March 2021

IN THIS ISSUE: Lengthening Our Cords and Strengthening Our Stakes Lower School Principal - Becky Callaway Middle School Course Levels Middle School Principal - Jesse Owens Finishing Strong High School Principal - Daniel Head

Lengthening Our Cords and Strengthening Our Stakes Lower School Principal - Becky Callaway

This expression, taken from Isaiah’s prophecy regarding the future glory of Zion, instructs the people of Israel to, “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left.” (Isaiah 54: 2-3) God’s instruction to Israel was directed to the preparatory phase of a season of growth the Israelites would experience. To accommodate what the prophet referred to as Zion’s “future glory”, they had to first lay the foundation. Here, in our lower school, you might say that we are doing for Prince what Isaiah is commanding the people of Israel to do for their nation. That is, we are strengthening our foundation by adding to our PreK program for next fall. When we open our doors in August, we will have expanded that level of our lower school to accommodate a new group of boys and girls: three-year-olds! Our new half-day program for this age group will give interested parents the option of sending their children to us either three or five mornings each week. We are very excited to be able to fulfill this need in which many of our current parents have expressed interest for some time now. This spring, we are busily building the foundation of this new expansion to our early educational program, which will provide our youngest students with opportunities to become acquainted with the dynamics of being part of a group of peers in an academic setting. Interlaced with learning to listen and respond to routine instruction, our PreK-3 students will also have the opportunity to participate in daily Bible time, music class, art activities, PE, and storytime with maybe even a little foreign language sprinkled in! If you would like to know more about our new PreK-3 class, please contact me (bcallaway@princeave.org), or Victoria Carter in admissions (vcarter@princeave.org).

In addition to broadening our school’s foundation with this brand-new class, we are also adding value to our existing PreK-4 class by offering our “extended day” option to all these students from the beginning of the school year. Until now, our early education credentials have precluded our allowing PreK students to stay from noon through 2:50 until after they reach their fifth birthday. This new accommodation has been made possible by shifting our PreK program from “stand-alone” status with the state of Georgia to being covered by our ACSI accreditation umbrella. This minor detail will result in a major bonus for our families who have students at varying grade levels, as well as for households in which both parents’ schedules make picking up a child at noon each day difficult. I often am asked by friends and acquaintances in our community why they should choose Prince for their child for PreK. This is a valid question, considering the many options families have within our service area, some programs of which are funded by the state and are, therefore, virtually “free of charge” to parents. Aside from the given that Prince strives to be “authentically Christ-centered”, as evidenced through the caliber teachers we hire and retain, our covenant partnership with families, and our biblically integrated curriculum model, our PreK students have a distinct advantage over students who enroll with us after this initial phase of learning. The open and robust communication our teachers maintain with colleagues of the grades above and below them ensures that they, themselves, are teaching with “next year” in mind. Knowing what our Kindergarten teachers desire their students to have mastered by the beginning of that kindergarten year, our PreK teachers purposefully work throughout the year to instill in their students the knowledge and skills needed for a smooth and successful transition to the next level. If selecting a PreK program for your child is in your future, I encourage you to learn all you can before making that choice. If possible, visit several programs. I think that once you see what our counterparts have to offer, and then step into our state-of-the art facility and witness the rich, Christ-centered learning environment that are integral parts of the Prince educational experience, the best choice will be obvious. I am confident that you and your child will soon be saying, “It’s a great day--and a great year-- to become a Wolverine!”.

Middle School Course Levels Middle School Principal - Jesse Owens

As we enter 4th quarter, we have so much to be grateful for here in our middle school. Despite so many obstacles this school year, our students continue to press on. In January, many of our middle schoolers took part in our production of Aladdin, and now our spring sports are in full swing. Our students continue to shine both in the classroom and in co-curricular activities. These truly are exciting times for our school. One important process that also takes place each spring is the course scheduling that begins taking shape for the following school year. In January, we met with middle school students to discuss elective options at the different grade levels. We had our Band, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and Robotics teachers all share about their classes, and students submitted their elective choices for next school year. As a college preparatory school with strong athletics and fine arts programs, we see our students shine in many different areas including academics. It is important that we offer opportunities for students to thrive in their coursework, preparing them for whatever their next step may be in college and beyond.

Math Course Selection In addition to elective options, our administrative team and content area teachers will work to determine the best math placement for our students. Math is the first content area in which we offer advanced coursework during the middle school years. Here are some important details regarding middle school math placement: In 6th and 7th-grades, we offer advanced math options in addition to the College Preparatory (CP) grade level math course. Most 8th-grade students will take Pre-Algebra. However, if a student performs well in his or her 7th-grade advanced math course, he or she may be recommended for Honors Algebra I (a high school credit course) in 8th-grade. A very small number of students who perform well in 6th-grade Advanced Math are given the option to take Honors Algebra I in 7th-grade and Honors Geometry (also a high school course) in 8th grade. Honors Course Selection While the math content area begins offering advanced options as early as 6th-grade, all other core content areas have their first honors-level offerings in 8th-grade. Depending on their success in 7th-grade, students may be recommended by their teachers for 8th-grade honors courses in history, English, or science. Honors courses will cover more information and go into more depth than CP-level courses. The Importance of Proper Course Placement Proper course placement is extremely important for student success. Some parents may be concerned that their child will be “left behind” if not placed in honors-level courses. In my 16 years in education, I have not found this to be true. Often, if students are placed in a class beyond their ability levels, we see them begin to struggle in other areas in which they are traditionally successful. It is also important to remember that it is not necessary to take honors-level courses in 8th-grade in order to take honors-level coursework in 9th-grade. If a student performs well in his or her 8th-grade CP course, he or she will have the opportunity to take the honors level courses 9th-grade year. Honors and math placement recommendations are finalized and sent to parents in mid-June. However, if you have questions regarding next year’s placement of your child, I recommend you speak with his or her teacher now. The teacher has been instructing your child almost every day for the past six months and will have valuable information and insights that should be helpful. I look forward to working with you and your students in determining the right track for his or her gifts and talents.

Finishing Strong High School Principal - Daniel Head

This time of year, the high school office works closely with seniors and their teachers to encourage seniors to finish strong. “Senioritis” is a common occurrence among even the best of students as seniors begin to plan for their futures and look forward to the celebrations associated with earning a high school diploma.    This year, with the many challenges we have faced, we have also noticed that the underclassmen are eager to complete this school year. With so much required of all of us, quite frankly, I do not blame them. The additional requirements have caused many to grow weary, but I would like to encourage all of our students to finish strong.    Here are a few items for students to keep in mind as we work together to finish this school year successfully.

1. Short cuts taken on schoolwork now could have a negative impact years down the road. Often, when students get tired, they are tempted to skip daily assignments. Unfinished work can significantly impact final grades, and those final grades will go on transcripts that will be sent to colleges one day. Shortcuts now could impact a student’s path in the years to come. It’s worth the effort to stay the course.    2. In life, you will find that you rarely regret giving your best effort, even when you are tired, but you will most likely regret taking the easy way out once this season of life fades away. The weariness of our present situation will pass; it always does, and one of the few things you will be left with is how well you responded in the moment. Continue to show up every day and give your best. You will find that you are capable of more than you think, and you will grow from this experience.

3. Each student is at Prince for a reason and purpose. It is not by accident the Lord has brought your path to Prince at this time. God’s Word has encouragement for those who are weary and tired. God is highly aware of human nature. We are going to get worn down; we are tempted to take our eyes off Him as we grow tired. Hebrews 12:1-3 states: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Finishing the school year strong will bring glory to God and will be a great example to others.

I cannot express how proud I am of all the high school students for how they have handled all of the challenges that have been thrown at them this year. The high school faculty is here to encourage them to sprint across the finish line and into a well-deserved summer break.