Emphasis is placed upon the mastery of the basic subject areas: reading, mathematics, English grammar and literature, oral and written communications, spelling, penmanship, French, science, and social studies. In addition to these basic subjects, the following areas of study are included: Bible, health, physical education, music, choir, band (grades 5 and 6), visual arts, keyboarding, and current events.

Children are taught to read using the phonics method. In order to develop a solid foundation for academic progress, instruction in numbers, phonics, and reading begins in primary.

Most of the subjects listed above are studied, but in greater depth. Family studies and basic computer skills are added. Band is offered in all junior high grades. Students have to opportunity to participate in:

• our school science fair and heritage fair (which are held in alternate years)
• our Christian Maritime Speech/Fine Arts Festival
• our band enters the Kiwanis festival annually A fine arts festival is usually planned each spring as well, and other Christian schools from around the Maritimes are invited to join us. Participation in sports teams, drama, and other extra curricular activities is encouraged.

High school courses include the following: English (literature and grammar), French, mathematics, computer, biology, chemistry, physics, British history, economics, world history, drama, vocal music, band (grades 10 and 11), and physical education. A selection of individual study courses is available for interested students. Our basic program is offered at a university preparatory level, with an honours level available in certain courses when there is sufficient interest. A general level of study is optional for students who require this program. A complete list of high school requirements for graduation and optional courses is supplied at the initial interview.

We believe, and the students are taught, that the Bible is true and the only acceptable guide for faith and practice. All school policies and rules are intended to be in harmony with biblical standards. Students at every level study the Bible and are challenged to make its principles the guiding factor in their lives. Students are taught to respect God, authority, property, peers, and themselves. They are required to take responsibility for their own actions. Students are taught that obedience to their parents, teachers, and other God-given authorities is essential to their success. The old-fashioned virtue of love for our nation is taught and the students are led to thank God for our freedoms and to be grateful for those who have defended them.

Students who are performing on an adequate academic level usually experience little or no difficulty in transferring to another school. Our high school graduates have been accepted as students at Dalhousie, Saint Mary's, Mount Saint Vincent, Acadia, and other universities across North America. Many have been awarded scholarships at both secular universities and Christian colleges.

At Halifax Christian Academy your children will be taught that they are valuable to God, who created them unique individuals, loves and cares for them daily, and made a way for them to know him. This way is through Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to pay the penalty for the wrong things we all do, and whose resurrection demonstrates his power to give salvation to all who believe. Now by his Holy Spirit he can befriend and help us, living in us his life of love towards God and others.

This is the Christian gospel message that is modeled at HCA, and must be respected by all. However, no student will be put under any pressure to accept or believe these things.

Students in senior high school (grades 10 to 12) are encouraged, but not required, to attend an evangelical church at least once a week. Students in grades 9 to 12 are required to participate in community or Christian service activities.

1. English as a Second Language classes, with a qualified ESL instructor. Each student is individually tested and taught throughout the school year, and extra help with academic work is also given (English for Academic Purposes). Four weeks of full-time ESL classes are held during the summer, if there is sufficient interest. This program gives an excellent introduction to the conversation and vocabulary you will need every day and enable you to start school in September with more confidence. Alternatively, students can enroll in a similar program at International Language Institute, located close to our Armdale campus.
   
   
2. Academic Education at the student's grade level. Students attending Halifax Christian Academy in Grades Four to Nine for part of the school year will not be expected to meet all of the requirements for their grade level until they are fluent in English. English as a Second Language will formally be taught for at least one class each day during the school day. Students attending Halifax Christian Academy in Senior High School (Grades 10, 11, 12) will need to complete the courses as given in order to graduate with a High School Diploma that will enable them to apply for colleges and universities in Canada and U.S.A. You will need to check with schools in your home country to find out if they will accept the credits gained in these courses.
   
   
3. Cultural Experiences. The school year begins with an overnight camp experience for high school students, where many friendships are formed and different ways are understood. At intervals during the school year, Halifax Christian Academy takes groups of students on day trips to various events in Halifax. The summer ESL class also arranges a wide variety of trips around Halifax and beyond so that students can see and experience Nova Scotia. Also, Halifax Christian Academy has its own choir, band and sports programs. Extra activities in sports and music are also often available in the city. Students may take part in these at the discretion of the host family.
   
   
4. Home Stay Program. We recommend all international students to be part of our home stay program. We attempt to offer students a family where there is an HCA student the same age and gender as the boarding student so that you can easily feel at home and be included in family events. All host parents are well known to Halifax Christian Academy - either staff members or families in good standing at HCA - and their openness to welcome a student is a gift to be respected. The boarding allowance is $700 per month, which helps to meet the expenses of caring for an international student. Halifax Christian Academy will facilitate and mediate in any home stay problems that may arise from time to time. We will try to obtain a bilingual speaker to assist with communication if English speaking is difficult.
   
   If you wish to stay with a relative or friend, please give contact information to Halifax Christian Academy, and provide and English-speaking person whom we can contact if needed.
   
   
5. Visa requirements As soon as the student is accepted and a tuition deposit has been made, Halifax Christian Academy will provide the Acceptance Letter you will need to obtain a Canadian student visa.
   
   

Spiritual
To provide a basic understanding of Bible truths for the development of Christian character qualities such as: courage, faith, unselfishness, forgiveness, gratitude, wisdom, honesty, self-control, and patriotism.
To build a foundation upon which each child can make a personal decision to follow Christ, in an age-appropriate way.

Cognitive
To provide a solid foundation for academic work in school.

Physical
To develop and strengthen God-given abilities by means of group and individual skill-building activities (gross and fine motor).

Emotional
To encourage and develop in each child the knowledge that every person is wonderfully made as a unique creation of God, and to develop a positive feeling of self worth and competence.

Social
To develop relationships built on respect and consideration for others, and to encourage the practice of Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Tuition Fees

Student	Annual	Total
First	$5,500	$5,500 + grade fees