Grace Christian Academy

1200 East Southern Avenue

Tempe, AZ 85282

38 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 24, 2024

my son attended pre-k 5 for one year and it really set the foundation for his kinder the 23/24 year.the teachers are amazing so engaging in every area of each child's life. it is such a safe and positive environment where kids are allowed to be kids with all the imagination and wonder they possess. i was able to volunteer on most friday so seeing first hand how the operations and interactions happen in real time only further confirm my passion and trust in grace christian academy. the foundation ground in biblical teaching really helps with the values and morals we teach at home.i can't say one negative thing about thos school, they offer such a great education in such a beautiful environment with a staff that embraces excellence in every department from the top through it all.they have several fun events throughout the year and the rewards of seeing my son grow and learn here at grace christian academy is absolutely 100% priceless! sincerelytrep j. tremper
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2024

If GCA was a school focused solely on its educational enhancements program it would be exceptional! Teachers in EE are kind, loving, experienced and really care about what they do and really help kids in the program succeed with their one on one attention, love and help. In general, academics as a whole have declined in recent years. We have seen a “simplifying” of current curriculum, while also noticing a vast discrepancy between expectations, academic standards, and what’s taught not only in grade levels depending on which teacher our kids get but also a wide discrepancy in academic rigor between grade levels. There’s a maturity amongst teachers that’s lacking. Growth of the school has been praised and celebrated in recent years and while growth is good, one needs to be prepared for that growth. We question at what cost has growth taken place?! Academic depth and quality as well as discipleship of students hearts should not be the cost, but we have seen these areas severely affected. Classrooms aren’t always managed well and behavior issues especially the older kids are often get overlooked, especially in boys. Partnering with parents is something the school says they want to do. The more young teachers that are hired the less this happens. Too many times in recent years it seems the teachers would rather do anything BUT interact with parents! However parents TAKE NOTE and BE INVOLVED! KNOW what’s being taught because sadly Biblical integration doesn’t always happen with the various secular curriculums and worksheets that’s brought through the classroom whether school provided or teacher provided. Partnering with parents means communicating with them - at all ages and all grades! It used to be that before school started, kids were allowed to play in the grass and ampitheater, teachers had doors open ready for the day and eagerly welcoming parents and students alike. Relationships were built and community was formed. These days, classroom doors stay closed till the last second, t parents are avoided, teachers congregate gossiping together, and kids are yelled at if they run and play in the amphitheater. Sadly, GCA had changed a lot over recent years and while some of those changes are good, sadly many of them are to its detriment!
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2024

This is a wonderful school that encourages family values and involvement. Before attending Grace, my daughter would complain every morning about disliking school. I haven't heard that once since we made the switch to Grace. She has made great friends, is challenged academically, and seems to really enjoy learning. She loves her teachers and the special classes she gets to take. There are many activities and sports programs for her to choose from.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2024

I love the values this school has and teaches. My kids are doing great with the smaller classroom environment and personalized education.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2024

GCA really lives up to its name...it is a school that is filled with grace for its students and their parents. My son LOVES to go to school every day and we love the culture they have created there. Small class sizes, great teachers, caring administration and lots of activities. We are so happy with Grace!
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2024

Grace Christian Academy truly lives up to its name in fostering an environment where students flourish both academically and socially. My daughter's journey here has been nothing short of remarkable.From the moment she stepped foot into the school, she found herself immersed in an atmosphere brimming with enthusiasm and warmth. Her excitement about school is palpable, a testament to the nurturing environment provided by the dedicated staff.Speaking of the staff, I cannot praise them enough. Every teacher exudes a genuine love for their craft and an unwavering dedication to their students' growth. Their commitment to providing not just education, but also emotional support, is truly commendable. It's heartwarming to witness the bonds they form with each child, ensuring that no one feels left behind.Safety is paramount at Grace Christian Academy, and it shows. The school spares no effort in implementing robust safety and security measures, providing both parents and students with peace of mind. Knowing that my daughter is in good hands allows me to focus on her education with confidence.Moreover, the school understands the importance of family engagement. They actively encourage parental involvement, fostering a strong sense of community that extends beyond the classroom walls. This collaborative approach enhances the overall educational experience and reinforces the bond between home and school.In summary, Grace Christian Academy is more than just a school; it's a second home where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I am endlessly grateful for the positive impact it has had on my daughter's life. If you're seeking a nurturing educational environment that prioritizes both academic excellence and holistic development, look no further than Grace Christian Academy. Highly recommended!
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2024

Have had 3 children at GCA over 20+ years and have been pleased at their development.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2024

Love that my children have teachers who love their students and teach the subjects from a Christian perspective!
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2020

If you have a child that has different learning needs I would strongly encourage you to look elsewhere. I enrolled my son here for his kindergarten year and regret leaving him there that long. I have little confidence in GCA’s ability to promote and inspire learning in children that may not respond to the typical classroom. My son made little to no progress and the school’s support was lacking. As a result of being a student at GCA my son’s self esteem suffered. There was a lack of empathy from teachers and staff in helping support his unique learning needs. To top it all off, I was informed two weeks before kindergarten graduation that he wasn’t meeting their expectations and would be excluded from the celebration with his peers he’d been with all year. After the school year experience, I enrolled my son in a remedial summer program where he learned and grew more in ten weeks then he did in an entire academic year at GCA. I made the decision to move him to a different school and it was the best decision I could have possibly made. My son’s behavioral struggles have significantly decreased, he has an amazing team that supports him and he’s flourishing academically. Finally, I feel as though my son is seen for who he really is and not just for his struggles. After all, a teacher and school will never be defined by their ability to help students who already excel in school. They will be defined by how they develop and grow those that need a little something extra; a teacher's touch.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2019

Don't know. Have not yet experienced this problem.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2018

This is our 3rd year at GCA and our family is extremely happy. Over the years I've spent a lot of time on campus volunteering and I have personally observed the administration, teachers and students on a regular basis. Christ is the central foundation of this school and everything the teachers and administration do flows from that foundation. We've had wonderful, caring teachers so far that have been academically challenging in a safe, nurturing environment. In our opinion GCA is the total package, it's a small school where everyone knows your name both child and adult, the academics are challenging with many special courses like music, Spanish, and art. The extracurricular activities are plentiful, there's musical theater, band, choir, and many team sports starting as young as Kindergarten. I see my child forming friendships that I never imagined possible. In observing her class I see students that are polite, kind and caring to one another and they do so of their own initiative. I can see lifelong friendships forming among both students and parents and I am very excited to watch these relationships grow and see what the coming years will bring. I just can't say enough good things about this gem of a school in the heart of Tempe.
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2017

My 10yo has been at Grace since she was 3. She has forged friendships that will no doubt be bonded for life. The teacher's are loving and kind. The character of the school and its pupils exemplifies love and encouragement. My 4 year old is on her 2nd year at Grace and we are looking forward to both kids' continued growth in Jesus!
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2016

My son attended preschool and pre-k at Grace. This school surpassed our high expectations. Such a welcoming and peaceful environment! Each teacher he had- genuinely cared and loved him. Their lesson plans were simple and effective! The staff was always pleasant and understanding. I highly recommend this school to other parents wanting a tight knit, safe school and Christ - centered education for their child. My family is forever thankful we found this precious gem in the heart of Tempe!
Submitted by parent on July 09, 2015

My daughter has been here since preschool and she has a loving, kind nature with a great education! She is loved at school and all the teachers in all grades know all of the children for the most part which makes the campus warm, welcome and a positive learning experience for my daughter. I'm welcomed into the classroom at any time and have a great rapport with teachers across all age groups.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2015

Grace Community Christian School is a hidden treasure in the heart of Tempe. With 40 years of Christian education they have provided the gold standard in Christian education offering preschool ,Kindergarten, 1st through 8th grade. GCCS The campus is warm and inviting with a tree lined courtyard where the children can play, the large playground is also a favorite with the kids at recess. All three of my children have been at GCCS since preschool. I have a 3rd grader and a 5th grader now and my oldest daughter graduated last year from the 8th grade last year. She now attends Valley Christian High School where she is in an honers English program and plays on the Jr. Varsity Volleyball team. Our children have had dedicated Christian State Certified teachers,they all have a true heart for the kids. Grace's middle school offers a wide range of Sports Baseball, Basketball, Softball, Soccer Volleyball and Golf as well as Cheer leading. GCCS also has a top notch Fine Arts program. They have Choir and Honors Choir. Performances include various Musicals and Praise and Worship music. They have Band as well as Honors Band playing everything from Classical to Swing. We Love GCCS!
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2015

Recently I explained to my son (8th grade) that reading is actually a leisure activity for many people, to which he firmly disagreed. But today, after picking him up for an orthodontic appointment, he spent an entire lunch telling me about all he had learned in Language arts as they read and studied Pilgrim's Progress. If a teacher can awaken that kind of passion in my child in an area he doesn't love, they're amazing! Great job, GCCS!
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2015

We have 4 kids enrolled in GCCS, making this our 8th year as a Grace family. We actually never intended to send our kids to private school, but after having our first child in GCCPreschool we fell in love with it - with the teachers, the families, the campus, everything! My husband and I both have technical degrees (he's a software engineer and my degree is in physics), so acadamic excellence has always been a priority to us. Incindentally, we feel that the biblical guidance our kids recieve has prompted them to take accountability for their own responsibilites and acheivements, and to make intelligent, moral decisions resulting in outstanding grades and test scores (our oldest two have taken state standardized tests and score significantly above the norm in multiple areas - including math). Granted, it helps that we are "plugged in" parents, who stay involved in their education, but we couldn't do it without their amazing teachers! We are convinced that Christian education at Grace is equipping them with the knowledge and confidence in Christ that they will need to succeed in a secular world.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

I love this school! My family has been blessed to attend GCCS. The teachers and staff truly care about my family and teaching my child academics with biblical principals. We have been part of the GCCS family for many years and wouldn't have it any other way.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2014

The Grace staff is so wonderful. They truly get to know all the children and the parents. My son absolutely loves going to school at Grace. Not only are the people amazing the education my son receives exceeded my expectations. They do quarterly testings at my sons class which is wonderful so I can see where he is excelling, and where I need to work with him more at home. I love that the school expects that parents get involved in the child's education. Most importantly I am so thankful that my son is in a safe and kind environment. He is able to learn and talk about God where in public schools that is frowned upon. I can't thank Grace enough for everything they do for our children.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2014

The administration and teachers have been very caring and encouraging to our kids. They've made it their business to really build into the lives of the young people, spiritually and academically. The kids understand they are not just a number, and don't get lost in the shuffle. The subjects are taught from a Biblical perspective. The teaching does not shy away from this perspective, and challenges students in their critical thinking about their personal faith and worldview. The curriculum is also very strong in developing a sense of patriotism. The grading scale is more rigorous than in public school and I can definitely tell my kids are getting a private school quality of education. They do not unnecessarily overload the kids with homework. In middle school, P.E. is taught 4 days a week. They do get great workouts there! The kids begin band or vocal performance in 5th grade, and can advance to Honor Band/Choir. There are after-school enrichment programs in art, music, theatre, and other disciplines. I feel my kids are safe and sound at Grace and don't worry about their innocence being negatively affected there. It is a wholesome and happy environment.