FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why Christian education?

Education is not Christian because of Bible classes, chapel, or prayer. Christian education is based on the foundational belief that the triune God makes a critical difference in our individual and corporate lives. Christian education recognizes that we are imperfect people, but knows that each individual is called to a life of wholeness. Over-arching the academic lessons is the belief in the value of each individual and being aware of how God is working out His purpose of wholeness in each one.

Students are prepared to live in the “real world” because they are taught to live in a community. They learn to work with their differences and to be supportive and encouraging. They develop a perspective of a life of service whether in another culture or among people in a local workplace.

How is Shalom Christian Academy accredited?

Shalom Christian Academy is accredited by two organizations. The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Through ACSI, students may participate in regional events such as math olympics, spelling bees and band festivals.

How does Shalom Christian Academy compare to public schools?

Students are taught by certified teachers who are passionate about what they do. Core subjects are similar to local public schools. High school students have opportunities to earn college credits in some subjects.
Class size in elementary school is usually 20 – 24 students. Middle and high school can have as many as 25 students in each section, but it is usually fewer.

How do SCA students test scores compare to public school students?

Each spring students are tested using the Stanford Achievement tests. Our students usually average in the 60 – 70 percentile. Sophomores take the PLAN test each fall. Juniors take the PSAT also in the fall. Our guidance department guides juniors and seniors as they schedule the SAT’s in preparation for college.

Average SAT scores

Shalom (W) Nat’l Average (W) PA Average (W)
Class of 2004: 1061 1026 1003
Class of 2005: 1180 1028 1004
Class of 2006: 1105 1021 (497) 993 (483)
Class of 2007: 1096 1017 (494) 992 (482)
Class of 2008: 1097 (535) 1017 (494) 995 (483)
Class of 2009: 1063 (478) 1016 (493) 994 (483)
Class of 2010: 1106 (554) 1017 (492) 993 (480)
Average: 1101 (522) 1020 (494) 996 (482)

* (W) = Writing

How often are curriculum and textbooks updated?

Each year we review one or two curriculum areas to ensure that K – 12 students are learning the components of the subject. We review test scores to find any gaps and make adjustments as needed. We look at the textbooks being used and make decisions as to whether or not to update those.

What academic support is available?

a. Pennsylvania provides support services through the Lincoln Intermediate Unit (LIU). A reading specialist and a speech teacher are each at Shalom each week to provide those services to students who need them.

b. Resource Room. Students who need support or need to be challenged outside of the classroom can go to our resource room. This is not one-to-one tutoring. The resource room teacher may have several students in the room at one time. The teacher provides assistance in a specific subject. The teacher also liaisons with classroom teachers so that the time in the resource room is optimally used. There is an additional cost.

c. Learning Enrichment. Students who are diagnosed with a learning disability may enroll in this program. This is not tutoring. It is a therapy which is designed to strengthen the deficit area. The student leaves the classroom for 180 minutes each week. The program may take one (1) to two (2) years. The teacher is certified through the National Institute of Learning Development.

Explain how transportation works.

Transportation is included in the tuition. Because of the wide range of locations where students live, we cannot pick up every child at the end of his/her driveway. We try to find central locations that will accommodate most families. Shalom is committed to keeping bus rides to less than one (1) hour. Every student has a seat on a bus that provides transportation to and from school. The bus transportation routes are determined by the transportation committee each August when the student body is set.

Do students attend chapel?

Shalom has chapel for each school including separate chapels for lower and upper elementary students. The elementary chapels are held on Wednesdays. Each class is responsible to open chapel three (3) – four (4) times each school year. Local directors of children’s ministries, camp directors, pastors and Shalom faculty lead the students in a short meditation.

The middle and high schools each have separate chapels on Thursdays. These chapels feature student-led worship teams. Local pastors, Shalom faculty and others lead in the meditation time. Small groups are also used for processing and reflection.

Shalom has spiritual emphasis weeks in the fall and spring semesters.

What scholarships are available?

Shalom offers tuition scholarships through the Student Scholarship Program (SSP). Student scholarships are income based. Grants are given in amounts up to 50% of total tuition.

The student scholarships are applied over a 10 – 12 month payment plan. A $250 scholarship would reduce the monthly payment by $25 for a ten (10) month plan.

Our SSP is funded by the Educational Income Tax Credit (EITC) program which gives Pennsylvania businesses tax credits if they commit to scholarship options.

Our kindergarten tuition is set to be competitive with area schools. It is below our elementary tuition and is a scholarship tuition as stated.

Do you have Before/After School Care?

This service is available on school days. Parents must register a student for this service. It is then available to that student as it is needed. Students have time to do homework, structured play and free time. The cost is $3.50/hour/child.

Morning Care – 7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Afternoon Care – 3:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

What electives are offered?

Co-curricular activities include the following electives:

• Elementary School

• Art
• Christmas & Spring Programs
• Computer Keyboarding
• Instrumental (5th Grade)
• Library
• Music
• Physical Education

• Middle School

• Advanced Art
• Bible Quizzing
• Chapel Worship
• Chorus
• Drama
• Instrumental Instruction

• High School

• Art
• Bible Quizzing
• Teams Chorale
• Dramatic Arts
• Drafting
• Family & Consumer Science
• Graphic Design
• Instrumental Music
• Music Theory
• Photography
• Video Editing
• Yearbook

Is there a sports program?

Shalom Christian Academy competes in the Mason-Dixon Christian Conference in both middle and high school.

Teams compete in the following sports:
Middle School Girls – Volleyball (fall), Basketball (winter), Soccer (spring).
Middle School Boys – Soccer (fall), Basketball (winter).
Varsity Girls – Volleyball (fall), Basketball (winter), Soccer (spring).
Varsity Boys – Soccer (fall), Basketball (winter), Baseball (spring).

Elementary students can participate in spring and fall soccer through the Chambersburg Recreation Department. Shalom teams compete against other local school teams.

Fourth and fifth grade students may participate in the Youth Basketball Association (YBA) eight (8) weeks during the winter months. The primary focus is to teach basketball skills to the students in this activity.

2011-2012 Tuition Rates

Tuition covers only a part of the total operating expenses at Shalom. Therefore, the tuition schedule does not reflect the total cost for the education of each child.  For more specific information call Mr. Mike Shaker, 717-375-2223 or mshaker@shalomca.com.