FAQ

Gateway Christian Academy is a fully accredited school and holds the following accreditations:

Christian accreditation through the Association of Christian Teachers and Schools. ACTS strives to set new standards of Christ-centered academic excellence while assisting Christian schools to realize the highest level of educational credibility.

State recognition through the Virginia Counsel of Private Education. VCPE is recognized by the Virginia Department of Education so this recognition of our accreditation guarantees the transfer of student credits from the state recognized accredited private school to a public school. GCA’s ACTS accreditation is recognized by VCPE.

National accreditation through the National Counsel for Private School Accreditation. NCPSA serves as a national review panel for the standards and review procedures of private school accrediting associations. GCA’s ACTS and Ai accreditations are recognized by NCPSA.

International accreditation though Accreditation International. Ai assures the educational quality of schools and plans for continuous school improvement to increase student learning using standards based on international research, best practices, and historical accreditation processes. GCA’s Ai accreditation is also recognized by the International Alliance for School Accreditation.

Our school exists to reflect the Kingdom of God, and we are blessed to have dozens and dozens of churches represented in our hallways. We strongly encourage all of our students—and require it for grades 9-12—to regularly attend a local church. If you do not currently have a church home, we are glad to talk with you about great local churches to consider.

At GCA, our goal is to support each student’s success—spiritually, academically, and personally. As part of the admissions process, incoming students may be given an academic assessment, and we request records from previous schools to help us understand how to best serve each child. We approach each student with care and are always happy to work closely with families to create the best possible path forward.

GCA uses primarily A Beka Books for preschool through 5th grades. A Beka is continued in many subjects through middle and high school, with Bob Jones University Press used mainly in upper grades.

Our tuition and fees can be found here.

Students take the TerraNova test each spring. Most years, 70% of GCA students score higher than the national mean score, and our students’ median grade equivalency is over a full year above grade level.

Gateway Christian Academy is a fully accredited school, and our teachers meet the rigorous certifications required by these accrediting entities. We hold Christian accreditation through the Association of Christian Teachers and Schools (ACTS), which is recognized by the Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE), the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), and Accreditation International (Ai). These recognitions ensure academic credibility and guarantee the transfer of student credits to public schools in Virginia. GCA is also a proud member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), connecting us with a global network of Christ-centered schools.

Average class sizes are as follows:

     Preschool: 10-16 students 

     K5-5th: 18-22 students

     Grades 6-12th: 16-20 students

The Capital Development Fee supports ongoing investments in technology and campus improvements that directly benefit our students. This includes state-of-the-art computer labs equipped with Apple Minis, MacBooks, and iPads, along with Google Classroom integration for collaborative learning.

We are committed to traditional methods of education, coupled with the latest technology, to create a balanced and effective learning environment. We believe that a student who graduates with both Apple and Google technology experience will be well-rounded, confident, and fully prepared for success in today’s digital world

During your visit, you’ll be guided by a school leader—such as our Head of School or Admissions Coordinator—and sometimes even one of our seniors! Our students love sharing their GCA experience, and you may get to tour alongside one who’s preparing to graduate. You’ll explore our safe, welcoming campus, see our well-equipped facilities, and learn how our hands-on approach inspires both learning and service. Our 23-acre campus offers space to grow, play, and feel right at home. In most cases, we’ll also schedule academic assessments during your visit, which may serve as your family interview

Yes, we serve lunch! Our dedicated kitchen staff prepares hot meals each day, with a variety of a la carte options available for students. Lunches are ordered in advance and purchased through a convenient debit-style account that parents can fund online. Whether in Elementary or Upper School, students enjoy fresh, delicious meals with the flexibility to choose the days they participate.

Gateway Christian Academy was founded in 1966 and has been faithfully training students to impact the world for Christ for over five decades.

Yes, absolutely. Your child’s safety is a top priority at Gateway Christian Academy. We have state-of-the-art access control systems for all buildings, facial recognition software, fenced-in playgrounds, and security cameras throughout all buildings and outdoor areas to ensure a secure and protected environment.

The Gateway Portal is our all-in-one system for managing your student’s school experience. It allows you to easily track attendance, grades, homework, lesson plans, report cards, schedules, and the school calendar. You can also view announcements, order lunch, and stay up to date on athletics and other school activities—all in one convenient place.

For easier access, enrolled students and their families can download the GCA App from the Apple App Store or Google Play:

Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play

Stay connected, informed, and involved—right from your phone!

Yes! Many of our graduates pursue higher education and have been awarded scholarships for academics, athletics, leadership, ministry, and community involvement.

Gateway alumni have gone on to attend well-known institutions such as Liberty University, the University of Virginia, James Madison University (JMU), Florida State University, Penn State University, the University of Central Florida (UCF), Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Norfolk State University, Longwood University, Hampton University, and Christopher Newport University. Others have continued their education at Bryant & Stratton College, ECPI University, and Tidewater Community College (TCC).

Many of our students also choose to attend faith-based institutions including Regent University, Bob Jones University, Pensacola Christian College, Trevecca Nazarene University, Welch College, Southeastern Free Will Baptist College, and Mid-Atlantic Christian University.

In addition to college, some graduates have gone on to serve in the Armed Forces or attend a U.S. Military Academy—continuing to make a difference in the world for Christ.

Yes, we do! Our Before and After Care program provides a safe, structured, and fun environment for students every school day—from as early as 6:00 AM until 5:30 PM. It’s a great way to support busy families while giving students extra time to play, connect with friends, complete homework, and enjoy supervised activities.

When school’s out for the summer, the fun doesn’t stop! We offer an exciting Summer Day Camp filled with themed activities, games, learning adventures, and plenty of outdoor play—all in a safe setting your child will love.

Yes! Students attend chapel once a week for a time of worship, Scripture, prayer, and encouraging messages. Led by our staff, students, and guest speakers from local churches, chapel helps strengthen faith and build a Christ-centered community on campus.

Don’t delay any further! Visit our Admissions page for your next steps.