Deciding on how to educate your child can be an overwhelming experience. There are so many options, and you often question what the best choice will be. All parents want their children to have a good education, but it’s about more than that. You want your children to have success in education and in life. At Calvary Day School, they understand how important this is and are preparing students for success beyond their doors. They take the extra steps to make sure their students are ready, and pave the way to a successful future.
For 45 years, Calvary Day School, also known as CDS, has served this community with a comprehensive, Bible-based, educational program. As a ministry of Calvary Baptist Church, the education provided is enhanced by a strong sense of leading the students to, building them up in, and teaching them to serve, Christ. Beyond that, they have a reputation for individualizing the experience by tailoring it to the creative, academic and athletic gifts of each student as these are discovered. It is their ability to create this unique experience for every student that sets them apart.
CDS is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The dual accreditation highlights their emphasis on providing a rigorous academic program. Calvary Day School offers educational programs for children starting at age two through the 12th grade. The total student body is 723 students.
CDS is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment. Students, parents and staff enjoy interacting with a certified Winston-Salem police officer on campus each day.
Preschool
Children two years old through Pre-K attend classes for 2, 3 or 5 days per week from 8:15 am to 12 pm. The program provides a wide range of multi-sensory and group activities designed to help children learn science, math, art, reading readiness, and music through age-appropriate play and games.
Kindergarten
The kindergarten program is designed to allow children to be children, with the freedom to explore and learn in an active, hands-on environment. They focus on developmentally appropriate curriculum while individualizing the experience based on each child’s academic needs. This year, they will be adding an additional kindergarten classroom.
Lower School
The Lower School is where a foundation for a love of lifelong learning begins. Students in grades K through 6th are provided with the tools to strengthen their skills in phonics, reading, spelling, grammar, math, science, writing, and Latin vocabulary. Interwoven with the core curriculum are the Biblical teachings and specialty classes. Each week students will participate in computer lab, music, art, chapel, P.E., and work in the media center to provide a complete educational experience.
Upper School
The Upper School is where students begin to define their individual path to success. Critical thinking and academic knowledge are the basis for daily learning, as they navigate through the challenging, but rewarding, college preparatory curriculum. God-centered education, specialty classes and technology integration also help to make a well-rounded experience.
School Resources
CDS is dedicated to helping their students succeed, and the 100% graduation rate speaks for itself. They provide a variety of resources that help pave the way to success. Beyond the college preparatory curriculum, they provide guidance and college counseling services, tutoring, technology and 18 middle school, JV and Varsity sports.
Mr. Van Wade, Principal of the Upper School, spoke about the college preparatory program. “Being a college preparatory school, Calvary Day equips students for college with 37 honors courses and 12 AP courses. College admission representatives repeatedly celebrate our students as well prepared for the rigors of college, and they actively want CDS students in their educational institutions. Students take rigorous courses intentionally designed to direct them into vocational areas of interest. Chemistry and physics courses are taught by former engineers with over 50 years of experience in that field. Students receive hands-on lab experiences by teachers who have participated in the workforce before becoming teachers.”
The guidance counseling department has services available to help each student throughout his or her education. They provide classroom guidance, individual and small group guidance, academic guidance, developmental screening, consultation with parents and teachers, and when needed, referrals to outside professionals.
College counseling services begin in the 8th grade and are provided to help families and students navigate the complexities of college admission. All students are carefully guided in building their profiles as they grow and learn about the talents and gifts that set them apart. The staff has extensive knowledge about college admissions and stays aware of relevant changes by meeting with admissions advisors, going on college tours and attending professional conferences every year. They also host several college workshops designed to simplify the process of admissions and scholarships. And they are really making a difference for families. In 2018, 52 graduates of CDS received more than $7.4 million in scholarships!
Students are also given the opportunity to receive tutoring to help them in any area of need. Mr. Wade spoke on this resource as well. “Every day, teachers stay after school for tutoring sessions with their students. Students do not have to sign up ahead of time. Teachers give of their time each day to help tutor students where they need help in their specific disciplines.”
Technology is another resource that helps students prepare for the future. Each student has access to a chromebook 1:1 in high school, a computer lab with a 3D printer, interactive smart boards in every classroom, virtual reality goggles and electronic balances. As technology changes, the students at CDS will be prepared to use and understand it.
At CDS, it’s not just about academics. They also provide a wide range of opportunities for students that excel athletically. Mr. Wade said, “The sports program at Calvary Day School offers 18 different Junior Varsity and Varsity teams. CDS is a member of the Piedmont Triad Athletic Conference and the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association. Past teams have won the state championships in girls’ soccer and Varsity baseball.” Many student-athletes go on to play collegiate level sports and receive scholarships to do so.
A Diverse Welcoming Environment
One unique aspect of CDS is the diverse student population. Mr. Richard Hardee, Head of School, spoke about this. “The CDS student body consists of students representing 118 different churches and multiple denominations, and applicants from other faith persuasions are welcome to visit our campus to see if the CDS Christian education curriculum is a good fit for their family.”
Another component that adds to the diversity is the representation of several ethnic groups, and they have an active international student population. Mr. Hardee went on to say, “One unique aspect of our student body is that we have 24 international students living with host families and other students whose parent country is not the United States. The presence of these students greatly enriches our school community.”
School of Service
CDS is proud to be a school of service. Starting with the 2-year-olds in the preschool classroom and all the way through 12th grade, students participate in service projects that benefit the community. Every year students participate in more than 3000 hours of community service, and the Senior class goes on a mission trip to Costa Rica to serve and share the gospel.
Spotlight on Alumni
Tommy McCollum, Jr., CDS Class of 2018, currently attends Wingate University. He received the Presidential Academic Scholarship as well as an Athletic Scholarship for baseball. When asked how CDS impacted his life he said, “Calvary Day School taught me how to live my life in a modern world while maintaining my personal values. They were invested in me and recognized the areas I excelled in and challenged me in areas where I needed to grow and develop. They celebrated my personal and academic success while taking the time to develop strategies with me to overcome my personal and academic shortcomings. They care! During graduation, I wasn’t celebrating leaving high school behind, as I know the investment the school made in me will remain with me for a lifetime.”
Forsyth County Assistant District Attorney Molly-Catherine K. Goodson is a graduate of Calvary Day School Class of 2007. She went on to attend Liberty University (LU) where she received a B.S. in Government: Western Legal Traditions, an M.A. in Human Services: Children, Families and the Law and a Juris Doctor. At LU, Goodson received academic scholarships, scholar-athlete recognition and a cheerleading scholarship. With the Forsyth County D.A. Office, Ms. Goodson serves as the domestic violence prosecutor. In addition, she is an Adjunct Professor at Regent University.
When asked how her time at CDS impacted her life, she said, “My time at Calvary Day School taught me at a young age to prioritize my life in such a way that put God first. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, workat it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not forman.” This mindset of working hard for the glory of God instead of the praise of man challenged me as I went to college, graduate school, law school and started my career, because my focus was not on what “success” I could obtain, but rather how God would use my life to bring Him glory. I am grateful for the years I spent at Calvary Day School, surrounded by peers and faculty that taught me, encouraged me, and challenged me to pursue God and His calling in my life. To this day, almost twelve years after graduating from high school, I still feel the support and prayers of the Calvary Day School staff.”
There are so many ways that CDS is paving the way to a successful future for all of their students. From outstanding academic and athletic programs to Christ-centered, service-driven, life-building experiences, CDS is helping students become the well-rounded applicants that colleges are looking to enroll.
Calvary Day School is located at 134 S. Peace Haven Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27104. If you would like more information about their school, you can visit their website at www. calvaryday.school. Interested families are encouraged to learn more and tour the campus by calling and scheduling an individual tour or attending the spring open house at 10 am on March 7th. Children and parents are welcome to attend and brunch will be provided.
Come see the Calvary Difference, where their mission is “To partner with parents to teach students to think, learn, and live from a Biblical worldview by integrating God and his Word as the primary source of truth.”
