Grace Christian School

I went to this school from kindergarten to 4th grade and it was okay. The kids never listened and the teachers did nothing about it. Discipline was not their strong point. The curriculum was not very hard and I wasn't challenged at all. The lower grades like kindergarten to 2nd grade were very good and I loved it. The upper grades were just okay. The curriculum was pretty good but the kids caused a lot of drama which is typical.

GCS provides a great learning environment for my two sons (K and 2nd grade). The curriculum is quite challenging and is extremely good in reading, math, and science. The teachers are excellent and many have been teaching for many years at GCS. One of the best things about GCS is the level of parent support and participation. GCS kids are often listed in the news for their success and have many options once they graduate. As a very educated parent, I was pleased to find a great competitive school in the local area at a cost that allows me to save more than average for future college expenses.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a student in 5th and 8th grade. Grace is a wonderful school with an especially talented Music Teacher, Mrs. Birch. The performances are outstanding! The academics are strong, but at times a little rigid missing the big picture of the concept instead of the small details of perfection. The Science program needs to be reviewed as an obvious weakness focusing on book work instead of labs. The computer class is great, and it is nice that girls and boys are separated for P.E helping the achievement of girls. One improvement that is badly needed is an aftercare component!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I have a daughter currently in 3rd grade. She has attended Grace since the 1st grade. I echo the reviews of so many who believe that this is one of the best schools in the area. The curriculum is very challenging but the teachers and staff remain loving and friendly. They have a well-rounded curriculum inclusive of foreign language, arts, and music. The math, science, and reading areas are well-defined and advanced. My daughter has a wonderful love of reading - reading up to four chapter books a week. I attibute her love of reading partially to GCS. GCS predominantly uses learning materials from Abeka but supplements from other materials. The field trips and a commitment to social service (visiting nursing homes and sponsoring those in need) are added bonuses. I am confident that my child is being well-developed cademically, socially, and spirtually. I am grateful that I found this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I think Grace Christian School provides the best value for the money of any private school. The school works hard to keep the tuition reasonable compared to surrounding schools, and delivers excellent academisc and extracurricular activities. My children have excelled there, and the school works hard to help every child succeed. My oldest is at Roosevelt High now in the Science and Tech program, and I consider her very well prepared in the science and math areas. Music is completely phenomenal, and in my estimation , by far the best feature of the school. Sports in middle school, esp. girls are excellent.
--Submitted by a parent

My child, who recently graduated from GCS this week, has been attending the school for 7 years. The teaching is excellent. The kids are well behaved. The parents are extremely active; and it feels more like a family environment than most schools. I highly recommend GCS for both the lower school and the middle school grades. My child excelled while at GSC; and compared to other children from various private schools in the area, the parents of those children all say that GCS children are far more advanced. If you want a school that is well rounded both academically and in the arts. GCS is that. I loved that the Fine Arts program is 'exaggerated' because it does developed those kids who enjoy performing and who have the talent to excel in performing arts. Many of GCS kids already perform professionally in theatre, and know have to compose music. Wow!
--Submitted by a parent

We have lived in the Bowie area for four years and we discovered a gold mine when we found GCS. We have one child in the middle school and the school has been an overall great experience. The middle school teachers are good but we have discovered that the English teacher and curriculum are excellent. The teacher has a pleasant personality but is also professional. The curriculum prepares the children for high school very well. One flaw may be an exagerated emphasis on fine arts and music. Sometimes these are treated as more important than the academic classes. Overall I would highly recommend GCS.
--Submitted by a parent

our child has attended GCS since kindergarden. The lower school is very good. the teachers are nurturing and the program is challenging. The middle school is the exact opposite. The teaching skill is lacking, children are belittled and the math and english program is lacking. we would not recommend the middle school at all.
--Submitted by a parent

I am an A honor rool student at GCS and am going into the 8th grade. I've been at Grace for 8 years and overall this school has been excellent. The classes are challenging and the teachers are wonderfull. Most of them have been teaching for at least 10 years and are really experienced: they know how kids act, function, think and therefore shape their teaching to fit along those lines. Grace's music programs are excellent! The band and choir are entered in a few competitions each year and many times win 1st place. The art classes are excellent. We explore many different types of art. The sports teams do great also! Other extracurricular classes are Computer, Spanish, and Music (K-6). The parents are also involved a lot in the school like Parent Teacher Fellowship meetings and the teachers are always readyto talk. Overall this school is a wonderfull Christian school!
--Submitted by a student

We had a child at this school for 2.5 years before moving. The curriculum is fast past and not for every child. We had concerns with our youngest keeping up at the pace in Kindergarten that our oldest handled well. We were very surprised at the difficult transition for our oldest from private to public school, but we believe it had to do with state requirements (for public schools) to teach based on testing accountability, where private schools are not held accountable in that arena. I would seriously consider sending to private based on this issue if you are not planning on staying with private thru grade 12.
--Submitted by a parent