School News

Congratulations to nine Prestonwood Christian Academy Seniors who placed in the 2024 National Merit competition. Based on their results of the fall 2023 PSAT, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) named PCA Senior Jude Thomas a National Merit Semifinalist. NMSC named 15,000 Semifinalists in the National Merit® Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.

PCA Seniors Jack Chappelle, Trent Cherry, William Edwards, Luke Lu, Chandler McGaha, Drew Rabroker, Jack Ruzynski, and Tatum Samuels were named National Merit Commended Scholars. About 34,000 Commended students throughout the nation are recognized for their exceptional academic promise. They placed among the top 50,000 scores of more than 1.3 million students who entered the 2024 competition by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

The College Board, which administers the PSAT and SAT among its activities, recognizes academic excellence through its National Recognition Programs. Students selected for this prestigious honor can cite it on their college and scholarship applications. In turn, colleges use the listing of this honor as a way of identifying students from underrepresented groups—i.e., ethnic minorities and/or those who attend school in rural areas or small towns—who have excelled on their PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or AP Exams and in their classwork.

PCA is proud to announce that Ridge Casanova, Renato Casusol (Class of 2026), Aliondra Silverio and Eli Taylor were named College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars. Taylor Clarke, Taylor Cook, Jonathan Ibekwe, Takashi Shaw, and Kennedi Whitaker are College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholars. Rayna Han, Markus Hang (Class of 2026), and Aliondra Silverio are College Board National First Generation Recognition Program Scholars. Aliondra Silverio is College Board National Indigenous Program Scholar. 

"We are incredibly proud of these twenty exceptionally bright students who excel academically and are involved as leaders on our campus,” said Dr. Goddard. “Each of these faith-filled Lions is able to articulate their biblical worldview in a culture of opposing ideas. These students represent Prestonwood Christian Academy well, and they showcase how a student can shine at a liberal arts school where faith is intentionally integrated with learning resulting in a distinctive environment and community."

On Thursday, September 12, at the PCA Plano Amphitheater, Prestonwood Christian Academy held a solemn and meaningful event — a Flag Retirement Ceremony. This special ceremony, hosted in partnership between the PCA Honor Guard and the Prestonwood Veterans Organization, provided an opportunity to properly dispose of worn or damaged American flags in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code.

According to the U.S. Flag Code, when an American flag is no longer suitable for display due to its condition, it should be retired in a dignified manner, preferably by burning. This respectful process honored the flag as a symbol of the nation and its values. The ceremony offered the school a way to honorably retire their flags that had served their purpose.

The PCA Honor Guard, comprised of PCA 6th Grade students dedicated to upholding the principles of patriotism and service, played a key role in the event. Their responsibilities included assisting in the preparation and execution of the ceremony, symbolizing the school’s commitment to patriotism and respect for national traditions.

Each flag brought to the ceremony underwent a detailed inspection by a member of the Prestonwood Veterans Organization, a group of veterans who proudly served the United States and continue to serve their community through acts of service and partnership with the church. These veterans, along with PCA’s Honor Guard, carefully folded each flag before it was respectfully retired through burning. The folding of the flag served as a final tribute to its service, ensuring that every step of the process reflected reverence and respect.

The event was not only an educational experience for students but also a powerful reminder of the deep significance that the American flag holds. For many, the flag represents the freedoms and values the United States stands for, and the ceremony provided a fitting farewell to these symbols of the nation when they were no longer fit for display.

PCA expressed deep gratitude to the Prestonwood Veterans for their partnership and dedication to the ceremony. Their commitment to teaching the next generation the importance of patriotism, service, and respect for the flag made the Flag Retirement Ceremony an invaluable experience for the PCA community.

The collaboration between the PCA Honor Guard and the Prestonwood Veterans demonstrated the strong bond between the school and those who have served in the armed forces. It was a privilege for students to learn from the experiences and sacrifices of the veterans, fostering a deeper appreciation for the values of respect, duty, and country. The ceremony served as a poignant reminder that even in its retirement, the flag continues to symbolize the enduring spirit of the nation.
 

For PCA Plano and PCA North, the annual Upper School Retreat is a cherished tradition that kicks off the school year for students in Grades 9-12. Held at Sky Ranch, this retreat provides a unique opportunity for students to bond with their peers and reconnect with their school community. The retreat's timing at the beginning of the year gives students a chance to reset and prepare themselves for the year that lies ahead.

While the retreat is filled with fun activities and opportunities for students to enjoy games, outdoor activities, and quality time with friends, it goes much deeper than that. The event is designed to encourage personal and spiritual growth. One of the standout elements of the retreat is the speaker who delivers a powerful message tailored specifically for the students, inspiring and challenging them as they embark on the new school year.

This year, PCA Plano welcomed Ryan Newsome, the new Director of Spiritual Development, to share his message with the students. Newsome focused on the school year's theme, "Be Strong and Courageous," a call to action rooted in faith and perseverance. His message resonated with students, encouraging them to lean on their faith and school community as they navigate the ups and downs of Upper School life. At PCA North, Prestonwood Baptist Church’s Next-Gen Pastor, Lance Millsaps, delivered a similarly impactful message, also centered around the theme of Be Strong and Courageous. His talk aimed to inspire students to enter the new year with confidence, faith, and a supportive community backing them.

These powerful messages are only part of what makes the Upper School Retreat so meaningful. In addition to the speaker sessions, the retreat includes dedicated breakout time with advisory groups. These advisory groups are comprised of smaller, grade-level sections, led by a teacher or advisor, and serve as an essential support system throughout the year. The time spent in breakout sessions during Retreat allows students to engage in deeper discussions, reflect on the messages they've heard, and begin to foster stronger relationships with their peers and advisors.

These breakout sessions are invaluable in fostering a sense of community. Students are encouraged to share their thoughts and goals for the year in a supportive environment. By doing so, they not only develop a greater sense of trust with their classmates but also set the tone for a school year characterized by mutual support and encouragement. The relationships that are nurtured during these sessions often grow and evolve over the year, providing students with a reliable network of friends and mentors.

In the end, the Upper School Retreat at Sky Ranch is more than just a few days away from the classroom. It’s a foundational experience that shapes the PCA Upper School journey in profound ways. From strengthening friendships to deepening faith, the retreat offers students a chance to create lasting memories and begin the year on a positive and purposeful note. Whether through moments of fun or reflection, the retreat serves as a vital stepping stone in each student's high school journey, setting the stage for a year of growth, connection, and courage.

Congratulations to the 23 Prestonwood Christian Academy Juniors and Seniors who placed in the 2024 National Merit competition. Seniors Ben Bower, Mason Cruse, and Ian O’Brien (as pictured) were named National Merit Finalists based on their results of the Fall 2023 PSAT. In addition, Jack Berthelot, Jackie Dominguez, Cade Eskew, Madelyn Gray, Brian Lim, Andrew Ratcliff, Shirley Yang, and Weiming Zhou were named National Merit Commended. Adrian Martens, Caden Monk, Javier Gonzalez, and Kylie Winger have been named College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars. Ayokanmi Adenle, Ayokunnumi Adenle, Caiden Collins, Cayla Williams, Dagem Alemu, Landon Murphy, and Taylor Onyinanya have been named College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholars.  

National Merit Finalists rank in the top 1% of all students in Texas who took the 2023 PSAT. National Merit Commended students rank in the top 97 percentile of all students in Texas who took the 2023 PSAT. Approximately 1.5 million high school Sophomores and Juniors from across the country compete each year in the National Merit Competition. 

The College Board, which administers the PSAT and SAT among its activities, recognizes academic excellence through its National Recognition Programs. Students selected for this prestigious honor can cite it on their college and scholarship applications. In turn, colleges use the listing of this honor as a way of identifying students from underrepresented groups—i.e., ethnic minorities and/or those who attend school in rural areas or small towns—who have excelled on their PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or AP Exams and in their classwork.

“We are incredibly proud of our students who have achieved this status and know that their hard work and scholarship honors God,” said Dr. Shannon Cole, PCA School System Assistant Superintendent and PCA Plano Head of School, “Even more profound is how these students have grown in their faith over their years at PCA and are fully prepared to defend their faith as they move on to higher learning and making life choices where God will use the talents that were nurtured through a partnership between PCA and their families.”

Prestonwood Christian Academy serves more than 2,200 students enrolled at three campuses: PCA Plano (PreK-3 through 12^th grade), PCA North in Prosper (PreK-3 through 12th Grade) and PCA Online. PCA North is celebrating its tenth school year! PCA Online is celebrating record-breaking enrollment and has been serving students for 15 years. PCA has been recognized as having one of the strongest Christian education programs in the country providing intentional biblical worldview training and integration. The school places great value on the growth of students’ spiritual health in addition to their scholastic endeavors and co-curricular activities. Tantamount to its Spiritual Development plan is PCA’s rigorous Liberal Arts academic program. Since its first graduating class in 2002 through the class of 2023, graduates have been offered more than $178.9 million in scholarships for Academics, Fine Arts, and Athletics from universities and other institutions of higher learning.

Prestonwood Christian Academy School System is proud to announce that Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) again awarded Exemplary Accreditation for another five years.

ACSI Exemplary Accreditation is designed for high performing schools who are seeking to be held to higher standards for all programs and operations. Exemplary schools are expected to effectively meet the Inspire standards and indicators at a high level as well as the modified and additional indicators contained within the Exemplary Addendum. 

“We just went through the ACSI accreditation process, and it was a big deal,” said Dr. Michael Goddard, PCA Superintendent. “Sometimes you hear about Christian schools or private schools not having a lot of accountability, but that’s just not true. We went through a hard process that has taken multiple months.”

In addition to simply meeting the indicators at an effective or highly effective level, an ACSI school must have a demonstrable history of exemplary programs and practices in governance, executive leadership, school viability, academic instruction, student learning, spiritual formation, and overall school culture (a vibrant, Christ-centered ethos among students, faculty, and leadership). The school must demonstrate a commitment to ongoing school improvement, evidenced by stakeholder feedback, multiple forms of data, and past accreditation reports to drive successful school improvement initiatives.

“ACSI accredits hundreds of schools. We did the math and about 2% of their schools achieve Exemplary status,” said Dr. Shannon Cole, Assistant Superintendent and PCA Plano Head of School. “I am so grateful for families who sacrifice to have their students here. As I think about our Academic offering, I want parents to know the value of what they are getting. Our teachers are exemplary, and that is why we have obtained this incredible status!”