Greetings from Mr. Shuman
Dear Prospective Parents,
I am so thankful you are considering West Bay Christian Academy for the education of your child(ren). We are blessed with caring teachers who unfold a great curriculum as they give personal attention to their students.
Like you, we take education seriously. We believe one’s identity in relationship to Jesus Christ is the foundation for young people (and all people) to walk and thrive in eternal truth.
The fusion of academics and character within a loving community is a dynamic combination. Come and see for yourself.
I look forward to the opportunity to meet you and partner with you in the education of your child(ren).
Mr. Robert Shuman
Head of School
Early Learning Program
Children are accepted into the program providing they meet the developmental criteria listed in the admissions packet. Students enrolling in the Pre-K program must be 4 years old by December 31st of that year. Students enrolling in the 3 year old program must be 3 years old upon entering the program.
STEPS
1. Submit a completed application with the $75 non-refundable application fee.
2. Submit an ELP Registration Agreement with the $200 registration fee.
NOTES
Applications can be submitted throughout the year, providing there is room in the program.
New student registrations are accepted beginning February 1.
K through 8th Grade
STEPS
1. Submit a completed Application for Admissions with $75 non-refundable application fee.
2. Schedule appointment for a visit and readiness screening.
3. Meet with Admissions Director to review screening.
4. Submit a New Student Registration Agreement with the $200 registration fee.
NOTES
- Applications for all grades can be submitted throughout the year.
- Students are screened and tested after the application and fee are received.
- New student registrations are accepted beginning February 1.
STUDENTS SEEKING ADMISSION FOR K THROUGH GRADE 1
Screening assesses basic “readiness”, utilizing portions of the Brigance and ABC Inventory testing materials. We observe students interacting with their peers, listening to directions, and identifying and /or reciting letters, shapes, colors, and sounds. We also note students’ gross- motor and fine-motor skill coordination, vision, and hearing. Kindergarten screenings are typically held on Saturdays beginning in March and are administered by Lower School faculty members and a lead teacher. Screenings for Grade 1 are administered by a Grade 1 teacher during a half-day visit.
STUDENTS SEEKING ADMISSION FOR GRADES 2 – 8
These students visit the grade-appropriate class for part of or all of a day. The recommended visits are:
- For students entering Grades 2 – 5, visit for ½ day
- For students entering Grades 6 – 8, visit for an entire day
During the screening process, we administer a standardized achievement test in the areas of mathematics and reading comprehension. Students must also complete a writing sample and participate in oral reading activities. The screening can take place during the visit, if the teacher’s schedule allows, or after school. The test is administered by a faculty or staff member, and takes between 40 minutes and 1½ hours.
Plan your next visit
Visits take place Mon – Fri from 8:30 am to 3 pm.
To schedule a visit, please contact the Admissions Director via email or phone 401-884-3600
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! In June 2011, West Bay Christian Academy received its third 10-year accreditation status with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC) and its first time 10-year accreditation with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The Academy is also an active member of the Independent Schools Association of Rhode Island (ISARI) and the New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS).
West Bay Christian Academy offers a challenging curriculum that prepares students for public and private high schools throughout Rhode Island. The curriculum is engaging and uses exciting, thematic units in a spiraling, conceptual framework. The methodology is integrated and diverse, as well as individually adaptive. Students are challenged with high academic and moral expectations, and consistently score two to three grade levels above the national norm on standardized testing.
West Bay Christian Academy is an independent Christian school of nearly 220 students in Preschool through Grade 8, from over 50 area churches. The Academy offers an educational opportunity for all children without discriminating on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color or handicap.
All classrooms have direct access to the outdoors, which provides numerous options for both educational and recreational activities. In addition to the spacious classrooms, the facilities include a state-of-the-art science lab, a media center, a fine arts room, a gymnasium, two playgrounds, and a full-size soccer field.
Applications are accepted throughout the year. Registrations for Kindergarten are accepted at any time contingent upon a successful screening, which is held in the spring. Current families re-register in February for the upcoming school year. All new registrations for Preschool and Grades 1 through 8 are officially accepted after March 1, when classroom space for the next academic year is determined.
Preschool through Grade 1 use basic “readiness” screenings that are arranged by appointment. Students are observed interacting with their peers, listening to directions, and identifying and/or reciting letters, shapes, colors and sounds. Gross and fine motor skill coordination is noted. Vision and hearing is observed.
Students applying for admission into Grade 2 through 8 are given standardized achievement tests in the areas of math and reading comprehension. The test administrator has the students complete a writing sample and listens to them read at grade level.
For more information or to schedule a tour, contact the Director of Admissions by calling the school at (401) 884-3600 or by email. The Academy also holds Open Houses to give families an opportunity to tour our facility, meet our faculty and staff and learn more about our challenging curriculum.