Our Core Values
Passion – Knowledge – Influence
PASSION
We want every child who graduates from HCA to be passionate about Jesus Christ.
Although it is not necessary that every student who attends HCA comes from a Christian family, we want our students to understand how important they are to God. As is consistent with Biblical principles, true knowledge of and relationship with Christ is based upon a free and voluntary decision for Him. In that spirit, the school will present the facts and information that establish the truth and joy of the Christian faith and will model before them what it means to have him as Lord and Savior.
KNOWLEDGE
We want every child who graduates from HCA to have a well-developed Biblical worldview, with the ability to critically think, reason soundly and attain wisdom and knowledge. The highest possible achievement for any child is to understand and follow God’s plan and purpose. The Bible, the inerrant Word of God, directs parents to prepare their children for Godly living. We believe that school is an institution that aids parents to fulfill this task.
INFLUENCE
We want every child who graduates from HCA to know that he/she has a calling to do amazing things for the Kingdom of God. We believe that together the home, school, church, and other aspects of a child’s experience educate the whole child in preparation for adulthood. Since a child cannot be separated into isolated components, the school must address each of these interrelated components: spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical. Each child has individual strengths and weaknesses. Because of this, we believe a developmental approach to education is essential to maximize an individual’s gifts. Our small class sizes allow us to reach each child’s individual needs and help them uncover and encourage the development of their individual gifts and talents…”because every child is worth it!”
PRE-K
Our full-day Pre-Kindergarten program is not only designed to develop readiness skills for reading and math; care is taken to plan developmentally appropriate learning activities to cultivate a child’s social, emotional, and spiritual growth.
Our Pre-K students will also participate in Music, Art, Makerspace, and P.E. classes.
Elementary
Our elementary program includes Kindergarten through Grade 5. We honor and encourage our students’ interest in learning and asking questions. Instruction not only includes well-tailored academic content, but also includes hands-on learning, field trips, explorations, and projects.
We want our students to understand how important they are to God. Because of this, we intentionally weave God’s Word into our day and encourage a dependence on Him. They see God as creator in science, as sovereign through history, and as designer of all, intending us to live lovingly and respectfully in community. We practice restorative discipline as a way to resolve conflicts and encourage personal responsibility for better choices.
Since learning to read well is foundational to all other learning, there is a strong balance of phonics and comprehension skills, incorporating not only leveled readers but also trade books and classic children’s literature.
Elementary students have weekly art, physical education, chapel, music, and makerspace classes. Grades 2-5 will also develop digital literacy through weekly digital skills or computer science classes.
The following courses will be taught in our elementary school classrooms:
- Math
- ELA
- Bible
- Weekly Chapel
- Social Studies
- Science
- Cursive Handwriting
- Music
- FREE music lessons for percussion, woodwinds, brass, or guitar beginning in 3rd grade
- Art
- STEM Lab/Makerspace
- Physical Education
- Digital Skills beginning in 2nd grade
- After School Clubs
Curriculum includes:
- Bible – Purposeful Design
- Math and History – Abeka
- Geography – Maps & Globes
- ELA – Journeys, Easy Grammar, UFli and various trade books
- Science – BJU Press
- Cursive Handwriting – Zaner-Bloser
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Our middle school, 6th through 8th grade, is academically excellent and focuses on developing skills needed for this stage of life. Students strengthen note taking and test taking skills, organizational strategies, critical thinking and a variety of study methods. While the elementary grades use curriculum largely from Christian publishers, middle schoolers are challenged under the direction of their skilled teachers to deepen their biblical world view while being exposed to other ideologies.
The following courses will be taught in our middle school classrooms:
- 6th Grade Math
- Pre-Algebra
- Algebra 1
- Science 6
- Life Science
- Physical/Earth Science
- History 6
- US History 1 and 2
- World Geography & Culture
- English 6th-8th
- Bible
- Weekly Chapel
- STEM Lab/Makerspace
- Digital Skills
- Music
- Choir
- Band, District Band
- FREE music lessons for percussion, woodwinds, brass, or guitar (beginning in 3rd Grade)
- Art, Independent Art
- World Languages
- Physical Education
- Career Skills
- After School Clubs
- PIAA
Curriculum includes:
- Bible – Purposeful Design
- Math – Abeka
- History – Notgrass
- English – Sadlier, McGraw Hill, various trade books
- Science – BJU Press and McGraw Hill
HIGH SCHOOL
HCA’s commitment to Christ-centered academic excellence continues through the high school curriculum. Building on the elementary and middle school’s educational programs, 9th through 12th grade students study comprehensive curriculum permeated with a Biblical world view. This combination is intended to not only advance academic knowledge, but also foster authentic growth and maturity in each student’s relationship with Jesus Christ.
Some specific features of our secondary curriculum are the following:
*support and opportunities for all students to identify and flourish in their God-given talents and life’s mission – whether college, job, or military path
*focus on higher level thinking skills to help students become skillful communicators and godly, responsible citizens
*opportunities for developing leadership skills through cross-class interactions, Worship Team, Student Council, Honor Society, and performances
The following courses & clubs are currently being offered:
- Algebra 1
- Algebra 2
- Geometry
- Precalculus
- Personal Finance
- English 9 – 12
- Honors English 9-12
- Creative Writing
- Speech
- Physical Science
- Biology with Lab
- Chemistry with Lab
- Physics
- Health
- World History 1 and 2
- Bible
- Weekly Chapel
- World Languages
- Physical Education
- Computer Science
- Service Hours
- Music
- Choir
- Band and District Band
- Christmas and Spring Concert
- FREE music lessons for percussion, woodwinds, brass, or guitar beginning in 3rd grade
- Art, Independent Art
- Teacher Aide
- Student Council
- National Honor Society
- Yearbook Committee
- After School Clubs
- PIAA
Highlights of our High School program:
- Spiritual Emphasis
- Day Spirit Week
- Jr/Sr Banquet
Curriculum includes:
- Bible – Purposeful Design
- Math – Abeka and Harold Jacobs Geometry
- History – Notgrass
- English – Sadlier, McGraw Hill, Prentice Hall, Write for College by Thoughtful Learning and various trade books
- Science – BJU Press and McGraw Hill
Hershey Christian Academy is blessed to receive services from the Capital Area Intermediate Unit. The CAIU provides assistance to students at no cost to the family or school. We currently receive IU support by the following professionals: Reading Specialist, Speech Therapist, Guidance Counselor and Educational Psychologist.