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Student Services Forms

Academic Profile

 

Community Service Form

Required for Grades 9-12

 

GCA Course Catalog 2023-2024

Check out our Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment classes in the course catalog!

Greenbrier Christian Academy has replaced the traditional Guidance Office with a wider encompassing Student Services Office. While mostly academic in nature, the Student Services staff seeks to provide support to students in all areas of their lives by working in conjunction with the divisional offices, principals and discipleship programs.

More About GCA Student Services


The following colleges will be on campus at GCA to meet with interested Gator students and parents. Students must get a pass by the day before from Student Services to be excused from class to speak with college representatives. Afternoon visits will take place in Collegiate room 108. Parents welcome to attend!

Thursday, September 25th, 2:30p-3:30p

  • Erin Conley from JMU
     

Monday, September 30th, 1:00p-1:30p

  • Liberty University
     

Thursday, October 3rd, 2:30p-3:30p

  • Hilary Moyler from Regent University
     

Monday, October 14th, 1:00p-1:30p

  • Pete Lyndsay from St. Bonaventure University
     

Thursday, October 24th, 1:00p-1:30p

  • Karim Frazier from Randolph Macon


 

Struggling to get "the Big Picture" about your "Big Future"?

truggling to get "the Big Picture" about your "Big Future"? 

Are the "steps" for college preparation overwhelming?  There are a multitude of resources available to assist you in this process.  Unlike "the old days" when college catalogs and brochures were the norm, college planning is now a virtual endeavor, easily accessible to you and your family as you think about post high school plans.  The College Board (the "SAT and PSAT people") has great resources available to high school students and parents with just a click of the mouse.  Take a few minutes to browse around BigFuture's site for helpful articles and checklists regarding the planning process. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/

Additionally, the Student Services office is here to help you!  Contact our office to make an appointment to discuss this process or any other issue with which we can assist you.


 

Actions Speak Louder than Words

The above cliché is often used as a reminder that unless our actions back up what we say, then both (our words and actions) will be made ineffective. As I have walked the halls and visited classrooms, I can attest that students are experiencing the genuine care and professionalism of their teachers each day. Far greater than “informational vending machines,” the instructors at GCA demonstrate on a daily basis what it means to know and follow Christ.   Just this past week, I was walking through the elementary wing and saw a teacher out in the hall with one of her students. My assumption that the student was in trouble was proved wrong when I saw the two praying together – specifically for the child’s mom to get better. The teacher didn’t have to step into the hall and pray with her student. However, she understood that her actions would speak louder than proceeding with her momentary agenda.

 

Before any “words” can be spoken, the teachers of GCA spend incalculable hours preparing for the instructional day. The academic team (consisting of divisional principals, the academic dean, and myself) are focused on collaborating with teachers in developing mastery-driven instruction. Utilizing available technology, cooperative learning structures, and other hands-on activities take learning outside of the textbook and provide the students with varied, academically rigorous experiences.  Planning for this type of instruction is not accomplished solely within the designated hours of employment. I know this from personal experience! Late nights, early mornings, and weekends are when a majority of grading and planning is accomplished. How do you and I know this type of planning is happening? The teachers are showing us through their creative approach to instruction.

As a school, we continue to refine our approach to the continuity and delivery of instruction. This process is continual and we definitely appreciate your support of our endeavors. Even more, the administrative team thanks you for your prayers and support of your child’s teacher(s). They are the heroes of GCA.


 

Is it too early to think about college?

College often seems like a far-away goal for many high school students and their parents.  But, it is not too early to be taking wise actions to position yourself for that all important senior year and the college selection process.  What can an underclassman be doing now to prepare for what God may have planned for him or her later?

During 9th and 10th grades:

  • Choose class electives carefully.  Meet with Student Services to discuss your schedule of classes for each year and to identify electives in line with your interests.  Plan to challenge yourself and develop good study skills.  Grades do matter!  The grades for credited classes that you earn in 8th or 9th grade will be included on your official high school transcript and will be calculated into your grade point average.
     
  • Participate in extra-curricular activities inside and outside of school.
     
  • Complete at least 24 hours of community service.  Remember that this is a graduation requirement and must be completed each year. The more hours you complete the better because we are called to serve others, it helps you to determine your interests, and it is a positive reflection of you for colleges and scholarship organizations.  
     
  • Begin keeping a list of your awards, honors, paid or volunteer work, and extra-curricular activities to prepare an educational resume'.
     
  • Sophomores can plan to take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT).  This is optional for 10th graders, but helps the student practice for the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT).
     
  • Begin or continue a savings plan for college. With your parents, attend one of the college financial planning seminars offered at various times through the year at your school.
     
  • Start looking at colleges websites online and attend college fairs in your community to get a feel for different types of schools and what they offer.
     
  • Pray about your future and ask God for guidance in this very important process.

 

During 11th grade:

  • Review your academic progress with Student Services.  A summary of classes taken and an audit of classes still needed is performed for you each year. Plan to take the most challenging academic schedule that you can.
     
  • Order your class ring.
     
  • Take the PSAT on the scheduled day in October.  This is mandatory for members of the junior class as this is the year that scores are under consideration for National Merit awards.
     
  • Study!  Keep your grades up.  Junior year is a critical year in achieving the highest grade point average possible.
     
  • Continue to investigate colleges;  consider the size, location, distance from home, majors offered, housing, and cost as you look.
     
  • Continue to visit college fairs and talk to college representatives that visit your school. Ask questions!  Discuss colleges that you are interested in with your parents.  Plan to visit colleges of interest during Christmas or Spring break, or in the summer leading up to senior year.
     
  • Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse if you are an athlete intending to play sports at a Division I or Division II college.  You can get all the info necessary by visiting the Clearinghouse website at www.ncaa.org and click on the "Eligibility Center" button on the right.
     
  • Take the ACT or SAT at least once.  The test that you choose may be dictated by the colleges that you are interested in attending.  Remember that this is a graduation requirement; be sure that your scores are sent to GCA.
     
  • Complete your Community Service hours and add to your list of activities.
     
  • Begin researching and applying for scholarships.  Sign up for scholarship search engines such as www.fastweb.com and www.scholarships.com to find opportunities for which you qualify.  Student Services also posts scholarships and deadlines, and often will make you aware of particular scholarships for which you are a good candidate.
     
  • Prepare your educational resume by listing all of your activities, awards, work and volunteer activities.  This may be done in English 11 as a part of your writing assignments, but go ahead and prepare to show your accomplishments to prospective schools or coaches.
     
  • Attend the College Planning and Selection Seminar offered in the spring of the school year aimed at juniors and their parents.  (Date to be announced-watch the calendar!)
     
  • Continue to pray about the process.

 

Plagiarism

Do you know what plagiarism is? Does your student?


To plagiarize, by definition, is “to present the ideas or words of another as one’s own.” (Merriam-Webster’s, 1997) Many articles and commentaries have been written over the past number of years underscoring the growing occurrences of plagiarism in academic settings and in the public arena. “Academic Integrity is a fundamental value of teaching, learning, and scholarship. Yet, there is growing evidence that students cheat and plagiarize.” (Clemson, 2010) Entire organizations and websites exist in an effort to counteract the trend toward unauthorized use of intellectual property.

Read more about Plagiarism


 

How to Be a Senior

"How to Be a Senior"

There are so many exciting things that come with being a senior.  You have worked hard, and you have finally reached the culmination of your high school career. However, there are many responsibilities as well.  This list is intended to guide you- and your parents- through these uncharted waters.

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Read more about How to be a Senior