Coram Deo Academy - Upper School

High School at Coram Deo Academy

Established in 1999, and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, high school at Coram Deo Academy is designed to train ethical leaders and wise thinkers to shape culture for the glory of God. We accomplish this by educating students in a historic Christian worldview through a vigorous classical curriculum. In classes, hallways and auditoriums we engage in discussion and debate over historical, political, religious and literary issues, we delve into mathematics, scientific theories and experimentation, we enjoy theatre, music and fine art and on the ball fields and courts we revel in athletic competition all to help each student prepare for his or her God-given purpose in all of life.

Parents and students that share this passion to serve God collaborate with professional educators and the Holy Spirit in this pursuit. The students do not simply attend classes but they are learning a way of thinking and living, growing as logicians, rhetoricians, mathematicians, artists and athletes as they:

Study language, logic and rhetoric with a linguist and PhD candidate
Debate history and discuss literature with a seminary graduate and a PhD and with British literature and Don Quixote aficionados
Master mathematics and the sciences with experienced teachers, engineers, a chemist, the Spurgeon of mathematics, a calculus expert and a biologist who is also a certified naturalist
Discuss Jesus, the Word, the Trinity, the ante and post Nicene fathers, creeds, confessions and comparative religions with real teen age life application with our house apologist
Wrangle with their opponents coached by ex-college coaches and even a couple pro athletes experiencing the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat in 17 different sporting opportunities
Beautify the air under the tutelage of an experienced band director, act and orate trained by an experienced theater teacher and debate coach, learn from a professional classical guitarist and enjoy the visual arts studio with a master
Compete in speech and debate in the National Forensics League and TAPPS (Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools) in its arts, academic and athletic leagues
Develop leadership acumen, self-government and a positive school culture in the newly designed Coram Deo House System modeled after its British heritage.

As a result:

90% score above the national average on the SAT while 60% score above a 1200
95% enter post secondary institutions upon graduation
Hundreds of thousands of scholarship dollars translate to their benefit. In 2006 one graduate received the TCU Chancellors Scholarship valued at about $100,000 while another received an appointment to the Naval Academy an opportunity valued at over one quarter million dollars
Some aspire to the ministry and others to careers in film, and music, business and engineering, the defense of their country, teaching, writing, athletics and more
The Academy has purchased and will develop a beautiful fifteen acre campus to support the process for decades to come
With 163 students currently enrolled the school is small enough so that every one can know everyone’s name but large enough to have the momentum for continued success

These students learn and grow in an atmosphere of commitment, faithfulness to the revealed will of God in the Old and New Testaments backed by effective administration, a long-term commitment to excellence and some of the finest families around. No wonder the high school has grown from its modest beginnings to enrollment of over 160 students in 2006. The high school is small enough so that every one can know everyone’s name yet large enough to have the momentum for continued success.

Coram Deo Academy High School Options

In response to interest indicated in a survey of Coram Deo Academy parents, CDA introduced a full time high school option. A High School Student may select a part time three-day program supported by study at home or a full time five-day per week school experience. A student may attend the core high school program and enhance that experience with electives or attend full time through a combination of the core high school program, electives, athletics and attendance in a new Study and Tutorial Center. The full time option builds on the Coram Deo approach by substituting day time study at home under parental supervision with day time study at school under the supervision of a professional educator.

Three Day per Week High School

Core high school program consisting of mathematics, English, history, science with lab, foreign language and theology
Arts electives classes or co-curricular programs taken and paid for as electives
Athletic programs joined and paid for as electives

Full Time Five Day per Week High School

In response to interest indicated in a survey of Coram Deo Academy parents, CDA introduced a full-time high school option in 2006. This program builds on the Coram Deo approach by substituting daytime study at home under parental tutelage with daytime study at school under the supervision of a professional educator. A high school student may select a part-time (2½-3 day) program on campus supported by study at home or a full-time school experience (5 day per week on campus). Athletics and a full day of Friday electives are included in the full-time tuition.

The High School Study/Tutorial Center allows a student to remain on campus in a supervised setting during all regular school hours and consists of:

Core High School classes (mathematics, science with lab, history, English, foreign language, and in some grades theology) offered twice a week;
Learning Center periods in the Study/Tutorial Center when not in class to complete assignments under the supervisor of a professional educator;
Personal locker at school
Personal notebook computer for use at school and at home
Access to a printer and secure wireless network in the Study/Tutorial Center;
Access to an ethereal library, a reasonable array of necessary texts and reference works, and a studious, academically motivating atmosphere;
Access to a collaborative team of teachers to support the student as needed;
As many arts/science electives that can be scheduled, including math and Latin labs;
If desired, as many athletic programs that can be scheduled.

The Study/Tutorial Center supervisor is a qualified teacher who monitors student progress hour-by-hour. Tutoring from campus specialists in the various academic disciplines is sought as needed. Students work independently much of the time and must abide by the school’s internet-use policy while in the center.
Participants in the full-time program join the High School lunch time and Friday house meetings/assemblies. Students may also bring healthy snacks/drinks for study breaks. The intent is to create a studious but welcoming atmosphere for students to work individually as well as in small groups.
The full-time option provides greater flexibility in scheduling the student who is either ahead or behind a sequenced class such as math or foreign language. Math lessons are graded so corrections can be made during the day. Parents may need to grade other assignments at home. Ordinarily, the majority of schoolwork will be completed during the Learning Center day; however, a student’s pace and productivity are affected by the temperament and strengths/weaknesses of each individual.
Parents are encouraged to remain involved in the student’s learning by discussing history, literature, science, and theology with their child at home. Students often benefit from parental review and assistance with editing of their writing assignments.