Church on the Rock Christian Academy

Extremely caring teachers/staff, small class sizes and an excellent principal (Ms. Bolin) are among the top qualities of this school. The school does not offer many 'frills' (it does offer non-sports activities such as dance and chorale) but the positive, supportive environment makes up what is lacking there. The very best aspect of the school is the way the supportive faculty encourage otherwise struggling students. My child (with an above average IQ but some specific learning difficulties) has flourished at COTRCA. Comparing the overall environment with public schools and other private Christian schools my child attended, I would say hands-down it was the absolute best fit for us. The only reason why I wouldn't give the school 5 stars is because the casual, low-pressure environment might not offer very competitive students an academic workout as rigorous as other private schools. However, for some students teaching without pressure does wonders!
—Submitted by a parent

I recently enrolled my son in the k-3 program and i have to say before i visited the school i saw this website and was a little abrehensive about putting my son in the school but after visiting the school i enrolled my son right away on that visit actually and have been very impressed with the school so far, the teachers all seem more then qualified and my son is learning very quickly, and is very excited to go every morning. All the children are so polite and have manners which is a surprise when you look at young people these days, all of the faculty and staff are very willing to work with the parents and are involved with the kids. i will update this website if i have any problems with the school but from what i see right now i deff. plan on keeping my son here
—Submitted by a parent

I was a student of OMCA for 3 years, and would like to say that it was the best school that my mother ever could of sent me to. The teachers where great and I felt like I was in a big family. I got so close to everyone (teachers included). When i needed extra help, it was given to me. How ever long it took, I was pushed to always do better because they knew that I could. My best memorries from my teen years where from OMCA and I would recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by Krystal, a former student

My child has attended OMCA for the past two years, but will not be returning. The teachers do not give the children the extra attention that is sometimes required. Instead they allow student helpers to teach the class which results in the children playing rather than learning. I have found that the reason for this is due to staff shortage. Several staff members (teachers and administrators had been there 5+ years) did not return to the school after the christmas break. The teachers or principal do not respond to phone calls or writtwn notes of concern from parents. If you are looking for a school where your child can learn OMCA is not the school for your child.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is currently in 2nd grade and has attended Private schools since Kindergarden. I have recently removed her from OMCA to a PUBLIC SCHOOL due to lack of communication from the Teachers and the cirriculum they use. They use 'paces' and what we discovered was that the teacher was not even checking the work. In a combined 6 subjects there were 24 MISSED teacher checks. They combine 2nd and 3rd grade, therefore the students do not get the attention they deserve they get it from student helpers that don't know much more than the students themselves. The material OMCA was teaching was information my child learned at the MIDDLE of 1st grade at another private school in Baltimore (Father Kolbe School in Canton) They will fall behind and if you have an advanced student, like my child, they will get bored and want to give up on trying. Think twice!
—Submitted by Kristin, a parent

Hello, i am a junior at OMCA who has been there since Pre-K. It has great education, wondrful music program, and a good amount of parent involvement. This has given me the proper amount of skills to help me excell outside of school. -A happy student
—Submitted by a student

'I was just enrolled in this school a couple of months ago and before i came to OMCA i can honestly say my grades stunk!But once i came here i started seeing an improvment. I was greeted with so much love on my first day. I LOVE THIS SCHOOL'-a student-
—Submitted by a student

My Daughter went to this school for 1st and 2nd Grade. During this time she was a straight A student, she recieved the presidential award in second grade. I put her in public school this year only to find that she was SO far behind the Maryland Public School curriculum, there was even talk to holding her back. My daughter has had a tuitor all year and will continue with the tuitor all summer. Please think twice before deciding that a 'private' school will give your child a better education.
—Submitted by Kristy, a parent

t his school is a great school to go although there are not any perfect christians this school has it's downs like every other school but for the most part everything is good. We order pizzas on Wednesdays and have some other school functions it is obvious that the purpose of the school is education it's a very small learning enviroment which is beneficial to me. This is my first year here and i plan on staying here until I graduate which is only 2 more years. Class of 2007! My grade averages have gone form 1.75 to 3.67 and I am getting information about colleges already.I appreciate this school at the end of the day even if the teachers are a little hard on you.
—Submitted by a student

My child was attending public school and failing. Since attending OMCA my child has become an A student. Does his homework without having to be reminded and has a better attitude towards learning. My sons teachers have shown him that they care about his progress and this has changed his attitudes. He knows that the teachers will contact the parents immediately if the work is not completed. This has help me to monitor my childs progress more effectively. I do wish that there was a parent organization and additional extra curricular activities.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a new child at this school and last year at public school I started doing things that I wouldn't normally do like smoke, drink and skip school. My mom placed me at this school to get a fresh start with the help of the teachers, pastor and principle I became the person whom I had forgotten and lost for nearly 2 years. At first I was skeptical about going to this school but I know I mad the right decision here they really care about the students now not everyone here is perfect we make mistake but we really learn from them to do the right thing next time I plan on staying here until I graduate and I would only reccomnd this school to a child who is serios about their lives and work or if they are in desperate need for an awakening. -a grateful student
—Submitted by a student

I am not a parent, but I am a graduate from this school, and I must say, the values and academics I have learned from this christian enviorment, has made me the person I am today. I have many friends that went to Public schools, and have found them selves pregnant out of wed-lock, hooked on drugs, I never had any of that around me when I was growing up, I commend the teachers of this school, and say to them well done, I see teachers in that school go out of their way to provide those students with the academics and Biblical teachings needed to survive in this world, I just wanted to say thank you, and God Bless all of you.
—Submitted by a former student

I am a Christian mother and was quite surprised to hear that this school orders 15 pizza's every Wednesday and the school does not even tip the driver. When I called about it, the attitude I got from the person on the other end was not Christian either. I had considered sending my children to this school, I will not now. I want my childern to go to a Christian school that shows a Christian attitude as well a teaching.
—Submitted by Robin Kienzle, a parent

My Daughter has been attending OMCA since Pre-K. She is starting second grade this year and the values alone that she has learned in 3 years are incredible. She's a very compassionate, caring and intelligent little person and I believe this is due to the discipline and no non-sense approach this school takes. It is a self paced program and all children learn at different paces. However, they do push them to be the best and I commend them for this.
—Submitted by a parent