Academics
Learning at Liberty
Overview
Christ-Centered Academics
At Liberty Christian School, children are provided Christ-centered programs of the highest standard, establishing the framework for an excellent education. LCS prepares students intellectually, spiritually, socially and relationally to meet their responsibilities in life, stressing God’s Word as the center of each child’s life.
We believe that all truth is God’s truth, especially in the areas of history, science, mathematics, language and the arts. Our focus is intended to promote a program of academic excellence and develop godly character in our students. With Scripture as our ultimate authority, we trust we can make a difference in the lives of our students who will go on to impact the society in which we live.
It is our goal to produce well-rounded students who understand their value to our Creator and to encourage children to do their best in every academic area to the glory of God.
PRE-K & Kindergarten
Early Childhood
Education at the early childhood level is a time where students take their first steps in learning to think for themselves, make decisions, work toward their own solutions and express their own ideas and feelings. It is also a time during which their faith can blossom and grow when surrounded by a community of loving teachers who nurture their God-given curiosity and model Christ’s love.
Kindergarten at Liberty Christian School consists of separate programs for four and five-year-olds. Each program offers developmentally appropriate learning experiences to meet student needs in all domains (language, cognitive, physical and social/emotional) in a loving and stimulating environment. Classes incorporate sound educational curriculum with plenty of experiential play to keep the kindergarten student motivated to learn and develop. In addition, students are challenged to develop a deeper awareness that they are image bearers of the God who loves them.
K-4
This kindergarten preparatory program for four-year-old students is designed to meet the needs of its students academically, while providing the social/emotional aspect that is unique to students in this age range. A kindergarten-level curriculum is used that aligns with our K-5 curriculum, allowing for a smooth transition for students moving from one level to the next.
K-5
Our five-year-old kindergarten program is particularly focused to lay a firm foundation in phonemic awareness and develop strong reading skills in students. Instead of pushing reading from the beginning, kindergarten students are exposed to phonics and reading throughout the year as they become developmentally ready. This method encourages better reading skills as children move forward in school. The small class sizes and several levels of reading groups allow for reading instruction catered to each child’s readiness level.
Distinctives
Class Size
To best meet student needs, K-4 classes are limited to 12 students with one teacher and one aide and K-5 class sizes are limited to 15 students with one teacher and one shared aide.
Full Day
Both the K-4 and K-5 programs are full-day. Your child will be exposed to plenty of playtime as well as developmental activities that reinforce the lessons covered during the academic program.
Learning through Play
Kindergarten learning and play extends beyond the school’s doors: a multi-level state-of-the-art playground structure awaits right outside the kindergarten door, ensuring a wide variety of fun and excitement. Our large gym also beckons the students to learn and grow in their physical abilities. In addition, an inviting amphitheater resides nearby that offers an ideal venue for outdoor classroom experiences.
Lower School
Grades 1-5
The Lower School program at Liberty Christian School provides a strong academic foundation to first through fifth graders in a safe, caring environment where students are taught according to their unique giftedness. Our desire is to encourage a love of learning, curiosity, and intrinsic motivation within our students. Surrounded by a community of teachers who share a love for Christ, the elementary years are also a time for children to continue to grow in their faith. Students are taught a broad overview of the Bible with emphasis on different areas at each grade level. Through class devotions, Bible, shorter catechism instruction and Chapel lessons, students are encouraged to focus on various Christian character qualities.
Distinctives
Class size
The average class size in Liberty Christian’s Lower School is 16 students and class sizes are limited to no more 23 students.
Instructional Aides
Liberty Christian School’s first and second grade classes each have a teacher’s aide who assists the teacher with small group instruction, reading, math and other academic areas.
Resource Teacher
This teacher provides instructional assistance to Lower School classroom teachers as well as additional enrichment activities to students who may require more individualized instruction.
Multi-level Reading instruction
To meet the unique learning needs of its students, LCS offers several levels of reading in each grade throughout the elementary years. Reading and language instruction is rooted in a phonics-based philosophy.
Dynamic Specials Instruction
LCS has well-developed and resourced specials programs in Art, Music, Media, Spanish, Computer Lab and Physical Education. As a result, students are able to develop their talents and interests and become well-rounded individuals.
Spanish
Spanish instruction in the early grades builds a foundation of vocabulary and language. Students in second through fifth grades receive instruction in Spanish once a week and practice Spanish using a variety of songs, games, and speaking activities.
Media Center
Students visit the media center once a week as a class where they have the opportunity to check out books every other week. During the alternate weeks, Lower School students participate in a variety of reading enrichment activities. The Media Center hosts several activities throughout the course of the year, including two book fairs and family fun reading night, an event where families and friends have the chance to meet local authors and participate in an ice cream social and book signing.
Computer Lab
Students in Kindergarten through eighth grade receive weekly instruction in computer technology, with focus on the important apps in the Google Suite – Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides and Gmail.
Keyboarding, mouse control, research, and internet browsing instruction is also given. Lower school focuses on keyboarding, and mouse control with introduction to the Google Suite Apps. Students in third through eighth grades benefit from an Internet Safety curriculum entitled “USA-SOS (Safe Online Surfing) Internet Challenge” to help students become responsible cyber citizens. They are exposed to guided internet browsing and research. Creativity is encouraged in creating simple Stop Motion animation. They are also introduced to Logic development using unplugged and hands-on critical thinking activities, as a precursor to block coding.
In addition to computer class, students visit the computer lab with their teachers to work on projects related to curriculum in other subject areas.
Middle School
Grades 6-8
The middle school years might be the most critical time in your child’s development. As young people move towards greater independence, peer pressure becomes tremendous. As they begin to make their faith their own, your children begin to question almost everything. Imagine going through this period of development surrounded by a community of teachers and friends who share a love for Christ.
Liberty Christian School’s Middle School program provides sixth through eighth graders a strong academic program and a wide range of co-curricular activities designed to create leaders and encourage students to explore and ground their Christian faith.
Distinctives
Top Academics
LCS graduates move to area high schools having developed confidence in learning, leadership, and skills. Many students who graduate the eighth grade will have completed Spanish I and at least one year of high school level math. Dynamic specials programs are also offered in the areas of Art, Music, Media, Spanish, Computer Lab and Physical Education. In addition, LCS offers a robotics club in which students use programming and design skills to compete in the VEX IQ platform competitions. Our team has won the state competition and represented LCS at the VEX World Competition!
Google for Education
Middle School classes enjoy full integration of Google classroom software for student creation, collaboration and production. Students utilize Chromebooks each day in class, viewing and sharing information from the internet which pertains to subject matter they are learning.
Spanish
Students in Middle School receive more formal Spanish instruction with emphasis on conversation, reading and grammar. Instruction includes homework, tests, quizzes and projects. Students may complete eighth grade with a high school credit for Spanish I, and most eighth graders have the opportunity to apply their Spanish language skills when they participate in the Joshua Expedition mission trip to Costa Rica. Students can participate in the National Spanish Exam as well; having the opportunity to win medals and certificates, and measuring their level of achievement compared to thousands of other students around the country. The 2022-2023 school year boasted national recognition for excellent performance on the 2023 National Spanish Examinations. All eleven students who took the exam earned national recognition. Students from Liberty Christian School earned a total of 1 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals along with 4 honorable mentions. Our gold medal winner scored in the 99th percentile in the nation!
Tutoring Program
Tutoring services are available for students who need extra help with their assignments due to mild learning differences or organizational skills. Tutors work closely with the school and parents to help students succeed. Several tutors provide their services at LCS at an extra fee before, during, or after school hours.
Competitive Sports
Students have the opportunity to try out for and participate on competitive sports teams, including volleyball, soccer and basketball, which travel to other area Christian schools. Cheerleading is also available for those who want to encourage LCS players.
Clubs and Activities
Middle school students have the opportunity to participate in a weekly “club” session that affords them the chance to participate in a diverse offering of activities that appeal to their varying interests. Leadership opportunities abound through participation in activities such as the school’s Student Government Association, Student Ambassadors or through serving as helpers and mentors to our Lower School students. In addition, a wide variety of extracurricular activities are available to middle school students, including robotics, archery, Math Olympics, spelling bee, speech meet, and an annual middle school musical.
Foreign Missions Opportunity
Eighth graders are invited to participate in a foreign mission trip where they are challenged to deepen their Christian faith and to minister to others in need of salvation and encouragement. Every eighth grader is involved in supporting the mission team. (Read more about Joshua Expedition: https://travelje.org/)
Media Center
Students visit the media center once a week as a class where they have the opportunity to check out books every other week. During the alternate weeks, Middle School students are able to use the time as a Study Hall. The Media Center hosts several activities throughout the course of the year, including two book fairs and family fun reading night, an event where families and friends have the chance to meet local authors and participate in an ice cream social and book signings.
Computer Lab
Students in Middle School receive weekly instruction in computers, including Google documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Keyboarding, mouse control, research, and internet browsing instruction is also given. Middle Students students also benefit from an Internet Safety curriculum entitled “USA-SOS (Safe Online Surfing) Internet Challenge” to help students become responsible cyber citizens. In addition to Computer class, students visit the computer lab with teachers to work on projects related to curriculum in other subject areas.
With social media very prevalent in the lives of middle school students, emphasis is placed on discussions on internet safety using ‘Be Internet Awesome with Google’, followed by activities that reinforce the lessons. Students grow into very proficient keyboarders. Building on the lower school foundation of Google Suite Apps, students learn more advanced features of the apps and work on real life applications individually and collaboratively. Emphasis is placed on equipping students for high school and beyond by honing skills like email etiquette, efficient internet research, copyright ethics, writing newsletters, creating presentations and data analysis spreadsheets. Students are introduced to Computer Science concepts like critical thinking, algorithms, and flowcharts using simple examples. They then work on block coding activities in Blockly and Scratch. Basic introduction to AI is being introduced as well.
