“I have comfort in knowing my child is growing in an environment that looks at the well being of the whole child – physically, socially, emotionally, and most importantly spiritually.”
Heath Clark
King’s Gate Christian School
Upper School
(7th grade through graduation)
It is our mission to take the love of Jesus Christ to the community by partnering with families to equip the whole student for their individual calling through a rich, experiential education.
Hands-on, experiential, relational, inspiring classrooms led by certified teachers address the needs of the whole student: spiritual, social, emotional, cognitive, and physical. We average an 8:1 student/teacher ratio allowing each student to develop a special bond with teachers who have the opportunity to assess and support every student.
We partner with different educational entities for extra classes, concurrent classes, and college and career counseling services.
School hours: 8:15am – 3:30pm (carpool begins at 8:00 am)
Extended Hours available beginning at 7:30 a.m. and ending at 5:30 (extra fee)
Curriculum
All Upper School students attend chapel each week and biblical principles are integrated into every subject. Click below to see our course guide. We sometimes need to make curriculum changes as needed.
Language Arts
Communication skills are crucial for opportunities and success in education, life, and eventually employment. Through “Fix-It”, IEW Excellence in Writing, novel studies and literature curricula, students receive a combination of instruction and practice in grammar, writing, and reading. Grammar skills are learned through direct instruction, rigorous practice, written application, and ongoing assessment. Students are challenged to experience, explore, and improve their writing through the in-depth study of writing genres, writing skill lessons, and the implementation of the writing process.
Classroom activities reinforce students’ understanding of vocabulary words and provide opportunities to practice and apply the meanings of new words. The result is the ability to independently read increasingly complex texts. Literacy skills and strategies are explored, practiced, and applied through a variety of fiction and non-fiction works.
Mathematics
Our math curriculum maintains quality content with a research-based approach. A model built on the blending of problem-based learning and explicit visual learning informally introduces concepts and procedures with a problem-solving experience. Explicit visual learning enhances direct instruction that connects to the problem-solving experience and practice.
Integrated intervention and powerful test prep help all students master the standards and prepare for high-stakes assessments. Our 9th graders enroll in Advanced Math. As we grow to 12th grade, Upper School math classes will include:
- Algebra 1
- Geometry
- Algebra 2
- Pre-Calculus
Bible
Bible study and prayer are part of the daily classroom routine at King’s Gate. The Purposeful Design Bible curriculum offers an effective, stimulating, and Bible series guiding students to become grounded in and shaped by GOD’s Word.
Social Studies
When students study history and geography, they gain a better understanding of their world and GOD’s hand in it, making them better citizens. King’s Gate students experience history through meaningful hands-on activities, transferring their knowledge to new learning situations that demonstrate true understanding. During their time in Middle School, they will have studied U.S. History and both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres learning about the history, geography, climates, ecosystems, human-environment interaction, and economics of the cultures of each hemisphere.
Science
King’s Gate presents science from a biblical perspective, intentionally teaching GOD’s orderly design of all things. Our state-of-the-art science lab includes microscopes and Bunsen burners to give students hands-on experience in Biology and Chemistry, as well as STEM activities. The outdoor Wonderground (include link) classroom includes an observation deck, a pollinator garden, and a vernal pond. Students participate in the maintenance of this area while learning about citizen science and how to protect lands and species.
Technology
Students are provided with opportunities to use technology across all subject areas as a means to learn, assess, apply new skills, and communicate outside the school setting. Each student has access to a Chromebook through which they utilize Google-based software including Google Classroom, Google Docs, Slides, and Gmail. Through the use of Microsoft Office Suite, they learn office-based skills. As students learn typing and computer skills, they become more comfortable learners and communicators.
Electives
Elective courses provide learning opportunities outside of the normal classroom. We add electives every year as our Upper School grows. Elective courses include:
- Art
- Computer Technology
- Drama
- Journalism/Yearbook
- Choir
As our attendance grows, so will our electives.
Special Programs
King’s Gate WinTerm and Life Launch programs are designed to equip our students to cooperate with GOD’s design to prepare them to launch into their individual calling.
SpringTerm
Upper School students participate in a 2-week session, called SpringTerm, during the last two weeks of school. Students experience elective life-skills classes separate from their normal class schedule. Student surveys and the Kuder Career Assessment inform administration regarding the classes offered. Classes are taught by staff and guest teachers who exhibit expertise in a subject. Classes change each year, but past options included:
- Cooking
- Videography
- Self-defense
- Computer coding
- Performance arts
- Archery
- Wilderness training
- Piano
Life Launch
Life Launch is a life preparation building block offered to all Upper School students in the Spring Semester. Students are given a career, a salary, and a family size along with a list of expenses. They’re tasked with creating a budget, considering all family members and their needs.
