Welcome

APPLICATIONS CONTINUE TO BE ACCEPTED

On March 6, 2017 Pinnacle Classical Academy held its fifth annual enrollment lottery. Letters have been sent out informing parents about the results for their child/children. If accepted via the lottery, parents have ten days to fill out and complete a final application  and return it to the school. (click on “Final Application” under the “Enrollment” tab at the top of the page)

Pinnacle Classical Academy is still accepting applications. Parents who fill out an initial application  will have their child placed on the Wait List. (click on “Initial Application” under the “Enrollment” tab at the top of the page or click on the red text above)

As space possibly becomes available in the different grade levels, students will be offered based on their placement on the Wait List.

If you have any questions, please contact the school at 704-740-4040.

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WHAT DOES COLLEGE PREPARATORY MEAN?

At Pinnacle Classical Academy, it means an Associate in Science degree upon graduation.

November 22, 2016

Shelby, N.C. – Pinnacle Classical Academy formally announces that it has entered into a partnership with Cleveland Community College that will allow students to complete an Associate in Science degree in the College Transfer Program as part of the standard curriculum while in high school.

This innovative program is a continuing part of Pinnacle Classical Academy’s mission to provide all students with a premier college preparatory experience. Students at Pinnacle will have the opportunity to earn an Associate in Science degree through Cleveland Community College that consists of 61 hours of college credit. The Associate in Science degree program will provide all students with an incomparable college preparatory experience while remaining under the guidance and supervision of Pinnacle Classical Academy faculty and staff. According to Pinnacle Headmaster Robert Brown, “The Associate in Science degree program will provide our students with an incomparable college preparatory experience. There is no better way to prepare for the rigors of a four-year college or university than to complete a two-year degree in high school.”

The associate degree courses will be taught on the Pinnacle Classical Academy campus during the school day at no cost to parents. The 61 hours of college credit students will earn represents an average savings of over $42,000 in tuition, books, fees, and room and board at any public university in North Carolina. Completion of the degree coursework means that Pinnacle students will have already completed a number of general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree while in high school.

Pinnacle students will begin the degree program in their junior year of high school and complete the coursework in their senior year. This program is cohort-based, which means that students will take a series of prescribed and carefully sequenced courses each year. This approach ensures that all students who are successful in the coursework will complete the degree program without the need for additional courses or classroom time. Another unique feature of the Pinnacle Classical Academy program is that it does not use an internal selection process such as those that exclude a large number of students who apply. All Pinnacle students who meet state requirements will be included in this program.

Pinnacle Classical Academy students begin preparation for this program during middle school by earning high school graduation credit. By earning high school credit in middle school, it provides students with the schedule flexibility to take additional academic courses and electives that best suit their interests and needs. According to Amy Horton, parent of a current Pinnacle freshman, “My daughter will graduate from Pinnacle Classical Academy with the first graduating class in 2020 with her diploma and an associate degree. Being in a rigorous college preparatory program at Pinnacle is teaching her how to study and be successful in any college class. The higher expectations and standards are reflected in her attitude about learning.”

Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School

Pinnacle Classical Academy is now an affiliate school of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.

The Affiliate School Program is a unique gateway to education resources, events, and tools designed to bring American history to life in the classroom. Our network of schools connects teachers and students to valuable American history resources.

The Gilder Lehrman Collection contains more than 60,000 documents detailing the political and social history of the United States. The Collection’s holdings include handwritten letters, diaries, maps, photographs, printed books, and pamphlets ranging from 1493 through modern times.

Please see Gilder Lehrman Affiliate Program

PCA Test Scores Released!

Middle School Reading & Math Results

Kindergarten Teachers Develop NCCAT Seminar

The Kindergarten teachers at Pinnacle Classical Academy developed and submitted a project proposal for a Planning and Solutions Seminar at the NC Academy for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT). The proposal was selected and the Kindergarten team will be attending NCCAT in Cullowhee during the week of March 29 - April 1, 2016. Their seminar will revolve around researching, creating, and organizing interactive SmartBoard lessons to support the Kindergarten CKLA Listening and Learning strands. During the Kindergarten teachers' seminar, all lodging, meals, meeting space and the resources available on their campus will be provided free of charge.

It is an honor to have a project chosen for NCCAT and speaks very highly of the hard work and dedication that went into not only the proposal, but the entire teaching process.

What Makes Pinnacle Classical Academy Different?

At Pinnacle Classical Academy our educational philosophy is based on the three R’s – Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships. Rigorous coursework, relevant learning activities, and meaningful relationships with teachers and other staff members are all necessary to ensure that every student is successful and prepared for college. This is a bold proposition, but one that is necessary to meet the educational needs of students in a 21st century society.

Rigor

The school maintains high academic expectations for all students and staff members. The standards we set for our students are designed to push them beyond the simple routines of content mastery. Students must also demonstrate the ability to apply their learning and discipline-specific thinking skills in a variety of educational contexts. This type of academic rigor pushes students well beyond what can be easily accomplished, and compels them to continually expand their levels of knowledge, understanding, and the ability to apply what they know in diverse situations.

Relevance

The curriculum that Pinnacle Classical Academy utilizes is based on the idea that only through mastery of content knowledge can students become proficient at applying and utilizing what they have learned. The content knowledge and thinking skills taught at Pinnacle Classical Academy are drawn from items that are desperately needed in real-world tasks and professions. These include but are not limited to expressing knowledge and understanding in writing, working in teams to solve problems, effectively verbalizing information, conducting effective research, and thinking logically and critically in order to develop solutions. The learning opportunities provide students with practice and experiences in dealing with real-world problems in a controlled academic environment.

Relationships

Not only does Pinnacle Classical Academy maintain high standards and utilize relevant content and skills, but the school also builds powerful and enduring relationships with students. The relationships that students build with adults help to ensure that they are motivated and successful in school. Through these relationships with effective instructors and other adults, students are able to meet the high expectations that are placed upon them.

Parental Partnership

Parents are a vital piece of the educational puzzle at Pinnacle Classical Academy. Education is a partnership and engaged parents are crucial to the success of students during the learning process. Pinnacle Classical Academy encourages all parents to be actively engaged in their student's learning, both at home and at school. Students with parents that are involved in their learning experience higher achievement, develop proper social skills, have a better attitude toward school and learning, and have a higher rate of graduating and attending college.

Outcomes

Pinnacle Classical Academy focuses on incorporating elements of classical education and research-based best practices in education to aid students in developing critical and logical reasoning skills. At Pinnacle Classical Academy, it is our goal to develop caring, productive citizens who exemplify ethical values throughout their daily lives. Integrated into all aspects of the academic curriculum will be the accepted patterns for developing lifelong learners and globally competitive students.

Pinnacle Classical Academy is located at 900 South Post Road in Shelby. This will be the school’s home during the construction of our permanent campus. The plan for a permanent home is to construct a new K-12 campus on Joe’s Lake Road, about one mile from the South Post Road location.