Student Life
Welcome to the Crusader Family!
GCA students have the opportunity to participate in many activities that are beneficial academically, socially, and spiritually. Weekly chapel services provide a spiritual boost, field trips encourage curiosity and hands-on learning, music and art classes engage creative minds, and athletic teams promote healthy bodies.
Chapel
This weekly gathering features uplifting singing, inspiring preaching, engaging Scripture readings, and heartfelt prayers that envelop our staff, faculty, and students in faith and encouragement. Messages are brought to life by dedicated Academy staff and esteemed visiting leaders from the church and community. Each chapel is not just an event but a transformative experience that nurtures spiritual growth and connection among students, fostering an environment where faith thrives and cultivating a close-knit Christian community.
Social Media
Through exciting lessons, students explore content creation, graphic design, and effective management of platforms like Instagram and Facebook. This hands-on approach empowers students to craft visually appealing content, develop compelling narratives, and enhance their creativity and critical thinking. The program also fosters responsible digital citizenship, teaching personal branding and the impact of online presence. Collaborative projects encourage teamwork and community, preparing students for future career opportunities and guiding them to use social media as a positive force for meaningful contributions.
Yearbook
This engaging course guides them through creating, designing, and publishing the school yearbook while learning essential skills in photography, graphic design, and storytelling. Through collaboration and teamwork, students hone their technical skills and foster a deep connection to their peers and the school community. Participating in the Yearbook class cultivates creativity, responsibility, and leadership as students take ownership of their work, manage deadlines, and contribute to a project that reflects their collective identity.
Industrial Arts
Student life is enriched by a diverse range of activities, including Industrial Arts (Shop Class), a hands-on program that equips students with essential skills increasingly rare in today’s educational landscape. Students engage in valuable experiences such as changing oil, changing tires, and mastering woodworking projects using tools like table saws and drill presses.
Driver Education
The Driver’s Ed program is integrated into the school day, equipping students with essential skills for safe driving. Covering traffic laws, defensive techniques, and safe habits, it fulfills Virginia’s Driver’s Ed requirements. Through engaging lessons and a hands-on behind-the-wheel program, students learn to navigate the roads confidently while emphasizing sound decision-making, cultivating skilled drivers ready for challenges ahead.
Discipleship
Discipleship U is a transformative program designed to cultivate a deep and meaningful relationship with Christ while equipping students with the tools they need to live out their faith in every aspect of life. Through engaging lessons, dynamic discussions, and practical applications, students explore biblical teachings and their relevance in today’s world. This program emphasizes personal growth, accountability, and community as students are encouraged to develop their unique gifts and share the love of Christ with others. By fostering an environment of spiritual growth and mentorship, Discipleship U prepares students to become confident, compassionate leaders who actively seek to impact their communities and the world around them for the glory of God.
Student Council
Upper School students at Gateway Christian Academy develop leadership grounded in biblical principles, learning to serve their peers with humility and integrity. They exemplify Christ in decision-making, teamwork, and community service, building a foundation for lifelong Christian leadership
Technologically Driven
Traditional education offers a trusted approach, emphasizing teacher-led instruction that fosters strong student-teacher connections. Most work is completed using paper and pencil to enhance focus, while tablets and computers are deployed where appropriate to support digital learning and technological skills development.
STEM
Our STEM programs are thoughtfully integrated into the elementary curriculum to inspire a love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from a young age. Through hands-on activities, engaging experiments, and collaborative projects, students explore fundamental concepts while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Our STEM initiatives encourage curiosity and creativity as students design their own experiments, build structures, and engage in coding and robotics.
Retreats
Retreats at GCA are a cherished tradition that offers students a vital opportunity for reflection, fellowship, and spiritual growth over several days. Traditionally held at inspiring locations like Thomas Road Outpost, these retreats allow students to step away from their daily routines and confront the challenges they face in their lives. Through impactful worship sessions, dynamic teaching, and small group discussions, students deepen their faith and build lasting connections with their peers.
Languages
We are dedicated to advancing our students’ education by teaching Spanish beginning in K4 and incorporating American Sign Language throughout elementary. By introducing these languages early on, we enhance communication skills and broaden their understanding of different cultures.
Professional Clubs
TPUSA (Turning Point USA) provides resources and support that empower Christian schools to promote values and encourage students to engage with their faith in civic life. TPFaith, an extension of TPUSA, equips Christian schools to foster biblical leadership and spiritual growth by integrating faith-based principles into cultural and political discussions.
Lunch Program
A well-balanced and nutritious lunch program supplied by our own ably-staffed kitchen is made available to our students and staff. Meals may be bought on a day-to-day basis using MySchoolAccount. A price list and menu is provided each year.
Field Trips
Throughout the academic year, diverse grade levels partake in enriching field trips, strategically integrated into the curriculum to elevate the learning experience. In preparation, advance notice of upcoming excursions will be communicated, necessitating a parental permission slip for student participation. To streamline the process, field trip fees will be conveniently included in monthly FACTS payments, upon receiving consent from parents or guardians. These well-coordinated outings contribute significantly to the students’ educational journey, providing practical and immersive opportunities to reinforce classroom teachings and foster a deeper understanding of the subjects explored.