Marshall Christian growing to meet needs
Published August 2, 2008, The Sand Mountain Reporter
By Elizabeth Summers
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The Marshall Christian Academy is growing by leaps and bounds, says Principal Ed Rogers. “Empowering the next generation” is not only the school’s theme for the upcoming school year, but also their teaching philosophy.
MCA has added two new middle school grades ( grades six and seven) and new kindergarten rooms for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds this year, necessitating new classrooms, an expanded library and the hiring of several new teachers.
“We have been so blessed,” Rogers said. “This has been a really busy summer. I haven’t worked as hard as I have this summer. But, it is all for such a good cause.”
Enrollment at the school has increased to 130 students, up from 50 last year. The new middle school grades account for much of the increase, he said.
MCA offers classes beginning with 2-year-old kindergarten through grade seven. All classes are taught based on Christian beliefs and values. Middle school students take classes in math, English, science, history, Bible, computer science and physical education. Students choose elective of choir, praise band and team, reading enhancement, online Spanish, drama, art and banking and finance. Newly installed lockers and newly formed basketball teams for boys and girls give students the feeling and experiences similar to those of their public school peers.
Middle school students will also take part in regularly scheduled field trips to area businesses, industry and attractions to gain real-life knowledge. The choir will also travel to area nursing homes and churches to perform, gaining confidence and singing experience.
Students of all cultural backgrounds come to MCA from Douglas, Crossville, Albertville and Arab, Rogers said. Keeping up with the ever-expanding enrollment is a full-time job, he said.
“This growth has forced us to make a lot of changes,” he said. “We are making changes to the lunchroom, car line and the library. But, these are all growing pains. They are good things to have to do.”
Newly hired teachers include Dale Cotten, fourth grade teacher; Tony Shields, middle school teacher; Tyra Tarvin and Wendy Cody, 4-year-old kindergarten teacher; Laura McCord, 3-year-old kindergarten; and Leah Hartline, 5-year-old kindergarten.
Along with the new growth is the added work to achieve accreditation by the Association of Christian Schools International. MCA has been granted candidacy status by ACSI and will serve as host a visiting team in the spring, Rogers said.
“We are working hot and heavy right now. This has all not been without problems. We are very thankful to Brasher’s Chapel (First Congregational Methodist Church) for giving us the opportunity to provide a Christian education to our students. We are thankful to God for being able to teach a Biblical worldview to our students. And, we are truly thankful for all the assistance we have received from our area school boards. Our students have been able to eat lunch all summer at Albertville Elementary School and we have been able to go to (schools) when we have had students who need screenings and tests,” Rogers said.