Raleigh Christian Academy

SEARCH NO FURTHER!! RCA is the greatest church-based school in Wake County!! Not only did I graduate from here, but I now have both of my own daughters here, one in elementary and one in senior high school. It is great that my oldest can take advanced math classes a year early! This year, RCA even introduced a way for her to take college-level classes for college credit (NOT the traditional AP-way). She could receive 60 hours worth of college credit while in high school. Just think of the tens of thousands of dollars in college savings! My youngest daughter gets to learn using cutting edge technology as the teacher teaches using "Mimio/Smart Boards." She loves going to school and does not want to miss!! Both of the girls have been getting great Bible-based training as well. I have yet to find a more excellent or a more affordable academic education with a strong Biblical emphasis than Raleigh Christian Academy!! (And, YES, most definitely was I ready for college as well as any other graduate! My younger brother who also graduated had a girl in his class to get a 4-year, FREE ride to Duke University. One of last years graduates got 4-years, FREE to Campbell University.)
—Submitted by a parent

I actually do not know what to say about this school. My major concerns are the Academics/ Stanford Testing. My children received excellent grades on their report cards but the problem was their Stanford Test scores were ranging average with quite a few subject areas below average. What was very disturbing was that my children said that when they took the Stanford Test, they did not understand the questions because they did not learn that particular topic/subject area. I agree that rote learning is the foundation to help children learn before they can apply it. However, as a child continues to excel to the next grade level there should be an equal balance between rote learning and application. There may be many students in the public schools who do not pass their EOG test, but what is is so sad is that I paid for a Christian private school to not only teach my children Christian values and beliefs but for a better education. Unfortunately it did not work in my case. For future readers, this review has nothing to do with fear and pride but just the facts of my experience.
—Submitted by a parent

Don't be fooled by those who would lead you through fear and pride. RCA is an educational experience. If you are truly concerned about your children, their moral and ethical maturity, their mental development, their christian growth then send them to RCA. Academically RCA students are well prepared for the future.
—Submitted by a parent

RCA is wonderful! If you are truly serious about your child's education, you would put him/her in RCA. If your child needs discipline this is the best way to do it. Children will conform to what ever their surroundings are. That's one of the drawbacks of public education. Many children pick up behaviors and lower their expectations in order to fit in. If you are rearing them to love God and always strive for the higher prize at home, this concept will be reinforced during the school day. As for the rote learning, there is a foundation that children must learn before they can apply it. Many students in public school can not pass the EOG test simply because were trying "apply" what they don't know. All of the rote learning gets incorporated into applications as the students progress to the next level. Student who graduate from there, have far higher test scores than those of public schools. RCA is one of the best schools in North Carolina!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is not for everyone, not only is there racial tension particularily amongst the students but some teachers as well. This school is actually a clique under the pretense of christianity. They are severely behind the North Carolina Public School System in both mathematics and Science. I strongly urge a certain population not to enroll.
—Submitted by a parent

I have to admit I was a little nervous when I first placed my daughter in RCA s K4 class. I had heard that they were pretty strict, and they are. However, the environment has been wonderful for her. She has thrived at RCA and has amazed my husband and I with what she has learned not only academically but spiritually as well. With all the stories you hear nowadays of children bring guns to school, becoming pregnant in middle school, etc., I wanted a safe and nourishing environment for her to grow and develop. Because of our positive experience there, I have transferred my son from public school to RCA as well. Bottom line if you care about your children growing up to be very well-educated, kind and respectful of others, have a spiritual and moral understanding, you should send them to Raleigh Christian Academy.
—Submitted by a parent

RCA has been wonderful for my three children. They really blossomed when we brought them here. Six years later, they are still doing well and enjoying it. They have made life-long friends among the students and the teachers. I know that they will be prepared for college, not just academically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended RCA for two years. It has been a blesssing. He was reading books at four and memorizing Scriptures better than most adults. The environment is a conservative, Christian one. For my family, it has been the perfect solution. The teachers are very kind and GENUINELY care for the students. They encourage support from the parents and family as well. The school is affordable compared to most private schools out there, but my family is 'below average' in income. If it were up to me, rather than my wallet, I would send each of my children to RCA for all 12 years. Wonderful school!
—Submitted by Joy Allen, a parent

Our children have attended Raleigh Christian Academy since kindergarten. We could not have been any more pleased than we have been! Both of our children excel academically, and quite frankly, we are amazed at the level of their academics. Spiritually, we have found that the teachers are not only qualified academically--but they are kind and caring individuals. The extracurricular and athletic programs are great as well. Our daughter is presently in middle school and already taking advanced classes. Our son loves school and thrives academically. We are so pleased that our children are able to be exposed to foreign language, computers, as well as programs in art and music. Best of all...RCA is very affordable unlike some other private schools. We are very pleased!
—Submitted by a parent

RCA is a wonderful school! They have teachers that I trust with my children because they love my children. My children get a quality education as demonstrated by scoring years ahead of their public school counterparts on the Stanford Achievement Tests. The teachers and administrators are easy to talk to - just the other day I had a question about my son's assignment and the teacher contacted me to explain. I appreciate thier extra efforts. I would (and do) recommend RCA to all families.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is fine if your child is discipline. If your child is not discipline, most teachers look at him as a 'problem'. There tends to be quite a bit of racial tention with some of the teachers and that in itself made me want to take my child out of the school. I can't see paying an institution for that type of environment. Academically, the school is fine but I also found that they teach so that the child memorizes as opposed to comprehending. The math skills that are taught are also lacking so if you move your child to public school, they are behind. The reading skills they teach are ok but without comprehending that becomes a problem as well. This school is NOT for everyone; great foundation where discipline and early education (daycare/pre-K)are concerned.
—Submitted by a parent