Got Questions?
Selecting a ministry organization and school with which to partner is an important decision for a parent.
As with other major decisions, such as college and degree choice, job offers, career moves, church membership, missions agencies, and relationship decisions, evaluating a ministry school involves knowledge, understanding, and and a correct assessment of one's needs and what the organization can and can't provide. From this investigation, discernment, prayer, and obedience to the Holy Spirit should rule.
In order to help with the investigative process, Lake Pointe offers responses to frequently asked questions (FAQ), so that families may benefit and compare the resulting sketch of LPA with what matches the family's needs. We don't ever want to "sell" someone on Lake Pointe's ministry; we want to provide information about who we are, what we do -- and why, and how we operate.
General
The vital, postive parent contribution to learning and discipling is the most significant difference between the typical modern school and the University Model School (UMS).
- Students split their time between school classroom experiences and time invested in the home with the parent(s)' assistance.
- Classroom teachers and parent co-teachers work together to assist the student to learn, to think, and to persevere.
- Students in grades K5-6 attend on-campus classes on Tuesday/Thursday, while grades 7-12 have a Mon./Wed./Fri. schedule
- The alternate days, the student spends at home, working under a parent's direction on assignments from the classroom teacher
- The student comes to class prepared for the session and with something to contribute to the group.
Lake Pointe supports biblical truth and prophecy, two solid points that offer the best platform for true diversity within unity: the one that God designed.
- First, we all came from a single pair of ancestors, Adam and Eve. (Gen. 1-4).
- Secondly, when people are gathered to Christ and His kingdom, there will be complete unity among prophesied diversity. There will be believers from "...every tribe, every nation, and every tongue..." (Rev. 7:9).
Therefore, we desire a rich and diverse community of students, family, and faculty/staff.
Currently, for the 2017-18 academic year the student diversity profile is as follows:
- 07 African American
- 05 Asian
- 06 Hispanic
- 01 Native American
- 02 Slavic
- 21 Total students with minority ethnic backgrounds
- 13%
Academics
No, LPA intentionally chooses to NOT follow the Common Core program.
As its name suggests, there are many objectives that schools' curricula have "in common," and these appear in several places in Common Core. This is coincidental.
Many, many more Common Core objectives and curriculum priorities are diametrically opposed to the idea of a classical Christian education.
Naturally, Common Core ignores many classically-oriented content areas, such as formal logic and Latin, but the "new" program also downplays fictional literature in general, and older classic literature specifically.
"Critical Thinking Skills" and "analysis" are highly trumpeted in Common Core, but broad classical approaches to teach students to think for themselves -- especially from a God-centered worldview -- provide a better method for encouraging creative problem solving and the asking and answering of worthwhile questions.
Some LPA math and other textbooks may be labeled as related to Common Core (to help sell the materials to a broad array of schools), but LPA aims to teach to the curricula by classical methods.
To read a concise article on a few of the main differences between Common Core and the "Classical Core," click here.
Spiritual
No, LPA is NOT part of a church, which is surprising for a Christian school in SC.
- Lake Pointe is an independent, educational ministry -- an SC non-profit corporation with federal 501(c)3 tax status.
- Its founders came from Lake Wylie's New River Community Church, which supported LPA generously in the early years.
- Lake Pointe owns the academy's campus and makes space available for independent churches to use the campus for weekend worship services. “The Bridge” Church currently meets on weekends at LPA, the third congregation to do so in Lake Pointe's history.
- LPA is an inter-denominational ministry. Please see our statement of faith. (updated Dec. 2014)
The parents have the primary role in spiritual matters. The goal is for parents to disciple their children, using academics and the family time provided, and for LPA to support, encourage, and facilitate the parent's primary role.
• Lake Pointe's program is for parents committed and surrendered to Jesus as their Lord and Savior
• It’s for those wanting an education program to let them engage their children in biblical truth and teachings of Jesus.
• It’s a program that supports the parents’ biblical teaching and training efforts while the student is on campus and in activities.
- This question often implies questions such as "how committed is LPA to requiring Christian families -- do you just say it or do you mean it?"
However, it can often mean, "Our lifestyle isn't really centered around following Jesus as the our King, and we're not really teaching our kids to follow Him; Can we still come?"
- Lake Pointe's program is for parents who are born-again followers of Jesus Christ. (See the discipleship goals; a parent cannot disciple if he or she is not a disciple himself or herself).
- It can’t work with the parents who want only “Christian principles” or for those who will “put up with a little Christianity” for the sake of a good education. Other schools pursue this type of evangelistic model. Lake Pointe exists to reinforce the teaching and modeling of born-again believing parents, in partnership with the Holy Spirit.
Sadly, it happens, and this situation of parents being "unequally yoked" can be difficult in matters of education. In families in which only one parent is a born-again follower of Jesus, LPA can partner with that parent, as long as the other parent is willing to support those efforts and to agrees not to work against them.
Humans are sin-infected beings, and students, parents, and teachers are humans. There is sin at Lake Pointe.
Yes, the program has policies and rules, but "law" serves to reveal sin, and not to prevent it.
Acknowledging that there is and will always be sin in earthly people, LPA will seek to call it what it is, and what God calls it -- "sin," and we will seek to engage it, as in 2 Timothy 3:16-18 (biblically teach, rebuke, correct, and train).
Our culture is not a religious military-style school. Those looking for such will be disappointed. Likewise, others will be frustrated if they tolerate their child's sin at LPA and if they seek to protect their child from correction.
Campus Day
No, LPA students do not wear uniforms to class, which is unusual for a Christian school in SC.
• Our approach has been to help parents to teach modesty to their children using regular clothing
• Dress guidelines attempt to honor the broadest possible range of believers and are designed to help teach students to respect and to serve others though attire.
• Dress guidelines are reasonable and are available for family review.
LPA has no cafeteria.
Students bring their own packed lunch to campus, using ice packs or thermal containers to keep items hot or cold. Breakables, especially glass, are not allowed.
Periodically, the academy will coordinate a catered hot lunch, often from a local fast food restaurant.
Secondary student groups often serve special lunches as a fundraising opportunity for student life, study trips, etc.
Elementary students all dine in the multi-purpose room, before going outside for recess.
Secondary students may dine in the multi-purpose room or, weather permitting, they may eat outside at tables on the lawn.
State-licensed student drivers are allowed to drive to campus and to use the parking lot. This privilege depends upon the student's responsible driving history.
Teachers
No, not all teachers are certifed or licensed. Neither SC or the SC Association of Christian Schools requires it, nor does our accrediting body.
We believe that teaching is a spiritual gift.
Licensure and training can be good things, but they are not always a clear indicator of quality.
Both good & awful teachers in other programs are all certified
- Our minimum requirement for instructors is a 4-year college degree.
- Several instructors have masters degrees or doctorates without certification
- Many have teaching degrees, with either current or expired state certification from SC and other states
Some of the best instructors are LPA parents, because they have insight in both what and how to teach in the University Model -- along with how to support parent co-teachers.
All of LPA's teachers are part-time.
The faculty is comprised of instructors who have passion and training for teaching, but who do not want to teach all day, five days per week. The faculty roster includes teachers who have children, retired teachers, and professionals in their field who teach courses according to LPA training and support.
Many only teach one or two courses. This means they are emotionally fresh and prepared for the courses they do teach. Students benefit from higher this energy level.
Very few teachers instruct in both the elementary and secondary programs.