Monarch Christian Academy is celebrating its 20th year this year and for anyone who wonders just what kind of school it is, founder and pastor Debbie Lowe describes it as “homeschool on steroids.”

From its inception in 1993, Monarch Christian Academy has focused on educating children by using cutting edge methods of teaching, a challenging curriculum and the right attitude about education.

Pastors John B. and Debbie Lowe founded MCA in their spacious home in 1993. That first year they had 12 children from seven families enrolled in the school, but by the following year had moved into the former Free Methodist World Headquarters at Winona Lake and expanded enrollment. It was a mission of love and faith that has continued to grow.

Today, MCA is located in the New Life Christian Church at 744 S. 325 E., Warsaw, and boasts an enrollment of approximately 40 students in grades preschool through 12. “We’re not looking to have a huge number of kids,” says Debbie. “We like that we can offer one on one (teaching).”

What sets MCA truly apart from other schools, according to Debbie, is that it isn’t structured like the curriculum the government sets. “We have the flexibility to determine the students’ individual needs. If a fifth-grader is doing math at a sixth-grade level and has a higher comprehension level, there is the opportunity to take those higher classes and even graduate early,” she explains. “We can promote students as long as they are passing the threshold tests which prove comprehension and measures their success.”

Because it is a parochial school, MCA teaches the Biblical world views of every aspect of education. “That includes good moral character, integrity and honesty,” Debbie says.

Especially exciting this year is the addition of a homeschool co-op program utilizing Grace College professor Richard Dilling and his wife, Linda. The two have agreed to assist children in the homeschool co-op program by being available two days each week to guide students in especially difficult areas such as math and science.

The homeschool co-op program is separate from MCA, but allows the students opportunities to come in 3 days each week for a more structured classroom type setting. Grace College students are on hand to assist those students.

In the MCA regular classrooms, all grade levels have their own classrooms where licensed teachers guide them through their daily tasks and studies. Students are taught as early as kindergarten to schedule their days and create charts. Debbie says it is a means of showing children early on how to be better prepared for real world tasks.

MCA also utilizes a program called “Where There’s a Will, There’s an A.” It is a study program that teaches students memorization and study skills that will benefit them well into their college years.

MCA is hosting an open house from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7. During the open house, the $25 registration fee will be waived for all students registering for the 2012-2013 school year. “And our tuition is very reasonable,” Debbie adds. “It’s very cost effective. The school is an extension of the church ministry so you aren’t paying for the building or anything, just administrative fees.”

Classes at MCA operate on the Warsaw Community Schools schedule so the first student day is Aug. 13.

For more information or to inquire about classes, call 574-268-2869, or email Pastor Debbie Lowe at [email protected].