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Parent Answers to "How do public and private schools compare in McKinney?"
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I would just like to add that the lower school is taught at the gifted and talent level and the upper school is college prep and offers over 8 Honors and AP classes as well. A lot of the teachers have their masters degrees and three have their PHD.
I have a tremendous amount of positive things to say about McKinney Christian Academy. And I am not willing to write negative things about McKinney public schools in the form of a comparison, so I will just stick with my impressions about MCA.
- MCA is PreK - 12 (500+ students) with a full set of athletic, fine arts, and academic opportunities. The campus sits on a very large beautiful property.
- Because MCA has a wide range of grades on one campus, the students learn a tremendous amount from each other. Upper school students participate in lower school classrooms and learn leadership and service. Lower school students (and parents) are exposed to great kids through programs like Reading Buddies, and great mentorship opportunities. The mingling of older and younger kids is a tremendous benefit for both groups.
- There is a tremendous small town community feel amongst the parents, students, staff, and admin. Lower school students and parents go to Upper school football, basketball, volleyball, concerts, and a variety of other events. The young kids know most of the kids on the teams and are able to cheer for them.
- MCA has been an excellent academic education for my daughters. My oldest has raised her reading and spelling scores to the top 1% in national standardized testing.
- I can always pick out MCA students in the crowd. They are kind, have a social ease and confidence, and are very willing to serve others.
- MCA has required community service. Each quarter, all MCA students leave campus and participate in dozens of projects around McKinney - painting houses, serving the poor, cleaning public spaces, etc. Moreover, every Spring Break, MCA students gain international experience by traveling to places such as Russia, Jamaica, Mexico on mission trips focused on service. They are not going to beaches or laying on the couch, they are serving the poor and the kids love it.
- 100% of all MCA graduates (in the life of the school) have attended college.
- Most importantly for my wife and I, Christ is welcome on campus. Christian values and prayer is woven into lessons, service, and leadership. While the bible is integrated into the classroom and a foundation for lessons, MCA is not what many might might call a 'bible school'. The education is very rigorous and geared towards college preparatory standards. MCA leadership does an excellent job of keeping a focus and looking for the leadership of Christ. I'm in favor.
- There are no gifted and talented classes. MCA Upper School classes are taught at a gifted and talented level for all students. Expectations are very high and classes are taught to raise students up to a higher level and not pull them down to slower students. MCA is able to do that because of small class sizes.
- Hugs. I have young girls at MCA. Teachers are able to show affection and support through hugs and personal attention. Honestly, you'd be surprised at how important it is in the life of a young child.
- MCA does not have issues with drugs, excessive drinking, or discipline problems. I know this from discussions with MCA parents who are McKinney police officers.
- MCA does not have significant discipline problems. Admin is able to take care of discipline issues and keep a positive atmosphere amongst students. MCA can do this because of small class sizes and personal attention with students.
- Negatives? Tuition. While MCA tuition is considerably lower than comparable private schools, it is still an expense we would not have if we sent our children to public school. However, we know that we only have one shot in the life of our children to create the best foundation for them. They are only young for awhile. And to us, it is an important (and for the value) an easy sacrifice to make.
- I do not work for MCA. I am just an involved and very pleased parent.
- MCA is PreK - 12 (500+ students) with a full set of athletic, fine arts, and academic opportunities. The campus sits on a very large beautiful property.
- Because MCA has a wide range of grades on one campus, the students learn a tremendous amount from each other. Upper school students participate in lower school classrooms and learn leadership and service. Lower school students (and parents) are exposed to great kids through programs like Reading Buddies, and great mentorship opportunities. The mingling of older and younger kids is a tremendous benefit for both groups.
- There is a tremendous small town community feel amongst the parents, students, staff, and admin. Lower school students and parents go to Upper school football, basketball, volleyball, concerts, and a variety of other events. The young kids know most of the kids on the teams and are able to cheer for them.
- MCA has been an excellent academic education for my daughters. My oldest has raised her reading and spelling scores to the top 1% in national standardized testing.
- I can always pick out MCA students in the crowd. They are kind, have a social ease and confidence, and are very willing to serve others.
- MCA has required community service. Each quarter, all MCA students leave campus and participate in dozens of projects around McKinney - painting houses, serving the poor, cleaning public spaces, etc. Moreover, every Spring Break, MCA students gain international experience by traveling to places such as Russia, Jamaica, Mexico on mission trips focused on service. They are not going to beaches or laying on the couch, they are serving the poor and the kids love it.
- 100% of all MCA graduates (in the life of the school) have attended college.
- Most importantly for my wife and I, Christ is welcome on campus. Christian values and prayer is woven into lessons, service, and leadership. While the bible is integrated into the classroom and a foundation for lessons, MCA is not what many might might call a 'bible school'. The education is very rigorous and geared towards college preparatory standards. MCA leadership does an excellent job of keeping a focus and looking for the leadership of Christ. I'm in favor.
- There are no gifted and talented classes. MCA Upper School classes are taught at a gifted and talented level for all students. Expectations are very high and classes are taught to raise students up to a higher level and not pull them down to slower students. MCA is able to do that because of small class sizes.
- Hugs. I have young girls at MCA. Teachers are able to show affection and support through hugs and personal attention. Honestly, you'd be surprised at how important it is in the life of a young child.
- MCA does not have issues with drugs, excessive drinking, or discipline problems. I know this from discussions with MCA parents who are McKinney police officers.
- MCA does not have significant discipline problems. Admin is able to take care of discipline issues and keep a positive atmosphere amongst students. MCA can do this because of small class sizes and personal attention with students.
- Negatives? Tuition. While MCA tuition is considerably lower than comparable private schools, it is still an expense we would not have if we sent our children to public school. However, we know that we only have one shot in the life of our children to create the best foundation for them. They are only young for awhile. And to us, it is an important (and for the value) an easy sacrifice to make.
- I do not work for MCA. I am just an involved and very pleased parent.
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