Skip to main content

South Shore
Christian AcademyFor Christ. For Others.

FAQs

 
Are you accredited?
Yes, we are fully accredited through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the premier accrediting body in the country.
 
What is the average class size?
The average class size for Preschool through Grade 12 is 18 students.
 
What is the student/teacher ratio?
With 15 student per faculty ratio in the Lower School (Preschool to Grade 5) and 10 student per faculty ratio in the Upper School (Grades 6-12), students receive the individualized attention and guidance necessary to prepare them for college and beyond
 
What is the Harkness Method?
The Harkness method of teaching, pioneered and first introduced by Phillips Exeter Academy in 1927, is a collaborative learning approach where ideas are formulated, considered and debated by students with faculty guidance. At South Shore Christian Academy, we focus on rigorous academics and use the Harkness method for many high school English and humanities courses such as Comparative World Literature and Foundations of Western Civilization.
 
What are the graduation requirements?
Students are required to attain 23 credits for graduation. Credits are earned through courses in English, Math, Science, Bible, History, Foreign Language and Fine Arts.
 
Does SSCA offer Advanced Placement classes?
AP classes are available in:
  • English Language
  • English Literature
  • Spanish
  • U.S. History
  • European History 
  • Calculus AB
  • Biology
 
What is Flex Block?
Flex Block is the last period of the day for students in Grades 6-12. During this period, students participate in arts electives, clubs, and student leadership opportunities, such as:
 
  • Graphic design
  • Choir
  • Theater
  • Chapel Band
  • Entrepreneurship Club
  • Maker Space
  • 3-D Modeling and Printing
  • Robotics
  • Students of Color Alliance
  • National Honor Society
  • Prefect Council
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes
  • Yearbook
  • College Guidance
 
What sports does SSCA offer?
Students in Preschool through Grade 8 receive physical education instruction weekly. Students in lower school may compete in basketball and soccer skills development, which is offered through our enrichment programs. 
 
Upper School students, Grade 6 through 12, may compete in a range of interscholastic athletics.  Our "no cut" policy allows all students to participate at some level, and over 80% of students play at least one sport each year.  Our varsity teams have competed at high levels in leagues such as NEACS.
    • Soccer - offered to girls and boys in the fall.
    • Volleyball - offered to girls in the fall.
    • Cross Country - a co-ed team offered in the fall.
    • Basketball - offered to girls and boys in the winter.
    • Indoor Track - a co-ed team offered in the winter.
    • Baseball - offered to boys in the spring, depending on student interest.
    • Softball - offered to girls in the spring, depending on student interest.
    • Track and Field - a co-ed team offered in the spring.
    • Esports -  a co-ed team offered in the fall, winter, and spring.
 
Does SSCA have an Arts program?
Yes!
 
Students take general music classes from preschool through grade 8, enabling them to develop musical literacy, appreciation for a variety of global musical styles, and the ability to make music vocally and on a variety of instruments.  SSCA is well equipped with keyboards, guitars, ukuleles, Orff instruments, and various African and Latin rhythm instruments.
 
Students take visual arts classes every year, ranging from general art classes in lower and middle school to various advanced courses in high school.  Plus, additional visual arts electives are offered during flex block for middle and high school students.
 
Choir, theater, and chapel band are offered during the day for middle and high school students, and our after-school theater program (included in tuition) mounts two productions each year -- a fall play and a spring musical.
 
Instrumental lessons are available during the school day for an additional fee.
 
Are entrance exams required for admission to SSCA?
Applicants to Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten are required to complete a developmental screening test administered at SSCA.
 
Applicants for Grades 1-5 are required to complete an entrance test administered by SSCA. Tests are administered following successful completion of the application.
 
Applicants for Grades 6-12 are required to take a Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT) or an Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE).
 
Is Financial Aid available?
Financial Aid is available. SSCA utilizes the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment program to process all tuition assistance applications. FACTS assists SSCA in assessing need.
 
Tuition assistance at SSCA is a need based financial aid program. It is available to assist students that could not otherwise attend SSCA without financial help. This assistance is available for parents or guardians of Kindergarten through Grade 12 students.
 
Families are eligible to apply for financial assistance after completing the admissions application process.
 
Are there other costs that are not included in the tuition?
Tuition includes full participation in the SSCA program, including field trips and special learning experiences, Upper School retreats, books (except for some AP classes), graduation expenses, sports, arts, music, and theater. It does not include the enrollment fee, uniforms, optional after-school enrichment programs, after-school care, Upper School Interterm trips, books for some AP classes, lunches, and private instrument lessons.
 
Is a lunch program provided?
A school lunch program is available through a local vendor. Order forms are available in the "Parent" section of our website. Students in Preschool through Grade 5 may also purchase milk with lunch on a monthly basis. 
 
Is there an AfterCare program?
SSCA offers AfterCare for students in grades Preschool through Grade 5 whose parents cannot pick them up by 3:00 p.m. The hours are 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and the cost is $12 per hour per student, billed in 15 minute increments.