The Only University-Model School in Frisco, TX
“University-Model” means that students in grades K-5 attend classes at school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our Upper School students — grades 6-12 — attend classes Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. All students complete lessons on the home days that are carefully crafted by their teachers. The goal is to give parents more time with their children, compared to a five-day school, while providing the structure that helps students make progress.
What are the advantages of a University-Model school?
Universities tell us that our students perform well in a college setting, because they love to learn, they have learned to manage their time, and have a good work ethic. Our students also perform above average on standardized tests, even though we do not “teach to the test.”
University-Model Schools combine the best elements of private, public, and homeschooling to provide a unique, Christian-based education. This model allows parents to maintain their God-given responsibility as teachers and leaders, while giving students an opportunity to achieve academic excellence.
Grace Covenant Academy is certified by University-Model® Schools International (UMSI). To learn more about UMSI, click here to visit their website. University-Model Schools exist to strengthen American families by helping parents prepare college-worthy, character witnesses of Jesus Christ for the next generation.
Our partnership with UMSI helps us pursue excellence as a University-Model school. In addition, we continually strive to improve our processes and methods as we maintain our accreditation with Cognia. The standards for accreditation are rigorous and require constant self-examination and work. We appreciate the outside accountability, because we know the Lord has a high standard of excellence and therefore, so do we. We normally have a high student retention rate from year to year. We think that speaks well of our partnership with with parents.
Parent Roles
University-Model Schools are unique because they try to ensure that parents remain the priority influence in students’ lives while providing a quality education. As partners, parent roles change and evolve as their students grow. Below is a brief breakdown of a few roles you will have over the years in the University-Model of education.
At Grace Covenant Academy, teachers provide general instruction, tests, and assignments. Then, at home, parents continue general instruction and ensure that students are learning the subject material. Additionally, parents are the primary teachers of character development at this age.
In 7th-10th grades, students begin covering subject matter that may be unfamiliar to parents. Students are still at a dependent age where study habits and personal character must be cultivated. In this role, the teacher provides instruction during class, but is dependent on the parent to make certain that students complete course assignments.
Junior and senior level courses are great opportunities for students to grow spiritually and academically. So at this stage, parents should supervise the progress of their students and provide them with guidance related to entering college. In this role, all classes are taught by Grace Covenant Academy faculty, but parents maintain the primary character influence in their lives.
Depending on your student’s involvement at GCA, parents may play the role of a parent coach. In this role, parents provide at home, personalized coaching in a particular activity. This may include athletics, fine arts, or other activities at Grace Covenant Academy. Or it could simply be coaching and encouraging your students in their academics. Whatever the circumstances are, this role is an incredibly important aspect of the University-Model school parent.
Benefits of University-Model Schools
- Direct parent involvement in education
- University style structure naturally prepares students for college setting
- Time and cost effective
- Encourages student work ethic
- Encourages family support
- Supports biblical values and character
- More flexible than five-day private or public schooling