School Profile
Harvest Christian Academy
School Overview
The mission at Harvest Christian Academy is to provide a Christ-centered, educational environment that equips students to develop character, demonstrate competence and discover their calling.
While we partner closely with Harvest, our founding church, HCA is a separate non-denominational ministry. Harvest students represent a wide variety of church backgrounds, and we encourage our students to appreciate and respect its diversity.
Doctrinal Statement of Faith:
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God and inerrant in the original writing, and that they are the supreme and final authority in faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (John 14:10, 2 Corinthians 13:14)
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and is true God and true man. (Matthew 1:18-20)
We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned, and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death which is separation from God; and that we are born with a sinful nature. (Genesis 1:27)
We believe in the Biblical teaching that man was created by a direct act of God and not from previously existing forms of life and that all men are descended from the historical Adam and Eve, first parents of the entire human race. (Genesis 2:7)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, a representative and substitutionary sacrifice and that all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood. (Luke24:46-47)
We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into Heaven, and His present life there for us as High Priest and Advocate. (Luke 24:1-6)
We believe in "that blessed hope" - the personal and imminent return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-13)
We believe that all who receives the Lord Jesus Christ by faith are born again of the Holy Spirit, thereby become children of God, and are eternally secure in Him. (John 3:5-8)
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting punishment of the lost. (1 Corinthians 15:22-23)
HCA PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS:
We recognize God as the Creator of all things and Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of all who acknowledge Him as Lord. We hold that the knowledge of God is the beginning of wisdom that each student is uniquely created by God as a physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual being and is endowed with particular talents. Therefore, the aim of HCA (functioning as an extension of the home and church) is to aid each student to grow in understanding God and man and to develop his/her capabilities to the highest degree in order that he/she may become mature and complete and live life to its fullest in Christ.
The objectives of Harvest Christian Academy for the Spiritual Growth of its students are:
-to teach the Bible as God’s inspired Word and to help students develop attitudes of love and respect toward it;
-to teach the basic doctrines of the Bible;
-to lead students to a decision of confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior;
-to develop a desire to know and to obey the will of God as revealed in the Scriptures;
-to equip students to carry out the will of God in their daily lives;
-to impart an understanding of each Christian’s place in the church and an understanding of the church’s worldwide tasks of witnessing, evangelizing, and discipling; and to stimulate each student’s involvement in such tasks;
-to develop the mind of Christ toward godliness and sin and to teach students how to overcome sin;
-to encourage the development of self-discipline and responsibility in students based upon submission to God and the authority of scripture; and
-to encourage spiritual growth through personal Bible study, prayer, service, and application of biblical principles to every part of life.
Spiritually, students are immersed in academic curriculum that is biblically integrated in each subject. Discipleship themes are in place at every grade level and essential biblical questions are discussed and analyzed to teach and develop these concepts in the lives of students.
Academically, Harvest has carefully analyzed its curriculum in relation to state and national standards and aligned its objectives with Texas educational requirements and College Board standards. Utilizing the most current information on how students learn, HCA regularly trains faculty on engaging, effective teaching styles including significant use of technology in the classroom.
Serving K-12 students in Fort Worth, Keller, North Richland Hills, Colleyville and the surrounding areas, HCA was established in 1994 by Harvest Church and now operates as an independent 501 (c) 3, non-profit corporation. HCA is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and is recognized by TEPSAC (Texas Private School Accreditation Commission). The school utilizes the 40-acre campus of Harvest Church, conveniently located on Highway 377. HCA has developed an athletic complex at this site as well.
The total student experience includes many co-curricular activities. Students compete in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) in ten sports including football, basketball, volleyball, cross country, tennis, softball, baseball, golf, track and cheer. Students also compete in fine arts and academic meets through ACSI and TAPPS.
School History
Harvest Christian Academy, hereafter HCA, was formed in 1994 by the Elders of Harvest Church as a ministry of that congregation to provide quality Christian education to its members and to to other Christian families within the community. Harvest Church also started a preschool ministry, Harvest Child Development center, hereafter HCDC, as well. HCA and HCDC have worked together to provide PK-12 Kingdom Education since 1994.
In 1997 the school was first accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International and has maintained accreditation since that time. As a ministry of Harvest Church, a school board made up of the elders of the church originally governed the school. By 2005 the church realized the necessity to establish an empowered school board to develop and implement decisions related to HCA. The school board was formed and started the evaluation process.
HCA continued its original mission throughout these years. During this time, the school expanded its athletic and fine arts programs and improved the athletics complex with the building of a football field, "Callahan Field", and baseball field, "Berry Field". All the while, HCA maintained its focus on academic excellence and strong spiritual development of all students.
In 2006, the school and church reached an important crossroad. In order to continue to develop in accordance with its mission, Harvest Christian Academy felt it important to become an independent corporation and apply for non-profit, 501(c)3 status. This process was completed in 2007. The church and school now operate as independent, but closely tied, partners. HCA leases Harvest Church facilities and continues to provide an important ministry to the church. A school board, made up of highly qualified educators, business people and parents now provides oversight for the school.
Since 2008, HCA has focused on the educational opportunities afforded the students through use of new technologies like Microsoft IT Academy and an Ipad initiative. In addition, the school has recently offered dual-credit courses through a parnership with Texas Wesleyan University of Fort Worth, Texas.