Mount Pleasant Magazine July/August 2019

www.CharlestonsPrivateSchools.com | www.CharlestonSchoolDirectory.com | www.ed.sc.gov INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS ISD 201 TeachingToday for a Better Tomorrow PALMETTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY P almetto Christian Academy will soon be celebrating another year of record enrollment as the school continues to flourish with a 30% increase in the number of students over the past three years. Established in 1992 as a ministry of East Cooper Baptist Church, PCA opened its doors with just 25 students and now welcomes well over 700 students into its classrooms from preschool through 12th grade. PCA Headmaster JD Zubia said the school has stayed faithful to its purpose of providing a Christ-centered education for the Mount Pleasant community. “We have grown because of word-of-mouth, and the word on the street is that PCA is providing an education that not only prepares students to go on to the colleges of their choice but also is producing graduates who are entering the marketplace of ideas with the ability to impact a culture that so desperately needs the ethics and morals we provide here.” Zubia stated the school’s leadership and faculty are intentional about aligning everyday actions with their mission of “equipping students to pursue Jesus Christ passionately as they impact the culture.” He added that as part of a new strategic plan, faculty and staff are getting better at unpacking what each of the verbs in the school’s mission statement means. The school believes it must equip its students academically through high standards of teaching, coaching and mentoring. Zubia explained, “We must also equip them spiritually by integrating a distinctly Christian worldview as we teach every subject. And finally, we must equip them personally by encouraging self-discovery BY JOHN TORSIELLO through assessments and exposure to a variety of disciplines and experiences.” Pursue means the school seeks to promote spiritual development by teaching spiritual disciplines and how to think Biblically. “We integrate faith in all things as we help our students find their strengths and passions, and we offer methods for vocational and career exploration to assist students in finding God’s purpose for their lives,” said Zubia. And impact means encouraging students to serve each other and their community. “We provide multiple opportunities for students to serve outside the school to develop a passion for serving others,” said Zubia. “We encourage students to be advocates for Christian education by developing an unquestioned reputation through their actions in their community.” According to Lisa Shimakonis, director of admissions, “The heart of PCA is our covenant relationship with families and how we partner with parents in the biblical education of their children.” Shimakonis said she talks with numerous prospective families who are a seeking what current PCA families enjoy — a truly distinctive educational experience within a nurturing, caring community. “Our teachers are invested in our students and give generously with their time to help students before school, during lunch and after school. Teachers and parents support students in sports and other activities outside of the classroom. PCA is truly a family, and it’s wonderful to see students grow up together.” Palmetto Christian Academy is located at 361 Egypt Road, Mount Pleasant. Call 843-881-9967 for more information, or visit PalmettoChristianAcademy.org. Photo courtesy of Palmetto Christian Academy.