Fredericksburg Parent

www.FredericksburgParent.NET 19 TEACHING STUDENTS TO BE PROUD DEFENDERS OF THEIR FAITH The Word of God is foundational to the FCS curriculum. The Bible is woven into the experience at every grade level, and it is also a standalone, graded class. As students get older, required classes like apologetics support their spiritual formation and instill a sense of what it means to own their faith. "Our students at every age are developing the ability to understand their faith and defend their faith, so that when they go into the real world, they know how to answer for what they believe, how to stand up for what's right," said FCS Communications Coordinator Brittany Cooper. BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS Being surrounded by caring adults is a key protective factor against many of the strug- gles that adolescents and teens face today. FCS has always prioritized fostering strong bonds among students and between stu- dents and teachers. These relationships are one of the reasons many FCS alumni enroll their own children at the school. Faculty are committed servant-leaders who seek to develop the whole child and are empowered to bring a faith perspective to helping students navigate the academic, personal and spiritual struggles that school- age children face. Many other intentional aspects of the FCS experience—from school traditions that build memories to homerooms separated by gender to enable peers to form closer bonds—ensure students leave the school with relationships that will last a lifetime. "Our students...are developing the ability to understand their faith and defend their faith..." CHALLENGING STUDENTS ACADEMICALLY FCS students consistently score above the national average on standardized tests, and the school's challenging academic curriculum integrates Christian values with skills that will prepare students for the next stage of life. Small class sizes enable teachers to meet students where they are, and to provide enrichment and challenge them appropriately. In high school, students are offered Advanced Placement and dual- enrollment classes that support a robust college preparatory experience. A strong technology program and a cybersecurity certification program give students an opportunity to build valuable job skills. TRADITIONS FOSTER BONDING, DEEP LEARNING AND A SENSE OF SERVICE Throughout the PreK-12 experience at FCS, special events have become beloved traditions that students look forward to and remember fondly. Here are a few examples: • In Lower School, fifth graders bring the work of C.S. Lewis to life on Narnia Day. In fifth grade, students read the entire Chronicles of Narnia series. They choose characters, design elaborate costumes and decorate the hallways and classrooms to look like the fantastical land of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." When the big day comes, they bring their learning to life with a parade through the entire Lower School and a feast. "All of the Lower School students get to see this and look forward to it as some- thing they get to do when they're in fifth grade," Cooper said. • In Middle School, the Rakeathon is an annual service tradition. Sixth, seventh and eighth graders spend a school day raking yards in the community. "We collect a list of people who are in need, and we go and share the love of Jesus with them while meeting this tangible need," Cooper said. • In High School, a three-day retreat at a Virginia summer camp has become a highly anticipated kickoff to the school year. "It's kind of the 'special sauce' of FCS," Donahoe said. "It really starts the year off on the right track." Teachers stay in cabins with stu- dents, parents serve meals and fun camp-like activities help strengthen friendships. Daily chapels weave worship and spiritual growth into the retreat. INVITING PARENTS TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE FCS seeks families who want a school that will partner with them in instilling the values and skills they want to help their children build. "The parent partnership is huge to FCS culture," Donahoe said. "We want to be partnered with you in your child's education. There are lots of events that are open for the whole family, so that you see what your kids are doing, you meet other families, and you feel you are an active participant in their education." WANT TO LEARN MORE? FCS offers tours year-round. Applications are currently open for the 2025-26 school year. Visit fredericksburgchristian.com to find more information or schedule a tour. Sponsored Material Ask the Expert a sk t h e e x p e rt

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