News

PCA Awarded ACSI Reaccreditation!

Palmetto Christian Academy received some wonderful news last week as it was awarded a 5-year reaccreditation from ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International). A team of educators from around the Southeast traveled to PCA last Monday to visit the school, review submitted evidence on whether we were in compliance in a multitude of areas, and complete the accreditation process. The team spent three days last week at the school where they observed 54 classes, and conducted interviews with 7 Administration Team members, 23 teachers, 9 support staff, 30 students, 15 parents, and 3 current and 2 former Board members. 

Accreditation with ACSI includes a vigorous process of organizational appraisal and improvement as reflected in their accreditation philosophy - “Excellence grows where a commitment is made to systematic school improvement.” The primary areas they consider:

• How are we assessing and improving student learning?

• Are we staying on mission?

• Do we focus on systematic processes?

What they found is great affirmation that PCA’s faculty and staff are committed to putting our mission front and center daily in our classrooms and beyond to equip students to passionately pursue Jesus Christ. Our major commendations, where we are achieving well above norms, include:

• The executive leadership, faculty, and staff continually support the advancement of the philosophy, mission, and vision of the school.

• Mentoring and discipleship experiences focus on spiritual formation, character development, and the instilling of Christian values. The school provides a structure whereby each student is known personally by at least one adult who can provide support for that student’s spiritual formation.

Headmaster, JD Zubia, says, “Our school could have been commended for having the best academic program or many other things that would not set us apart from any other school, but to be commended for advancing the Christ-centered mission of our ministry, as well as the mentoring and discipleship we have worked so hard to achieve, is exactly why we exist and gives the utmost glory to God!”

PCA Welcomes Endure Apologetics Conference

Charleston Southern University’s annual Endure Conference focuses on the topic of apologetics and is geared towards high school juniors and seniors. The goal is to “equip students to walk with Christ in a world opposed to Him and answer key questions from the Christian Worldview.”

Due to COVID, CSU was unable to host the conference on their campus this year, but knowing the importance of the content, Jonathan Denton, Assistant Professor of Christian Studies/Student Ministry at Charleston Southern University, and father to two boys who attend PCA, had an idea. “My first phone call was to Mr Zubia. He and Principal Keiper have been incredible hosts for us to bring the conference to PCA juniors and seniors!”

Last Thursday, PCA juniors and seniors gathered in the Worship Center to attend this year's conference entitled, “Ancient Text Modern World.” Members of the CSU worship team, Elevate, performed several songs as students praised the Lord prior to diving deeper into the Word.

After the worship music, students heard from Dr. Allen Jackson, a pastor at Dunwoody Baptist church in Dunwoody, GA and Dr. Jay Strack, President and Founder of Student Leadership University on topics such as the inerrancy of God's word, how an ancient text is applicable in other cultures across the world, and how science is stronger when we include God's word.

The following day, CSU Christian Study faculty members were welcomed into the junior and senior Bible classes where they held small group sessions with the students.

Senior Kaden Sorensen said, “The Endure Conference was an awesome way to end Spiritual Renewal Week. The worship was great, and both the speakers and breakout groups were very informative and I learned a lot about defending my faith.”