We've briefly answered some of the common questions asked, but in order to gain fuller insight and understanding of who we are and what we do, please contact us directly to setup an appointment or attend an upcoming Info Session.

 

About the School

• How is PCA different than other Christian schools in the area?

  •  ​PCA is similar to a few other Christian schools in this area in that we all want to help raise up this next generation to be disciples of Jesus and teach them about God's world and God's ways. However, PCA differs in two distinct ways--educational philosophy (classical) and methodology (collaborative)--making PCA a compliment to (and not a competitor of) other Christian schooling options (i.e., private, homeschool).

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• What grades will be offered in 2024-2025?

  • We're starting with pre-k through 4th grade. ​

  • However, if there is enough interest for 5th and 6th grade, we may consider adding those grades as well. Please indicate your interest in the application.

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• Will you be expanding the school to include more grade levels?​

  • Yes, we hope to add an additional grade level each year, with plans to go all the way up to 12th grade. We may also consider adding multiple grades in a single year, based on interest, teacher hiring, and facility space.

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• Is PCA governed by a specific church, denomination, or other organization?

  • No. ​PCA is an independent school and is not directly affiliated with or governed by a particular church or organization. Rather, PCA is governed by a board of men and women from the local community.

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• What are your plans for gaining accreditation?​

  • We have been exploring a number of good options for accreditation. We are pursuing membership in several organizations, such as ​the Society for Classical Learning, the Assoc. of Classical Christian Schools, the Classical and Latin School Assoc., and the National Assoc. of University-Model Schools. As we begin the school, we plan to pursue official accreditation with one or more of these options, as well as others, based on what the Board sees as the best fit for our community. 

  • Additionally, we have been receiving resources and consulting from the directors at similar schools, such as Trinity Classical Houston, Legacy Classical Christian Academy, and Two Rivers Academy, as well as the Herzog Foundation.

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• Do you accept students in the middle of the school year?​

  • Admission to PCA at any other time than the beginning of the school year could be quite challenging for some families and is therefore to be considered prudently, especially for a family who may be new to classical and/or collaborative education. The admissions team at PCA will endeavor to paint a realistic picture for each family as each situation is unique. If this might be your situation, please then please let us know and we can discuss the possibility of mid-year admission.​​

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• Will this type of schooling fulfill state requirements?​

  • Yes, it parallels the requirements of the core subjects and exceeds the requirements for grade levels. ​

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• My child is coming from a non-classical education school. Will s/he be able to fit in academically?​

  • Yes! Students have successfully transitioned to models like PCA from diverse backgrounds including private school, public school, and homeschool. Any student who is at or above grade level in their current school should be able to transition successfully to PCA.

  • The first few weeks of our school year include some review and we also gradually increase the amount of work for the at-home days during the first weeks of the semester. Some memory work begins in the early grades and is repeated each year, so students can learn these items beginning in any grade. ​

  • After your child is accepted, PCA  will provide a list of suggested and required summer preparation, including a reading list. 

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• What exactly is meant by 'parental involvement' in terms of the 'collaborative' model?​

  • The primary way that parents are involved is to facilitate your student's at-home learning on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We also expect parents to be available for our annual training and orientation prior to the the start of the school year in August. ​

  • Parents are not required to be in the on-campus classroom on Monday and Wednesday. You may drop your child off at PCA and pick them up at the end of the school day. There will be opportunities for parents to assist during the year, and those will be posted at a later date.

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• We're transitioning from a 5-day-a-week school....

  • If both parents work full-time, can their child attend PCA?

    • It's possible. In these cases, the families have carefully planned their schedules to allow adequate time for teaching and caring for their children during the at-home days each week (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday). Since Monday and Wednesday are on-campus days, some teaching parents pursue part-time work on those days. Some parents involve grandparents, relatives, or other caregivers in the at-home teaching. 

  • From the perspective of the state, PCA is considered a type of homeschool co-op. To learn more about how to notify the state about where your child(ren) will be educated, please go here for Rhode Island and here for Massachusetts.​

    • Additionally, our PCA Teachers can assist you in the school reports that you'll need to send in by the end of the school year.​

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Finances

• Do you offer tuition discounts for multiple children from the same family?

  • No.

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• Are there tuition scholarships​ available?

  • We hope to offer scholarships to those families who financially qualify. As our school is in its infancy, we do not have scholarship funds available at this time.

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• What is the payment schedule?

  • The first half of tuition is due April 1 prior to the upcoming school year, the second of half of tuition is due Oct. 1 of the current school year. Or you can pay the full tuition in a single payment on April 1.

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• How is the tuition amount determined?

  • more than public/homeschool, less than private--and potentially better than both​ in terms of what's offered

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• What is the admissions timeline?​

  • Student applications are currently open, and it will be a rolling admission process. We're currently pursuing and praying for at least 5 students in each grade level, with no more than 10 students per class. Once that maximum number is met, we'll add students to the Wait List. If we're able to hire more teachers and our facility can handle more classes, then we'll be able to accept those Wait List students.

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Curriculum 

• Who chooses the curriculum?

  • The curriculum is chosen by the Board in collaboration with the teachers, as well as with the guidance and experience of the various schools and associations that have been helping us.

  • Our carefully-planned curriculum is rigorous and developmentally appropriate. Our goal is to strengthen and develop each learner to their fullest potential. Our academic program will be regularly reviewed and enhanced to ensure that we are delivering the best program possible. And, annual standardized testing ensures that we are achieving our goals.