HIGH SCHOOL
At Denton Calvary Academy, students attend classes on campus Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday they work at home (the satellite classroom) following teacher constructed assignments. Students are responsible for completing the out-of-class assignments on their own time, with the counsel and supervision of parents. Because this structure encourages the development of good time-management and self-discipline, it provides excellent preparation for college.
CURRICULUM
By the time students reach grades 11 – 12, they are fairly independent and may choose to incorporate dual credit classes. At DCA, we partner with Dallas Baptist University’s Honors Scholars Academy and LeTourneau University to provide several dual credit classes both on campus as well as online options. This gives students the ability to acquire credit for their high school diploma and get a head start on college core classwork. Certainly, adjusting to a university-style schedule while in high school greatly reduces the time it takes to adjust to the schedule and academic rigor of college.
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The DCA diploma plans generally require the following credits:
English – 4 credits
Math – 4 credits
Science – 4 credits
Social Studies – 3 credits
Government – .5 credit
Economics – .5 credit
Foreign Language – 2 credits in same language
Fine Arts – 1 credit
Bible – 2 credits
Physical Education/Athletics – 1 credit
Electives
Click to view the recommended sequence of courses.
Available electives include: Worship Band, Choir, Art, Home Economics, College Test Prep, Nutrition, Financial Peace, Entrepreneurship, Robotics, Computer Coding, Yearbook, Photography, and other courses as approved by administration.
Regarding Curriculum…
When choosing a textbook, DCA’s goal is to put the very best resource into our students’ hands. We select Christian textbooks when they meet the highest academic standards. However, if a secular textbook does a better job of meeting the rigorous content requirements of a specific course, it may be our choice. Because textbooks are tools in teaching, they do not make up the entirety of the course. Our instructors are the key to much of our Biblical integration. They daily model their Love of God and His word and naturally impart this when teaching their subject matter. At DCA, students are challenged and equipped to think Biblically and critically throughout every academic discipline.
STUDENT LIFE
Student activities provide opportunities for DCA scholars to practice leadership skills, explore talents, and develop deeper friendships. Your educational experience at DCA is enriched and more fully developed through extra-curricular opportunities.
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Athletics – With high school teams in 10 different sports, DCA students have ample opportunities to benefit from participation in athletic competition.
Fine Arts – Our robust Fine Arts program offers students the opportunity to explore and develop their talents under the tutelage of instructors that are gifted in their own right.
The House System – The purpose of the House system is to provide a means of building unity, loyalty, and tradition over an extended period of time. It is designed to encourage and increase competition among students, and to create a supportive environment. It also provides leadership and mentoring opportunities. Where Student Council provides horizontal leadership and class unity, the House System provides vertical leadership and school unity.
The House System originated in British boarding schools where students actually lived in “house” units. DCA’s Houses are named after some of King David’s Mighty Men. The DCA high school and middle school student body is divided into eight mixed-gender, mixed grade-level groups. All members of the same family are placed in the same house. The Houses do not replace grouping students by grade level for Pep Rallies and other traditional events.
Student Council – The DCA Student Council provides students with the opportunity to participate in a representative governing body at an appropriate level for students. Student Council members represent their classes while providing input, organizing, and implementing plans for special events throughout the year.
High School Retreat – A thoughtfully planned time for our high school students to build relationships and have some fun, including special breakouts for our seniors.
Drama Club – Students who have a passion for the stage or interest in behind-the-scenes work with lights, sound, sets and props are invited to join. The group competes in the TAPPS One-Act Play competition each fall and produces a full length play or musical each Spring.
National Honor Society – Academic organization that recognizes students who reflect outstanding accomplishments in the areas of scholarship, character, leadership, and service.
Drumline – High school students are invited to participate. Prior drumming experience is preferred, but not required.
TAPPS Art, Music, Academic & Speech Competitions – Calvary students in grades 9 -12 have the opportunity to compete against their peers from other Texas private schools in art, academics and speaking events.
PARENT ROLE
Your role as a UMS secondary parent is extremely important! Although your children are nearing adulthood, they are not yet adults, and you should not give them total responsibility for their education. You must stay involved, continue to invest in your children and their education, and hold your children accountable. Keep in mind, this will take time. Don’t underestimate the crucial role you play.
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There are several roles you will fulfill as parents of 9th through 12th grade students. These include being:
A guide for dependent study
A guide for independent study
Course monitor
A project assistant
As a guide for dependent study:
You are to make certain that your son or daughter keeps up with the course material assigned and communicate to the instructor if difficulties should arise. In some cases, private tutoring might be necessary. Students are at a dependent age where disciplined study habits must be developed through positive encouragement and through the students’ growing awareness of personal consequences. It is expected that parents make the effort to know their children and understand their abilities. This is critical so that you will know how to help and what supervision to offer. Parents should help students to understand what it means for them to study independently. Review their assignment sheet with them. Make sure they understand what is expected and ask if there are any questions; allow them to attempt the assignment on their own. If help is needed, be available to assist. It is important to closely monitor their completion of assignments and their comprehension and progress in the class throughout this time to determine if more supervision and assistance is needed. Do not give too much independence.
As a guide for independent study:
You will have the opportunity to monitor the independent schoolwork performed by your child by providing additional guidance as needed. By 11th and 12th grade, independent study skills and disciplined planning for completing homework assignments is increasingly necessary. Courses offered will mimic that of a Jr. College program where independent study, research skills, time-management, a strong work ethic, and self-discipline are essential. This is the time when your children should hold primary responsibility for their schoolwork to facilitate ease of transition into college.
As a course monitor:
You will track the progress of your son or daughter and monitor how well they are doing in courses that involve equipment or expertise which necessitates that teaching be done in the classroom. Examples of these courses would be science labs, computer, foreign language, and extra-curricular activities. Of course, this role will require the least amount of time by the parent, but its importance cannot be understated. Parents need to show an interest and express this to their child. Are they becoming discouraged? Are they enjoying the class? What are the activities being done each day in class? What are they learning?
As a project assistant:
The primary responsibility of the parent is to track the progress of their son or daughter and to monitor how well they are doing. It is important that they have a sincere interest in their children’s class activities and express that interest to their children. Furthermore, help at home might be needed occasionally in support of a particular project. Parents should be available to offer this assistance which might include driving your children to the library, helping them gather materials for a project, assisting your children in finding resources, etc. Make sure your children are taking the primary responsibility and ownership in the project while you supervise and assist, so that your children are learning through the experience.
SPIRITUAL LIFE
The first, Life of Christ, is typically taken by freshman students. This Bible course will present the life of Christ beginning with His existence prior to Creation and His prophesied coming in the Old Testament; proceeding to His birth, His three-year ministry, death and resurrection; and finally extending to His current work in the world, second coming and eventual heavenly rule. The goal of the course is to establish foundational Christ-like character as students incorporate the teachings of Christ into their lives.
Seniors take Worldview. This class will offer a systematic comparison of various religions, sects, cults, and world views. Students will compare varying beliefs to those of Christianity in fundamental areas from theology and philosophy to law, politics, and history. The goal of this course is to equip students to maintain their Christian faith in the often hostile college environment and to engage critically and effectively with non-Christian ideologies.
Watch Jayce’s Story:
ACADEMIC ADVISING
The desire of the Academic Advising office is for all DCA graduates to be spiritually and academically prepared for success in college. In partnership with students and parents, DCA’s Academic Advising office provides support services, including academic advising and college & career planning, that help students achieve their personal and academic goals. We work to help students understand the importance of establishing habits today that can help lay the groundwork for college success. Our office assists students to devise an academic plan that may include course selection, career exploration, enrichment opportunities, and college selection. Additionally, the DCA Academic Advising office maintains all of the academic records such as report cards and transcripts, and also monitors academic standing and applies the policies as stated in the DCA Handbook. Lastly, standardized testing programs such as PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP Exams are administered through the Academic Advising Office.
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All students currently enrolled or entering Calvary as a 9th grader or above must declare their intent regarding graduation. Any student who seeks to graduate from DCA must follow all policies and fulfill all requirements set forth regarding graduation. Students who declare a lack of intent to graduate and change that intent at a later time will not be allowed to graduate unless they have followed graduation policies and fulfilled all requirements. Please note the following stipulations regarding graduating from Calvary: – Students must select a diploma plan from the time of their initial enrollment or entry into high school. – A recommended sequence of classes will be distributed upon selection of diploma plan. This sequence is the basis for the school’s scheduling of classes. Students who choose to diverge from the recommended sequence risk scheduling conflicts, at no fault of the school, which may result in the inability to register for required course work and thus prevent graduation. – All academic core courses (English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language) must be taken on campus from the time of the student’s initial enrollment or entry into high school. (Exception: Students may transfer one course from off campus each academic year.) – A minimum of five credits must be completed on campus to earn a diploma from DCA. – Students must submit scores from either the SAT or ACT in order to receive a diploma. – Students must attain a final GPA of 2.00 to graduate. NOTE: All students who wish to transfer credits into Calvary must fulfill all requirements as stated in the handbook. Failure to do so may result in the transfer course not receiving approval and the student not graduating.
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Each spring, the Academic Advising Office meets with students and parents by class to review the possibilities for the next school year. Although students have prepared a four-year plan, adjustments are sometimes necessary to accommodate a newly discovered passion or to capitalize on an area of academic strength. Then, online course requesting is made available beginning in late March. Course requests must be made through Renweb during the designated open course requesting dates. After that, there will be a $75 fee for schedule changes. Please be aware there is a Financial Commitment Policy for tuition and athletics (see the Parent/Student Handbook and published commitment dates on our calendar).
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Students in their junior and senior years and on a track to graduate may request to take two courses by dual credit to be applied toward graduation requirements. Students will be allowed a total of two credits per year – two dual credits or one dual credit/one transfer credit. Students are not allowed to transfer in more than one credit unless one of them is obtained through dual credit. Currently, LeTourneau University and Dallas Baptist University are the only approved institutions for dual credit. Only approved courses will be accepted for dual credit. It is the student’s responsibility to fulfill all prerequisites set forth by LETU and DBU for enrollment (i.e., testing, prior coursework, academic standing, etc.) as well as pays all fees required by the respective college. Courses taken for dual credit will count toward a student’s GPA and appear on the transcript as such. Letter grades will transfer as follows: A – 97, B – 87, C – 77.
PROCESS
The academic advising office will notify students of the registration process through both LETU and DBU during open registration and enrollment times. If a student wishes to take summer classes, please contact the advising office.
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Students seeking to transfer course credits must adhere to Denton Calvary Academy’s policies and procedures. Failure to comply or submit required documentation may result in unapproved credits and impact graduation eligibility. Transfer credits must meet DCA’s academic standards, including accreditation and content rigor. Fine Arts credits require pre-approval, documented instruction and practice hours, and proficiency evidence. New high school students must submit prior coursework for evaluation. A $500 per semester fee applies to transfer courses, with additional fees for proctoring and late submissions. Requests must be approved before coursework begins, and DCA reserves the right to require exams to verify mastery. See the DCA Parent/Student Handbook for full details.
Is DCA’s University-Model a good fit for your family?
