Donelson Christian Academy

Middle school boys wildcat football, basketball and baseball teams are roaring toward a Banner Year thanks to a great group of scholar athletes, coaches, cheer leaders and supporting cast of parents, grandparents, family, friends, administrators, teachers, and students that may not play, along with their parents, who come to the games to offer their support and encouragement. Last year's middle football team had only 14 players, but won as many games as they lost; this year, they passed and ran past every opponent to an undefeated season. The basketball team was undefeated in their District and only experienced two losses to a non-conference team with many year-around AAU players. At District tourney they were rewarded with a bye; as all teams were aiming at the wildcats, the first game was close with a basket at the buzzer for a one point victory; then came game two, a win over an excellent Goodpasture Christian Academy team, cutting down the nets and producing another banner for the middle gymnasium rafters. Baseball coaches too, are very optimistic. There are many sucessfull boy & girl activities at DCA--a proud grandparent of an 8th grade scholar athlete celebrating a little.

If DCA is all that you know, you might think it was a good school. After spending 5 years at DCA we had the opportunity to move to a state with excellent public schools. We were so shocked at how lacking DCA was as an academic institution! We had no idea what our children were missing out on until we left. They were always bored, but we never realized how mediocre the academics were until we realized the public school was at least a year ahead. If you are not an alumni or do not teach or work at the school, your child will never get a fair education. The best teachers classrooms are always stacked with the staff and alumni's children. It is a sad but true reality, one that is just swept under the rug. Extras that the school attempts to sell as "exclusive" such as smartboards were present in our children's new public schools and had been there for years, purchased with PTO dollars. Any reputable high school offers AP courses and those for college credit- also not a DCA exclusive as they would have you think. The one strength I will say that DCA has is an excellent art program. Other than that, our family has to give it a thumbs down.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been attending DCA since 5th grade. I can not say enough about this school. My son is not a football player nor in the band and we have never felt out of place at this school. My son loves his teachers and the lifelong friends he's made at DCA. My son is more than ready for college including opportunities to have college credits by the end of his senior year. The administration and faculty have been top notch and responsive to any questions or concerns I had in a sincere & timely manner. Reviews are always good to take into consideration however I strongly suggest you take a tour of the school, look over the curriculum as well as the graduation rates and success rates of their alumni. As far as some of the negative comments regarding favoritism toward athletics...come to a Friday night home game and see how the DCA community comes together (students, parents, faculty, administration) to support their team. The energy is amazing. There are no favorites just one big family community whether its a football game or a natural disaster. I feel so blessed to have my son at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Two words: VERY disappointing. The administration and teachers treat parents like small children, speaking in a very demeaning fashion - and this school charges a PREMIUM for students to attend - whether it's daycare or the regular school. Snap judgments are made on pre-K children, and parents are treated like turnkeys. I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone - look at other Christian schools if that's the route you want to go, but this school is "talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk" by any measure.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been going to dca for 5 years. Initially we were thrilled with the environment but in the last 2 years we have become extremely disappointed with the administration. The favoritism expressed for certain families -generally the football/cheerleading families or the ones that donate extra cash to the business office - is absolutely shameful. It has become evident there is very little focus on education and lots of focus on making $. In addition, the fake "Christian" elitist attidue can really wear on those of us that value our relationship with God, I recommend anyone looking to have their child attend here rethink the public school option. Save your money and spend a little extra time with your child doing homework. You both will benefit in the long run.
—Submitted by a parent

We left this school because the academics are poor and the focus is on athletics only.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been attending DCA for 12 years now, and while I'm not always happy, I think over all it is an excellent school. Yes some of the kids think they are better then others (but what school has completely perfect students), and yes sometimes sports seems to be the only thing that matters, but they are working hard to change that. The Choir and Drama are becomeing more active in the school and are receiving more support, and in the last couple years we have extended arts programs in the school. True not all the students are Christian, but those students are coming to recieve a better education and are held to the same standards as the Christian students. Though the school may not always be perfect, everyone pulls together to help each other in time of need, as has been shown over the last months since the flood.

My child has attended DCA for eight years. Our satisfaction with DCA has declined significantly over the last 3 years. There is a tendency to get lost in the shuffle for average students. Students are not held accountable. Athletes get special treatment. Not enough bang for your buck unless money is not an issue.
—Submitted by a parent

DCA is a wonderful school! The teachers and staff are warm and truly care for the kids and their development.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm in the 7th grade i have been at DCA since K4 up till this grade i love it but know i really don't like it. All they care about is football and basketball and mainly guys sports. So if your a guy and you like basketball and football its a really good school for you but if your a girl and don't really care for either its not so good!
—Submitted by a student

My daughter attended DCA for 11 years and we were always pleased with the education she received. She was able to obtain multiple scholarships due to the academic leval she was taught and I feel she would not have received the same in the local public schools. She definitely was ready for college when she got there and graduated two years ago from MTSU in the top 2% of her class. They do put a lot of emphasis on atheletics and band but I think they should expand their emphasis in other areas for more children to become involved at the school. Overall we had a great experience at DCA.
—Submitted by a parent

I came to DCA my freshman year. Want academics and a strong curriculum? You could get some of that here. Want way to much emphasis on sports and athletes? You will be overwhelmed by it here. Honestly, some people go here just because they have the money, and others because they truly want a good Christian school. Coming in as a freshman, it is hard to make friends with the people who have gone to DCA all of their lives. Granted, there are many new students coming in, which is great. However, the majority of the rest of the student body is very cliquey, because they have been with each other for years. There are a few other things to do besides athletics, if you are into the whole musical scene. Too much emphasis on sports & how much money your family has.

I am currently in the 8th grade. It is a very wonderful school. It has great academics that are very challenging. And most of the teachers are very nice. Athletics are one of the best in the area, but I think it's not all about sports. I waited to play football and did this year. The years before that no one treated me differently because I didn't play football. The band is great too, but everyone says that is all we have. I am now in the choir and love it. We have a great director and it's very fun. The school is very spiritually sound too. The only minus I have about this school is that all the students aren't 'christian', but that is the way it is at all schools.
—Submitted by a student

I am a parent of two children at DCA and also a graduate of the school. I'm very thankful that I had the opportunity to attend DCA. When it came time for my husband and I to choose where our kids would go to school, DCA was where we wanted them to be. As a student at DCA, I received an exceptional education and I was prepared for college. My children are excelling at DCA in all areas..academically, socially and spiritually. The school is very blessed to have wonderful teachers and an administration who really care about their students. The environment is very supportive and I know each day I drop off my kids at school, they are safe, cared for and receiving a fantastic education.
—Submitted by a parent

DCA is an excellent school coupling Christian values and scholastic achievement. DCA has a tradition of winning, a legacy of strong student connection, and a supportive environment where students are encouraged to achieve their full potential . It's a great place to learn. A great place to grow.

I'm a former student of DCA and now a parent of a student in 2nd grade. During football season their only focus is on football, during basketball season it was always about basketball.
—Submitted by John, a parent

My child attended for only 1/2 of a full school year because we were not happy with the behavior of some of her class mates which were influencing her. Academically, my child was not challenged.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended DCA since K5 and will be entering 5th grade this school year. DCA is great school as far as Christian leadership. Keep in mind that DCA is a christian and not a college prepratory. Seniors have had difficult times getting into big universities, but the school has had a 98% placement rate since my daughter started there.
—Submitted by a parent

We have seen a great improvement over the last 13 years concerning safety and discipline. There are a few (very few) teachers that should not be teaching at any school, but we have found 95 to 98% of the staff are top notch and truly go the extra mile to help the students excel.
—Submitted by a parent

DCA is a good choice for children interested in either sports or marching band, but academics are not a high priority. In general, it is above the other local schools, but it is not the best in the region. Also, while parent involvement is incridible, it can be difficult on working parents.
—Submitted by a former student