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GASTON C HR I STI AN SC HO O L
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ANNUAL REPORT
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14 Contents 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2
A Message from the Board From the Head of the School Academic Statistics Chapel and Worship Demographics and Summary Standardized Testing Honduras Mission Trips Class of 2014 Graduates
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12 13 14 15 16 17 18 22
Early Childhood Education Elementary Education International Students Program Middle School Education High School Education From the Academic Dean Donors Year in Sports
2013-14 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Standing: Rhett Melton, Ron France, Reid McGraw, Ray McKenney, Robert King, Marc Stout Seated: Preston Guy, Susan Davis, Laura Egeln, Kelly Zukaitis, Charlie Pearson
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he Board of Trustees for Gaston Christian School functions in accordance with a governance model known as Policy Governance. Following this model allows the Board to focus on specific responsibilities and provides direction for the Head of School in operating the school on a daily basis. The Board’s duty is to represent the desires of “moral owners” of the school, those fellow stewards committed to the mission of Gaston Christian School. The most important responsibility of the Board of Trustees is to define the Ends Statements towards which the school will work. These Ends Statements become the basis for all other work of the Board and become the targets towards which all operating decisions of the school are based. The Ends Statements currently established by the Board are: Students excel spiritually, physically, academically, and artistically according to their potential. Students are prepared for acceptance to the college or university of their choosing. Students are spiritually mature, evidencing a Christian worldview as revealed in the Bible. GCS families and staff exhibit Christian love, service and joy. Students and their families impact the world for the kingdom of God.
W. Rhett Melton Board Chairman
In our work, the Board meets regularly to pray for the school, to review the success in achieving the Ends noted above, and to plan
for the future, seeking to position Gaston Christian for continued success for decades to come. Serving on the Board is a blessing and we, the current Board members, also know it is a privilege. We are sometimes awed by the responsibility, knowing that through it all, we are first accountable to God our Father for our work in this effort. We know that Gaston Christian School is His school, that we are only here by His mercy and grace and that we have a unique opportunity to impact the lives of many students, their families and our community. Our opportunity through this blessing extends far beyond our life on this earth, but more importantly, through the work that God is doing through Gaston Christian School to impact the eternal lives of those touched by the school. Before ending, let me add an additional thought about something else that we can sometimes take for granted but never should. Please join the Board in routinely saying “Thank You” to the faculty and staff of Gaston Christian School. As a parent and a Board member, I am grateful to the commitment that this group of special individuals has made to enrich the lives of our students, by creating a safe, academically challenging and spiritually nurturing environment to help us as parents to train and grow up young men and young women. Their time, their prayers, their patience, and their dedication are truly a wonderful thing; let us all lift them up through showing our appreciation to them and through our prayers for them. We are blessed by the opportunity God has given us to be a part of this school. Let us seize this moment to glorify Him and to prepare future generations to do the same. ANNUAL REPORT
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DR. MARC STOUT
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From the Head of School
he 2013-14 school year was an outstanding year for Gaston Christian School. We began our Teacher Orientation with a focus on our theme verse for the year, John 3:30 which says, “He must increase, and I must decrease.” Our theme challenged all school employees to have Christ increase in their lives. Mr. Mickey Bowdon led a stirring session about biblical integration and how Christ should increase in our classroom instruction. Our facilities were expanded last year with the addition of six tennis courts, the construction of a baseball practice field, and the purchase of four adjoining acres. Visitors continue to marvel about the outstanding facilities we provide for the students of Gaston Christian School. We truly are blessed. Dr. Marc Stout Because of growth in the elementary Head of School program, we made the decision to expand our first grade to four sections. Hence, we saw the need to expand our classrooms in the elementary program. Planning and design of an annex were completed during the fall, and construction commenced after the first of the year. I am happy to say that our fifth-grade students are the recipients of our new classrooms and are enjoying them thoroughly. While we expanded our “footprint,” we also spent a great deal of time strategizing for the future. Our Director of Technology, 4
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David Jordan, did a great deal of research into the best way to have a “one-to-one” roll out in the high school. He visited different schools, conducted research on the Internet, and had teachers use iPads, laptops and Chromebooks to see which avenue would be most beneficial for our program. It was determined that Chromebooks were the best fit for GCS students. This summer we began our Chromebook training and distribution to 10th-12th grade students. We also increased our Robotic program for elementary students at GCS. Mr. Jordan offered 15 students training in Robotics. The sessions were so successful that we have plans to expand Robotics into the middle school as well! Our year was also full of grief as we experienced the passing of Mrs. Carla Foy, our Middle School Counselor, and Lauren Turner, a third-grade student. However, in the midst of sadness, we felt the love of God and His presence as we said good bye to these loved ones. Please pray for these families as they continue their lives without their loved ones. End-of-the-year testing affirmed that our students are getting an outstanding biblical worldview education that equips them to compete with the best and brightest around our country. Our 61 seniors received more than $4,450,000 in college scholarship offerings, a truly amazing testimony to the quality of students who leave as graduates of Gaston Christian School. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support to make this possible. May He continue to increase in our ministry. For His glory!
2013-14 ACADEMIC STATISTICS
#1
LARGEST PRIVATE SCHOOL IN GASTON COUNTY
20 100%
INTERNATIONAL
STUDENTS FROM 4 COUNTRIES
Over
COLLEGE
ACCEPTANCE RATE
$4.45 million IN SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO THE CLASS OF 2014
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AP SCHOLAR STUDENTS
1533 SAT
COMBINED SCORES
Source: 2014 College Board, AP Scholar Awards
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CHAPEL
“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30
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BY THE NUMBERS
STUDENT BODY PROFILE 100 50 16 70 47 52 51 57 443
Early Childhood / Elementary Preschool Full-Day Kindergarten Half-Day Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade Total E/C E/S
Middle School Enrollment
57 53 65 175 866
6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade Total MS
High School Enrollment 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade Total HS
72 58 57 61 248
Total GCS Enrollment for 2013-14
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
FAMILY DEMOGRAPHIC
Fiscal Year July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014
Operating Revenue $5,435,949...........Tuition and Fees $410,187...........Contributions/Fundraising $69,544...........Miscellaneous $5,915,680..........Total Revenue Operating Expenses $3,903,323...........Salaries and Benefits $394,385...........Operating Expenses $608,029...........Program and Office Expenses $311,800...........Interest Payments $11,690...........Miscellaneous Expenses $5,229,277..........Total Expenses $686,453........ Operating Profit Contributions/Fundraising $222,863...........Annual Giving $22,094 .........Building On The Rock Campaign $25,053 .........Magazine Sale $38,812 .........Golf Tournament $86,283 .........Designated Gifts $15,082 .........Other
Other
19%
Gastonia
41%
Dallas %
5
Mt. Holly
7%
Charlotte
13
%
Belmont
15
%
Other includes: Alexis, Cherryville, Clover/Lake Wylie, Concord, Crouse, Cramerton, Denver, Fort Mill, High Shoals, Iron Station, Kings Mountain, Lincolnton, Lowell, McAdenville, Rock Hill, Shelby, Stanley and York.
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STANDARDIZED TESTING AT GCS
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ach spring in Grades K-11, Gaston Christian administers the Stanford Achievement Test, a multiple-choice, standardized battery of tests designed to measure achievement (what the student has learned). As a normreferenced instrument, it allows educators to compare their students’ progress in reading, language, mathematics, science, and social studies with that of similar groups nationwide. This year’s Average Basic Battery percentile scores for the GRADE Reading Language Math Spelling Basic Battery GRADE Reading Language Math Spelling Basic Battery
K 93 NA 86 NA 90 6 82 82 83 79 81
1 82 81 85 87 81 7 75 77 79 82 77
Average Basic Battery Elementary School Average Basic Battery Middle School Average Basic Battery High School (9-11) Average Basic Battery Grades 1-11 Average Reading Grades 1-11 Average Language Grades 1-11 Average Math Grades 1-11 Average Spelling 1-11
8 80 82 78 80 79
Elementary School, Middle School, and High School are strong, putting GCS students well into the top quartile of students across the nation; within some grade levels, percentile averages place GCS student performance within the top fifth of the nation’s students. Score results for Gaston Christian School reflect the performance of all students for which the group report is given; there is no selectivity of data in scores representative of students at Gaston Christian School.
2 86 90 91 86 87 AVG 79 80.3 80 80.3 79
3 85 86 87 86 84 GRADE Reading Language Math Spelling Basic Battery
4 86 90 83 86 84 9 80 82 80 78 80
5 80 84 75 84 79 10 81 81 82 79 81
AVG 85.3 86.2 84.5 85.8 84.2 11 88 85 86 81 85
AVG 83 82.7 82.7 79.3 82
2013-14 84.2 79.0 82.0 82.3
2012-13 84.2 78.0 81.0 81.8
CHANGE 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.5
83.2 83.6 82.9 82.5
82.4 82.4 82.3 82.8
0.8 1.2 0.6 -0.3
* International and IEP student scores not included.
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HONDURAS MISSION TRIPS
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tudents from Gaston Christian School participated in two mission trips to Honduras during the 2013-2014 school year. During the week of March 15-22, five students from GCS joined with others from Louder Than Words Ministries on a backpacking mission trip through the mountains of western Honduras. These students hiked to 5 different Lenca villages sharing the Gospel and working with local church planters to start new churches in these rural mountain villages. GCS Junior Will Wang said, “This mission trip was a life-changing experience for me.” This is the second year that GCS students have participated in this backpacking mission. GCS sophomore Samantha Witt described her experience this way, “This mission trip was one of the most difficult experiences of my life, yet at the same time one of the most rewarding!” Spring Break for many high school students offers a week of rest, relaxation and often a trip to the beach. The story was different for 29 GCS students and parents as they spent their Spring Break mixing concrete on the ground, providing dental care, and leading children’s ministry activities in the small mountain village of Las Mesas, Intibucá, Honduras. “I can’t think of a better way to spend my Spring Break!” said GCS sophomore Gabbi Wilson. This was the third year that students have served the Lenca people of western Honduras and orphans in the capital city of Tegucigalpa. During the week the mission team completed over 15 construction projects that mostly consisted of putting concrete floors on homes that previously had only a dirt floor. The team also provided a free dental clinic with the help of Dr. Kelly Zukaitis and Dr. Kevin Monroe, both GCS parents. The group ended their week by providing a mini-camp for 40 orphaned children.
Photos courtesy of Mark Moore/Louder Than Words Ministries
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CLASS OF 2014
CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2014 Seated (from left): Bailey Stewart, Parker Ramsey, Abigail Jarratt, Nicola Matthews First row (from left): Kamery Reynolds, Marianne Wright, Harrison Auten, Norkesia McGloster, Sarah Lambert, Jessie Prescott, Tori Johnston, Mary Margaret Caudle, Jeffrey Greene, Ree Yang, Yue (Christine) Xiong, Soyoung (Selena) Jeong, Mati Pettit, Savannah Smith, Megan Ramsey, Emily Woodward, Ashlyn Calvert, Haley Lay Second row: Lindsay McGraw, Kaitlyn Hendrix, Miriam Jessen, Alanna Freeman, Olivia Schmitke, Mary Kristin McKenney, Andrea Cordoba, Faith Wilson, Annie Lindeman, Andrea Smith, Makayla Wykle, Scott Caudle Third row: Justin Yellets, Logan Hall, Lauren Biggers, J. G. Faulk, Alex Hostetler, Victoria Johnson, Maegan Buchanan, Jessica Farris, Faith Hood, Anna Long, Robert Caudle, Jessica Sutton, Hannah Spencer Fourth row: BoHyun (Louis) Jang, Walt Grayson, Hudson Tankersley, T.J. Morrison, Noah Hartley, Aaron Shepard, Justin Melton, Weston Williamson, Dakota Schmalz, Devin Crosby, Matthew Denham, Joon (Lucas) Jung, Charlie Haney Not Pictured: Dasom (Ann) Sim
Number of graduates: 61 Co-Valedictorians: Abigail Jarratt, Parker Ramsey Co-Salutatorians: Nicola Matthews, Bailey Stewart Recipient of the Opal Parks Honor: Bailey Stewart Recipient of the M. O. Owens Honor: Hudson Tankersley Recipient of the Richard Hicks Service Award: J. G. Faulk Senior Class President: Logan Hall Scholarship offerings for the Class of 2014: $4,452,512 10
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SENIOR CLASS AT WINDY GAP
COLLEGES OFFERING ADMISSION Agnes Scott College • The American Hair Design Academy • American University • Anderson University • Appalachian State University • Armstrong Atlantic State University Arizona State University • Auburn University • AZUSA Pacific College • Barton College • Belmont Abbey College • Belmont University of Nashville • Bluefield College • Brenau University • Brevard College • Brown University • Caldwell Community College • Campbell University • Carolinas College of Health Sciences • Cedarville College • Central Piedmont Community College • Charleston Southern University • The Citadel • Clemson University • College at Southeastern • College of Charleston • Columbia International University • Covenant College • Davidson College • David Lipscomb University • DePaul University • Drexel University • Duke University • East Carolina University • East Tennessee State University • Eastern College • Elon University • Emmanuel College • Embry Riddle Aeronautical University • Emory University • Erskine College • Furman University • Gardner-Webb University • Gaston College • Harvard College • High Point University • Hillsong College in Australia • Houghton College • Jacksonville University • James Madison University • Johnson and Wales University • Korean University • Lancaster Bible College • LaSalle University • Lee University • Lenoir-Rhyne University • Liberty University • Lipscomb University • Main Maritime Academy • Mars Hill College • Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Marshall University • Meredith College • Messiah College • Midway College • Milligan College • Mississippi College • MIT • Montreat College • Newberry College • New York State University • North Carolina A & T State University • North Carolina State University • North Greenville University • Ohio Wesleyan • Old Dominion • Oral Roberts University • Palm Beach Atlantic • Peace College • Pfeiffer University • Philadelphia Biblical University • Purdue University • Queens University • Polytechnic Institute • Rensselaer University • Rhodes College • Rollins College • Samford University • Southern Wesleyan University • Singapore Institute of Management • St. Andrews Presbyterian College • Toccoa Falls College • Trevecca Nazarene University • University of Louisville • University of Mississippi • UNC-Asheville • UNC-Chapel Hill • UNC-Charlotte • UNC-Greensboro • UNC-Pembroke • UNC-Wilmington • University of Rochester • University of South Carolina • University of Alabama • University of the South • Univeristy of Tennessee • University of Washington at Seattle • Vanderbilt University • Virginia Military Institute • Virginia Tech • Wake Forest University • Washington and Lee University • Western Carolina University • Wheaton College • William Woods University • Wingate University • Winthrop University • Wofford College • Yale University • York Technical College • Young Harris College • YWAM’s University of the Nations at Monroe
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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
‘Bible, prayer set the framework’
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hat a great year we enjoyed in the Early Childhood classes at Gaston Christian during 2013-2014! Our dedicated teachers shared selflessly in two classes of three-year-olds, five classes of four-yearolds and four classes of kindergarten students. We are one of the few places in this area that continues to offer a half-day option for kindergarten, and we always have at least one class of these students. The three-year-old preschool students enjoyed the fun and colorful new practice papers introducing numbers and letters. These Mrs. Susan Jennings were completed one-onPrincipal one with a teacher each day, providing quality individual attention for each child, while making a very early connection to number and letter recognition. The pre-kindergarten fours built on the foundation provided from the previous year, learning phonetic sounds that each letter makes, which are vowels and which are consonants, blending sounds, and then the grand feeling of accomplishment when they actually sound out simple three-letter words! This is accomplished by instruction, playing many learning games, and using a “Smart Table,” which is akin to a giant electronic tablet. As many as eight children at a 12
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time can participate! Kindergarten students review all the things they learned in the fours, and then take off learning more phonetic “special sounds,” punctuation, telling time, counting money, patterns and sequence, and science and history. After Christmas, they even learn to sound out words with two vowels and they very much enjoy working together on learning the basics of writing and composition in “Writing Across the Curriculum.” Of course, prior to all the academic learning that is accomplished, Bible lessons and prayer set the framework for everything that goes on in each classroom all the way up and down our halls. That is how we all contributed to the school theme of “More of Jesus, less of me.” My prayer is that every day, in every way, my life and the lives of all with whom we are privileged to interact will find that we do, indeed, desire more of Jesus!
Early Childhood Secretary Debbie Barnhill Early Childhood Staff Amanda Chapman Susan Crisp Angel Freeman Sheila Funderburk Jackie Hardin Teresa Hoyle Candy Jordan Geny Melton Sandra Parnelle Maureen Patton Vicki Peach Crystal Shields Annette Simmons Anne Tomlinson Katie Williams Teresa Winter School Nurse Elaine Jarratt
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
‘Have Jesus to carry us through...’ Elementary Secretary Janice Robinson Elementary Staff Glenda Bailey Kathy Byarlay Melinda Cleveland Suzanne Cunningham Amberlee Davis Carole Farmer Tammy Gordon Lisa Grubbs JoEllen Gruver Johnathan Gunter Amy Hawxwell Susie Howard Teresa Hoyle Benita Huffstetler Joan Jones Donna Lyman Geny Melton Todd Melton Lyndsey Miller Sandra Parnelle Kim Patterson Trina Robinson Sherry Simpson Pam Thornburg Jennifer Whitlow Linda Wilson Academic Dean Shirley Huelsman School Nurse Elaine Jarratt
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ur theme this year in the Elementary program was “More of Jesus, Less of Me” based on John 3:30. In our Chapels we focused on the lives of people such as Hudson Taylor and Corrie Ten Boom who were living examples of this theme. It is amazing to see what God accomplished through so many people who were simply willing to serve God with all of their heart, soul, and mind. As our school family faced adversity this school year, we learned what it is like to have Jesus carry us through some very difficult times. These experiences allowed us to embrace this theme as well. We welcomed Lyndsey Miller to our teaching staff and she has made a wonderful addition to our First grade team.
Academics
Our Fourth Grade North Carolina notebook underwent a format change this year as we converted the project to a presentation done through Computer class. This allows us to continue to incorporate the technological skills that students will need as they move up in school. Our First, Second, and Third grade teams continued to rewrite our Math curriculum guides and will complete the rewrite next school year. Enrichment
Student Service
Our Chapel offering this year went to help the Boys and Girls Club of Gastonia. Our students were very eager to help other children in our community and we were able to donate $1,100 to this organization. Our 5th graders were able to raise over $400 for this offering! Our Elementary students raised $1,200 for Children’s World Hunger Fund through Mrs. Gordon’s First Grade class’s bake sale. We were visited by Mr. Michael Richards, a Vice President for Children’s World Hunger Fund to thank our students for the sustained support of feeding hungry children in the name of Christ. Our students took part in the Walk for Love organized by our High School Interact Club to raise funds for the Turner, Diggs, and Thornburg families. The Elementary students also participated in a $1 Hat Day for our Pink Out Night for our high school basketball teams.
We were excited to see our Bricks4Kidz program Adam Mehaffey grow in the Elementary Principal after-school program as well as a summer camp. Students who participated were able to build small robots as well as other projects in this program. We were also able to sponsor two CyberKids Robotics teams this year. These teams were made up of students in grades 4-6 who designed a robot to complete various tasks and then use this robot to compete. We were excited to have a competition between both of our teams in May. We were able to offer a new camp this summer in Camp Invention which gave students an opportunity to explore technology, math, and science by creating different projects. ANNUAL REPORT
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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
L to R: Chayathorn (Larry) Akramongkolrojn, Ziyang (Ocean) Huang, Yibo (Jacob) Wang, Tianyi (Alexander) Jiang, Dekang (Will) Wang, Bohyun (Louis) Jang, Jiawei (Kevin) Xiang, Hengrui (Ree) Yang, Zhao (Nathan) Tian, Yue (Christine) Xiong, Maximillan (Maxi) Bley, Luyi (Louisa) Wang, Yunze (Jay) Du, Yani Nie, Joonhyeong (Lucas) Jung, Zhuofan (Grace) Shi, Yiqing (Veronica) Song, Andrea Cordoba, Soyoung (Selena) Jeong, Dasom (Ann) Sim, and Linhao (Star) Zhang
reetings from South Korea, China, Panama and Germany! Gaston Christian School was host to 20 International students for 2013-2014. We had five 9th graders (China), four 10th graders (China and Germany), four 11th graders (China), and seven 12th graders (China, Korea, and Panama.) If it were not for the willingness of host families to participate and become a part of the lives of these students, we would not be able to have this program. God placed our International students into homes filled with a sense of belonging, attention, and the love of Christ. Our program included 15 host families this year. Out of the International Student Program has come the International Club here at GCS. American and International students work together to help our students become aware of Karen Brooks other cultures and participate in mission International Students, opportunities around the world. Our Online Education and primary mission focus is to sponsor Elementary Enrichment and serve Samaritan’s Purse. We served Coordinator as volunteers at Operation Christmas Child on two different occasions and sponsored a fundraiser for the Honduras Mission Trip. The “mission team” for the International program consists of the Holy Spirit, host family, GCS faculty/staff, GCS students, and the respective church and youth group. When one of our International students makes a profession of faith, all of the members of the team have played a part. We were so excited to hear that six International students made professions of faith this year and followed up with
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believer’s baptism. Two of our Internationals, Lucas and Will, went with Mark Moore and Louder Than Words Ministry to Honduras on a mission trip. Will backpacked with the group to share Christ with the Lenca Indians. He made a profession of faith and was baptized in the river in Honduras. Lucas went with the ministry over spring break to work in an orphan camp. Both boys had an incredible time playing games with the children, going door-to-door with teams to share Christ, and working construction. The experience was one they will never forget and, hopefully, will never be the same because of it. In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted.” – Isaiah 12:4 Photo courtesy of John Clark/The Gazette
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Missional work abounds
Lucas was profiled in The Gaston Gazette
Selena
Christine and Ree
Louis
MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATION
Einstein Contest with Micah Barber, Ben Burgess and Hayden Kish
Hearts of service and compassion
“H
e must increase, I must decrease” was the school-wide theme for GCS this year, a theme which enabled middle school students to show the love of Jesus by serving their school, families, local communities, and also through opportunities for global outreach. One person who especially exemplified this theme was Mrs. Amy Holman who stepped in to serve as Middle School Counseling Assistant after the unexpected Homegoing of Mrs. Carla Foy. She honored her by ministering to students and staff and continuing the stellar guidance program begun by Mrs. Foy. The middle school is truly thankful for the labor of love given so unselfishly to us by these two godly women. Student Servant Highlights
Middle school students enjoy being of service to others, and this year was no exception. The Junior Beta Club again provided leadership for Operation Christmas Child with 85 boxes donated. In February club members also sponsored the Souper Bowl of Caring contributing several hundred food items to be used in local communities. Our Student Government continued to serve our school community through helping with morning announcements, school cleaning projects, and paper recycling. An SGA highlight this year was “Sweat Pants Day” where middle school students raised $400.00 to provide a fresh water well for a village sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse. The middle school also contributed $680.00 through their participation in the school wide Juvenile Diabetes Walk. Our students had the privilege of ministering to one of our own, Holly Diggs, as she faced serious surgery in May. Brian Simpson, seventh and eighth grade math teacher, received several pies in the face in celebration of student contributions. It is truly a blessing for the middle school staff to support our students as they develop hearts of service and compassion as they reach out to others in need. Academic Highlights
Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP): Fifteen seventh grade students qualified for TIP recognition in the fall of 2013. Julia DiBella qualified for the Academy for Summer Studies.
Gazette Spelling Bee: Holly Diggs represented GCS at the Gaston County Spelling Bee held at Ashbrook High School on March 19, 2014. Jackson Lee was our school-wide runner-up. National Geographic Bee: After many rounds of competition, Jordan Noblett was selected as the winner of the middle school Geography Bee. Over forty middle school students participated in the competition. Science Fair: All middle school students participated in the Science Fair this year by submitting class projects. Projects from each grade level were then chosen to compete in the final round held on March 19, 2014. Ribbons were awarded to the following students: Sixth Grade – Emma Plunkett 1st Place; Seventh Grade – Meredith McCraw 1st Place, ; Eighth Grade – Madeline Trn 1st Place. The Junior Beta Club inducted thirtytwo seventh and eighth students qualifying for this honor. The Einstein Project: Our third Einstein Contest provided another opportunity for eighth grade students to Virgina Conover test their knowledge of all middle school Principal science content. Using a “Jeopardy” format, Micah Barber, Ben Burgess, and Hayden Kish competed in the gym before the middle school student body. Ben Burgess earned the Einstein Award, a lab coat signed by middle school faculty and eighth grade students. National Institute of Learning Differences (NILD): Under the direction of Mrs. Sherry Simpson this resource program continued to offer additional classroom support to middle school students. Elective Programs: Computer/Newspaper produced several student publications each quarter. Praise & Worship Team participated with Middle School Band and Concert Chorus in the Christmas and Spring Concerts, while also leading in Chapel. ANNUAL REPORT
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HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION
High School students in Washington, D.C. with Congressman McHenry.
Impact the Kingdom of God
“H
e must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30) has been our theme verse for the 2013-2014 school year; our desire has been that there be more of Jesus and less of us as we have gone about the daily tasks at GCHS. Class of 2014: 61 graduates who received numerous recognitions and $4,452.512.00 in scholarship offers. CoSalutatorians: Nicola Matthews, Bailey Stewart; Co-Valedictorians: Abigail Jarratt, Parker Ramsey Spiritual Focus
Spiritual growth and worship are a vital part of the school’s purpose as we prepare our students to “impact the kingdom of God by living productive Christian lives”; each week the high school students participated in chapel services with student-led praise and worship. The annual Windy Gap Retreat in September and the Spiritual Emphasis Day in March were spiritual highlights of the year. GCHS Nancy McDaniel participated in two mission trips to Principal Honduras: five students spent a week in March on a backpacking trip into the Honduran mountains; a group of 29 students and parents led by Mark Moore (GCHS staff member) spent spring break serving the Lenca people in Honduras. Academic Focus
New courses added to the high school curriculum for 2013-2014 included an Old Testament Survey for 9th graders, a Bible class for new international students, Informational Technologies for a Global Society, and Honors Band. The high school offered seven Advanced 16
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Placement classes this year and twenty honors courses across the disciplines. In addition, a partnership with SevenStar Academy and participation in the N.C. Career and College Promise Program allowed Gaston Christian to offer classes beyond the traditional classroom. 2013 SAT mean scores released by College Board indicated that Gaston Christian’s overall score continued to surpass the mean scores for Gaston County, North Carolina, and the nation. The high school sponsored a Christian College Fair with forty-one colleges/ universities represented and a Career Day with presenters from the community. Integration of technology into classroom instruction continues to enhance learning for students. Fine Arts Focus
The Concert Choir, Honors Ensemble, and Band performed at Fine Arts Evenings in December and May; the Visual Arts classes also showcased their work at these programs. The Gaston Christian Players produced Exit, Smiling in October, Jack and the Beanstalk in February, and Arsenic and Old Lace in April. Service Opportunities
The high school students and staff were busy this year serving within the community. The Senior Service Day in March allowed members of the Class of 2014 to witness for Christ through serving at five sites. Other opportunities for GCHS students included participation in the Crisis Pregnancy Center’s Walk for Life and Baby Bundles project, CROP Walk, Gaston County Heart Walk, Operation Christmas Child Shoebox project, blood drive for Community Blood Center of the Carolinas, Juvenile Diabetes Walk, care packages for alumni serving in the military, food drives for Second Harvest Food Bank, and weekly participation in the Backpack Weekend Food program. In addition, the Interact Club sponsored “Walk in Love” to raise funds for three families who were facing serious health issues.
FROM THE ACADEMIC DEAN
Provisions to fulfill God’s plan
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e rejoice in the Lord over the following important “firsts” in the life of our school:
RenWeb, our school information system, has added teacher Continuing Education credits to the electronic Staff Information Report, making it easier and quicker for the Academic Dean to check cumulative credits for teachers. The Academic Dean, Elementary School Principal Adam Mehaffey, and all teachers of Grades 1-3 continued writing the Elementary Mathematics curriculum that was initiated last year in Grades 4 and 5. Parent, Student, and Staff Surveys were administered digitally from December through February for accreditation and submitted to AdvancED, the accrediting agency that has made these surveys a requirement of the new process. Accreditation Standard Committees Faculty Members completed writing their Narratives for Standards 1-5. The new format required the teachers to assess their Standards in terms of strengths, areas in need of improvement, actions to sustain strengths, and plans to improve areas of need. These Narratives were submitted to Committee Parent Stakeholders for review and editing May-June.
To review the 2013 Stanford Achievement Test results, the Academic Dean met individually with the teachers of each grade level in Elementary School and with teachers of every discipline in Middle School and in High School during the fall. This yearly analysis of score reports and performance data in all test and subtest areas for the current year and for two years prior to 2013 suggested practical classroom applications to support student achievement. Five New Teachers participated in the GCS Mentorship Program that supports teachers new to the GCS faculty as they transition to their assigned teaching positions. The GCS Professional Development Library grew by 12 additions this year. For each student in eighth grade, the Academic Dean compiled a threeyear academic profile that includes Stanford Achievement Test scores, Student Ability Index scores, subject-area grades, grade-point averages, and attendance records. These histories are updated yearly so that high school personnel can assist students in their course selections. The Academic Dean provided test data, assessment information, and score
histories to the GCS Board in conjunction with the exploration of a possible dual track for high school. Assisting High School Principal Nancy McDaniel, the Academic Dean researched digital textbooks for grades 10, 11 and 12. Students began using digital history and psychology textbooks during Fall Quarter 2014. GCS Professional development activities organized for 2013-2014 included the following: Summer 2013 Teaching & Learning Conference – A total of 49 GCS teachers attended 277 professional development sessions for 426 hours of credit at Gaston County-sponsored event. “Christ-Centered Education” – Mickey Bowden, veteran teacher, administrator, and international consultant and speaker, presented a challenging session on the foundational components that distinguish a Christ-centered school and curriculum. Mr. Bowden emphasized that modeling – living the Christ-like life before students – is absolutely necessary if students are to have confidence in their teachers’ instruction. Because the prevailing attitude of today’s culture is that “any god will do,” teachers must lead and inspire students to seek God’s answers to life’s questions – rather than man’s answers. Dr. Shirley Huelsman “AdvancED Accreditation ” – Teacher Academic Dean In-Service Days in both January and March provided GCS Standards Committees time to complete the Self-Assessment Standards and to create the Narrative documents; editing and numerous refinements were accomplished primarily through digital access across several weeks, reducing the number of physical meetings considerably. Parent Stakeholder reviews and edits were also collected digitally. “Campus Lockdown Procedures and Training” – This session was a review of scenario procedures and communication options for internal and external lockdowns.
May we continually offer the Lord our thanks for the bountiful blessings He so faithfully supplies to GCS! ANNUAL REPORT
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2013-14 ANNUAL FUND DONORS Mr. Christopher Adams Mr. and Mrs. Dennis E Allen, II Bank of America Matching Gifts Program Mr. and Mrs. William Bantz Barnhill Concrete Co. Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Beach Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Beasley Mr. and Mrs. Robert Becker, Jr. Mrs. Peggy Benoy Mr. and Mrs. Ty Berry Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Bingham Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blake Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Brooks Mr. and Mrs. James Broome Mr. and Mrs. C. Wayne Brown Mr. and Mrs. Don Brown Mr. and Mrs. Martin Brown Ms. Sheila Brown Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Buchanan Mr. and Mrs. Charles Burch Mr. and Mrs. William Cain Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Campbell Mr. and Mrs. Doby Chapman Mr. and Mrs. Bo Chriscoe Mr. and Mrs. Jason Cloninger Mr. Jason Cloninger Dr. Stephen Cochran, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Coggins Mr. and Mrs. Mike Conder Mr. Kenneth Connell Mrs. Virginia Conover Mr. and Mrs. Jim Crisp Dana Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Mark Davis Mr. and Mrs. Michael Davis Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Dilling, III Duke Energy Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Dan Dunkin R. Scott Dunkin Mr. and Mrs. William Egeln Mr. and Mrs. Garry Farmer Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Farmer Mr. and Mrs. James Faulk Mr. and Mrs. Lee Faulkenberry FMC Foundation Matching Gift Plan Mr. and Mrs. Ross Foley Mr. and Mrs. Mark Forbes Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Forbes Mr. and Mrs. J. Scott Foxx Mr. and Mrs. Leo Foxx Mr. and Mrs. Ronald France Mrs. Becky Garrison Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Grahl Mr. and Mrs. Andy Gruver Mr. and Mrs. Keith Gunter Mr. and Mrs. Preston Guy, III Mrs. Myra Guy Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hagaman 18
ANNUAL REPORT
Hannleb Inc. Ms. Annette Harris Mr. and Mrs. John Hedgepath Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Hedges Mr. and Mrs. Grady Herman Mr. and Mrs. Jim High Mr. and Mrs. Rick Hodges Mr. and Mrs. David Hostetler Ms. Patty Hostetler Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hovis Dr. Shirley Huelsman Mr. and Dr. Glenn Huelsman Mr. and Mrs. David Jackson Mr. and Mrs. David Jennings Mr. and Mrs. Harold Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Don Keiser Mr. and Mrs. Eric Kelly Elisabeth King Mr. and Mrs. Robert King Dr. Laurence Kish Dr. Laurence and Inga Kish Mrs. Barbara Knouse MSgt. C.M. Knox, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Lanier Mr. and Mrs. Norman LaVriha Mr. and Mrs. Danny Lawrence Dr. and Mrs. David Layne Dr. and Mrs. Jack Leff Lin B. Hollowell, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Edward Lineberger Mr. and Mrs. C. Scott Lively Liveops Mr. and Mrs. Adam Lynn Ms. Jan Mahannah Mr. and Mrs. Woods Martin Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Matolka Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Mauney Mr. and Mrs. Roger Mauney Mr. and Mrs. Tony McCraw Mr. and Mrs. Sam McDaniel Mr. and Mrs. Gene McDowell Mr. and Mrs. J. Reid McGraw Mr. and Mrs. Ray McKenney Mr. and Mrs. Bill McKinley Mr. and Mrs. Rhett Melton Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Morgan Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Morgan Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Morrison Ms. Laura Myers Mr. and Mrs. David Nanney Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Nichols Mr. and Mrs. Michael Nicholson Dr. M. O. Owens Mr. and Mrs. Chris Painter Mr. and Mrs. Jason Painter Mrs. Elizabeth Parker Mrs. Opal Parks
Mr. and Mrs. Rich Pasqualone Mr. and Mrs. Cedric Patterson Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pearson, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pearson Mr. Larry D. Peeler Mrs. Faye Porter Mr. and Mrs. J. Kevin Prescott Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pressley Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Price Mr. and Mrs. James Price Mr. and Mrs. Robert Puskas Mr. and Mrs. George Ramsey Mr. and Mrs. Tim Ramsey Mr. and Mrs. Michael Reynolds Mr. and Mrs. Don Rhodes Mr. and Mrs. Turner Rivenbark Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Roach Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Robinson Ms. Bernat Rosner Mr. and Mrs. William F. Rothwell, Jr. Rouse & Associates, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Don Russo Mrs. Bethsy San Millan Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Scarborough Mr. and Mrs. Carl Simms Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Simpson Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Smith Mr. and Mrs. David Smith, III Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Spear Mr. and Mrs. Everett Still Dr. and Mrs. Marc Stout Mr. and Mrs. T. Gregg Talton Dr. and Mrs. Mike Tamberella Mrs. Elizabeth Teague TIAA-CREF Mr. and Mrs. Watson Tomlinson Mr. and Mrs. Pat Toomey Mr. and Mrs. Don Trapp Dr. and Dr. Harald Vaher Mrs. Terry Van Zant Wachovia-Wells Fargo Matching Gift Program Ruth Waggoner Mr. and Mrs. Trent Walker Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Walls Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Ware Mr. and Mrs. Don Warren Wells Fargo Community Support Porgrams Mr. and Mrs. Trent Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Howard Yellets, Jr. Dr. Janet Young Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Young Dr. and Mrs. Robert Zickler Dr. Mark and Kelly Zukaitis
2013-14 RUN FOR THE MONEY DONORS 2013/2014 Run for the Money Donors Anonymous Dr. and Mrs. Ed Anthony Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Becker Jr. Mr. Randy Boyd Mr. James M. Crenshaw Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Forbes Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Forbes Mr. and Mrs. Ronald A. France Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J Grahl Mr. and Mrs. Rick Hodges Home Instead Mr. and Mrs. Kennon H. Keiser
Mr. Robert R. King Mr. and Mrs. Doyt D. Ledford Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Reid McGraw Mr. Charles J. Niemeyer Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Plato Pearson Jr. Mr. Harry Petrey Mr. Dan Ratchford Mr. and Dr. Daniel M. Rooney Mr. William C. Rouse Mr. and Mrs. Jerry H. Scarborough Mr. and Mrs. Jason Sirmon Drs. Harald and Barbara Vaher Dr. and Mrs. Mark G Zukaitis
2013-14 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN DONORS Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Barnhill Mr. and Mrs. Doby Chapman Mr. and Mrs. Dan Dunkin
Mr. and Mrs. Luke Ellington Emily Lindeman Mr. and Mrs. Rhett Melton
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Scarborough
ANNUAL REPORT
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MIDDLE, HIGH SCHOOL AND ADMINISTRATION PERSONNEL
MIDDLE SCHOOL Principal Virginia Conover Secretary Karen Parker Faculty Julie Barker Melissa Brandon HIGH SCHOOL Principal Nancy McDaniel Dean of Students Kevin Hartley Secretary Barbara Smith
ADMINISTRATION Head of School Dr. Marc Stout Administrative Assistant Debra Brown Admissions Director Carrie Bailey
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ANNUAL REPORT
Tina Cook Julie Denham Patty Grahl Johnathan Gunter Diane Harrison Jonathan Huitt Joan Jones Sharon Lease David Morrow Karla Pursley Trina Robinson
Brian Simpson Sherry Simpson Terry VanZant
Counseling Assistant Amy Holman
Chaplain Tim Barrett
Faculty Melissa Brandon Ken Connell Robin Ferguson Dorothy Groner Johnathan Gunter Ashley Hartley Justin Huitt Renee Jordan Ansley Keiser Charlie Lanier Rita McDaniel Trey McKeown Maralie Medlin
Mark Moore Jill Overton Karla Pursley Bethsy SanMillan Les Schofield Sean Smith Gary Stiltner Thomas Walls Susan Weakley Cathy Whitley Paula Wyatt
Athletic Director Tom Hawxwell
International Student Coordinator Karen Brooks IT Specialist David Jordan
Business Office Stephani Franks Sandra Kelly Kristen Lowe Nancy Roach Karin Slate
Academic Dean Dr. Shirley Huelsman
AdvancEd Coordinator Fred Chase
Media Specialist Debra Barton
Advancement Secretary Sandra Kelly
Assistant Athletic Director Justin Huitt Counselor Carla Foy
After School Care Maureen Patton Academic Dean Dr. Shirley Huelsman Nurse Elaine Jarratt
Chaplain Tim Barrett Counselor Kim Faulk Nurse Elaine Jarratt
Academic Dean Dr. Shirley Huelsman Operations Director Steve Matolka Maintenance Chris Brown Greg Farmer Todd Melton Jason Moore
FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
Jack and the Bean Stalk
Honors Ensemble performed during Fine Arts Night
Band performed during Fine Arts Night
Arsenic and Old Lace
Art projects displayed during Fine Arts Night
ANNUAL REPORT
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BOOSTER CLUB AND YEAR IN SPORTS 2013-14
Annual GCS Golf Tournament at Pine Island Country Club Photo courtesy of MelMari Photography
T
GCS Booster Club update
he purpose of the Gaston Christian Booster Club is to provide support to the athletic program at GCS through assistance in fundraising, marketing and promotions. During the 2013-2014 school year, the Booster Club generated gross revenues of $110,000.00 through gate receipts, concessions, corporate advertising, fall festival, calendar/magnet sales, golf tournament, Softball Tournament, Basketball Tournament and private donations. Our annual golf tournament held last May was moved to Pine Island Country Club and continued great success as the tournament generated over $47,000 of total revenue.
MAJOR PROJECTS COMPLETED: Baseball practice field Bleachers at baseball field Equipment shed at tennis Completion of tennis courts Soccer turf Sound system for softball Volleyball tutor machine
While there are many awards given to GCS athletes at the close of each season, the following conference and state recognitions were given to GCS athletes or teams: VARSITY BOYS SOCCER Finished 3rd in MAC Conference All Conference - Noah Hartley, Justin Melton, Aaron Shepard
If you would like to get involved and support the GCS athletic program through the Booster Club, please feel free to contact me or Tom Hawxwell in the Athletic Office. Everyone is welcome to attend any of our meetings during the year to share your thoughts and ideas. For a complete schedule of Booster Club events please check the school website under the Booster Club section of the athletic page. Thanks and have a great 2014/2015 school year! Sincerely, Ben Beasley, President bfbeasley3@gmail.com
VARSITY SWIM TEAM Girls - Finished 5th in MAC Boys - Finished 5th in MAC VARSITY GIRLS SOCCER Ranked 3rd in MAC Tournament Seeded 12 in NCISAA Tournament
VARSITY VOLLEYBALL All Conference - Alanna Freeman
VARSITY SOFTBALL Ranked 3rd in MAC Tournament Seeded 9 in state All Confernce - Alanna Freeman, Gabbi Wilson, Madison Ramsey
CROSS COUNTRY Boys Finished 6th in MAC, 13th in NCISAA All Conference - Clara Ellington
VARSITY BASEBALL All Conference - Matt Denham
VARSITY GIRLS TENNIS Finished 3rd in MAC
VARSITY BOYS GOLF All Conference - Aaron Shepard, Josh Friday, Cullen Beasley, Levi Kettelhut. Qualified for State - Levi Kettelhut, Aaron Shepard MAC Tournament Champions
VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL All Conference - Kesi McGloster
VARSITY BOYS TENNIS 3rd in MAC Tournament
VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL All Conference - Noah Hartley
VARSITY TRACK & FIELD Boys and girls finished 6th in MAC
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ANNUAL REPORT
2013-14 ATHLETIC SEASON RECORDS
METROLINA ATHLETIC CONFERENCE GOLF TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS
Cullen Beasley, Levi Kettelhut, Josh Friday, Aaron Shepard, JG Faulk, Seamus Toal, Coach Thomas Griffin
VARSITY SPORTS Baseball Basketball - Girls Basketball - Boys Cheerleading Cross Country Golf - Girls Golf - Boys Soccer - Boys Soccer - Girls Softball Swim Team - Girls Swim Team - Boys Tennis - Girls Tennis - Boys Track & Field Volleyball
Record 2-17 7-13 (4-10 in MAC) 2-19 NA Boys 6th in MAC, 13th NCISAA 1st season, All Exhibition Matches MAC Champions 8-11 (3rd in MAC) 12-7-1 (3rd in MAC) 12-10 (3rd in MAC) 5th in MAC 5th in MAC 9-4, 3rd in MAC 8-8 (3rd in MAC) 6th in MAC 10-12 (6-8)
JUNIOR VARSITY SPORTS Boys Basketball Volleyball
Record 0-17 12-6 (9-3)
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS Sport Girls Volleyball Boys Soccer Cheerleading Girls Basketball Boys Basketball Girls Softball Boys Baseball Girls Soccer
Record 6-11 14-1 N/A 11-7 4-18 9-3 9-6 7-6-1
Coach(es) Tim Brown, John Mullis Arliss Knouse Kevin Hartley, Jonathan Huitt Meredith McMillan Jason Moore Marc Stout Thomas Griffin Justin Huitt, Johnny Hoover Justin Huitt, Johnny Hoover Mark Foy, Marvin Foy, Hoyle Foy, Rick Humphries Molly Morrison Molly Morrison Sharon Avants Sharon Avants Jason Moore Roy Goforth, Wayne Helms
Coach(es) Jonathan Huitt Wayne Helms, Ashley Jones
Coach(es) Angel Freeman Jonathan Huitt, Johnny Hoover Lisa Rednour Mark High Wayne Helms Ashley Jones, Allison Chinchilla Ricky Martin, Justin Ottinger Jonathan Huitt
ANNUAL REPORT
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OUR MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Gaston Christian School is to help students mature spiritually and excel academically by offering a Biblically integrated, collegepreparatory program that will enable them to impact the kingdom of God by living productive Christian lives. OUR VISION STATEMENT Soaring to Excellence in Christ
GASTON CHR I STI AN SC HO O L 1625 LOWELL-BETHESDA ROAD, GASTONIA, NC 28056 EARLY CHILDHOOD (PS3-Kindergarten) Phone: (704) 824-9893 FAX: (704) 824-9895
ELEMENTARY (1st-5th Grade) Phone: (704) 824-9011 FAX: (704) 824-9013
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WWW.GASTONCHRISTIAN.ORG MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL (6th –12th Grade) Phone: (704) 349-5020 (HS) Phone: (704) 349-5030 (MS) FAX: (704) 349-5027