E4 Engages GRACE Students GRACE has been well poised to blaze the trail with technology in the classroom with a tech savvy school community and a commitment to equip students with the best learning resources. In August 2011, GRACE rolled out its self-coined E4 program with the goal for the school community to Embrace technology to Engage and Empower students to better Excel as lifelong learners. During the first week of school, GRACE provided MacBook laptops for each student in 5th through 12th grades for school and home use, a classroom-use MacBook laptop for each 4th grader, and a SMARTBoard interactive system for each kindergarten through 3rd grade classroom. All school faculty have school-provided MacBooks as well.

The goal of the program was well-defined: to enhance the current curriculum to equip, challenge, and inspire students as 21st century learners to impact their world for Christ. On a daily basis, students utilize e-books and access web-based curriculum materials for many of their courses, and teachers access cutting edge instructional materials.

GRACE follows the standards established by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). The standards identify higher order thinking skills and digital citizenship for students to learn and live in a global society.

Initial reviews of the E4 program have been positive. Learners are more engaged in the classroom, and use of the MacBooks has provided new methods for instruction and increased opportunities for learning. Senior Lizz Wi l son be l i eve s the E4 p rog ram i s “phenomenal... it is a privilege as a student.” Junior Skyler Dascombe has valued the increased communication with teachers and the improved ability for note-taking in class and organizing assignments and notes digitally. Other students have valued the increased opportunities for collaboration, a digital learning standard. Senior Ashley Smith stated, “I love having the ability to have all of my work in one compact place. The opportunity for laptops has been great because everyone has the same access… working together has been easy by the availability of Google docs and wikis and blogs. Equal opportunity through Mac's has been a great addition.”

Missions MindedGRACE students serve the Lord by serving our community, both locally and around the world. March Missions Month on the K-6 Campus focused on meeting needs locally and around the world.  Part of the month  included “sending” the high school missions team to Costa Rica.  Each K-6 class had a student missionary to pray for and when the team returned, these students spent time reporting back to their K-6 class. 

E4 connected those serving with those left behind. Our Tech Team created an interactive Skype session between the team in Costa Rica as well as both campuses. Teachers, students, and parents asked questions and heard first-hand what the team members were doing. 

The team used the school Twitter account (twitter.com/GraceEagles) to post pictures and daily updates. Teachers shared these updates with their students and led daily prayers for the team.

GRACECHRISTIAN SCHOOL

July 2012

GRACESemi-Annual

Report

Review of the E4 Technology InitiativeWelcome to the first semi-annual report of GRACE Christian School. At the end of each semester we will showcase to GRACE and the community a specific aspect or achievement of the school. In this inaugural issue we will share how the E4 technology initiative is positively impacting education at GRACE.

Issue 1, July 2012

Elementary SchoolThe GRACE elementary school program inspires students to love learning by providing them many opportunities to be actively engaged in their instruction.  Classroom activities include role play and re-enactment of historical events as well as hands-on experiences with math manipulatives and science labs.  The addition of Spanish and LEAP (Learning Enrichment and Achievement Program) has further enriched the elementary experience.  A love for the Lord is instilled by role models, instruction in biblical principles, chapel, and community and mission outreach opportunities.

Kindergarten through third grade students are naturally attracted to the SMARTBoard technology in their classrooms extending their love of play and excitement for learning.  Fourth and fifth grade students use MacBooks to expand their technology  and research skills and explore new ways of learning.  Teachers extend their classroom walls to the world by accessing and utilizing digital resources.  In all grades, teachers use technology to provide differentiated learning opportunities for students with varying learning styles and abilities.

Middle SchoolThe GRACE middle school program provides a loving community by the caring interaction between teachers and students supporting teens physically, emotionally, and spiritually through these transitional years. It nurtures their spirits as they go from being a child to becoming an adult. GRACE faculty cultivate creativity and love for learning in our students. We also challenge them towards self-motivation and independence in preparation for the rigors of high school.

E4 supports the goal of middle school by engaging students in the learning process, encouraging creativity, and allowing for a collaborative learning environment. With access to the latest technology, GRACE middle school students learn to balance the inherent distractions of the virtual world with the demands of school and extra-curricular activities.

High SchoolThe GRACE high school program is a rigorous college-prep curriculum that academically challenges students for success in college. With honors classes and 12 AP® classes to choose from, GRACE students are competitive applicants to even the most selective colleges. Additionally, with a focus on Bible education, community service and missions, the high school works to spiritually equip students to impact their world for Christ.

E4 has enhanced the high school experience with technology aids for grading and plagiarism detection as well as opportunities for collaborative note taking and review processes. Students have been able to explore and gain experience in a variety of technical fields including video editing, filming, and streaming fine arts performances, school-wide meetings, and athletic events on the internet. High school faculty encourage students to develop mastery in these and other technological skills made possible by the E4 initiative.

Second Grade Students at GRACE learn about early American Patriots

Students and E4

We asked GRACE students to share what they like best about the E4 program.

1. Students Can “Write” in the Book“I like having e-books on the computer because we can annotate  to take notes directly on the book, and not have to carry a bunch of books around.”

2. Class Notes are Better Organized“I feel that the Macbooks have greatly contributed to my school year. I now have all my notes and homework in one spot along with an easy and quick way to get in contact with my teachers and classmates. I like having my textbooks online so I don't have to carry around big, heavy textbooks. I also have learned a lot about how to use the Macbook and how to use new technology. If we were to get rid of the M a c b o o k s , I w o u l d b e v e r y disappointed. The Macbooks have helped me stay organized, do my work quicker and more efficiently, and get better grades.” 

3. Make-up Work is Easier to Do“It's been a lot easier to make up work or keep up with the work when I am out sick.” 

E4 Creates OpportunitiesIn April 2012, Tom Suiter and the

WRAL camera crew came to the Crossroads Campus to interview student-athlete Anna Green, recipient of the Extra Effort Award.

While watching seniors Anna Green and co-anchor Kayla Propst film the weekly Chapel News, Mr. Suiter was impressed with Kayla’s on air presence and invited her to come visit the studios at WRAL. Cameraman for the Chapel News, junior Brent Watkins, was also invited to take a tour of the studio.

A visit and tour later, Kayla reports that she may have an internship with WRAL next fall as part of Tom Suiter’s Friday Night Football segment, and Brent has been invited to help out with this segment as well.

E4 has created the opportunities for our students to develop skills that extend beyond the traditional classroom and for some, may reveal future career opportunities.

Dr. Inman Embraces QuizletBefore E4, individual Latin students might have made flashcards of terms and definitions as part of their learning process. Now with each student having a MacBook, every Latin student benefits from having an accurate set of electronic flashcards that provides them a grade for each practice session and highlights what they missed and what the correct answer is.

Using the free website Quizlet.com, Dr. Inman created 309 sets of flashcards (called quizlets) with 8,932 terms for the students in his Latin classes. Students say that because of his effort, they are able to spend more time practicing and learning than ever before. Quizlet is a great example of how every student h a v i n g e q u a l a c c e s s s u p p o r t s individualized instruction within a class.

Class of 2012 HighlightsThe 32 students who made up the GRACE Christian School graduating class of 2012 surpassed the academic achievements of previous classes.

They boast the highest SAT scores in the school’s history.

Their 1787 SAT average is higher than the Wake County School average and equal to or above most area private schools.

They were accepted at 46 colleges and universities across the nation. 25% were accepted to highly selective UNC Chapel Hill.

They received over $1.9 million in scholarship offers including a prestigious Air Force ROTC Type-1 Scholarship (full tuition, books, and living stipend) awarded to Lauren Christian.

GRACE Mens Cross Country Team Brings Home School’s First State Championship

2012 Athletic HighlightsEach year GRACE athletic teams raise the bar higher on ability and achievement and the 2011-2012 year was no exception. GRACE had several teams compete with excellence in the 2A NCISAA state competitions.

The Varsity Men’s Cross Country team claimed the State Championship trophy.The Varsity Women’s Volleyball team placed 2nd in the State Championship tournament.Sophomore Katarina Pibl placed 2nd in the State Championship events for both Cross Country and Track & Field (1600 and the 800 yard distances).The Varsity Men’s Basketball team received their first ever bid to the State Tournament.The Varsity Men’s Baseball team had their first Conference tournament win in school history.

At the conference basketball tournament, the high school tech team filmed and streamed over the internet every game played. We learned that soldiers deployed in Afghanistan were able to watch their sons play in the tournament thanks to these efforts.

Teachers and E4We asked GRACE teachers to share how E4 is making their jobs more effective.1. Engaged Even When Out of Class“I recently experienced one of the ‘coolest’ benefits when I was out for three days because my children were sick.   I was able to consult with my classes via email and chat as they worked on their essays and reading assignments.   Because I could communicate so quickly and effectively with my students, I was able to help them stay on track.”

2. Students Desire to ExcelA teacher shares this email, “My son is an example of a child who was bored with school. Since the E4 initiative, he has been very excited about all of the things he can do with the computer.  He has always been capable of straight A’s, but never really inspired to achieve them until this year.  He was working on a history assignment last night and my husband and I were amazed at how creative he had been.”

3. Equipped to Help More Students“The best part about the E4 initiative has been what the use of my on-line tools make possible off-line. I am giving far more individual attention to far more students because they are doing the work and I can cycle through to help with difficult points. My-one-on-one work has easily quadrupled, and it is far more strategic and effective.”

E4 Funded Within Our MeansGRACE is thankful for the conservative financial leadership provided by the GRACE Board of Trustees. In spite of the economic downturn in 2008, flat enrollment, and the investment in the E4 technology initiative, GRACE continues to operate within our financial means.

GRACE successfully upgraded our wireless network, planned and provided teacher training, and rolled out 380 MacBooks during the 2011-2012 school year without raising tuition.

Contributions to the GRACE Annual Fund over the past four years had already allowed the school to purchase a dozen SMARTBoards which were repurposed into kindergarten through third grade classrooms to support the E4 initiative.

Gifts to the Annual Fund continue to be used to enhance and upgrade the learning environment at GRACE. Thank you to all who have faithfully contributed to the Annual Fund over the past four years.

E4#Cost#Profile#

74%$%$Student$Computers$

11%$%$Teacher$Computers$

11%$%$Network/Infrastructre$

4%$%$Teacher$Training$

Letter from Head of School

Board of Trustees

K-6 RALEIGH CAMPUS801 BUCK JONES ROAD

RALEIGH, NC 27606

7-12 CROSSROADS CAMPUS1101 BUCK JONES ROAD

RALEIGH, NC 27606

Bob LyonChairman

Kyle BrownVice Chairman

Alex SossamanTreasurer

Greg RobinsonSecretary

Darren MasierBoard Member

J.B. BakerBoard Member

Darrel HagarBoard Member

Beth GermanBoard Member

GRACECHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Weekly Chapels provide opportunities for corporate worship on both campuses.

The GRACE Board of Trustees considers it a blessing to be a part of what God is doing through GRACE in the lives of our students.  Our Lord is guiding exciting changes at GRACE, but we continue to be a loving community working together for a common purpose – preparing our students, both academically and spiritually, to follow God’s plan for their lives. GRACE students embrace the fine arts in

theater, chorus, band and Irish dance.

GRACE Christian School is a loving community that spiritually and academically equips, challenges, and inspires students to impact their world for Christ.

GRACE Christian School is not just committed to our students; it is committed to each individual student. A loving environment, academic rigor and spiritual growth are important for all of our students. However, each student is an individual with unique gifts, talents, interests and challenges. A “one-size fits all” approach to education fails to allow each student to reach his or her personal potential. GRACE Christian School’s one to one laptop program (E4) and our learning differences program

(LEAP) are just two examples that demonstrate GRACE’s commitment to meet the needs of individual students. Advanced Placement® and honors classes, fine arts, sports and social activities are designed to encourage our students to develop their strengths and find God’s path for their lives. Our goal is for every GRACE student to graduate spiritually mature, academically prepared and mentally confident to impact the world.

~ Don Payne