Crossroads Christian Academy is a private school
dedicated to academic excellence with a Christian worldview. CCA
offers an American style education from preschool (age 4) through
grade 12. The school was founded as a ministry of Crossroads Bible
Church in 1997 by a small group of missionaries, pastors and parents.
The school year consists of two semesters, one beginning early August
to mid-December and the other from mid- January to mid-June.
Organization: A Board of Directors
governs Crossroads Christian Academy. The school is accredited
by the Ministry of Education of Panama and is in the accreditation
process with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
(currently candidacy status). The school is a member of the Association
of Christian Schools International, the Tri-Association and the
Association of American Schools in Central America (AASCA).
Curriculum: The curriculum is
based on U.S. accredited standards. Spanish is taught as a foreign
language in grades 1 through 12. In addition to the core subjects,
instruction is offered in Bible, art, music, computer application,
photography, home economics, criminal justice, yearbook, speech,
debate, marine science and interior design. Private music lessons
are offered in conjunction with the school program. Extracurricular
activities include basketball, volleyball and soccer. Most graduates
continue their education in colleges and universities in the United
States.
Faculty: The majority of the
faculty is recruited from the U.S. All teachers hold a U.S. equivalent
teaching certificate, and most have U.S. state certification.
Spanish language teachers are hired locally. Currently, there
are 21 full-time teachers and 8 part-time teachers.
Enrollment: From preschool through
grade twelve there are currently 242 students enrolled, approximately
36% of which are U.S. citizens, 40% are host-country nationals
and 24% are students from over twenty other countries. Prior to
admittance, students are tested for academic and English competency.
Students deficient in English are not accepted in grades 1-12.
ESL is available only in K4 and K5. Students with special needs
are not accepted, based on the school’s lack of resources
to adequately meet such needs.
Facilities: Crossroads Christian
Academy shares facilities with Crossroads Bible Church. There
are a total of seventeen classrooms, an infirmary, two libraries,
a kitchen, an auditorium, an outdoor kitchen and social area.
Additional school facilities include an outdoor play shelter,
soccer field and playground. There are also a number of recreational
facilities located in nearby communities which the school utilizes.