Grace Classical Academy

24600 La Plata Drive

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

23 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 19, 2024

Beware of admissions and school communication!We recently moved to the area, and were excited to discover this GCA school with much of the same curriculum we’ve used homeschooling our children. Our children are going into 5th and 8th grade next school year. On May 1st I toured the school with Divina who was super friendly, and helpful. She said it was unusual for them to have older students coming in, and the 5th grade class was large. She still seemed pretty confident our kids would fit in fine. Being familiar with the curriculum was a huge plus, and they’d test them on “shadow day”. I specifically asked about school communication because that’s so important to us. She assured me their response and communication was top notch. I got a follow up e-mail from our tour giving instructions for application and scheduling a shadow day once submitted. My wife and I discussed it that night and got right on to fill out the applications and pay our $100 fee. We sent a follow up email May 8th since we hadn’t heard back. I called at the end of that day since I had no response to the email. The receptionist said she would relay my message and they’d get back to me shortly. I once again called the school May 13th to see if anyone would talk to me about status, and scheduling the shadow day. The Receptionist told me Divina was not in, and that the head of admissions would call me back that day. By May 16th it was clear to us that not a single call or email response meant even if they did consider expectance their sheer lack of communication and respect would not be a good fit for our family. I simply e-mailed a request for return of our application fees. Tonight May 19 they sent us a message that they had hired a new staff with a 5th grade student, and the class was now full. No mention of refunding our fee. With less than 2 weeks left in this school year our hopes of touring a good school in session are slim.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2014

We transferred our two children to Grace Classical Academy in K and 1st grade from another private school and we have no regrets. The teachers are outstanding! The class sizes are small which affords more individual student attention. Teachers partner with parents and students to facilitate the child's success and foster a love of learning in the students. Grace Classical has a strong foundation in history, Bible, grammar, Latin, literature, composition, math (Math in Focus: Singapore Math) and art. It s a place where our children are given the foundations of learning and taught how to think, not what to think . Check out the school and ask to meet some of the parents.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

Great student/teacher ratio; smaller student populations allows everyone to know each other. Excellent academics but more importantly, developing students of great character.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

Grace Classical Academy is such a jewel of a school. My son has attended for kindergarten and first grade and he loves it! Everyday he is eager to go to school to learn. I am excited to see what he will be studying next!
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

What a school! Children actually get undivided attention from the teacher due to smaller classroom size. Upon graduation, our students have read so many important books, have written so many compositions, have had so many years of Latin...and most importantly have memorized and learned the Bible in depth, that they are ready to face the challenges of higher education. The Classical trivium approach to learning is so crucial to the development of the mind; I wish my older girls could have had the opportunity to attend this awesome school. Teachers here are not just teaching, their hearts and souls are woven into imparting not only knowledge but character. The Head of School, Gina Bonecutter is an integral part of why this school is successful. Once you are part of the family, you won't want to leave!
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

We love Grace Classical Academy. My son has attended from kindergarten and it has exceeded our expectations. We are so impressed with the caring teachers and their ability to instill a love of learning in a Christ centered environment. My son is way ahead of his peers that attend other schools and he I has had many opportunities that other schools don't offer in elementary or middle school. Many field trips are arranged through out the year (Getty museum, printing press museum, Huntington library, science ehhibit on weather,, etc...)He has done several plays including Shakespeare, placed in a regional spelling bee and is excelling in all his subjects. The teachers and administration truly care about each child and strive hard to help that child to grow in all areas.
Submitted by other on April 28, 2014

I am an eighth grader graduating this year from GCA. I have loved my time here and I think we have the best teachers around. You will be very happy sending your student to Grace Classical Academy
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

Great school with great teachers who care about the students. My son has been attending the school since 1st grade. He is now in 4th grade and loves the school!
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

We started his past year at grace classical academy and have been so happy with our experience. Our daughter loves her teacher and her fellow students. The principal Mrs Bonecutter is a wonderful example of a leader with vision and determination yet she is also very caring. I am so impressed with the quality of everyone involved at this school and am grateful to have found a place where my daughter can not only gain knowledge of the things in this world but also the creator that made them.
Submitted by parent on April 05, 2014

Grace Classical Academy has provided an excellent learning environment for my daughter. She has been there from 6th - 8th grades after attending another private school and 2 years in public school. Grace has given her the academic challenge she needs in an environment of a caring staff with Christian values. The administration, the faculty and the families who attend Grace are all committed to providing a solid Christian education. My daughter has been challenged in reading classic literature, participating in Socratic style discussions and learning Latin. The principal has given excellent leadership to a growing school while also taking the time to get to know each student individually. The faculty have been excellent both in their subject matter and the personal interest they take in each student. We couldn't be more pleased with the school and will be sad to leave when she graduates!
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2013

This is my son's second year at Grace Classical Academy and I can't believe how much he has blossomed in his time there. Everything in the curriculum is designed to nurture the mind and spirit, and I can't imagine a more holistic approach. GCA truly stands against the tide of utilitarian education, and turns children into thinkers--not just people who can perform processes. The facilities are sparse and you won't find any fancy technology or expensive playgrounds. However, none of that matters much when our kids are getting plenty of what is most important-attention from quality teachers and a contagious love of learning.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2013

Grace classical academy in Laguna Niguel is a great school. My children went there since the first day they open. The teachers are excellent the principal excellent. The classrooms are small, it feels like the children have private tutors. Their curriculum is very good and I love their math curriculum . I'm extremely happy with the school and I highly And I highly recommend it .
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2013

My son has had the unique experience of attending a very reputable non Christian private school in Orange County known for its academic standards, as well as a top rated Irvine elementary school before coming to Grace Classical Academy. We did not know that a Christian school could offer such a rigorous and dynamic academic program! Mrs. Gina Bonecutter and her staff work tirelessly to provide a solid and competitive curicullum, which has attracted some of the brightest students in the area. The students truly love to learn and we believe that each child is cherished and nurtured both spiritually and academically. Please do not let the small school size fool you...the education offered at GCA is the best we have seen and experienced. We are proud to have both our children attend GCA and we tell anybody who will listen about the blessings we ' ve seen here.. Please don t hesitate to come and tour the school if you are looking for a dynamic and fast paced Christ centered environment.
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2013

Grace Classical Academy is a great school where children learn how to develope the skills to learn and to teach themselves throughout their life. Our children learn history orderly, as it occurred and learn math conceptually; penmanship begins with beautiful cursive when their young minds and hands easily respond to their new skill. Reading and comprehension skills are developed with classical literary works that teach about good and evil, hard work and family help. All subjects whether art, music, math, history, Latin, grammar, spelling, science, composition, and logic are taught from a Biblical World View, so our kids understand and learn what the Bible teaches respectively rather than separately. I am pleased my daughter is learning these skills and others at Grace Classicl Academy.
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2013

Grace Classical Academy does an excellent job of blending Christ centered education and high academic standards. I believe that the strength of the school lies in its dedicated staff and rigorous curriculum. All of the teachers attend biblically sound churches and, as a result of their own faith, they focus on Christ throughout the day, teaching students to "take every thought captive to Christ." Also, Grace's academic focus attracts families in which learning is highly valued. Consequently, students come to school ready and excited to learn new things. At the younger grades, students are taught history, geography, Latin and grammar through songs and chants. All children love to sing and are terrific at memorizing new tunes. Grace utilizes this strength by teaching students academics through song. But, ultimately, the strength of the school lies in its biblical focus. Worldly knowledge matters little if the child's heart is not focused on God. The teachers, administrators and the school board realize this important aspect of education and their goal is to raise up a generation of children who love God first and are able to speak intelligently about Him.
Submitted by parent on July 06, 2013

Our children have been attending Grace Classical Academy for the past 4 years. The school offers a rigorous, academic, and Christ-centered education. I love how my children are challenged to learn, and love to learn. Starting in second grade, the children learn history chronologically which helped my daughter understand her world and, more importantly, how God planned everything perfectly for His purposes. The curriculum is rigorous, including its math program (Math in Focus - Singapore math) and the study of Latin. The children learn formal grammar, starting in first grade, and by third grade are able to write 3-paragraph expository and persuasive essays! The more we learn about classical education, the more we are convinced that the grammar, logic, and rhetoric schools of learning are what will prepare our children to be able to know, understand, and defend their worldview in the future. The school is small and does lack for space and facility, but makes up for it with highly equipped and dedicated teachers, mission, and classical foundation.
Submitted by parent on July 05, 2013

When we toured the school four years ago we were completely amazed with what we saw. These kids were learning in fun and creative ways, using songs and chants, memory and more. The content they were learning at such early ages were astounding; cursive from kindergarten, scripture memory, theological instruction, English grammar and literature taught in an amazing way, a priority on math fluency, history taught chronologically and integrated with Bible history. Latin instruction begins early and deepens as they get older. This instruction is important because of the deep roots Latin has in English, the romance languages and critical thinking skills that come from learning it. Last year my Jr. High son's curriculum concentrated on informal logic, learning and practicing debate, reading incredible books and being taught how to think about the Bible in powerful ways. At twelve years old he is being taught a structured Christian worldview for how he interacts with important conversations. I would highly recommend this Christian school to anyone looking to create thoughtful and intelligent children as well as the future leaders of their homes, churches and communities.
Submitted by teacher on July 03, 2013

GCA has made some amazing changes in the last few years. We have very high academic standards but believe an excellent education should be accessible to all of God's children. We are committed to providing an environment that will produce careful, critical thinkers that will be equipped to go out and transform our world for the kingdom of God. We believe in challenging each and everyone of our students to meet their God-given potential. It is an amazing environment in which all of our students flourish. My own children attend and my older children graduated from GCA. It is a jewel within Orange County. They love to learn and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. I whole-heartedly recommend this school. It offers a Christian education with high academic standards.
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2013

Grace Classical Academy has been such a blessing for our child and our whole family. We are amazed of all that our child is learning both academically and spiritually. The whole community is wonderful! We highly recommend this school to anyone who cares for their children in South Orange County
Submitted by parent on June 19, 2013

Having read the post below (which apparently wasn't submitted by a parent as the other reviews were), I couldn't disagree more. Our family was absolutely thrilled with GCA this year, and it seems others agree. After speaking with the Head of School she shared that enrollments are up over 20% for next year while over 90% of existing students are re-enrolled for next year. Seeing my children thrive I can see why. Academically, spiritually, and relationally this was a fantastic year for them, and the leadership and faculty were a huge reason why. They were always incredibly enthusiastic, positive, and well-prepared. Both the academic and spiritual environment were everything we were hoping it would be. It's a shame when forums like this are used to spread untruth rather than help families gather honest feedback about something as important as their children's education. (Exodus 20:16).