Palmetto Christian Academy was established in 1992 as a ministry of East Cooper Baptist Church with three teachers and 25 students. Today, PCA has emerged as one of the area’s leading Christian schools, with an unparalleled quality of education for more than 700 students from preschool through 12th grade.
After more than 25 years of consistent growth, PCA will soon expand into a spacious new Student Life Center and has recently added a curriculum specialist to the staff to work with teachers in selecting, planning and implementing curriculum.
“Our mission statement describes our unique approach to education,” said JD Zubia, headmaster of PCA. “We equip our students with all of the academic disciplines they need – but with Biblical integration that gives them a lens with which to assimilate information and make good decisions.”
PCA teaches students to pursue Jesus Christ passionately through Bible classes, chapel services and the mentorship of Christian teachers so that they will learn truth and be guided to their purpose through that truth.
“We believe that our students’ ability to impact the culture will result from developing a distinctly Christian worldview. Through community service, we are able to show our students the practical application of the Biblical truths they are learning,” explained Zubia.
Further, PCA has a primary focus on the growth of their students and equipping their teachers with the tools they need to deliver individualized instruction to meet the students where they are on their learning journey.
“Each teacher works to create a classroom environment in which students feel safe, loved and capable,” said Dr. Myra Finneran, curriculum specialist at PCA. “Teachers go above and beyond to help students reach their individualized goals. In addition, the PCA administration places great value on education innovation and growth, and that’s demonstrated through the addition of new STEM programs such as coding and robotics, as well as the integration of technology in every classroom.”
PCA also has implemented the growth mind-set program, which teaches that students can improve their ability to learn.
“The growth mind-set is a belief that intelligence and abilities are not fixed but rather can be developed with effort,” explained Dr. Finneran. “PCA has incorporated the growth mind-set culture by providing monthly professional-development seminars that equip teachers with the tools and resources they need to impact student growth.”
Consistent academic growth, a new facility which will feature the latest technology, an increased commitment to community service and an applied growth mind-set for both faculty and students are just a few of the exciting things happening at Palmetto Christian Academy.
“I’d like new residents to know that PCA is a school that places Christ at the center of all we do,” said Zubia. “We don’t believe that a Christian School is one that simply has added Bible class to the offerings but is a school that seeks first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, knowing that all things will be added unto them (Matthew 6:33).”
To learn more about the academic program at Palmetto Christian Academy, visit www.PalmettoChristianAcademy.org or call 843-881-9667.
By Stacy Domingo
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