In every class, students learn that logic, skills, and art are intricately connected to God, whose Word, Son, and Spirit inspire all of the work we do. For example, in contrast to the typical health class, our Real World Living II class utilizes the respected curriculum of Summit Ministries, entitled Understanding the Times, as a platform for comparing Christian tenets with the leading humanistic worldviews of our day (secular humanism, marxism, new age, and postmodernism). While earning 3 college credits, students apply this knowledge to issues such as abortion, euthanasia, feminism, homosexuality, relationships, and Christian leadership.
Instead of demanding that students complete piles of busywork, we teach them to invest their time in work that matters. Students are taught to grasp knowledge thoroughly, to analyze arguments, and to express their own opinions clearly and gracefully.
Our school day incorporates a modified block schedule. The school year is divided into 4 marking periods. Each course meets for 90 minutes each day from Monday - Thursday and for 45 minutes on Friday. In addition, each student enrolls in a number of electives. Block scheduling allows the students to focus on each subject area and provides the necessary time to engage in discussions, projects, and fieldtrips.
Block Scheduling - The Inside Story: Isaac Watts advises, "Engage not the mind in the intense pursuit of too many things at once, especially such as have no relation to one another. This will be ready to distract the understanding, and hinder it from attaining perfection in any one subject of study."
We believe that most students will excel in honors classes when they are expected to achieve at their personal highest ability level and the course work is personalized. We're confident that seven hours of rigorous and effective schoolwork a day is plenty of time to exceed our curriculum's high standards, so we never assign meaningless homework for the sake of "rigorous academics." We want your child's evenings to be spent reading, resting, completing engaging projects, and hanging out with family and friends. • top of page •
A wise teacher's words spur students to action and emphasize important truths. The collected sayings of the wise are like guidance from a shepherd.Ecclesiastes 12:11
The Seal | Defined
The SCALE is all about Grace and Truth. Truth is fundamental to the integrity of an individual or corporation, though there are moments when the truth is hard to face. But, when truth is revealed, although painful at times, it allows for grace to usher in freedom.
The CROSS is a representation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus bore our sin on the cross and conquered death so we could experience life to the fullest and live eternally with Him.
The 40 STARS represents our 40 Points of Grace. They are the founding ideas that Grace Prep was shaped upon. Ideas like #13: We believe that “why do we have to learn this stuff?” is a very good question, and #33: We believe that a student will be transformed by the teacher who finds his passion.
The OPEN BOOK symbolizes Wisdom. Wisdom is found in the Holy Scriptures but we also realize that within any written text, based in truth, there is wisdom. Thus, as we study the Bible, Algebra or Western Civilization we gain wisdom which is useful in every situation.
Curriculum
You'll be delighted to know that Grace Prep offers a full slate of educational options that enable graduates to meet all Pennsylvania requirements for graduation. We've incorporated all of the Pennsylvania academic standards into the curriculum. (Curious about the PA academic standards? Read all about them on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website.)
The following PDF document outlines the basic classes offered at Grace Prep and a few of our electives.
Students who love their studies, thrive. That’s why the English Department strives to introduce students to the classic writers and thinkers who will engage the students’ minds and hearts. It is said that except for the books we read and the people we meet, we will stay the same. That’s why Grace Prep students are constantly reading excellent literature that challenges their thinking, sets beauty before their eyes, and ultimately causes them to recognize God’s omnipresence. Beginning in ninth grade, students are equipped with the skills to read and understand texts by Homer, Milton, Shakespeare, Hemingway, Joyce, and many others. When we read these texts, we discuss character and plot development, thematic issues, and literary devices in order to understand the personal, biblical and cultural responses to the text. Students are continually amazed that God is integral in all of the classical literature they read. As they watch Fitzgerald wrestle with God’s existence or Milton submit to God’s will or Wordsworth declare the beauty of God’s creation, students learn that no human experience or imagining is outside of God’s true story.
Through critical analysis, journaling, imitation writing, and creative writing, students develop communication skills that equip them to become effective writers and speakers. Each year, students develop their skills in writing poetry, essays, personal responses, and stories. Their vocabulary is developed by reading high quality classical texts and completing an intense Greek- and Latin-based vocabulary course.
Teachers employ debate, films, acting, lecture, group activities, public readings, guest speakers and field trips to help the students learn how to read, write and think well.
"Grace Prep's English department was a tremendous help to me in preparing for college. Elements of the classes not only helped me on my SATs, but made me feel completely confident walking into the first day of English class on the university level. I had the literary background I needed and the skills to comprehend and analyze the new material."
- Katelyn Kalmbach - Class of 2006
Studying history at Grace Prep is a comprehensive and rigorous study of the important themes and event that have shaped the history of civilizations and their distinctive contributions. A diploma from Grace Prep guarantees that your student will have memorized a major timeline of world history and US history; discuss in detail the most significant persons, places, and terms in world history and US history; and discuss in detail primary sources and documents that have influenced world history.
How does Grace Prep accomplish this?
The twists and turns of history create a rich mosaic that students respond to with enthusiasm so long as it is presented in dynamic and interactive presentations by passionate teachers. We engage students with readings in primary sources: they will read authors ranging from Plato to Mao Zedong. Grace Prep students use college level textbooks beginning in 10th grade, further preparing them for college level work.
We also require students to read current scholarship used in the most advanced academic institutions such as Jared Diamond’s Pulitzer Prize winning Guns, Germs, and Steel. To transmit this education, the history department uses multimedia tools, historical documentaries, off-site field trips, and current films.
We also recognize that we have a tremendous resource in having a world-class university located two miles from our school: Pennsylvania State University. Guest lecturers from the university are used in our classes, and our students are taught how to research in a major university library. Through all of this, your student will receive an education that will thoroughly prepare them, not only for the most prestigious colleges and universities, but also for life. • top of page •
Mathematics
As a Math Department, we confess that math is our passion. We are using new methods and technologies to make math more interesting and appealing to our students. It is important to us that students are not only exposed to math, but that they are challenged to think creatively to develop their own ideas of how to analyze and solve problems. Students are encouraged with hands-on methods, so they retain and understand information better. Whether it’s in Business Math, Trigonometry, Algebra 1 and 2, Pre-Calculus or Calculus, we individualize success plans for each student. We are so committed to making the necessary investment in Academic Excellence that in 2006, we’ve offered 5 different math classes for our 50-student school.
Teaching not only how to get to the answer, but also why it is important, makes the learning experience much more meaningful.
“Ugh” is how I felt about math most of my life. But just like everything else at Grace Prep, the math program is different – better. From beginning Algebra to advanced Calculus, the teachers are passionate about their subject as Shakespeare about poetry, and that passion makes all the difference. - Lydia Shellenberger | Class of '07
"The business math class has taught me so much about how to do spreadsheets, budgeting, and problem solving. The small class sizes and classroom brainstorming of ideas has been great. All students are encouraged to help each other to conquer the problem. " - Jocelyn Helgerman | Class of '07
“My math class is top notch. I have learned so much, especially as I compare it to my experiences at State High and Bellefonte. Although we cover a huge amount of material in class, it is somehow made easier to understand. I know so much more math than I have in the past. I am looking forward to math next year, which is definitely a new experience for me.” - Dan Stubblefield | Class of '09
“The class discussions in chemistry have helped me to want to learn the material. We know why we are learning it. I have learned a lot and enjoy the class. The chemistry teacher really likes the subject, which comes through as he teaches.” - Laurin Abben | Class of '09
“In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of God’s existence.” This quote attributed to Isaac Newton, perhaps one of the greatest scientists to ever live, captures the essence of why students study science at Grace Prep. Science, the study of the world around us, points to God. Through the variety of science courses offered at Grace Prep all our students gain a new appreciation for the beauty and order in the world that surrounds them and an understanding of the scientific principals behind it.
For our students who want to seriously pursue the study of science it is important to note the vast majority of scientific discovery throughout the ages has come from men and women who embraced a Christian worldview. Science at Grace Prep offers these students the opportunity to study with teachers who also embrace that view. In addition to the traditional high school science classes, Grace Prep has offered a variety of electives to students who are particularly interested in science. These courses allow students to delve more deeply into areas of science that interest them.
Science at Grace Prep goes well beyond a lecture and a lab. It is more than a typical classroom experience. We discuss science. Biology II is full of curious students who ask questions and relate the current topic to issues in our society. We emphasize hands on activities. After learning the parts of a cell, the Biology students might make edible models and share them with other students in the school. We give students individual attention. Perhaps in our chemistry class there is a topic a student is struggling with or perhaps there is a topic that really interests a student. The small class size enables our teachers to spend time helping kids with concepts they just do not get or challenging students who want to go farther. We go places. Seeing science in the real world makes classroom knowledge much more useful. After a unit of genetics our students might make a visit to a biotechnology lab at Penn State. A unit on ecology might include a trip to Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center. The commitment of our teachers and the size of our classes will give your child a science education like he has never had before. • top of page •
Spanish
Grace Prep’s Spanish program goes well beyond teaching students the basic vocabulary and grammar structures that they learn in public school classes. Grace Prep prepares students to interact competently with native speakers and, for those who plan to continue their language education, to begin taking advanced level courses at the beginning of their college career.
Our Program, especially in the higher levels, focuses on communicative competence. Along with learning more complicated language structures, students are required to speak in Spanish on a regular basis. They also continue to develop their listening and reading comprehension skills. In Spanish IV and V, most communication is done exclusively in Spanish. (We offer 5 levels of Spanish, instead of just 4.)
Grace Prep’s curriculum uses Glencoe’s ¡Buen Viaje! series of textbooks in the first few levels, with authentic materials (music, readings, media) added. We also use Rosetta Stone, a popular, interactive, software that is used by major corporations around the world to train executives to learn to communicate effectively (and with a quicker learning curve.) Read about the Wall Street Journal's view on language learning.
The higher levels use well-respected, authentic resources including articles, books, music and media along with supplemental handouts for advanced grammar points. Small classes and a curriculum structure that has proven results in increasing student performance and retention have enabled us to surpass the speed of public school programs in advanced classes. Students that have transferred from other local schools are impressed with the speed at which they learn and the practical application of their class work.
As stated in our 40 Points of Grace, we believe that Spanish is easier to learn in Mexico than just in the classroom. As a result, beginning in June 2007, we are beginning recurring missions trips to Mexico and developing relationships with schools and other organizations (in Mexico) so that Grace Prep students understand the complexities, challenges, politics, opportunities ,and wonders of a world beyond their own. • top of page •
A wise teacher's words spur students to action and emphasize important truths. The collected sayings of the wise are like guidance from a shepherd. 
"Grace Prep's English department was a tremendous help to me in preparing for college. Elements of the classes not only helped me on my SATs, but made me feel completely confident walking into the first day of English class on the university level. I had the literary background I needed and the skills to comprehend and analyze the new material."
"The business math class has taught me so much about how to do spreadsheets, budgeting, and problem solving. The small class sizes and classroom brainstorming of ideas has been great. All students are encouraged to help each other to conquer the problem. "
“The class discussions in chemistry have helped me to want to learn the material. We know why we are learning it. I have learned a lot and enjoy the class. The chemistry teacher really likes the subject, which comes through as he teaches.”
As stated in our 40 Points of Grace, we believe that Spanish is easier to learn in Mexico than just in the classroom. As a result, beginning in June 2007, we are beginning recurring missions trips to Mexico and developing relationships with schools and other organizations (in Mexico) so that Grace Prep students understand the complexities, challenges, politics, opportunities ,and wonders of a world beyond their own.