ELEMENTARY
What makes PRCA unique in private christian education?
As a private, Christian academy, our mission is to build an eternal foundation, while also maintaining affordable tuition. Our students enjoy a low student/teacher ratio and the community of a small school.
Our students routinely score exceptionally well on the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress), which is given throughout the year.
Our curriculum is a rich, diverse exploration of language, literature, science, social studies, and the arts.
PRCA students enjoy special presentations from guest authors, visiting artists, guest speakers, and musical performance groups.
Writing skills are enhanced through creative writing and journaling
Participating in private, Christian education allows our students to express their faith in God and to study his word daily.
Affordable tuition allows more students to experience the love of Christ as it is modeled by our staff and teachers.
Academic Success
Our elementary school is the foundation for Park Row students to grow and mature in their academic learning and spiritual walk. Park Row has developed a curriculum that caters to the various levels to propel students towards academic and spiritual success. The teachers at Park Row work alongside the students to mentor and help them develop thinking and study skills early on.
Essential study skills are emphasized through the following coursework: Bible, language arts (reading, handwriting, comprehension, vocabulary, pronunciations, word usage, grammar), literature, history, mathematics, and science. A chapel is held once a week. Extracurricular classes include music, physical education, Spanish, library, and art.
Kindergarten
Basic phonics, sight-word, and creative writing instruction begin in Kindergarten.Our Kindergarten uses Eureka/NY Engage math program.
Our young readers begin utilizing the Abeka Reading curriculum
Play-based centers are an important part of the kindergarten day
All science TEKS are taught using the PhD Science curriculum where students participate in small groups.
Small-group activities
First Grade
Language Arts
The first grade language arts program focuses on phonics and reading fluency.
Small, specialized groups and whole group activities.
Students begin to write paragraphs and study literature using ABeka Reading curriculum.
Reading and writing cursive
Math and Science
Our first graders use Eureka/NY Engage math program.
Our primary focus is not only doing math but building a firm foundation in math.
Our children explain thinking and are taught many different strategies to solve math problems, including manipulatives, drawings, and mental math strategies.
Developing a deep understanding of numbers, including addition and subtraction.
Topics studied include geometry, measurement, time, money, and adding and subtracting larger numbers.
Bible class is a mixture of singing, memory work, and Bible lessons from both Old and New Testaments.
Second Grade
Language Arts
Second graders will focus on improving reading fluency and comprehension and building vocabulary using ABeka Reading curriculum.
They continue phonics mastery to become good spellers.
Students practice writing daily with more focus on language and conventions of writing, as well as cursive handwriting.
They continue to spend daily time listening to great literature.
Social Studies units include such topics as Early American Life and American Explorers.
Math and Science
Continuation of the Eureka/NY Engage math program.
Problem solving using a variety of strategies.
Topics studied include geometry, time, money, measurement, fact fluency, beginning multiplication and division, addition and subtraction.
Our second grade uses Great Minds PhD science and is taught in small groups allowing for focused discussion and hands on activities.
All science TEKS are taught using interactive notebooks and experiments.
Bible class is a mixture of singing, memory work, and Bible lessons from both Old and New Testaments.
Third Grade
Strengthening and enriching reading comprehension skills is a major Language Arts goal during third grade.
Students learn to compose paragraphs and stories using Pearson Reading curriculum.
Science and Social Studies are frequently integrated with writing assignments.
Social Studies includes the study of famous historical Americans
Students solve multi-step problems using all the math operations
Fourth Grade The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills are the basis and guide to instruction.
In Language Arts:
The Pearson Reading Street curriculum is a springboard for teaching literature skills.
Students read 2-3 novels over the course of the year and complete relevant activities.
Each student is given an A.R. goal based on their reading level for each term
Abeka Grammar is used to provide students a solid grammatical foundation
In writing, students can explore their creative side with fiction and poetry. Students are introduced to Evidence-Based Writing and taught to answer questions and prompts using textual evidence and support.
In Math:
Students achieve fluency with multiplication and division of multi-digit numbers,
They begin working with fractions and analyzing and classifying geometric figures using Eureka/Engage NY curriculums.
In Science, students build upon prior knowledge and skills as a basis for their investigations.
In Social Studies
Students begin the study of Texas History. Dating back to early American Indian groups in Texas; students read and listen to the history that shaped our state.
Fifth Grade
In Language Arts,
The Pearson Reading Street curriculum is a springboard for teaching literature skills.
Students read 2-3 novels over the course of the year and complete relevant activities.
Each student is given an A.R. goal based on their reading level for each term
Abeka Grammar is used to provide students with a solid grammatical foundation
In writing, students can explore their creative side with fiction and poetry. Students continue using Evidence-Based Writing to answer questions and prompts. The focus is on writing evidence-based essays with stronger levels of justification.
In Math and Science:
Students achieve fluency with fractions and decimals and begin analyzing volume using Eureka/Engage NY curriculums.
Science Focuses on: Life Science, Physical Science and Earth Science.
The Great Minds Ph.D. Science curriculum series will be the guide to multiple hands-on experiments.
Students express their knowledge of Science through the use of journals and hands-on experiments.
Social Studies introduces the students to the study of U.S. History. Each week, students explore a new period in American History.
Sixth Grade
In Language Arts:
The Pearson Reading Street curriculum is a springboard for teaching literature skills.
Students read 2-3 novels over the course of the year and complete relevant activities.
Each student is given an A.R. goal based on their reading level for each term
Abeka Grammar is used to provide students with a solid grammatical foundation
In writing, students can explore their creative side with fiction and poetry. Students are now adept and competent in Evidence-Based Writing and are given multiple writing opportunities. The focus is on correct word choice and creating a unique author’s voice.
In Math:
Sixth graders complete an accelerated curriculum that covers the sixth and seventh-grade Eureka Math topics.
They will learn about ratios and proportional reasoning,
Begin early expressions and equations,
Master the arithmetic of rational numbers and begin covering some statistics
Science focuses on new vocabulary for familiar topics, connections with student’s prior knowledge. Content focuses on physical science, testable explanations and predictions, and hypotheses are tentative and testable statements.
Social Studies is the study of World (or Global) history. Students explore the different continents and cultures, while engaging in geography.
Devoted Teachers
Our nurturing environment instills Christian values while providing students opportunities to grow academically and socially mature. Our teachers readily encourage and challenge students to develop their unique gifts and talents fully. All our teachers undergo ongoing training to remain up-to-date on current educational methods.
Through active participation and discovery, students learn to approach all areas of their education with confidence and increased independence.
Mrs. Foster
First Grade
I came to Park Row in 1995, teaching nursery and two’s for two years, then kindergarten for two years. I was the first ever employee of the academy and have been here 24 years, most of those spent teaching first grade. I strongly believe every student should be taught about Jesus right alongside reading, writing, and mathematics. f find the relationships with other Christian adults extremely rewarding and view my teaching as my personal ministry. God has truly blessed me over the years through all these relationships and through the many children with whom I have been blessed to work.
Mrs. Mullins
2nd Grade
My name is Susan Mullins and this is my 34th year to teach school. It is my 7th year here at P.R.C.A. I love teaching at P.R.C.A. for many reasons, but mostly because I can teach God's Word here and work with an amazing staff and fellow Christians. The environment here is safe and friendly and very welcoming. The students enjoy learning and the parents are very supportive and willing to help. My teaching style is simple, yet organized. I want my students to learn in a safe environment with creative ideas and flexible schedules. I like to teach in small groups and let each student learn at their own pace. I have experience teaching grades 2-6, as well as some GT class experience. I love teaching because I believe it is what God has called me to do. I look at my teaching as my life's ministry to the Lord. I enjoy seeing little minds growing and maturing to become productive Christian citizens.
Ms. Ransom
My name is Ruby Ransom. I have a degree in Special Education. Over the last 34 years, I have developed ways to educate students with different learning styles. My goal each year is to advance all students by a least 1-2 years. My reward is to see children enjoying the learning process.
Mrs. Grubb
4,5,6th Grade Math
I graduated from Lubbock Christian University with my BBA and I have my EC-6 and PPR certifications. I taught math and science for three years in Dallas ISD and a semester in a Fort Worth charter school before moving to Park Row Christian Academy to teach HomeSchool Enrichment. I taught HSE at Park Row for the past three years and was thrilled to move to the academy side to teach 4th-6th grade math. In my classroom, I like to teach in small groups whenever I can. I also am aware that not every student learns the same way, so I try my hardest to alter how I teach to best support each student. I love PRCA because of the small class sizes, the respectful students, and the supportive families. The admin and teacher support are also top-notch! The thing I love the most, though, is that we can worship God. Listening to the kindergarteners-6th graders sing praise songs always gives me chills and every chapel I tear up just listening to their sweet voices. I've always felt like teaching was my calling, but teaching at Park Row Christian Academy was God's exquisite plan for my life!
Mrs. Simons
4,5,6th Grade Science and Social Studies
My name is Leah Simons and I love all things science and social studies. I am so lucky I get to teach both at Park Row. It is an amazing, loving, nurturing atmosphere where we get the chance to teach our kids academics in a spiritual setting. In both of my classes, I recognize that there are many ways of learning and incorporate both visual and auditory aspects to my lessons as much as possible. We also have preferential seating, so my students can learn how they feel most comfortable. In addition, we do a lot of partner and group work, which facilitates personal responsibility and learning to work well with others.
For Science, we love S.T.E.M. and as many experiments as we can possibly undertake! They are always as fun for me as they are for the kids. Since I also teach social studies, we even have fun with cross-curricular experiments. A good example this year was making catapults. The kids had a blast figuring out how to make them, and I had fun facilitating and incorporating their history and the different ways catapults have been engineered through time. My passion for history and world studies means making the past and present come alive for my students. We engage in class activities, projects, and discussions that emphasize the importance of knowing our history and the empathy and compassion we, as Christians, should have for others.
Christ’s love abounds at PRCA, and I love being a part of what it does for our amazing kids.
Mrs. Brunicardi
4,5,6th Grade ELA
My name is Courtney Brunicardi, and I love all things literature. My goal is to get kids excited to read and instill a lifelong love of reading. Everyone can read, they just have to find the right book. In the classroom, I am energetic and passionate. If I am not excited about my lesson, the students will definitely not be. I try to incorporate as many hands-on activities and group work as I can. Whether it be transforming my classroom into a theme, planning scavenger hunts and escape rooms, or creating group competitions, I want students to have an experience when they step into my class.Whatever activity we are doing, my prayer is that students learn the love of God and know that they are unique individuals created for a special purpose.
I have been teaching for 11 years with the majority of those years being in public school. I graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University in South Florida with a degree in elementary education and a concentration in middle grades English. I am thrilled to be a part of the amazing staff at P.R.C.A where I can teach, minister, and serve each and every day.
FAQ
Why choose a Private Christian School?
Christian education guides our students academically and socially.
Science classes are based on the fact that God is the creator of our world.
Our students study Bible every day
There is a weekly, school-wide chapel service.
Religious schools have higher academic performance, narrower achievement gaps, and better behavioral outcomes than traditional public schools and public charter schools. These findings are from a meta-analysis of 90 studies on the effects of schools conducted by William Jeynes, senior fellow at the Witherspoon Institute in Princeton, NJ.
What is your student-to-teacher ratio?
Our Kindergarten class has a ratio of 20:2 and our First through Sixth grade classes have a ratio of 16:1.
What are the office hours of the school?
Our office is open from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on days school is in session. Summer office hours are weekdays 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
What are the times for your elementary classes?
School begins at 8:00 AM and dismisses at 3:30 PM.
Do you offer before and after school care?
A limited number of spots are available in our before and after care program. It is available from 7:00 AM until school begins and then from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM.
Do you offer a school lunch program?
Yes, students have the option to purchase lunches from our school lunch caterer.
Do you offer summer care?
Yes! We do! If your child is currently enrolled or enrolled for the next school year, then your kiddo can hang out with us for the summer!
Do your students wear uniforms?
Yes, our uniform provider is Visual Impacts. Our uniforms are reasonably priced, kid-friendly uniforms. A complete list of acceptable uniform pieces is available at Visual Impacts and through our school office.