BACKGROUND

Forerunner Christian Academy was founded by a group of parents wanting a different educational option than what was currently available in Fannin County. Much research was done on the University-model of education. The families agreed that this educational model best suited their desire to train up their child in the way he should go. This model allows parents (not a complete stranger) to be the sole influential factor in the life of their child. The founding families’ desire is to encourage and support families in this area who want to make a difference in the life of their child. Many families today are growing further and further apart. Educational research shows that the most influential factor in a child’s academic success is parental involvement. The prayer of FCA is that families can be strengthened as parents take a more active role in the life of their child.

THE MODEL

University-model education (UMS) includes a rigorous academic program, co-curricular opportunities, and character development.
          
         • The academic program utilizes the best aspects of traditional, full-time public
             and private schools, as well as home schools, and molds them into one model.
             UMS uses a university-style schedule adapted to the elementary, junior, and
             senior high levels. Professional teachers teaching in their areas of expertise
             conduct central classroom instruction. The model provides a full academic
             program for kindergarten through eighth grades. Students attend classes on
             Tuesday and Thursday. Students spend alternate days at home where parents
             continue their instruction or monitor student progress. Teachers provide parents
             with detailed instructions for days spent at home. Also, UMS caters to a wide
             variety of student needs by allowing a range of enrollment opportunities. A
             student may choose to take only one or two classes, or may opt to take a full
             academic load. Much like courses listed in a college catalog, each course
             description contains information about the course, prerequisites, and parental
             involvement for that class. Tuition is paid per course, per semester. 
         • The co-curricular program gives students an opportunity to pursue and develop
             special interests, talents, and abilities in addition to academics, including sports,
             art, speech, and others. Participation in these activities helps motivate students
             to succeed and provide another avenue for learning important life skills, such as
             teamwork, relating well to others, work ethic, time management, goal-setting,
             and more. 
         • Character development permeates both the academic and co-curricular programs
             as the school works with the parents to reinforce Christ-like attitude and behavior
             by helping to encourage, support, and train parents; by reinforcing parental values
             and expectations while at school; and by enforcing school behavior and discipline
             policies based on shared core values.

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Forerunner Christian Academy bases its educational philosophy on three main components: (1) a Biblical foundation, (2) preparing each student for life, and (3) emphasizing the parents’ role.

(1) A Biblical Foundation: All education is inescapably Christian in that all truth is God’s truth. The Bible, as the infallible, inerrant, and inspired Word of God, is the foundation and guide for all knowledge and basic to all elements of education. Because God created, sustains, and will consummate all things through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the universe and all life are dynamically related to Him and have the purpose of glorifying Him. This purpose is fundamental to Christian education and will permeate every aspect of our goals and objectives, our teaching methods, and our curriculum. All representatives of the school will strive to demonstrate and teach values, character, and “Christ-likeness” as well as facts.

(2) Preparing Each Student for Life: The primary goal of all Christian education is to prepare each student to glorify and honor God in all that he does. We seek to fulfill this goal by: 

         • training and encouraging students to become committed disciples of Christ, 
         • supporting the family as the primary social and educational unit instituted by God, 
         • promoting personal responsibility for academic excellence and a strong work ethic, and 
         • integrating home and school for the development of life skills and strong Christian
             character in balance with academics and co-curricular activities.

Students will be encouraged to assume personal responsibility for learning as part of the maturation process. We expect Forerunner Christian Academy students to be prepared for pursuing any chosen profession, through rigorous academic instruction and discipline, and be committed to a lifetime of learning and service to their families, their churches, and their communities through an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

(3) The Role of Parents: We recognize that parents are commanded to rear their children for God’s glory by bringing them up in the nurture and discipline of the Lord (Deut. 6; Eph. 6:4). The home, therefore, is to be a place of training and teaching one’s own children as is seen from God’s command. Also, the community of believers, the church, is commanded and authorized by God for training and discipline. Forerunner Christian Academy is designed to enable parents to more adequately fulfill the Lord’s commands for education and training of children for His glory. Forerunner Christian Academy will seek to provide parents with academic expertise, challenge, pacing, direction, and accountability, in a way that enhances and assists the parents’ efforts at teaching their children.

Also, research has proven that parents are the single most influential factor in a child’s educational performance. The parents’ role is to oversee and involve themselves in their child’s education and academic progress. Parents have flexibility in determining what courses the child will take at the school and what training will be received at home. Parents share joint responsibility with the school for properly placing students, for helping them build the character qualities and work ethic that lead to academic success (and success in general), and for encouraging students to accept increasing responsibility for the consequences of their actions. The parental teaching role ranges from direct instruction in cooperation with the classroom teacher to monitoring of student progress, as the student progresses from elementary to high school. Forerunner Christian Academy is committed to providing a vital learning experience for students that encourages and facilitates the parent/child relationship.

MISSION STATEMENT

Forerunner Christian Academy partners with parents to prepare lifetime disciples.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

Simply stated, we believe in: One God in three persons; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; One Way of Salvation; Jesus Christ through His virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection made it possible for man to be saved by faith; One Book; divinely inspired and protected, the Bible is God’s written revelation to man; it is totally reliable and has no need of other documents to complete its message; One Body; with many parts, the church. These statements are based on fundamental Christian beliefs that we strongly support as the primary doctrine for teaching. Forerunner Christian Academy does not promote or endorse any particular denomination. We desire to remain united in the salvation and love of Christ.

ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS

We believe God has shown us the following critical initiatives to promote overall excellence and future development of our school: 

         • Prayer and Faith: FCA is founded upon faith in God, and we will rely on Him to meet all our needs. 
            Prayerlessness is powerlessness. 
         • “God Is”: Submitting to God’s truth in all things, FCA will promote and teach a biblical world view. 
         • Strengthening Families: FCA will affirm and train parents in their God-given responsibility to 
            disciple their children. 
         • Communication: FCA will communicate accurate information about who we are and what we do
            to facilitate relationship within the school and our communities. 
         • Servant hood: FCA leadership, administrative staff, and teaching staff are called by God to
            faithfully serve our families through Christian education. 
         • Excellence: FCA will pursue excellence through Christian character in all things. 
         • Use of the Tongue: We expect each other to use the tongue in a manner that praises God,
            encourages and heals, speaks the truth, and seeks to build and not destroy. So also the tongue
            is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set
            aflame by such a small fire! James 3:5