon entering high school, every class counts and so do your grades/GPA
• High School is the time you will learn to self-advocate. Build relationships with your teachers and do not be afraid to ask them for help.
• Develop and strengthen your time management skills
• Get in the habit of checking your email daily
• Get involved. Start exploring extracurricular activities
• Consider summer activities that connect to your interests. Volunteering and Summer Camps

Advice from 9th graders

• “Work seriously, grades count”
• “I love the block schedules but you do have to practice good time management”
• “Assignments just take longer”
• “I like the fact that there doesn’t seem to be the division between classes like there was in middle school. I have lots of friends now that are sophomores-seniors.”
• “There is time during the class day to get work done so use that and don’t always goof around with your friends”
• “You only take 2 electives each year and they count as credit so be sure to choose ones you enjoy”
• “Courses are similar to middle school but you dive a lot deeper into subjects”
• “Participating in a Bible study, sport or a club is a great way to meet new people. If you are new to the school, you need to do this”
• “Teachers seem more understanding in high school”
• “I like high school much more than I did middle school”

Activity

It is time to plan your Freshman Year Schedule. Using the list of classes from the previous slide, write out a possible schedule of classes you would like to take this next school year.

Activity

Consider both the spiritual and social activities shared in the past few slides. Pick one of each you would like to particulate in your first year of high school. What else would you like to see PCA offer?