Details

Created: 09 July 2012

Greater Houlton Christian Academy is a distinctly Christian institution dedicated to biblical principles of fairness and equality (Pro. 24:23; Acts 17:26; Gal. 3:28; etc.). Therefore, GHCA welcomes students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, providing them all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students in the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Details

Created: 09 July 2012

Not long after its relocation to its current residence on School Street in beautiful Houlton, Maine in 1996, GHCA began hosting international students. After graduating from the Academy with a solid education, these students have found success while pursuing degrees in American colleges. Academy students from Korea, Japan, and China continue to enjoy the friendly community while developing academic skill and personal character in a safe and supportive environment.

Pioneered in 1986 by a small group of parents who desired a Godly education for their children, the Academy is now the only state approved Christian school in the state of Maine dually accredited by both the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Association of Christian Schools International. The fully certified teaching staff dedicate themselves to creating a caring learning environment that encourages individual character and promotes academic growth. The co-curricular program offers a competitive interscholastic sports program.

Houlton is a bustling small town surrounded by rolling farmland, small villages, and abundant crystal lakes. Being a border town, Houlton enjoys the added cultural experience of  its Canadian friends, some of whom attend the Academy as students. One hour away is Baxter State Park, the state's largest park with over 178, 000 acres boasting the majestic mile high peak of Mount Katahdin. Within one hour's drive is Presque Isle with its University of Maine campus, libraries, shopping center, airport and restaurants. Two hours to the south is the major cultural center of Bangor, where Houlton residents go to enjoy shopping, restaurants, and the arts.

International students build wholesome life time relationships with their host families and school friends, enjoy an open and friendly culture while experiencing a challenging and caring learning community at Greater Houlton Christian Academy.

Contact the Main Office for specific information for international students.

Details

Created: 09 July 2012

Christian Education Can Be An Affordable Education!

GHCA offers a number of ways to help families afford private, tuition-based Christian education. Why not give our Business Office a call today at 532-0736? We will be pleased to confidentially answer your questions. We look forward to hearing from you!

View the Tuition Schedule Here

Three-Year New Family Discount

We offer major tuition discounts to new families that applies to any family which did not have any children enrolled in GHCA in any part of the previous school year ~ call us for more details - (207) 532-0736.

Tuition Payment

Most of our families choose payment plans that spread tuition out over ten or twelve months; we are happy to consider other options if you have something else in mind! The school is dependent upon tuition payments being paid on time each month; however, we understand there may occasionally be a legitimate reason for a late payment. No late fee will be assessed, but please notify the Business Office immediately to arrange for payment.

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps make it possible for families to enroll who otherwise would be unable to pay the entire amount of tuition. GHCA uses the services of a third-party company, at a nominal cost to the family, to help us provide need-based assistance. While we expect families to provide as much tuition as possible, we will do our best to make it possible for mission-appropriate students to enroll at GHCA. Donations to the TAP are tax-deductible. Please contact the business office (532-0736) for information about giving or applying to this program. 

How Costs are Covered at GHCA

Tuition and fees cover only about 78% of what it actually costs to educate a student here—leaving an unfunded gap of about 22% for every student. Tuition does not cover program enhancements or facility improvements—it just helps keep our school running. This means that every student at GHCA actually receives a substantial form of tuition assistance.

We depend upon all parents’ involvement in fundraising activities to fund the remaining 22%. This difference between tuition and actual cost is made up through our Annual Fund campaign which consists of fundraising events and letter appeals to our current families, alumni families, friends, businesses and churches. Your direct participation in responding to these appeals and actively supporting the fundraisers are crucial to your school’s ability to succeed. This is a parent-sponsored school that cannot continue its educational ministry to students without the meaningful, sacrificial support of our parents. We are not eligible for direct government funding of any kind, nor do we desire it for a number of reasons.

Our budget and tuition costs are based primarily upon conservative enrollment and tuition revenue goals. Tuition revenue is estimated well in advance of our actual fall enrollment. If it becomes clear later in the year that our actual tuition revenue (and/or Annual Fund goal) is likely to be less than budgeted (meaning that we are looking at a deficit), the Board of Directors will report to all our school families what amount per student would make up the deficit. Families would not be billed for this amount but would be asked to donate as much of it as possible.

Fundraising Events

GHCA hosts at least two major fundraising events per year to supplement tuition and fund the operating budget.

1.      Harvest Festival Auction:  Held annually each fall, this event features a day of fun family activities and a lively and entertaining auction with hundreds of donated items and services from local businesses and individuals including homemade goodies, and handcrafted quilts and crafts. Over 200 guests join in the event. Families are asked to help in the activities and also donate auction items and join in the day of fun.

2.      Bike-a-thon:  Held annually in June, every student, faculty, staff members and parents is asked to participate, either in sponsoring someone with a donation or in seeking sponsorship for themselves. Each family is asked to send letters to friends or family who will financially sponsor their child(ren)’s day of biking, running or walking.

Details

Created: 09 July 2012

Click on the links below to download a PDF version of the form(s) you need:

All families need:
Family Admission Packet	(only 1 packet needed per family regardless of the number of students applying)
Family Handbook	(only 1 necessary)
Pre-K and Kindergarten Only:
Pre-K/Kindergarten Student Application	(one needed per student)
Pre-K Program Information
Kindergarten Program Information
Grades 1-12 Only:
Gr. 1-12 Student Application	(1 needed for each student applying)
Gr. 1-12 References (Character & Educator)	(1 set needed for each student applying
Gr. 7-12 Student Essay	(1 needed for each gr. 7-12 student applying)
Elementary Program Information
Secondary Program Information

Details

Created: 09 July 2012

You can get information easily one of three ways:

1. Click Request Information.

2. Call the Main Office (207-532-0736).

3. Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information, to schedule a tour, or to request application packets. We are delighted to answer your inquiries. 

Details

Created: 09 July 2012

1. Obtain an Admission Packet by either emailing, calling the Main Office, or by downloading online forms.

2. All of the following items must be returned before your admission can be finalized:

• Student Application
• Family Profile
• Student Essays (Grades 7-12 only)
• Family Agreement
• Copy of Birth Certificate
• Copy of most recent report card and prior year report card
• Educator Confidential Reference (Grades 1-12)
• Character Confidential Reference (Grades1-12)
• Standardized test score (for example, MEA, Stanford, California, SSAT, SAT, ACT, etc., if available)
• Registration Fee ($100 first student; $80 each additional student. The registration fee will be refunded only if the student is denied admission to GHCA for any reason.)

3. Please be sure to sign the waivers at the bottom of the Educator Confidential Reference and Character
Confidential Reference and mail or give the forms and their return envelopes to the appropriate individuals. These are mailed to GHCA and as confidential documents are not available to parents to review.

4. Before an interview is scheduled, we will determine on the basis of records received if there is a need for any further testing in order to determine ability level. If testing is required ($15 fee), the applicant will be scheduled for a test prior to the interview. All applicants for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten are given a screening test to ensure readiness for our program.

5. Students applying from homeschool situations need to submit the following information before an interview can be scheduled: a minimum of two years of subjects completed & grades earned, textbook titles, and any standardized testing results.

6. After all application materials and test results have been received and reviewed, parents and student(s) are required to have an interview with an admissions committee (at least one administrator and a teacher). You should come prepared with any questions you may have regarding any aspects of the school's program.

7. The admissions committee will make a decision based on family and student compatibility with our mission, program, and resources. Parents will be notified by phone and in writing at the earliest possible time about the committee's decision. After enrollment, parents will be asked to complete and sign additional forms (such as health information, tuition agreement, etc.), all of which must be returned to the Main Office before
students may attend school.

8. All families sign a Tuition Agreement stating the terms of payment. Students are permitted in class once all fees and the first month's tuition are paid and all paperwork is properly completed, signed, and returned to the school office.