Classically Unconventional
If you shopped, ate, or even just drove through Coral Springs during the holiday season, you probably noticed an abundance of X’s. They were on posters mounted in storefront windows, on T-shirts walking through the mall, on business cards handed out at parades, and even in rear car windows. The X was the idea behind this year’s Christmas services at Church by the Glades. Imagine a pop-rock production meeting the timeless truth of Jesus, the messiah born to rescue the world.
Church by the Glades may easily be described as unconventional, but the church has a not-so-hidden secret. Monday through Friday, about one third of the campus is transformed from Megachurch to modest school. From a fully-licensed preschool and VPK to a middle school equipped with iPads and e-textbooks, Glades Christian Academy and Preschool is home to approximately 240 students from 6 weeks old through the 8th grade.
The large, beautiful campus is somewhat deceiving. You might expect it to house a hustling, bustling school of a thousand or more. While the education is as exceptional as larger schools, the experience feels more like family. Warm smiles, small class sizes, and close knit student groups abound at GCA. While the curriculum is time-tested and well established, the principal and staff are empowered to think outside of the box. Parents aren’t just called when students are in trouble or failing, but also to celebrate or just to check in and find out how things are going.
Founded in 1991, Glades Christian Academy sees students graduating from its eighth grade class who have been at the school for many years. There are also many siblings attending together. One parent writes on greatschools.org, “My first child has been attending GCA for many years now, so when it was time to put my second child in, it was just natural to have them at the same place. We had to be placed on the waiting list since they are in such high demand. As a family we love the school.”
While Glades Christian Academy has more than doubled in size under its current leadership, class size is intentionally limited. But GCA isn’t like any other small school; the visionary creativity of Church by the Glades has rubbed off. Whether it’s rockin’, soulful chapel worship led by middle schoolers or reading level evaluations done on each classroom’s iPad mini, GCA is a school that recognizes the importance of tradition while thoroughly equipping today’s young leaders for the world of tomorrow.
Although registration hasn’t officially opened for the 2015-2016 school year, GCA is currently waiving its $50 Elementary and Middle School Application Fee through February 2015 for those who want to apply early. Apply online at www.GladesChristianAcademy.com, or schedule a tour by calling Diane in the school office at 954.755.6405.
