I am a teacher in Plano ISD and host a foreign exchange student who is in the high school at CCA. Our first meeting at CCA was with the principal. She told us how 20% of the student body is made up of foreign students. I asked her what ESL services are provided for these students. She told me, "The state did not require that private schools provide ESL services". I was shocked to hear that CCA recruited foreign students and did not provide services for them. Also, the science teacher required all students to kill 50 different insects and create a display. Our student asked to have an alternative assignment because killing any creature was not within their Christian beliefs. We were told "There is no alternative assignment". Our student is very intelligent and has earned, A s in all classes except science in which we receive weekly e-mails reporting failing grades. My personal view is this school claims to be Christian, but they use "Christianity" as a marketing tool. The school cannot sustain itself on local students and has resorted to foreign recruitment to fill the financial coffers. What they are doing is not legal in the public school system, as well as immoral.
—Submitted by a parent
I just received another great comment about Carrollton Christian Academy. It was not from one of the parents from CCA, but actually from a parent at another Christian school who made the effort to share that when their school played CCA in sports that of all the Christian schools around, CCA's students, coaches, and parents were "classy" and competed in a way that represented a respectful Christian attitude.
I have three children at CCA. My oldest is a senior and he has been attending since Kindergarten. He has been well loved, challenged and lovingly corrected during his school years. He will be attending Texas A&M and has been accepted into the very hard to get into Business School! We love the opportunities our kids have to be involved in sports, drama and student leadership. They have had sucha a well rounded experience!
—Submitted by a parent
My daughter goes to Carrollton Christian Academy where she has thrived spiritually, academically, socially and academically. I really appreciate the wonderful mock trial program which has helped her think critically.
—Submitted by a parent
We love CCA! The secondary has an amazing science program and their science team wins awards every year. It is a small school so don't expect a lot of emphasis on athletics more on academics (unlike the person's review below me, who I believe is bitter due to her bad experiences with a small group of girls). They have had a change in leadership this year and the differences are astounding - esp in the quality of the academics. We were consistently rated high in ACSI and their sophomore and junior students scored an average of 12 points higher than other schools in the state on the PSAT's. You can feel the friendliness of the place the minute you walk in the door - the teachers treat the kids as their own and everyone on the staff gets involved in the activities of the school. It is great fun for my kids and I feel like it is our second home.
—Submitted by a parent
For the most part, CCA was a great school. However,this past year I quit mid-year. CCA is such a small school and academics really come second place. However, I was severely bullied by the girls there, and since there were about ten girls in my grade, I was toast. The staff is very nice, but not really involved with the students. The whole school itself revolves around athletics, so if you wish to seek academic scholarships, good luck.
Very homey school, pretty down-to-earth compared to others in the area, all of the faculty and staff know my kids by face, if not by name - definitely reccommend!!
—Submitted by a parent
My daughter went to CCA for her 8th grade year. This is a fantastic middle school with excellent teachers and a great principal in Mr. Covington. Mrs Weir really accelerated my daughter's writing skills and got her ready for high school English. This place was truly a blessing for us in 2009-2010!
—Submitted by a parent
We have had our child enrolled in CCA for 2 years. Overall we are very pleased, but have noticed the 'money' issue. The Elementary Principle seems very friendly to 'some' people and cool to others. Tearchers are very kind and helpful and would highly recommend the school for this reason!
—Submitted by a parent
I have two girls that started in preschool at CCA when it was Sonshine preschool. This was 15 years ago and I never looked back or regretted sending my girls each day. No school is perfect but I can count on one hand the problems I had in the 15 years we have been there, most being 'girl drama' which any school has. My oldest daughter graduated last year and now attends ACU in Abilene. Her Freshman year she took pre-med courses and had a 4.0. I would say she was very well prepared! My youngest is a sophomore this year. She has been involved in lots of activities including cheer, yearbook, student council, etc. As a student, you can be as involved as you want to be. We will be leaving CCA in 2 years after 18 years and will truly miss all the teachers and parents. Thank you CCA!
—Submitted by a parent
I love this school! My children received such a strong education at CCA, as well as being well-rounded in all areas. They had so much to choose from in the areas of academics, athletics, and fine arts. I could not have been more pleased with the education they received! I saw some less-than-favorable comments from a few parents on this site and realize that you can't please 100% of the families. Those that are not happy tend to complain. What I DO know is that CCA is DEFINITELY college-preparatory, DEFINITELY Christian, DEFINITEY diverse (35% diversity), and DEFINITELY a wonderful and incredible school. I would highly recommend it!
—Submitted by a parent
I go to CCA. The school is great. I have many friends there. Many I care about. Just because it is a Christian school doesn't mean all the kids are going to be perfect little angels. Trust me, I'm in middle school, the IS drama. There are many koreans at school which I think is great because it shows how people all around the world are Christians! If you are complaining about your child being stuck in drama, and their in middle school, then its part of life. I have realized that at CCA. The classes are challenging. They have fun extra curricular activities. Parents jump right into anything. I strongly recomd this school! Thank you CCA!
—Submitted by a student
Most of the families here are run by a Castle Hills 'click'...much different from it's origin on Belt Line where it was God First..now it's 'Money First'. These parents do not care about a 'Christian' Education. Its more about politics and WHO is paying for what. It has very much much become a school run by parents who have the 'money' to pay for their children to recieve special privledges...somehow I don't think this is what God had in mind for this school when it began...sorry.
—Submitted by a parent
CCA is a wonderful school. The students are friendly and the administration and staff are very professional. They offer many opportunities for a school of their size. Although the academics may have been at one time in the past, they have become much stronger and are definitely college prep bound now. For example, the Science and English departments have had noteable upgrades! Likewise, the recent administration has been working hard to make a difference in the area of diversity. The international student program is now 2 years old and going very well. Other areas of diversity are also being addressed in an aggressive manner and results are beginning to show. Two very nice additions in the arts and athletics areas respectively have been Karen Strauss and George Teague. CCA is a really good school and they are committed to continual improvement. Our family is blessed by CCA! Go Saints!
—Submitted by a parent
We have had our kids at CCA for 13 years and for the most part have been pleased. CCA is less than stellar as the kids get older and enter High School. Football definately takes first seat here; academics are second. Math program is very weak and we have had to supplement with tutors because most of the math teachers are coaches first and then maybe a 'teacher' if you can catch them between coaching. I would not recommend CCA for college prep.
—Submitted by a parent
My daughter attended CCA for one year(kindergarten) after that we took her out. She was the only African-American in her class, there is very little to no diversity amongst the students, falcuty, and staff. Also, there is little to no diversity among other ethnicities as well. My husband and I could not allow ourselves as parents to keep our daughter in a diversely challenged enviroment. We also found the education to be less challenging. Our daughter, before she started CCA was added with 3 digit numbers(she was 4yrs). I advised the teacher to challenge her, give her more. Her teacher said 'my daughter has not demonstrated to her(teacher) that she is ready for that type I work. Needless to say, I supplement the work at home.
—Submitted by a parent
This was my son's first year at CCA and he loves it. Everyone is friendly and welcoming making sure we are involved with everything that is going on. We did have a pretty severe bullying problem this year, and as a former teacher I was very impressed at how quickly and professionally it was handled. Mr. Covington was awesome and told the students to please let him know immediately if there were any future problems. There was none of the 'boys will be boys' attitude, it was a zero tolerance attitude. We love CCA.
—Submitted by a parent
We have 4 daughters currently attending CCA and are very pleased with the school. As a small school, our daughters are able to know all their teachers, the peers, and are learning in a Christian environment.
—Submitted by a parent
My daughter has attended CCA PK thru 2nd grade and has loved every minute of it. Each teacher has had a unique quality that has benefited our daughters learning experience. Loving yet firm and committed to the schools motto of character before career, wisdom beyond scholarship, service beyond self and participation as a way of life shines thru. We have also loved the amount of parental involvement at the school. The after school day care program at the school has also been a God send for us when we've been hung up at work and need a helping hand. 27 years of service in the community speaks louder that words.
—Submitted by a parent
I was a graduate of this outstanding school. I am here to say do not put your kids here if you care about their academics. If you are looking to build a god centered relationship I would recommend this school. But, I was not prepared for college and as a matter of fact had to go to junior college before I could attend a major university. This school had good teachers, even a few great ones but, I would recommend Prince of Peace up the street before I would put my children's academic lives in this institutions hands!
—Submitted by a former student
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