Frequently Asked Questions:
Click here for Preschool FAQs
Questions Asked Most Often
- What curriculum do you use?
The specific names are listed on the textbook listing. We do not use just one publisher although most are Christian publishers. We have tried to select what we feel is the strongest publication in each subject and strive to present every subject Biblical worldview. Students are prepared with a solid foundation spiritually and academically.
“I especially like the math curriculum and how it promotes deeper level thinking . . . High educational standards”—comments from current TCS parents
- What type of accreditation do you have?
TCS is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). This organization is approved by the Virginia Council for Private Education as authorized by the Virginia State Board of Education. All subjects are taught by qualified, degreed teachers who are certified by ACSI.
- What resource classes do the elementary children attend?
Elementary students attend music twice weekly, PE twice weekly (in 1 of 2 well-equipped gyms); computer, art, Spanish, and library meet once during the week. Classes have daily recess unless they meet with their gym class.
“I love the art, Spanish, computer and PE plus music and chapel . . . the overall is 100% . . . Strong academics in a Christ-centered atmosphere”—comments from current TCS parents
- What is the average class size in the elementary?
Our class size averages around 15 – 16 students.
“Low classroom size—more attention to individual participation in class . . . Smaller classes”—comments from current TCS parents
- Do you have a hot lunch program? How can I pay for lunches?
We serve a hot lunch everyday. Please click here for the current month's menu—each month a menu is sent home with elementary students and is also posted on the website. Students can pay for their lunches daily or parents can send in money so that students can use money from their “account.”
- Do the children have chapel each week?
Children in grades 1 – 3 alternate chapel with grades 4 – 5 each week. Students have Bible daily except on chapel days. Our pastoral staff, other local pastors and visiting missionaries speak in chapel.
Why choose TCS? “. . . for a spiritual education—one that emphasizes a relationship to Christ without de-emphasizing academics”—comment from current TCS parent
- What is the daily schedule like?
School begins at
- Do you offer care before or after school?
We offer care before school starting at
- Do you have a special place where students are dropped off/picked up?
We have an elementary entrance where all elementary students should enter and exit. Teachers are on duty inside from
“Higher quality education . . . Strong academics in a Christ-centered atmosphere”—comments from current TCS parents
- Do you have a uniform policy?
Our students must wear official TCS shirts (polo or oxford type) that come in various colors. These shirts as well as jackets and sweaters if desired may be purchased at two different vendors locally. Boys wear plain pants in selected colors (navy, black, gray, brown, khaki or blue denim jeans in good condition). Girls may wear plain slacks in navy, black, gray, brown, or khaki, or they may wear plain skirts or jumpers of the same colors as listed. Students may wear tennis shoes but may not wear backless shoes. Dress Code
“It is a good, solid, Christian education with teachers and staff that truly care . . . Overall a very well put-together program”—comments from current TCS parents
- Do the children go on field trips?
The students in each grade attend at least two field trips yearly. Parents are welcome to attend with their child.
Examples of places visited are the
“Wonderful teachers and staff . . . It has been a true blessing to watch my child learn so much and know the Lord”—comments from current TCS parents
- Are parents involved in the school?
Parents are very involved in our elementary program, particularly in the lower grades. Parents help in the lunchroom, classroom, with parties and field trips, art projects, and Junior Achievement instruction.
“The GOD-centered education is very pleasing to see . . . I can see a difference . . . Reinforces what we teach at home, so we do not have to perform damage control i.e. from public school . . . Spiritual training, classmates and families with similar values”—comments from current TCS parents
- Do you offer music lessons?
We offer band and keyboard in conjunction with American Independent Music Association. Parents pay a separate fee for those lessons.
- Do you offer sports programs in the elementary school?
TCS works in conjunction with Timberleague, a ministry of Timberlake Baptist Church, to offer a complete seasonal athletic program for grades K – 6. We do not recruit students for athletics.
- What are some special features of your school?
a) Every classroom at TCS has an
“I love the curriculum and all that my child is learning . . . Godly example in teachers/faculty”—comments from current TCS parents
b) TCS offers a web-based school management software program with a feature for parents called ParentsWeb. ParentsWeb gives all TCS parents the ability to see their child’s report cards, grades, homework, lesson plans, and attendance records from anywhere via the web.
c) Students in each grade level will choose and develop a unique missions emphasis/focus that will continue through the entire school year and will build by grade level. Students will begin with developing and then reinforcing an awareness of what God’s commission is to them as believers and the needs that exist around them and around the world. Projects in which they have regularly participated are Operation Christmas Child (shoeboxes), International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, raising money for orphanages and needy children in other countries as well as writing letters, sending pictures, and small gifts. The missions focus culminates in gr. 12 with a senior missions trip to various countries such as
“This year my daughter has really been inspired by missions and what a missionary is—already (has) a missions heart”—comment from current TCS parent
d) Our leveled computer program begins in grade 1, with children learning to use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, etc. The computer projects they work on are integrated with their classroom curriculum.
e) Our elementary students learn how to write a formal paper. They begin in grade 3 with a focus on developing paragraphs about
f) In order for admission to TCS, older students (grade 9 – 12) must obtain a pastoral reference as well as maintain regular church involvement. Our goal is not to produce “good” students, but to produce Godly students.
g) Due to our size of school and classroom, our faculty and staff learn to know each child personally. For example, our secretaries know every child who comes to the office with a need. Cafeteria staff, librarian, and others learn to know your child’s name, background and special needs.
“I was blown away by the Christian ideals and dedication of the staff and also the family atmosphere. TCS is academically impressive too”—comment from current TCS parent
Questions Asked Most Often
- What type of accreditation do you have?
TCS is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). This organization is approved by the Virginia Council for Private Education as authorized by the Virginia State Board of Education. All subjects are taught by qualified, degreed teachers who are certified by ACSI.
- Do you have a uniform policy?
Our students must wear official TCS shirts (polo or oxford type) that come in various colors. These shirts, as well as jackets and sweaters, if desired, may be purchased at two different vendors locally. Boys wear plain pants in selected colors (navy, black, gray, brown, or khaki). Girls may wear skirts in navy, black, gray, brown, or khaki, or white. Dress Code
- What curriculum do you use?
The specific names are listed on the textbook listing. We do not use just one publisher although most are Christian publishers. We have tried to select what we feel is the strongest publication in each subject. TCS strives to present every subject from a Christian, Biblical worldview. Students are prepared with a solid foundation spiritually and academically.
- Do you teach to the SOLs (
Yes, our teaching actually exceeds the SOLs so that if a student transfers in or out of TCS to or from a public school, they will have no problem being successful in the classroom.
- Do you have a hot lunch program? How can I pay for lunches?
We serve a hot lunch everyday. Please click here for this month's menu—each month a menu is sent home with elementary students and is also posted on the website. Students can pay for their lunches daily or parents can send in money so that students can use money from their “account.”
- What is the daily schedule like?
School begins at
- Are parents involved in the school?
Parents are very involved in our school at all grade levels. We encourage parent involvement with all grade levels through the PTF, the Booster Club, coaching and assistant coaching, class sponsors, chaperones, etc. Parents help in the lunchroom, classroom, with parties and field trips, art projects, and Junior Achievement instruction.
- Do you have cheerleading at TCS?
Yes, however, they must, as with athletes maintain a “C” average. We have both Varsity and Junior Varsity cheerleading.
- What sports programs do you have for secondary students?
We have a variety of sports programs at both the Varsity and Junior Varsity levels. We offer fall soccer, volleyball, basketball, golf, girls’ softball, spring soccer, cheerleading and are considering track and field. We offer soccer and basketball at the middle school level also.
- Can secondary students drive their own cars?
Yes, with permission from their parents, they may drive to school and park in the student
parking lot.
- What are the class sizes on average?
Typically secondary class sizes run anywhere from 15-25. In any year, this may vary due to an increase or decrease in enrollment.
- Do you have a chapel service?
Yes. Our chapels are held every Tuesday (barring holidays or inclement weather). We have both a senior high and junior high chapel held in two different places on campus, but at the same time. Each chapel has its own speaker and each chapel is privileged each year to have several Spiritual Life Seminars directed at building Christian character and strengthening the student’s Biblical foundations.
Some special features of
a) We are completely dedicated to glorifying God through the teaching of His Word in
Bible classes and during chapels. Also, every class is taught based on a Christian
worldview which is, in turn, based on the Bible.
b) Every classroom at has an ETS—Electronic Teaching Station that utilizes the projector and screen as needed to convey information pertinent to each class. It is possible with this technology to teach many subjects using “real time” information. An example would be that we can log on to the internet and watch “real time” ships going through the Suez Canal. Also, teachers use PowerPoint and/or other means of technology to teach the students. We can also use this incredible technology to watch such things as a Presidential speech, live!
c) From the earliest grade levels students are exposed and then taught to develop a mission mindset, or focus. As they progress through the grades from lower to higher, the focus narrows culminating in their senor year with a missions trip to a foreign country. We do this in conjunction with one of our own missionaries or others of like faith who welcome a group of students who are committed to serving them on the field through soul-winning, building projects, witnessing, etc. This has proven, in many cases, to be a life-changing event in the lives of many students.
d) We also have computer labs for students, including advanced computer.
e) We have Advanced Placement courses such as AP Biology, AP Calculus and AP Spanish. We are looking into other courses to add to this list.
f) Our teachers, along with all employees of
g) In order for a student to be admitted to our student body, they must attend church regularly. As they grow older, more is expected. A student applying to enter grades 8-12 is required to obtain a pastoral recommendation, renewable annually. They not only must attend church services, but they must be active in their church. We are in the process of requiring a pastoral recommendation each year for returning students.
h) For the most part, our faculty and staff know every student personally. In this way, we can better address their personal needs through prayer and practically if possible.
Please feel free to ask questions if you don’t find the above to be satisfactory. We are here to serve you!
