Secondary Academics
Middle School Academics
Southern Maryland Christian Academy is dedicated to excellence in Christian education that fosters students to explore a biblical worldview in all areas of studies. Our middle school program builds on the strong continuation of tools established in elementary school. Students transition throughout the day with three seventy-minute core subject class blocks and two forty-minute elective courses. Sixth grade students will have math and English classes every day. Fridays are Assisted Instructional Days that include reinforcement in all subjects. Once each month middle school students have a Virtual Friday to prepare them for the expectations of high school. Our middle school students are trained to look through the lenses of a biblical worldview with academic excellence to have a firm academic foundation as they advance into high school. Our middle school courses are aligned to national standards. Academic courses offered are unique to each student’s needs, is of sufficient rigor to ensure success, and promotes active engaged learning. Middle school students explore many avenues of interest by participating in up to eight different elective courses offered in one school year.
Southern Maryland Christian Academy’s sixth grade program is primarily a gentle exposure to the responsibilities of the middle school experience. Sixth graders are organized into small sections in which teachers assume joint responsibility for the instructional program of the students. This organization offers advantages for students, teachers, and parents in such a way that sixth graders gain the middle school experience in a responsible way. As a small team, teachers are better able to address students’ needs in core subjects. SMCA 6th grade teacher teams prove an invaluable assistance to the sixth graders as they make the academic and social transition between elementary school and middle school. Each sixth grade student is required to take SOAR© Study Skills course that firmly establishes many necessary skills to become a successful responsible student.
*See course catalog for more electives and course descriptions.
Southern Maryland Christian Academy’s seventh and eighth grade program goes beyond the gentle exposure into middle school to training students in becoming strong leaders in the community. The academic program focuses on helping students take responsibility for their education and begins establishing an independent love of knowledge. Students will continue to be exposed to engaged and motivated learning that keeps students active in the learning process. Seventh graders are exposed to fluent computer and document processing skills with the primary focus of continual integration of technology into learning. Eighth graders are exposed to the basics of financial literacy and an introduction to Spanish 1 which are required electives the following years. The seventh and eighth grade experience prepares students for a successful integration into high school.
*See course catalog for more electives and course descriptions.
SMCA uses Orange XP3© curriculum in all Middle School Bible classes. SMCA middle schoolers experience three things: wonder for who God is, discovery of who He created them to be, and passion for loving others. SMCA desires that students begin to take ownership of their faith through three basic truths:
- I will love God because He will never stop loving me.
- I will follow Jesus because He knows me better than I know myself.
- I will live out God’s story so others can know who Jesus is.
Middle School Bible lays the foundation for developing a worldview. In an age of competing worldviews, Southern Maryland Christian Academy’s bible classes will help students formulate a biblical perspective of the world so that they will reflect the Scriptures both in their thoughts and in their actions.
*Information gathered from: http://thinkorange.com/xp3ms/
High School Academics
Southern Maryland Christian Academy’s high school experience is dedicated to equipping students to enter society to make an impact on the world for Christ. Through rigorous academic training beginning in ninth grade, students begin developing and understanding their God-given gifts in every aspect of their academic experience. Students transition throughout the academic day with three eighty-minute core subject classes and two forty-minute elective courses. On most weeks high school students will have Virtual Fridays with reinforcement for concepts in all classes to prepare for college expectations. All high school courses are aligned to national standards. Students have the opportunity to take over the college admission recommendation of course credit hours to be considered a highly qualified college applicant. In all four years of high school, students have the opportunity to earn four credit hours in all academic studies. Honors Mathematics and English courses are offered from ninth through twelfth grade as well as Advance Placement courses are offered beginning junior year. Dual Credit course are offered to all high school students. SMCA partners with Colorado Christian University and the College of Southern Maryland to offer students the ability to earn college credit while enrolled in High School.
Southern Maryland Christian Academy’s ninth grade year sets a firm foundation for success towards graduation. All ninth grade students are required to take Computer and Document Processing for the 21st Century, a full year of Physical Education, and a half year of Health. Students begin their Science studies with Biology. Honors Geometry or Algebra 1 is offered to ninth grade students. Heavy focus is placed on Fundamentals of Literature and advanced grammar skills. Elective options for all ninth graders expand to place emphases on student interest and the development of career knowledge.
*See course catalog for more electives and course descriptions.
Southern Maryland Christian Academy’s tenth grade year continues developing the student into a lifelong learner. Applicable courses, such as Financial Literacy, are required in tenth grade. Students take Chemistry allowing students to choose a science course of interest their junior and senior year of high school. Honors Algebra 2 or Geometry begins the students more abstract knowledge of mathematics and the integration of technology capabilities in math are a focus. Elements of Literature continue student’s literature exploration and the continuation of advanced grammar work are emphasized in every subject.
*See course catalog for more electives and course descriptions.
Southern Maryland Christian Academy’s eleventh grade year places independence of teacher and places more of an emphasis on student dependency. Through the continuation of academic rigor, student options expand in History, Science, Mathematics, and English. Course options allow more student input. Southern Maryland wants students, at this age, to begin to take ownership of their educational experience and allow each student options toward their goals after graduation. In the junior year, students are required to take a College and Career Readiness course that exposes students to life beyond high school. Students participate in the college application processes, researching financial aid and scholarships, as well as SAT and ACT preparation training.
*See course catalog for more electives and course descriptions.
Southern Maryland Christian Academy’s twelfth grade year strives to fully equip each student to take their place in society. All seniors have the opportunity to take a full academic course load receiving the most preparation for college entrance and meeting all college recommendations. All graduates have the option to take courses that would label them as a highly qualified college applicant. Each senior is required to participate in a Senior Capstone experience. (See Signature Academic Programs for more information.) Through the continuation of academic rigor, student options expand in History, Science, Mathematics, and English. Seniors have multiple options of electives, advance placement, and dual credit courses that meet their interest. Southern Maryland strives for all seniors to take full ownership of their educational experience, to love knowledge, and love the experiences to gather that knowledge.
*See course catalog for more electives and course descriptions.
Southern Maryland Christian Academy’s bible classes advance from a firm foundation of biblical truth in ninth grade, expanding to discipleship and leadership by the student’s senior year. Every bible class at Southern Maryland Christian Academy goes beyond the training aspect emphasized in middle school, to equipping students to be ready to face a worldview from a biblical perspective. Each bible class desires to equip students to be and become the mirror image of Christ from the core of their soul to ultimately becoming an influencing presence in society long past graduation. All high school bible classes are dual credit courses, emphasizing that while students earn 1 high school bible credit, they may also earn 3 elective college credits for each bible class they take while at SMCA. The course of study used in all high school bible classes is published from Wheaton Press©. Every course is “designed to equip students with the skills to study, interpret, and apply the Word of God to their personal relationship with Christ. The curriculum is designed to root and establish students in their faith while equipping them to grow in spiritual wisdom and understanding. Students will learn what it means to walk in a manner pleasing to the Lord while increasing in spiritual wisdom and understanding. Students will be equipped to identify and apply a Christ-centered Theistic worldview while being equipped to personalize, articulate, apply and reproduce their faith in their circles of influence” (www.wheatonpress.com).
The following depicts a high schooler’s bible track course of study:
9th Grade
From Seeker to Believer:
Foundations of Faith 1 and 2
10th Grade
From Believer to Follower:
Spiritual Formations and Leadership, Evangelism, and Discipleship
11th Grade
From Follower to Friend:
Philosophy and Theology and Life of Christ
12th Grade
From Friend to Fisherman:
Christ and Culture and Doctrine and Apologetics