Academics

Core Subjects and Expanded Learning

MVCA focuses on essentials such as penmanship in manuscript and cursive, memorization of basic math facts tables, and reading comprehension. K-5 students follow the ABC’s with Ace and Christi ACE manuals with PACE’s in Math, English, Animal Science, Social Studies, Word Building, and Bible Reading. Students in grades 1 – 8 have a core regimen of Math, English, Science, Social Studies, and Word Building. Expanded curriculum subjects include Literature and Creative Writing, Animal Science, and Bible Reading. High school students’ courses include the same core subjects plus electives. They must carry a minimum of 6 subjects per year to graduate in 4 years and meet state requirements.

Character Development

Building character is a multi-faceted endeavor. Scripture must be the foundation for the tracks upon which this vehicle called “Character” develops and moves through life. Consistency, steadfastness, and patient guidance must be exhibited in the adult lives attempting to teach that character development. Love, mercy, and grace provide the daily cohesion which keeps the vehicle on the tracks as the roller coaster of life twists, turns, peaks, and plummets. ACE’s curriculum has 90 different Biblical character traits woven into the PACEs. These traits are exampled with colorful cartoon strips depicting real life situations and character trait definitions. Students give written examples of how they’ve demonstrated a particular character trait in their lives. Personalizing and internalizing the character traits cultivates the heart’s soil of the student.

MVCA teachers are trained to teach to the student’s potential. Each student is a diamond in the rough whose full value will never be seen unless the Biblical principle “precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little” is applied to the academic arena. Students in a safe environment and surrounded by love will naturally begin to blossom as they taste success because they are working on an academic level where they can begin learning and understanding in their ACE work determined by their diagnostic test.

Mastery-Based Learning

This is the only type of education able to produce long-term results which do not dead end nor implode halfway through the building of the academic structure leading to high school graduation with options of continuing education if desired. Our mastery-based learning model allows students to progress at their own pace, ensuring a thorough understanding and retention of knowledge. “Working at their own pace” is carefully guided to avoid slothfulness and to motivate the student to complete daily, weekly, and quarterly goals. Ultimately the student’s confidence begins to soar as they experience success and begin to realize, THEY CAN LEARN! This fuels the drive to achieve which begins the love of learning for a life time.

Critical Thinking Skills

Until the ages of 9 – 10, the human brain isn’t physiologically mature enough to process complex thinking. Therefore, ACE does not focus on that type of learning below 5th level. Grades K-5 through 4th are devoted to mastering the essential skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic which sets the stage for critical thinking to begin in 5th grade. Many students struggle in this new arena, but MVCA’s staff patiently guides the students’ thought processes without giving them the answers. This fosters independence and confidence. Our goal is to equip students with the analytical skills necessary to think for themselves academically and as future leaders in the world.