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Calvary Christian Academy (CCA) is a ministry of Calvary Chapel San Jose. Founded in 2011, it was established as a result of a burden God placed upon the church body to “tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done,” as commanded in scripture, so they may: “Put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands" (Psalm 78).
At CCA, our goal is to prepare a generation of students in mind, body, soul, and strength with classically-based, Christ-centered, academic excellence. We realize that your child is a gift given to you by God, and we would love to partner with you in raising a generation of individuals for the glory of God. We are a loving, nurturing, and safe environment with high academic standards. CCA students not only receive instruction in core academic subjects, but also in Bible, Latin, Art, Music, Research Skills, Technology, and Physical Education.
The mission of Calvary Christian Academy is to educate the whole student within a Christian context of spiritual, social, mental, and physical development. As an extension of the ministry of the Church, we exist to help students cultivate a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, to discover and encourage their gifts, and to inspire each student to realize his or her full potential in serving God in spirit and in truth.
Our vision is to prepare a generation of spiritually mature, academically advanced, physically equipped, and socially developed individuals for a life of opportunity and service to the glory of God.
Many people describe Calvary Christian Academy (CCA) as a hidden treasure in the Silicon Valley! CCA is set apart from other schools in the Bay Area in the following ways:
CCA is committed to discipling children from Christian families as they grow in their knowledge of and love for Jesus Christ!
At CCA, we have amazing teachers, who are not only passionate for the Lord, but also for children and education. All of our teachers are equipped with the gift of teaching and have answered God’s call to serve. They are dedicated to pouring out their lives for the next generation. Our teachers are considered “gold dust” around here!
At CCA, Christ is not just sprinkled into curriculum here and there, rather He is the very center of everything we do. All subjects are taught through the lens of scripture, and God’s Word is our ultimate authority.
CCA follows the classical model of education, which teaches children according to the three stages of learning. To find out more about classical education, see “The Classical Approach” below.
CCA is blessed to be a ministry of our church, Calvary Chapel San Jose. There are many benefits to our church-school relationship, namely: accountability, Christian community, and pastoral support.
CCA is a nurturing environment where children are loved! Our teachers work hard to create an atmosphere full of engaging activities so that children are eager to return.
We recognize that students are inundated with technology daily. Furthermore, children using technology for learning during the elementary years is uncharted territory and has not yet been proven an effective tool in education. In fact, studies have shown that increased amounts of technology and media exposure in the younger years inhibit a child’s ability to learn successfully. With this is mind, CCA provides students with technology instruction appropriate to their developmental stage of learning. We have a leveled approach to technology instruction for our students.
We have worked hard to select curriculum that is not only rigorous but also engaging for students. From our phonics-based spelling program to our rigorous math, and unabridged classical texts, our curriculum speaks to the heart, expanding the minds and imaginations of our students. At CCA, we believe that an engaging and rigorous curriculum—when paired with amazing, Spirit-filled teachers—results in a transformation within the lives of our students!
At CCA, our small class sizes enable teachers to truly know their students. Teachers are able to better direct and encourage students’ unique gifts and abilities, while bolstering areas of weakness and challenging them in areas strength. Classes are capped at twenty-four students, and an aide is provided anytime a K-3rd grade class has more than twelve students.
Students see all the world, in every area of study, as a unified whole, governed and sustained by the Lord. Scripture is God’s inspired word, supported by history and observations from the natural world. God brings all things about through the power of His Word. Students establish a fundamental understanding of God’s relevance, sovereignty, and supremacy over all the world.
Students develop strong language, math, and science skills through the structure and rigor of the grammar school, as well as the logic used to teach higher math and science.
Students read and commit to memory great classic stories, poems, and essays of Western culture. The depth of these works embeds moral and cultural literacy into the minds of students, while providing a greater command of language and vocabulary.
Students soak up rich material if we encourage them to do so. Whether it is famous impressionist art in Kindergarten and 1st grade or great books, like Milton’s Paradise Lost or Plato’s Republic, in high school, details make subjects come alive for younger students, while developing depth of thought in older students. So often, educators underestimate a student’s capacity to learn and, therefore, simplify subject matter through generalities. Ironically, this simplification actually harms the educational process.
When it comes down to it, those who communicate well have a tremendous advantage in life. Even the best ideas go untried if they are not well-communicated. The ancient Greeks realized this and, thus, began the study of rhetoric. Our students study logic, engage in debates, defend theses, and regularly practice the art of rhetoric—both orally and in writing.
Our goal is to renew the minds of students to love what is True, Good, and Beautiful. Whether we’re teaching boys how to shake hands while making eye contact or promoting a heart that desires kindness, not simply kind behavior, we work to build character in practical ways.
For those who are tempted to think classical education impractical, consider this: How much information do you recall from your school textbooks, particularly 6th-12th grade? Unlike other schools, CCA changes focus when students reach 6th grade. Our students develop their reasoning skills in a number of ways. They learn to make connections between ideas, learn to synthesize and communicate well, and immerse themselves in understanding the ideas contained in words like liberty, beauty, justice, and truth. If students were asked to read Plato, Virgil, Augustine, Aquinas, or Locke solely for the sake of a test, they would likely find these books uninteresting. Our students read with a purpose, looking for the connections and the great ideas that span all great literature, and they discuss these works with reason and faith.
One of the first benefits graduates of a classical school recognize is the importance of the study habits they learned at school. The demands of our program develop healthy work habits.
Our graduates tell us that the relationships they have built during their time at CCA set the school apart. The depth of discussion in class and the small class size creates an environment where students grow together.
Like other Christian schools, we study scripture. In fact, our students memorize large amounts of scripture. The difference is in how we relate scripture to the world. We do not relegate theology to a class. We teach scripture as a measure of Greek mythology, theoretical physics, British literature, and countless other areas of study. As we relate the great ideas of the Bible to world events today, students are able to better appreciate God’s purposeful work in the world around us. Knowing their place helps students understand their God-given purpose.
A classical education is based on great ideas, great books, foundational truths and principles, and enduring traditions and skills. It holds to established standards. Calvary Christian Academy (CCA) offers a classical education that is traditional, time-tested, and intellectually rigorous, while also incorporating Latin studies.
The “classics” at the core of a classical education at CCA are the great works of art, music, literature, history, and science. When taught in the classical setting, these subjects express profound insight, artistic creativity, and enduring cultural value. By studying the classics, students encounter the most influential thinkers, artists, and writers in the history of the world, gaining a deep understanding of history and culture. Studying the classics through the lens of God’s word, equips students to make decisions and judgments rooted in Biblical morals and provides them with discernment when considering profound ideas, including those that directly clash with Christianity.
The foundational structure that is used in classical education is called the Trivium. The Trivium incorporates three progressive stages of learning in the development of a child:
The Grammar School classroom is fun and engaging. Students learn through guided discovery, exploration, games, songs, chants, movement, recitations, and repetition. Subjects are integrated so students may more easily make connections between them. Coursework focuses on memorizing factual information in various subjects, including phonograms, math facts, maps, scripture, quotes, and poetry.
Students in the Logic Stage are taught formal logic and argument, how to evaluate and critique work, write research reports, and give oral presentations. They are engaged in role playing, re-enactments, and drama, while listening to guest speakers and partaking in education trips that stimulate learning. Students also experience a broad range of visual materials, while interpreting the implications and limitations of the information presented.
Students learn to speak eloquently and persuasively, putting into practice the tools of knowledge and understanding they acquired in the earlier stages. Through guided research and discovery, students learn to synthesize ideas, write and give persuasive presentations, and grow in leadership skills. Speech, discussions, and a biblical worldview are incorporated into every subject.
For students at CCA, educational knowledge will increase upon each stage of development. From the very beginning, the mission of our school has been to train up men and women of character, who know who they are in Christ. Our students need to be taught the Truth as their foundation, know how to recognized it in the midst of a relative culture, and defend and express the Truth to influence our culture for God’s glory just like a modern-day Daniel or Esther.
CCA’s educational philosophy and methods for the lower elementary are also derived from the British educator, Charlotte Mason (1842-1923). Ms. Mason, a renowned “teacher of teachers,” founded a number of grammar schools, as well as a college to train teachers. The elements of Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy that we have incorporated into CCA are as follows:
CCA’s educational approach is uniquely based on a classical, Christian model while incorporating several teaching philosophies of Charlotte Mason primarily during the early grammar years. With a proven model, methods that support children to grow in moral character, and ultimately the guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ, Calvary Christian Academy is recapturing education.
Calvary Christian Academy (CCA) is set apart from other schools in that we are a discipleship school. The difference between a discipleship school and an evangelistic school is that we disciple (i.e., train or teach) Christian children from Christian families, while an evangelistic school accepts non-Christian families in the hopes of evangelizing them to the faith.
The majority of Christian schools are evangelistic. While we absolutely support these types of schools and believe strongly that there is a need for them, that is not the vision of CCA.
Our aim is to provide a loving, Christ-centered atmosphere that compliments a godly home. We take the time to teach and train each child in the ways of the Lord because, as God’s Word tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and in the end he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Our goal is to assist parents in raising their children in the ways of the Lord.
Greg Strawbridge said, “Schools regardless of their kind, are places where children are inescapably trained in some view.” Studies have shown that over 15,000 hours of a child’s life are spent with their teachers in the classroom. We realize the great influence of a teacher upon a child’s life. We strive to redeem those hours by discipling the children under our tutelage. Our desire is that during school hours, teachers disciple students in fulfilling the greatest commandment given to us in scripture, which is to “love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).
Students will grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the Bible, which leads to a life that honors God. They will…
Students will be equipped to be positive contributors to their diverse spheres of influence. They will…
Students will be exposed to a variety of artistic, classical and cultural fields informed by a Christian worldview. They will…
Students will demonstrate academic achievement and subject matter competency. They will…
Students will know and apply the principal that their bodies are temples of God. They will…
