CHALLENGING CURRICULA
PCCS offers a challenging core curriculum undertaken at a reasonable but challenging pace. Faculty and Administration partner to carefully evaluate curricula options for each grade, including a focus on "research-based curricula" (also known as "evidence-based curricula") and scope and sequence for sequential core classes rather than personal curricula preference of individual teachers. (Click on the links shown below to read more about select curricula)
- MATHEMATICS: Primer - 10th grades utilize Big Ideas Mathematics, an empirically research-based mathematics program that offers both textbook-based and digital support to ensure students build a strong math foundation in anticipation of ACT/SAT/TSI entrance exams. 11th and 12th graders have two track options for math: Dual Credit College Mathematics (e.g., College Pre-Cal, College Algebra, College Statistics, College Calculus) or TEA-approved Junior and Senior Mathematics (e.g., Pre-Calculus, Financial Mathematics, TSA-Prep Math). Math studies are supported by digital resources/online educational enhancements: Big Ideas digital platform as well as XTRA Math, Math Lab for dual credits, and research-based ALEKS Math for 6th-12th supplemental practice and formative and summative assessment. Pre-Primer (K-4), new in August 2023, will be using Frog Street which includes literacy builders, math skills development, problem-solving, and considerable hands-on learning along with fun social studies and science. As with all curricula, content was reviewed to ensure it comports with Christian sensibilities.
- ELEMENTARY ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS/READING (ELAR): PCCS K-4 through 2nd grades utilize the research-based curriculum, Super Kids, which integrates reading, phonics, grammar, spelling and writing instruction and offers supplemental assessments and practice through Super Kids Online. Grades 3rd and up learn to become strong writers through the Empowering Writers curricula which also has digital resource hub. The Christian curriculum, ABEKA, introduces a comprehensive and Christian-based grammar program to our students. PCCS uses SRA-McGraw Hill’s Open Court Reading & Phonics, a program endorsed by the National Reading Panel and ranked in the Top 7 by the National Federation of Teachers for 3rd and up. Since its incorporation in 2002, PCCS recognized that handwriting instruction and practice meets several educational objectives and cognitive milestones through A Reason For program, a scripture-based program developed by Concerned Communications. Membean, a research-based online digital platform--an online educational enhancement for 6th-11th graders to promote college-bound vocabulary supplemental practice and formative and summative assessment.
- SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES/HISTORY: Research demonstrates that many secular history and science textbooks have been altered over time and contain bias or simply do not comport with Christian principles--PCCS is committed to offering a Christian curricula in all elementary classes (ACSI's Purposeful Design for Elementary Science and BJPress Heritage Studies for Social Studies). Middle and High School students enjoy learning history through the Christian curriculum offered by BJ Press Heritage Studies (7th-11th grades) and ABEKA U.S. Government for 12th graders. PCCS utilizes a challenging Christian curriculum, Apologia, for upper science.
- UPPER SCHOOL ENGLISH LITERATURE: The classic literature curricula offered by Prentice Hall in addition to supplemental classic novels form the instructional focus for our college-bound upper school students in English. PCCS' curricula committee sought long and hard to find a multi-dimensional writing curriculum to sequentially build the writing school from elementary up. Click here to see the 6th-12th English Curricula.
- WRITING: PCCS emphasizes developing writing skills early through the P-2nd grade Super Kids Program and then through the Empowering Writers curricula for 3rd - 9th grades. 10th graders take our Research & Writing course to prepare them for MLA format scholarly papers required for the Dual Credit 1301 college composition course on the 11th grade schedule. Third grade utilizes Abeka Grammar with an introduction to Shurley Grammar as a transition curricula between Super Kids in 2nd grade and ABeka Grammar in 4th-6th grades. Writing instruction in 7th - 9th grades is supplemented with NoRedInk grammar practice. Literature in middle and high school integrates essay writing and critical thinking skills. Each 11th and 12th grade Dual Credit English student must complete a scholarly research paper each semester as a TVCC college credit requirement. In addition, 12th graders, in order to graduate, must also prepare and present a Senior Capstone to the school's leadership team in May. See the bottom of this page for links regarding additional curricula research.
- CHRISTIAN CHARACTER BUILDING BIBLE & CONNECT: These courses are offered in the morning as regular core courses. These classes focus on providing a foundation in the Word of God and include a Primer - 6th grade Bible curriculum called ACSI Purposeful Design. 7th - 12th Bible/Connect classes build upon what they have learned as young people and review the Bible from Genesis forward with application in discussion groups each week. CCB Electives include a variety of Biblically-based courses using a multidenominational curriculum such as A Girl’s Guide to Discovering her Bible/A Girl’s Guide to Making Really Good Choices; A Boy’s Guide to Discovering her Bible/A Boy’s Guide to Making Really Good Choices, A Young Woman after God’s Own Heart; A Young Man after God’s Own Heart, God’s Priorities for your Life, Lies Young Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free; Checkpoints: A Tactical Guide to Manhood, Growing All the Wiser Wisdom Tips from the Book of Proverbs, Discover your Destiny: Making Right Choices in a World; Staying Christian in College.
- SEMESTER ENRICHMMENT ELECTIVES - A POPULAR SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT: Each semester, PCCS posts it Enrichment Electives Week-at-a-Glance (WAAG) preview for students in all grades, Primer - 12th. In total, there are more than 200 courses listed on a semester WAAG. Students in Primer - 6th have one period each day, Monday - Thursday to make elective choices, while students in 7th - 12th have two periods for each day for which they select electives. Electives are offered near the end of the school day: 7th period (Primer - 5th grades), 8th period (6th - 12th grades), 9th period (7th-12th grades), and 10th period/after school (all grades for private music, theatre, cheer, athletics).
PCCS Academic Performance
NATIONAL PERFORMANCE: As a "school grade card," PCCS has chosen to compare its performance with national standards. Therefore, students in 1st through 12th grades take nationally normed achievement tests without preparation each May. What does it mean for a test to be "nationally normed?" National norms represent the pattern of performance of all the nation's students in various types of schools throughout the United States; national norms help schools and parents evaluate their local school's performance in relation to the nation as a whole. The percentile rank scoring ranges from 1st %tile to 99th %tile with an average student scoring at the 50th %tile--these ranks tells where a particular student ranks within the nationally normed group (a 72%tile means that the student scored higher than 72% of the test takers in the norming group).
Since 2013, PCCS has administered the nationally-normed TerraNova Achievement Test which uses the most current and accurate national norms available. The TerraNova, endorsed by the Association of Christian Schools International, results reveal that PCCS students (1st-12th) on average are performing above their measured cognitive performance scores. TerraNova average scores remain high (ranging 11%-16%), with the school average including all students except those placed in the learning difference program/LD diagnosis as per educational guidelines. Students in the LINK Lab learning differences program also take the TerraNova and are performing above projected performance based upon measured cognitive levels. Prior to 2013, PCCS was also rated highly when students were administered the Stanford Achievement Test in years 2003-2012 with math and English scores in the top of the nation each year (always in the top 15%-18%).
OTHER MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE: Check out the link below to review local ISDs preliminary ratings by the TEA...poor and needing improvement in every school district surrounding PCCS. These scores measure student performance on state tests, progress students make year to year, whether the school is closing the achievement gaps between poor students and their peers, and how well schools are preparing students for college or careers. GO TO THIS LINK and enter the district name in the search box:
How does PCCS measure up? The SACS/AdvancED Index of Education Quality (IEQ) scores for PCCS were: 1) Overall Score 315.38 (AdvancED Network of all private schools average 278.94); 2) Teaching and Learning Impact 309.52 (AdvancED Network of all private schools average 268.48); 3) Leadership Capacity 336.36 (AdvancED Network of all private schools average 293.71); AND 4) Resource Utilization 300.00 (AdvancED Network of all private schools average, 286.27). Want to learn about SACS/AdvancED? Go to this website: http://www.advanc-ed.org/about-us
ACT and PCCS: In the PCCS September 2017 ACT Report of College Readiness, the Table of "Percent of ACT-Tested Students Ready for College-Level Coursework" showed benchmark comparisons of all PCCS students who took the ACT and Texas ISDs: College English Composition (PCCS 90%, State Average 57%), College Algebra (PCCS 80%, State Average 40%). More about the ACT: ACT scores range from 1 to 36, and the average national ACT score is 20. If you’ve scored 20, then you’ve scored higher than 50% of test-takers. A 24 places you at the 74th percentile—better than ¾ of test-takers. A score of 30 means you’ve scored better than 95% of them--for PCCS students that have taken a course sequence of Algebra I/II, Geometry and Trig/Other Adv. Math, the average is 30.0. That's why PCCS offers research-based math curriculum! We want to give students the best chance to nail the ACT Math!
How does PCCS measure up on the SAT? The 2017 College Readiness Benchmarks for PCCS vs. National scores: Overall (PCCS 92%, National 48%), English (PCCS 100%, National 71%), and Math (PCCS 92%, National 50%).
PCCS SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM
Does your child struggle with Learning? Click below to learn more about our Program!
PCCS SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM
Does your child struggle with Learning? Click below to learn more about our Program!
ACADEMIC YEAR & DAILY SCHEDULES
Children are only young once, and family time cannot be regained once lost. This important consideration as well as inefficiency noted in other school settings were accounted for when adopting the PCCS schedule (See Academic Calendar tab). The PCCS compressed schedule has been successful as confirmed by the school's high overall achievement test average. Our academic year begins the 3rd or 4th week of August to ensure the Fall Semester is 16 weeks before Christmas Break begins. The Spring Semester begins after New Year's Day for 18 weeks plus a Finals Week ending the Thursday before Memorial Day. Senior Graduation is the Friday before Memorial Day to permit family members to enjoy the longer weekend.
Breaks are generous at PCCS! These vary slightly but are generally 10 days each for Thanksgiving, February and April Breaks and 15-17 days off for Christmas Break. PCCS K-4 through 7th grade attend a four-day on-campus school week in addition to online educational enhancements to meet accreditation contact hours. Students in 8th -12th grades also attend on Friday until 1:20 p.m. plus online educational enhancements to meet accreditation contact hours. Students are better focused and use time more efficiently when curriculum and teaching styles hold their interests, so online educational enhancements are not a replacement for instruction but a reinforcement of college-bound and SAT/ACT vocabulary (Membean) and math facts and computation (ALEKS, Dreambox Math and Quizlet).
DAILY SCHEDULE: The school day begins 8 a.m. Bible/Devotions are 1st period for Primer -5th graders. Bible CONNECT classes are embedded in the core schedules of 6th-12th. Chapel occurs on Wednesdays. Monitors are present 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. and until 4:20 p.m. after school. Departure times are 4 p.m. for Primer - 1st grades and 4:10 p.m. for 2nd and up..
The K-5/Primer - 2nd Grade Schedule is Monday-Thursday with three periods of Superkids interdisciplinary studies in English/Language Arts/Reading (ELAR) plus Handwriting and two periods of Math. They also have Social Studies, Science and Electives (one elective per day and these vary each day).
The 3rd - 6th Grade Schedule is Monday-Thursday with five core periods including two periods of Mathematics plus Reading/Literature, Spelling, Composition, and Grammar. They also have Social Studies, Science. Electives vary each day. While 6th graders have one elective choice per day, 7th graders have two elective choices per day.
The 7th Grade Schedule is Monday-Thursday with five core classes in Math, Science, Social Studies (Texas History & World Geography), English/Literature, Writing Lab with Grammar and Membean Vocabulary. 7th graders have a total of eight electives; these meet in the 8th and 9th periods each day.
The 8th Grade Schedule is Monday-Thursday plus Fridays until 1:20 p.m. It includes five core classes in Math (Prealgebra, Algebra), Earth & Space Science, U.S. History I, English Literature, Writing Lab and Membean Vocabulary. 8th graders have a total of eight electives; these meet in the 8th and 9th periods each day.
The High School Schedule is Monday - Thursday plus Fridays until 1:20 p.m. It includes five core classes (see Graduation Checklist in right sidebar)
with necessary labs. Each semester, 9th-12th graders select eight weekly enrichment electives
classes.
