Academics
Pre-K to
12th GradeYOU DON’T HAVE TO SACRIFICE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WHEN YOU CHOOSE A SCHOOL WITH A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW.
Accreditation
Although many Christian schools can claim to be a member of the Association of Christian Schools International, Hillcrest Christian Academy enjoys the privilege of being accredited by ACSI for grades K-12.
What that means is that every few years, ACSI comes to our school to evaluate us on several standards:
- Philosophy and Foundations
- Governance and Administration
- Home and Community Relations
- Personnel
- Instructional Program
- Library, Media, and Technology Services
- Crisis Planning, Safety, Health, and Food/Nutrition Services
- Facilities, Environment, and Transportation
- Character, Values, and Spiritual Development of Students
- Continuous School Improvement
Schools who are just members can operate their school however they see fit. Accredited schools adhere to rigorous guidelines that are audited by an outside organization, assuring that they offer the best Christian education possible. Accreditation by ACSI also earns us a secondary accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. HCA is accredited for grades K-12.
Our Mission
At Hillcrest Christian Academy, our mission is to provide a Christ-centered education for students with learning differences, nurturing their God-given potential through compassionate support, academic excellence, and spiritual growth. We are committed to creating a loving, inclusive environment where every child is valued, equipped, and empowered to thrive in faith and learning, reflecting the love of Jesus in all we do.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10
About IST
The Instructional Support Program is a comprehensive, multi-tiered intervention initiative designed to support students with learning differences, as well as those requiring support in social-emotional development. The program integrates research-based methodologies and structured curricula to build foundational literacy skills and math concepts, and foster emotional resilience and self-regulation.
- To provide targeted, systematic reading instruction using structured literacy approaches
- To support students in developing phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills
- To provide targeted mathematical instruction using a mastery-based approach with spiral review, meaning students are introduced to concepts, given time to practice and apply them, and then revisit those concepts throughout the year for reinforcement.
- To promote social-emotional learning, including self-awareness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills
- To ensure a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive academically and emotionally
Wilson Reading System® (WRS)
A structured, multisensory program for students in grades 2–12 and adults who have significant language-based learning disabilities. WRS provides intensive instruction in phonemic awareness, word study, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Orton-Gillingham Approach
A direct, explicit, multisensory, and individualized way to teach literacy that is especially effective for students with dyslexia. Instruction focuses on the structure of the English language, enabling students to build strong decoding and encoding skills.
Wilson Foundations®
A prevention and early intervention program for students in K–3 that emphasizes foundational skills in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, handwriting, and spelling. It supports general education as well as Tier 2 intervention.
Barton Reading & Spelling System
A one-on-one tutoring system that is Orton-Gillingham influenced and designed for students with dyslexia. It provides systematic, explicit instruction in phonics and spelling rules, and is especially suited for individualized intervention.
PATHS® (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies)
A social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum that promotes emotional intelligence, self-control, social competence, positive peer relations, and problem-solving skills. It supports students in building the emotional tools necessary for learning and collaboration.
Bob Jones University Math Curriculum
The BJU Press Math Curriculum is a Christian-based mathematics program designed for students from kindergarten through high school. It emphasizes the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills through a blend of traditional and conceptual approaches. The curriculum integrates biblical principles throughout the lessons and uses colorful visuals, engaging activities, and real-life applications to help students understand and apply mathematical concepts.
- Instruction is delivered by trained and certified educators or intervention specialists.
- Services are offered in both small group and one-on-one settings based on individual student needs.
- Student progress is monitored regularly through formal and informal assessments to guide instructional decisions and ensure growth.
- Collaboration with classroom teachers, families, and support staff is integral to the program’s success.
Curriculum
Hillcrest Christian Academy uses Purposeful Design (ACSI), Abeka, and Journeys curriculum extensively in the Elementary school, supplemented with curriculums and books from other sources.
In the Upper School, we use curriculums from Holt, Houghton Mifflin, McGraw Hill, Cengage, Pearson, NGSS, Glencoe, and Bob Jones Press.
As early as kindergarten, children learn science, math, social studies, handwriting, reading, and art. In first grade, health, history, language, and spelling are added. Geography and literature become a part of the curriculum at the seventh grade level. Specials at the elementary level include a science lab where students can conduct grade-appropriate experiments, Spanish, physical education, music, library, and art.
At the high school level, HCA offers honors-level courses and dual-enrollment courses in partnership with Geneva College and Carlow College. Electives include business, entrepreneurship, engineering, computer programming, digital media production, and many others.
Academic Core Values
Hillcrest Christian Academy promotes high academic standards for every student, emphasizing good study habits, independent as well as cooperative work, development of each student’s personal expression through the fine arts, and an academic environment of learning through mutual acceptance, affirmation, and encouragement. Every subject has at its center an appreciation for God’s natural laws, and His creation in all its forms.