Welcome
SonShine Christian Academy
Building a safe community for children to grow and learn in a family-type environment with positive social interaction.
1722 Mill Pond Rd
Conway, South Carolina
Sonshinechristian777@yahoo.com
843-488-1517
Established in 2019
SonShine Christian Academy (SCA) Individualized Education
How It Works!
Every individual has unique strengths. Children should not be compared to others, as their success in education depends on their opportunities, maturity, and abilities. Most importantly, they should have confidence in their potential.
Assessment – Diagnostic Testing
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All new students are tested to determine their current academic or maturity level.
Identifying Learning Gaps
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Some students may lack essential foundational concepts which hinder future academic success. SCA offers education to address these gaps.
Transition to Effective Learning
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Once any gaps have been identified and addressed, the student begins at his/her learning level.
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If a student was transferred from another educational institution as a 4th grader, yet the diagnostic testing determined he/she has mastered the skills to begin the 5th grade level, that student would begin at 5th grade level.
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If a student tests at a lower level, they may have missed essential skills for the next grade, leading to loss of confidence and sometimes disruptive behavior. Starting at their learning level helps them master basics and build confidence gradually. Many students fall behind in early grades due to maturity issues, causing ongoing frustration and further setbacks.
Learning Challenges
SCA has various options for students who may have learning difficulties. We have had success with students who have been labeled ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome, and other learning challenges.
SCA may have options for High School students who have fallen behind.
Individualized Work
Each student is provided with an individual workstation.
Each student has daily work in every subject and progresses individually without comparison to others.
Students take quizzes after each small section. Scoring 80% or higher allows them to move on, while lower scores mean a review of the material is needed. The Individualized Curriculum ensures students understand concepts in small, manageable parts.
The curriculum focuses on success, not timelines. Students can complete and advance grades anytime during the school year. If unfinished, they continue from where they left off the following school year.
Character Counts
Good character enhances academics by boosting confidence and self-respect.
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Kindness
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Respect for Authority
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Respect for Country, Christianity, Bible
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Honesty
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Self-discipline
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Encouraging
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Responsibility
Kindness
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SCA utilizes daily situations to illustrate what is considered kind and unkind.
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Play and interactions are monitored. Any incidents of bullying are promptly addressed to ensure students learn from the experience.
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Students cannot exclude others and are taught to notice anyone who may feel left out.
Respect for Authority
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Monthly field trips involve interactions with Law Enforcement Officers and visits to Fire Departments. SCA also has part-time staff who are law enforcement officers. These officers visit and participate in fun days with competitive games.
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Students respond to staff with "Yes Sir or Ma'am" or "Yes, Mrs. Smith" after each instruction.
Respect for Country, Christianity, Bible
Each day begins with pledges to the American Flag, Christian Flag, and Bible.
Honesty
Honest schoolwork and truthfulness in all situations
Self-Discipline
Working hard to do it right the first time – every time – it saves time.
Encouraging
Young and Older Students encourage one another.
Responsibility:
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Age-appropriate responsibility
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More responsibilities are given as the student matures and learns
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Taking responsibility for personal actions without attributing faults to others
Curriculum
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Reading Programs
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Elementary Subjects
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Computer Programs
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Bible
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Art
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Cursive Writing
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Higher Level Math
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High School
Reading Programs
Learning to Read: 5- and 6-year-olds
This program teaches phonetic sounds and dialect markings Students learn to read small words in just days.
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It is designed to accommodate various learning styles, including kinetic, visual, auditory, and spatial.
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The program includes songs and motions to maintain student engagement in the learning process.
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Students listen to interesting stories and answer questions to improve listening and comprehension skills.
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The Learning to Read Program is one of the best for young children to be proficient readers and enjoy reading.
Upon completing the Learning to Read Program, students can read independently and enjoy it.
Video phonics
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Older students who have transferred to SonShine Christian Academy may need some extra help to increase their reading skills.
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Video Phonics is a computerized learning tool that starts with the basic phonetic sounds and was developed to assist students ages 7 and above.
Elementary Subjects
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Individualized foundational concepts in Math, English, Word Building, Literature, Science and Social Studies.
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Mastering fundamentals is crucial for future learning and life skills.
Computer Programs
Computer learning begins at 2nd level.
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Readmaster: Students read a short story and answer questions to assess speed and comprehension. Upon completing that level, they progress to the next level. Each level incrementally increases speed and comprehension.
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Math Builder: Students start with simple problems like 2+2 and progress to quickly recall addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts.
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Keyboarding: Students who have mastered basic Math facts start the Keyboarding Program, focusing on finger positioning for accuracy and speed.
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Word and Excel Spreadsheets
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Power Point
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Biology Labs
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Chemistry Labs
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Foreign Languages
Weekly Bible Class
Mr. Derry – Younger Students
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Mr. Derry teaches important Bible stories to young students using interactive lessons. They love Mr. Derry’s class.
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Mr. Derry – Older Students
The Upper Level students learning “The Life of Christ.”
Weekly Art Class
Mrs. Starkey finds fun projects that encourage the students to enjoy this time of creativity every week.
Pinatas are messy but fun for all ages.
Mrs. Nagel uses her art skills and creativity in each project, engaging students and helping them develop their own artistic abilities.
Cursive Writing
Cursive writing is essential for reading historical documents.
High Level Math – Saxon Math
Students typically commence Saxon Math at approximately the 5th grade level.
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An incremental approach allows students to grasp and practice small concepts before progressing.
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Distributing skills throughout the year ensures students can master each concept.
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Cumulative practice and assessments reinforce earlier lessons, helping students retain and connect ideas.
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Pre-algebra, Algebra, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mathematical Analysis
High School
In addition to the required subjects for graduation, SCA adds the following:
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Upper Level Physical Science
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Upper Level Chemistry
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Upper Level Physics
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many more higher level subjects
In addition to the required SCA adds the following:
Business Math
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Calculate taxes
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Understand compound and simple interest rates
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Differences between an asset and liability
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Budgets, insurance, checking and savings accounts, home and auto ownership
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Commissions, salary vs hourly payroll, and calculating overtime
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Wholesale and manufacturing
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And much more
U. S. Constitution
Civics
Economics
In addition to the required subjects for graduation, SCA adds the following:
Computer
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Basic Keyboarding
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Word and PowerPoint
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Emails
Spanish
Daily Schedule & Special Events
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Start of the Day
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Convention
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Weekly Movie
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Monthly & Yearly Field Trips
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Special Events (Fun Days)
Start of the Day
Upper Level Annual Educational Trips
Regional Convention
Last year, SCA teens attended the Regional Convention in North Carolina. This annual event gathers 500-1000 students from several Christian private schools. The convention features competitions in 140 categories. SCA students competed in preaching, poem recitation, photography, sketching, sculpting, scrapbooking, and archery.
Mrs. Starkey collaborates with the students on fundraising efforts and individual preparation several months prior to the event.
SCA students were finalists in several categories
Regional Finalist: 2nd place Pen and Ink and 4th in Sketching
Creation Museum and The Ark
Students aged 10 and older are planning a trip to The Ark and Creation Museum in Kentucky. SCA aims to equip them with evidence to defend the Bible and support God's Word.
Weekly Movie
Students earn the privilege of attending a parent-approved movie at the end of the week. They all enjoy this relaxing time for a successful academic week.
Monthly Field Trips
Students earn a monthly local field trip to museums, libraries, senior citizen facilities, fire departments, and local parks.
Yearly Trip for All Students
Past trips have been to Big Air Trampoline and the Rec Center for an afternoon of swimming.
Special Holiday Fun
Fall Harvest Day – Christmas – Valentine’s are special afternoon fun times with games and treats
Accreditation
Grace Association of Private Schools was established in 1990 as an organization to coordinate and establish academic standards and to offer an option, as stated in the SC Code of Laws (59-65-10), to those who desire to educate youth of today unencumbered by unnecessary restrictions, requirements, and expenses.
Administrator
All SCA’s day-to-day operations, policies, and staff are under the direction and authority of Mrs. Pamela Derry, the School Administrator. Mrs. Derry had several years’ experience in a Private Christian School located in Ohio, before moving to South Carolina. She is the mother of four grown children and ten grandchildren. Mrs. Derry holds a Bachelor's degree in Leadership and Pastoral Care from Ohio Christian University. She has completed the educational and service requirements for two Clinical Pastoral Education:
One certification from The College of Supervision and Psychotherapy and one from Association of Pastoral Education. She has been employed as a Chaplain for over seven years and has numerous certifications in Group and Individual Stress Management and other support services. Mrs. Derry has the following certifications from Accelerated Christian Academy: Administrators’ Professional Training, Supervisors’ Professional Training, two Certifications in Professional Ministry Development, and has attended numerous yearly educational workshops.
Standardized Testing
SCA administers the Iowa National Standardized Test every spring to measure where a student falls within the national averages and to evaluate student’s progress. This test identifies areas needing improvement if a student fails to advance academically by at least one year. Note: It evaluates for SCA only second-year and subsequent SCA students.
Staff
All SCA staff (except specialized instructors such as speech therapy or music), are members of Christ’s Church of Horry County and have the heart to serve the Lord and minister to the youth as well as actively minister in the church. All staff members and specialized instructors have had background checks from South Carolina Law Enforcement (SLED) and have signed documents authorizing background checks at any time. All staff members have received a certification of completion for “Education Services” provided by the SonShine Christian Academy’s Administrator.
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Supervisor/Art Instructor: Mrs. Andrea Starkey is in her fifth year as the Learning to Read Supervisor. She is the mother of four children. Mrs. Starkey attended Hocking Technical College, received a certificate in the Licensed Practical Nursing program, and later received an Ohio LPN license. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Ohio Christian University in Leadership and Ministry. Mrs. Starkey worked previously at Christ Church Christian Academy in Ohio before moving to South Carolina. Later she homeschooled her own children. Mrs. Starkey has had the following training from Accelerated Christian Education (ACE): Certificate for Professional Ministry Development and Supervisors’ Professional Excellence Certification. She has also completed other educational workshops provided by ACE.
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Supervisor/Art & Gym Instructor: Mrs. Melinda Nagel has been with SCA since August 2020 and is the Supervisor for the Intermediate Learning Center. Mrs. Nagel is the mother of two children. She attended Columbus State University and was a Corporate Trainer in Columbus, OH. Mrs. Nagel had taught Art for Christ’s Church Christian Academy in Ohio before moving to South Carolina and later homeschooled her own children for three years. Mrs. Nagel has completed the following training from Accelerated Christian Education (ACE): Certificate for Professional Ministry Development and Supervisors’ Professional Excellence. She has completed educational workshops provided by ACE.
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Bible Instructor: Mr. James Derry, Evangelist. Mr. Derry has four grown children, fourteen grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He attended Ohio State University, retired as Vice President of Sales and Marketing from Mattingly Foods, Zanesville, OH. Mr. Derry was the evangelist at Christ’s Church of Fairfield (Lancaster, OH) for over fifteen years and taught Saxon Math at Christ’s Church Christian Academy in Ohio before moving to South Carolina. Mr. Derry is the current evangelist for Christ’s Church of Horry County.
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Speech Therapy: Ms. Colleen Herald has volunteered at SCA for three years. She has a Master’s degree in speech language and pathology with experience in private practice, early intervention, and school systems with PS-high school. She hold a certificate of clinical competence with the American Speech Language Hearing Association.
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Monitor: Mr. Joey Starkey assists Supervisors in all Learning Centers part time and is the Associate Evangelist at Christ’s Church of Horry County. He is currently a Special Agent for South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and has been in law enforcement for over fifteen years. Mr. Starkey has an Associate degree in Natural Resource Law Enforcement from Hocking College and a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency and Disaster Management. He is a certified instructor for Crisis Intervention Stress Management and numerous additional certificates. Mr. Starkey has completed the ACE monitor training.
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Monitor: Mr. Kevin Morrison assists Supervisors in all Learning Centers part time. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and is currently working on his master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health. Mr. Morrison is currently a patrol officer for South Carolina State Hwy Patrol. He has been in law enforcement for over four years and served in the U.S. Army for six years. Mr. Morrison has completed the ACE monitor training.
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Recordkeeping and Marketing. Ms. Kathy Douglass. Ms. Douglass has two adult children and four grandchildren. She has experience in print shops and designs. Ms. Douglass helps maintain the school records. She also manages the Church and School’s website, social media, and assists with printed materials. Ms. Douglass has a servant’s heart and is always available to help when needed.
Tuition:
$425 per month per student
Discounts:
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$50 discount per student for parent attendance at the monthly 1-hour meeting
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Discounts for 2 nd and 3 rd students within the same family
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Financial Assistance is considered based on family need and available funds
How to Apply:
SonShine Christian Academy welcome phone calls, emails, or visits for additional information. SCA interviews all families before enrolling any new student. All new and returning students are enrolled or reenrolled after approval of the Education Committee.