This post has been sponsored by Trinity Christian Academy. All opinions are 100% our own!
Kindergarten. The word itself packs quite a punch. Excitement, fear, joy, pride, sadness, anticipation, anxiety. And that’s just the beginning.
Our children are born, and in the blink of an eye, we are enrolling them in kindergarten – packing lunches, reading report cards, grabbing breakfast on the go after a morning of hitting snooze too many times. My blink of an eye happened last year, and as kindergarten round-up approached, I became more and more anxious about where to register my son.
My husband and I attended private school in high school and knew we wanted to pursue that option for our children. Dallas contains some of the most well-respected private schools in Texas, so how do you sort through all the options and choose one? Like all parents, we wanted our son to be excited about learning and academically challenged to meet his full potential. However, in a world growing increasingly more disconnected and self-focused, we also wanted a school that would help develop his moral character and cultivate a passion to serve others. This was, most assuredly, a tall order to fulfill!
After doing our own homework and visiting several schools, my husband and I gravitated back to our Alma mater, Trinity Christian Academy. TCA’s mission drew us in: “Educating and developing the whole person for the glory of God”. In the end, we felt that TCA would be the perfect partner to educate our children and complement our spiritual and social values.
Fast forward a year later, we are almost through kindergarten (gulp!) at TCA. After countless drop-offs, picks-ups and post-school day stories, I can honestly say our hopes for kindergarten have all been exceeded.
What does this mom love about Trinity Christian Academy? Let me count the ways…
Community
TCA works tirelessly to foster community among staff members, parents, and students.
I love that when my son walks into school he is greeted by name. He is not just a face in the crowd but a child who is recognized for his individuality and cared for in a way that is tailored to him. Shortly after the school year began, I had my first parent conference and I was surprised how much my son’s teacher already knew about him. She and the teaching assistant quickly picked up on his personality and learning style. Knowing he was with teachers who “got him” put my mommy heart at ease.
The community focus doesn’t stop with the students. It includes the entire family system. I am continually impressed with how many opportunities there are to volunteer around campus. TCA wants parent involvement and fosters it. Parents can sign up on-line throughout the year to participate in the classroom, library, art room, special events and field trips. The opportunities vary and can accommodate the busiest of families.
My favorite volunteer opportunity at TCA is the Dad’s Club. Dads meet on campus to open car doors, read in class, and hold special events including carol singing, movie night, and dad’s night out. My son’s face lights up when he sees his dad serving at school – a lesson he doesn’t even realize he’s learning! Other events that build the TCA community include Mother’s Luncheon, the Community Picnic, and various sporting events. I am thankful that we are welcomed on campus and are able to foster relationships with teachers, parents and other students.
Excellence
TCA strives to nurture academic and spiritual excellence within the student body.
The academics are rigorous and designed to prepare students to pursue higher education at top colleges and institutions. For my son, this doesn’t mean he is being pushed past his academic comfort zone. Daily, his teachers are able work with him individually, in small groups, and in the full class setting. A current classroom favorite for me is the SMART board. Each room is wired with an interactive whiteboard that offers children an opportunity to actively participate in the instructional process. I believe that the combination of highly qualified teachers, a low student to teacher ratio, 21st century technology, and a rich curriculum enables the students of TCA to thrive in the academically demanding environment.
Trinity also provides numerous activities for students to showcase their talents outside of the classroom. Between the award winning Fine Arts Department and athletic program, there is truly something for all. As my son’s interests become more focused, I am thankful for an environment that both inspires those passions and encourages the search for others.
Christ-centered
TCA’s mission is to educate and develop the whole person for the glory of God.
In an academically driven school, I love that my son’s character and moral development matter equally to the staff. TCA actively integrates biblical principles into the learning environment. Students are encouraged to serve and care for others in and outside of school. For example, each grade level spearheads a service project that impacts a specific group of people. As my son grows, he will have opportunities to participate in canned-food drives, visit nursing homes, gather school supplies for children living in the Amazon, read with younger students, and more. He will learn first-hand the importance and joy of helping others.
Knowing TCA’s mission was nothing compared to watching my son experience it. A few months ago, he came bolting out of school, smile beaming from ear to ear. He joyfully shared that during the morning K-TCA broadcast, he was recognized for a “Fruit of the Spirit” award. This award is given to students who are seen reflecting attributes like kindness, love, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. By the end of his story, I too was beaming ear to ear: his school took the time to recognize his character rather than only his intellect or athletic ability – his whole person.
We have had such a successful year at TCA, we decided to enroll our daughter in the preK-4 program next year. She is eager to become a Trinity Trojan just like her big brother! We are excited to see how her unique personality and abilities will be cultivated – we already know they will be!
Are you interested in learning more about Trinity Christian Academy?
You may visit the campus at this upcoming event:
TCA Lower School Preview (for prospective parents of children in grades preK-4): Thursday, April 21, 9:30 a.m. Join us for an informative look at TCA’s Lower School. RSVP to the Lower School Preview Here: https://tca.myschoolapp.com/page/Lower-School-Preview?siteId=880&pending=true&cached=false
In addition, to learn more about TCA, visit www.trinitychristian.org.
