A UMS is a hybrid of a traditional 5-day-a-week school and homeschooling that blends the best of both methods. UMS students have quality classroom instruction together with caring parental involvement while using a college-style schedule. The immediate goal of a UMS is quality, cost-effective, college-preparatory education accomplished in a way that gives parents more time for imparting the faith and values they hold precious.
Traditional school systems, by their very structure, tend to rob parents and students of meaningful time together. A UMS gives time and access back to parents in exchange for their commitment to be academically and relationally involved with their students outside of class according to the college-preparatory curriculum design.
Why?
University-Model® schooling was developed to fulfill two basic purposes: 1) to offer students the opportunity to acquire a high degree of academic achievement and 2) to preserve and strengthen the God-ordained family relationships in which the Christian faith is most effectively fostered.
How does it work?
GCA plans to offer Upper School core courses on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday class schedule. Some additional courses will be offered on a Tuesday-Thursday schedule. The alternating days will be “Home-Study Days” with parents assisting and guiding students at home.
• Students have a relationship with a teacher who is competent and passionate about their subject matter. • Students are equipped to take responsibility for their own education after graduation. The focus of the UMS is on preparing students to become independent, spiritually and academically, so the model structure of a UMS provides a gradual transition from dependent learning to independent learning. • The relationship between students and parents is encouraged, not torn down. Parents are enabled to have a meaningful relationship with their children since the family is not tied to a 5-day-a-week traditional school schedule. • Because of the freer schedule, parents have the opportunity to focus on a child's individual needs and abilities. • Because students are in school 3/5 of the traditional time with 2/5 of the time spent in Home Study, tuition rates reflect this difference. A UMS structure will allow a classical, Christian education through GCA to be financially accessible to more families.
Contact Us!
GCA will be hosting University-Model Upper School informational meetings once a month in the evenings in November and January - August. Please join us to learn more about the benefits of the UMS program.
If you would like information about GCA's Lower School, please contact the school office to schedule a tour!
We are excited about the opportunities University-Model® schooling will provide Greenville area families. Please feel free to contact Nancy Blough, our Upper School Director, at nblough@greenvilleclassical.com for more information. Or visit National Association of University-Model Schools website here.