Grace Preparatory Academy

This article is about the secondary school in Arlington, Texas. For the secondary school in Durango, Colorado, see Grace Preparatory Academy of Durango.

Grace Preparatory Academy (GPA) is a Christian college-preparatory school located in Arlington, Texas, United States. Founded in 1992, it offers programs for Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade students drawn from the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. It is the founding member of the National Association of University-Model Schools and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[1][2]

History

In the spring of 1992, a group of parents met to share their vision for a new model of education that blended the best of their various public, private, and home-school model experiences. The school was incorporated on December 18, 1992, and held its first day of classes on August 16, 1993. In 2005, the National Association of University Model Schools (NAUMS) — which was founded as the outreach arm of GPA — became a separate entity, and GPA also became accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).[3][4]

Educational model

GPA was the first to implement the educational model known as the University-Model School (UMS) which combines two elements of educational success, the professional classroom instruction of a teacher and the at-home mentoring of a parent, into a unified, college-like program.[5] Students attend classes on campus two or three days per week, and instruction continues at home on the other days.

Athletics, academic competition and extracurricular

GPA secondary students compete with other non-public schools in athletic and academic events as a member of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. Athletic teams include Cheerleading, Baseball, Softball, Boys' Basketball, Girls' Basketball, Cross Country, Track & Field, Football, Golf, and Volleyball.[6] Academic teams compete in Academic/Speech, Art, and Music. Extracurricular organizations include: Journalism, Spanish Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Robotics Club.[7]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ Existing Members National Association of University-Model Schools web site
  2. ↑ Directory Southern Association of Colleges and Schools web site
  3. ↑ History and Concept Grace Prep Academy web site
  4. ↑ University model, classical education emerging anew as schooling alternatives Baptist Press, Mar 12, 2003, Tammi Reed Ledbetter
  5. ↑ What is UMS? National Association of University-Model Schools web site
  6. ↑ Athletics Grace Preparatory Academy web site
  7. ↑ Student Organizations Grace Preparatory Academy web site

External links