About Us - Profile

Characteristics:
Cresset Christian Academy is dedicated to the purpose of reaching young men and women for Christ and training them to serve Him. The Academy is one of the ministries of Cresset Baptist Church and shares the same facilities. Since the Academy's beginning in 1975, it has grown from an enrollment of 60 students to the present student body of 310 students in preschool through grade twelve. Cresset offers a well-rounded Christian education for the youth of Durham, Orange, and Wake Counties. The high school is a discipleship model college preparatory program.

Staff:
There are forty members of the Cresset Christian Academy teaching/administrative staff. Each is a strong Christian, active in a local church. Each holds a teaching or administrative certificate through the Association of Christian Schools, International. At least 38% have graduate studies; over 26% have masters or higher degrees. Average years of experience: 10. Average years at Cresset: 6

Accreditation:
Cresset Christian Academy (elementary and secondary school) is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International through 2010 and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools through 2009.

Explanation of Transcript:
The class rank of students in grades 9-12 is determined using a 4.0 weighted scale. All courses are taught from a college-preparatory perspective, with some courses being labeled Honors due to advanced content and some labeled AP because they are intended to be preparation for Advanced Placement exams.

Courses:
Academic classes meet for 18 weeks, 5 periods per week, 95 minutes per period. One unit of credit represents one successfully completed academic course.

All students are required to take a Bible course each year. These strongly academic classes combine critical thinking skills, written composition, study of history and philosophy. In addition each high school student is required to complete 36 hours of community service annually.

Minimum requirements for Graduation for Graduates 2009– 30 credits to include the following courses:

Bible                   4      (or one course for each year of attendance at Cresset)

English               4     (each year, includes grammar, composition, literature)

Science               3    (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, Anatomy & Physiology or Environmental Science)

Social Studies    3   (World History, U. S. History, Government and Economics)

Mathematics       4    (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and Advanced Math or Pre-Calculus are the suggested 4)

Foreign Lang.     2    (Spanish, and Latin are available; 2 years of same foreign language required)

Health                   1

Electives               7

Honors and Advanced Placement Courses:
Honors courses in academic courses are scheduled every year beginning 2002-03. Although not available every year, English, Environmental Science, Studio Art, 3-D Design and Calculus AB courses may be taught at the AP level. Students who can succeed in these courses can usually fit them into their schedule. Students are recommended by their teachers, approved by their parents, and accepted by their own decision.

Annual Testing Program:
Grades 1-9     Stanford Achievement Tests
Grade 10         PLAN (a test of the ACT group, with career interest inventory)
Grade 11         PSAT required; SAT or ACT strongly recommended
Grade 12         SAT or ACT strongly recommended

Special Programs:

• Chapel - a weekly opportunity for student worship, with active student leadership.
• Student Council - student leaders elected at large by student body to work with class officers. Members attend the annual ACSI Leadership Conference.
• Student Council - student leaders elected at large by student body to work with class officers. Members attend the annual ACSI Leadership Conference.
• Athletic Competition: Teams compete in soccer, cross country, football, volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, baseball, softball, track, tennis, and golf.
• Academic Competition: Students participate in Creative Writing, Speech Contest, Envirothon, Music Festivals, and Art Festivals.
• National Beta Club – a service and academic honors group that recognizes student leaders.
• National Beta Club – a service and academic honors group that recognizes student leaders.
• Mu Alpha Theta-National Math Honor Society.
• Band, Concert Choir, Jazz Ensemble, and Handbell Choir represent the school in performances at home and away.
• Yearly drama productions such as Man of La Mancha, Peter Pan, and Les Miserables utilize the combined efforts of the band, drama, choral, and art departments.

Graduating Class of 2009 Number 20 SAT average 1669 Critical Reading 550 (range 330-670) Math 575 (range 480-800) Writing 544 (range 380-670) Acceptance into 4 year colleges 100%	Graduating Class of 2008 Number 12 SAT average 1513 Critical Reading 500 (range 390-720) Math 534 (range 340-610) Writing 480 (range 400-600) Acceptance into 4 year colleges 75% Acceptance into community college 25%	Graduating Class of 2007 Number 37 New SAT average 1500 Critical Reading 505 (range 340-650) Math 500 (range 390-650) Writing 496 (range 370-700) Acceptance into 4 year colleges 90% Acceptance into community colleges or military 10%
Graduating Class of 2006 Number 20 New SAT average of students accepted into 4 yr. colleges 1488 Critical reading 507 (range 410-690) Math 502 (range 400-610) Writing 479 (range 390-600) Acceptance into 4 yr. colleges 55% Acceptance in community colleges 45%	Graduating Class of 2005 Number 28 SAT average total 1034 Verbal 518(range330– 700) Math 508(range260 – 780) College Entrance 100%	Graduating Class of 2004 Number 15 SAT averages total 1162 Verbal 567 (range 380-690) Math 595 (range 410-680) College Entrance 100%

Graduates:
Virtually 100% of each senior class pursue postsecondary education, with over 80% typically attending four-year institutions. Colleges they have attended include the following: