2014-15 Gaston Christian Annual Report

2014 | GASTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | 2015ANNUAL REPORT

89 21Contents 12 Early Childhood Education3 A Message from the Board 13 Elementary Education4 From the Head of the School 14 Middle School Education5 Academic Statistics 15 High School Education6 Chapel and Worship 16 International Students Program7 Demographics and Summary 17 From the Academic Dean8 Standardized Testing 18 Donors9 Honduras Mission Trips 21 Fine Arts10 Class of 2014 Graduates 22 Year in Sports11 College Offering Admissions2 ANNUAL REPORT

2014-15 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Standing: Rhett Melton, Tommy Morrison, Ron France, Reid McGraw, Ray McKenney and Marc Stout Seated: Preston Guy, Barbara Vaher, Laura Egeln, Kelly Zukaitis and Sharon SpearT he Board of Trustees for Gaston Christian School is pleased three of the many key stakeholder groups to provide feedback to the with the information delivered to you through this 2014 – Board on the success of meeting the “ends.” Surveys were completed 2015 Annual Report and wants to say thank you to all who of past graduates of GCS, parents of the GCS alumni, and current are part of the success summarized herein. As we shared faculty and staff of the school. The results of the surveys confirmedwith you last year, the Board’s purpose is to establish the “Ends” that that Gaston Christian School is having great success at meeting the goals as outlined. We have much to be proud of and many evidencesare the pursuits of the school, and to work with school leadership and of accomplishment in meeting the desired outcomes. The surveys also confirmed something that we all know to be true – we are a work other “moral owners” to achieve those in process. Despite the success and despite the positive achievements in each of the five ends statements, we can be better. We must ends. The board continued during the continually strive to create the most nurturing and safe environment for our students. We must continually strive to challenge our students academic year to pursue the following creatively, socially, academically, and spiritually to help them grow to their fullest potential. We must always seek to enhance the love ends: we show to each other and to demonstrate that love and provide an example to others. Finally, we must never be satisfied with how much Students excel spiritually, physically, we have spread the word about Jesus Christ. We can always do more and should never stop looking for ways to do more. academically, and artistically according May 2015 – 2016 be the year that we challenge each other as to their potential. brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s seek His direction, pursue His plan, and never become complacent or content but continue to Students are prepared for build the blessing that God has given to us all in the form of Gaston Christian School. acceptance to the college or universityW. Rhett Melton of their choosing.Board Chairman Students are spiritually mature, evidencing a Christian worldview asrevealed in the Bible.GCS families and staff exhibit Christian love, service and joy.Students and their families impact the world for the kingdom ofGod.During the year, targeted input and feedback were sought from ANNUAL REPORT 3

DR. MARC STOUT From the Head of SchoolT he 2014-2015 school year was filled with many wonderful achievements that I would like to share with you. Our Not to be outdone, the high school implemented a “one-to-one” theme verse was taken from I Corinthians 13:13: “Now rollout of Chromebooks for all 10th-12th grade students; electronic these three remain, faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of textbooks were utilized in History and Psychology classrooms. these is love.” Our programs, chapels, Our College Board SAT results were outstanding this past year. and daily instruction built upon this Overall, our average went up 58 points! While nationally this year is known to show the largest decline in the past three decades, GCS theme throughout the year. What a students saw a dramatic increase. Special thanks to Mrs. McDaniel and her team for their diligence. blessing it is to see the love for God Our Magazine Drive was very successful. Profits from the sale evidenced in the lives of all associated allowed us to purchase artificial turf for the playground and replace the rubber chunks that ended up in the classrooms, shoes, and stained with Gaston Christian School. clothes. Many parents appreciated this new addition to the campus. Our fifth-grade students began the Due to the generous gifts of many parents, we were able to build The Pavilion by our tennis courts. While it serves as a great place year in a new annex to our Elementary for tennis spectators, it also has been used extensively for lunches, reading classes, class parties, and social gatherings for families building. This addition was designed throughout the day. to alleviate the transition to middle It is my prayer that the faith, hope and love mentioned in I Corinthians 13 will guide our students as they seek to honor Him school by providing larger classrooms, with their lives.Dr. Marc Stout individual lockers, interactive Thank you for the trust that you have shown us by allowing yourHead of School whiteboards in each classroom, and an children to attend Gaston Christian School. overall “feel” just like middle school. By Soli Deo Gloria!all accounts, this new instructional area has been extremely popularwith the teachers, parents, and students of the fifth grade.Our middle school students saw some upgrades in the sciencedepartment with new tables for Mr. Huitt’s classroom. It is amazinghow much this addition has done to bring scientific focus for ourstudents in the middle school.4 ANNUAL REPORT

CLASS OF 2015 BY THE NUMBERS53 100% 49% Going to College Graduates or Further Education Attended GCSin Class of 2015 K-12th Grade SAT scores 91591 1478 1410 AP ScholarsGaston North GastonChristian Carolina County Score Average Average $3.7 Million in scholarship offerings for the Class of 2015Source: 2015 College Board, AP Scholar Awards ANNUAL REPORT 5

CHAPEL “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:136 ANNUAL REPORT

BY THE NUMBERSSTUDENT BODY PROFILE103 Early Childhood / Elementary36 Full-Day Kindergarten16 Half-Day Kindergarten 60 1st Grade66 2nd Grade42 3rd Grade55 4th Grade57 5th Grade435 Total EC/EMMiddle School Enrollment High School Enrollment 73 9th Grade65 6th Grade 74 10th Grade 57 11th Grade56 7th Grade 53 12th Grade57 8th Grade 257 Total HS178 Total MS870 Total GCS Enrollment for 2014-15FINANCIAL SUMMARY FAMILY DEMOGRAPHICFiscal Year July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015 Mt. Holly 5%DallasOperating Revenue 6% 47%Gastonia $5,579,486..........Tuition and Fees $267,936..........Contributions/Fundraising 11%Charlotte $136,906..........Miscellaneous $5,984,328.........Total Revenue 15Other %Operating Expenses $4,048,432..........Salaries and Benefits 16%Belmont $412,404..........Operating Expenses $751,412..........Program and Office Expenses Other includes: Alexis, Bessemer City, Cherryville, Clover, Cramerton, $295,931..........Interest Payments Crouse, Huntersville, Iron Station, Kings Mountain, Lake Wylie, $14,652..........Miscellaneous Expenses Lincolnton, Lowell, McAdenville, Ranlo, Shelby, Stanley and York. $5,522,831.........Total Expenses ANNUAL REPORT 7 $461,497....... Operating ProfitContributions/Fundraising $189,852..........Annual Giving $24,628..........Building On The Rock Campaign $33,630..........Magazine Sale $41,239..........Golf Tournament $84,943..........Designated Gifts $14,224..........Other

STANDARDIZED TESTING SUMMARY REPORTE ach spring in Grades K-11, Gaston Christian administers Elementary School, Middle School, and High School are strong, the Stanford Achievement Test, a multiple-choice, putting GCS students well into the top quartile of students across standardized battery of tests designed to measure the nation; within some grade levels, percentile averages place GCS achievement (what the student has learned). As a norm- student performance within the top fifth of the nation’s students.referenced instrument, it allows educators to compare their students’ Score results for Gaston Christian School reflect the performance ofprogress in reading, language, mathematics, science, and social all students for which the group report is given; there is no selectivitystudies with that of similar groups nationwide. of data in scores representative of students at Gaston Christian School. This year’s Average Basic Battery percentile scores for theGRADE K 1 2 3 4 5 AVGREADING 95 79 85 91 82 85 86.2LANGUAGE NA 84 85 91 86 86 86.4MATH 91 87 85 90 77 80 85.0SPELLING NA 80 86 93 80 88 85.4BASIC BATTERY 91 80 84 91 80 83 84.8GRADE 6 7 8 AVG GRADE 9 10 11 AVGREADING 81 80 73 78.0 READING 79 72 84 78.3LANGUAGE 72 80 77 76.3 LANGUAGE 78 71 85 78.0MATH 83 79 74 78.7 MATH 78 77 83 79.3SPELLING 79 85 78 80.7 SPELLING 78 72 81 77.0BASIC BATTERY 79 79 74 77.3 BASIC BATTERY 78 73 83 78.0 2014-2015 2013-2014 Change Average Basic Battery Elementary School 84.8 84.2 0.6 Average Basic Battery Middle School 77.3 79.0 -1.7 Average Basic Battery High School (9-11) 78.0 82.0 -4.0 Average Basic Battery Grades K-11 81.3 82.3 -1.0 Average Reading Grades K-11 82.2 83.2 -1.0Average Language Grades 1-11 81.4 83.6 -2.2Average Math Grades K-11 82.0 82.9 -0.9Average Spelling Grades 1-11 81.8 82.5 -0.78 ANNUAL REPORT * International and IEP student scores not included.

HONDURAS MISSION TRIPSPhotos courtesy of Mark Moore/Louder Than Words Ministries S tudents from Gaston Christian School participated in two mission trips to Honduras during the 2014-2015 school year. During the week of March 6-13, high school teacher Mark Moore, four current high school students, one alumna and two GCS parents joined with others from Louder than Words Ministries on a backpacking mission trip through the mountains of western Honduras. These students hiked to five different Lenca villages sharing the Gospel and working with local church planters to start new churches in these rural mountain villages. Senior Will Wang said, “This mission trip was a life-changing experience for me.” This is the third year that GCS students have participated in this backpacking mission. During spring break, 15 GCHS students and six parents spent a week ministering to the Lenca people in the small mountain village of Las Mesas, Intibucá, Honduras. The group conducted a daily VBS program, evangelized door to door, participated in home building and reconstruction, and provided a free dental clinic each day. With funds from several high school groups and activities, they were able to supply a local orphanage with over $1,000.00 worth of food. What a wonderful opportunity this week provided for the students and adults to share the Gospel of Christ among the Honduran people. ANNUAL REPORT 9

CLASS OF 2015CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2015First row (from left): Amanda Baunach, Emily Wilson, Kristina Bridges, Jamison Brown, Victoria Becker (Valedictorian), Nathan Foxx(Salutatorian), Anna Long, Paige Jones, Brandy Crenshaw, Star Zhang, Grady PearsonSecond row: Shannon Jacobs, Allie Smith, Taylor Bridges, Jena Loftin, Grace Shi, Tiffany Cobb, Katie Cunningham, Mary-MadisonGoforth, Sarah Adams, Katelyn Smith, Kayla Rivenbark, Taylor WithersThird row: Nick Barnhill, Drew Muana, Eric Hardin, Sam Adams, Cullen Beasley, Levi Kettelhut, Will Wang, Thomas Rhom, Parks Keiser,Trey Ballard, Nick Revels, Thomas-Ross Cloer, Nick Nichols, Zack JacksonFourth row: Nathan Tian, Jake Wilkinson, Coy Monteith, Stephen Jackson, Ben Hughes, Denver Monteith, Nicolas Robinson, StevenTate, Brandon Lucas, Davis Barnhill, William Anthony, Landon Guy, Noah FazenbakerNot pictured: Josh Friday, Zac Lowman, Madalynn Nance Number of Graduates: 53 Photo courtesy of Mark Moore Valedictorian: Victoria Lynn Becker Salutatorian: Nathan Alexander Foxx Recipient of Opal Parks Honor: Anna Katherine Long Recipient of M.O. Owens Honor: Landon Rhett Guy Recipient of Richard Hicks Service Award: Eric Thomas Hardin Senior Class President: Landon Rhett Guy Scholarship offerings for the Class of 2015: $3,755,90110 ANNUAL REPORT

SENIOR CLASS AT WINDY GAPCOLLEGES OFFERING ADMISSIONAgnes Scott College • The American Hair Design Academy • American University • Anderson University • Appalachian State University •Armstrong Atlantic State University • Arizona State University • Auburn University • AZUSA Pacific College • Barton College • BelmontAbbey College • Belmont University of Nashville • Bluefield College • Brenau University • Brevard College • Brown University • CaldwellCommunity College • Campbell University • Carolinas College of Health Sciences • Catawba Valley College • Cedarville College • CentralPiedmont Community College • Charleston Southern University • The Citadel • Clemson University • College at Southeastern • College ofCharleston • Columbia International University • Covenant College • Davidson College • David Lipscomb University • DePaul University •Drexel University • Duke University • East Carolina University • East Tennessee State University • Eastern College • Elon University • EmmanuelCollege • Embry Riddle Aeronautical University • Emory University • Erskine College • Furman University • Gardner-Webb University •Gaston College • Harvard College • High Point University • Hillsong College in Australia • Houghton College • Jacksonville University • JamesMadison University • Johnson and Wales University • Korean University • Lancaster Bible College • LaSalle University • Lee University •Lenoir-Rhyne University • Liberty University • Lipscomb University • Maine Maritime Academy • Mars Hill College • Massachusetts Instituteof Technology • Marshall University • Meredith College • Messiah College • Midway College • Milligan College • Mississippi College • MIT •Montreat College • Newberry College • New York State University • North Carolina A & T State University • North Carolina State University •North Greenville University • Ohio State University • Ohio Wesleyan • Old Dominion • Oral Roberts University • Palm Beach Atlantic • PeaceCollege • Pennsylvania State University • Pfeiffer University • Philadelphia Biblical University • Purdue University • Queens University •Polytechnic Institute • Rensselaer University • Rhodes College • Rollins College • Samford University • Savannah College of Art and Design •Southern Wesleyan University • Singapore Institute of Management • St. Andrews Presbyterian College • Toccoa Falls College • TreveccaNazarene University • University of California at Irvine • University of Georgia • University of Louisville • University of Mississippi • UNC-Asheville • UNC-Chapel Hill • UNC-Charlotte • UNC-Greensboro • UNC-Pembroke • UNC-Wilmington • University of Rochester • Universityof South Carolina • University of Alabama • University of the South • University of Tennessee • University of Washington at Seattle •Vanderbilt University • Virginia Military Institute • Virginia Tech • Wake Forest University • Washington and Lee University • WashingtonState University at Seattle • Western Carolina University • Wheaton College • William Woods University • Wingate University • WinthropUniversity • Wofford College • Yale University • York Technical College • Young Harris College • YWAM’s University of the Nations at Monroe ANNUAL REPORT 11

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONThankful for God’s blessingsH ow thankful we are for another successful “Souper Bowl of Caring.” We also collected many coats Early Childhood school year! God has been good to us as for the coat drive. Secretary we have ministered to three-year-olds, Debbie Barnhill pre-kindergarten four-year-olds, and We all watched with excitement as the new Tenniskindergarten students. Our experienced staff Pavilion was built over the course of the year. Classes Early Childhood Staff and the excellent walked out to see it “up close” as it was completed. The Charlotte Adams kindergarten classes even scheduled it to be the site of Amanda Chapman curriculum we their big “End of the Year” party; it was the first official Susan Crisp occasion in the structure, and it was certainly a big hit! Angel Freeman teach produce a Sheila Funderburk How thankful I am that God has blessed me and all Jackie Hardin strong program. In the staff here to work together as we strive to fulfill the Teresa Hoyle GCS Mission Statement……. “to help students mature Geny Melton addition, Gaston spiritually and excel academically……to impact the Sandra Parnelle kingdom of God by living productive Christian lives.” Maureen Patton Christian is one of God bless us all as we seek to be faithful to this high Vicki Peach calling. Crystal Shields the few places in Annette Simmons Anne Tomlinson Gaston County to Katie Williams Teresa Winter offer the option School Nurses of a half-day Melanie High Shawn Zill kindergarten class,Mrs. Susan Jennings and that is veryPrincipal appealing to some families. The teachers soappreciated the scheduled time to set appointments withtheir students’ parents at the end of the first quarter.A Thursday afternoon and all day Friday were set asidefor parents to come in and sit with teachers, face-to-face, to share information concerning each child. Thistime provides an excellent opportunity for buildingrelationships with each family.The Early Childhood children love to participate insome of the service projects in which the “big kids”across the street are involved. Many of the little onesbrought in grocery bags full of canned goods for the12 ANNUAL REPORT

ELEMENTARY EDUCATIONHow God’s love shaped usElementary Secretary O ur theme in the Elementary program this AcademicsJanice Robinson year was “Love is the Best,” based on 1 All of our stakeholders were involved in our Corinthians 13:13. We studied this themeElementary Staff in Chapel and looked at what the Bible reaccreditation process which culminated with a visitGlenda Bailey has to say about God’s love for us and how that shapes from the AdvancEd accreditation team in February.Kathy Byarlay our love for others. We were excited to welcome Jayda Our visit went veryMelinda Cleveland Renfroe to our staff and she had a great first year at well and our hardSuzanne Cunningham GCS teaching Second grade. work paid off as weAmberlee Davis were reaccredited forCarole Farmer Student Service another five years. WeTammy Gordon The Elementary students gave $1,719.21 to our are working to continueLisa Grubbs the integration ofJoEllen Gruver Chapel offering this year. We gladly donated this technology as our ThirdJohnathan Gunter money to Samaritan’s Purse to be used for earthquake grade team redesignedAmy Hawxwell relief in Nepal. Mrs. Gordon’s First grade class also the Third GradeSusie Howard raised $900 through a bake sale for Children’s World Animal Notebook to a Adam MehaffeyTeresa Hoyle Hunger Fund, a Christian organization that serves to computer-based project. PrincipalBenita Huffstetler fight hunger while going with the gospel all over theJoan Jones world. The Second grade raised $500 for Compassion EnrichmentDonna Lyman International to be used to purchase supplies, build We continued our partnership with Bricks 4 Kidz®Geny Melton wells, and provide food for children in South America.Todd Melton Our students collected coats for Dream Center of Lego program in an after-school program as well as aLyndsey Miller Gaston County in November and collected food for summer camp. Girls on the Run had strong fall andSandra Parnelle the Second Harvest Food Bank for the Souper Bowl spring seasons, and Georgia Scott Toal finished in firstKim Patterson of Caring led by our Middle School Jr. Beta Club. We place in the December Girls on the Run 5k. ManyJayda Renfroe were also blessed to have two high school students, of our Elementary students took part in our after-Trina Robinson Allie Rae Grayson and Ashley Layne, lead a Bible school tennis program during the fall and spring asSherry Simpson study for Fourth and Fifth grade girls. this program continues to grow.Pam ThornburgJennifer Whitlow ANNUAL REPORT 13Linda WilsonAcademic DeanShirley HuelsmanSchool NursesMelanie HighShawn Zill

MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATIONStudents with Senator Richard Burr outside the Capitol during Washington, DC field trip. Jesus’ love in our community“The greatest of these is love” was the school-wide theme for GCS this year, a theme which enabled wide runner up. middle school students to show the love of Jesus by National Geographic Bee: After many rounds of competition, serving their school, families, local communities, and Drake Ballard was selected as the winner of the middle school also through opportunities for global outreach. A specific example Geography Bee. Over thirty middle school students participated. of our school theme was the many generous contributions made by Science Fair: All middle school students participated in the Science Fair this year by submitting class projects. Projects from each grade middle school students and families to the family of Holly Diggs. level were then chosen to compete in the final round held on March 18, 2015. Ribbons and medals were awarded to the following students: Holly was an eighth grade student who underwent serious brain Sixth Grade – Jack Current 1st Place, Chandler Jones 2nd Place, Luke Hoyle 3rd Place; Seventh Grade – Daniel Nivens 1st Place, Jessica Hoyt surgery in January. 2nd Place, Emma Plunkett 3rd Place; Eighth Grade – Chase Barker 1st Place, Ashley Tamberella 2nd Place, Will Niemeyer 3rd Place. Student Servant Highlights The Junior Beta Club inducted thirty-eight seventh and eighth The Junior Beta Club again students qualifying for this honor. provided leadership for Operation The Einstein Project: Our third Einstein Contest provided another opportunity for eighth grade students to test their knowledge of all Christmas Child with the collection of middle school science content. Using a “Jeopardy” format, Carter Matolka, Aaron Radford, and Lucas Whitesides competed in the gym shoeboxes in November. Under the before the middle school student body. Aaron Radford earned the Einstein Award, a lab coat signed by middle school faculty and eighth direction of Miss Freeman, our new grade students. Middle School Guidance Counselor, Elk Lodge Writing Contest: Eighth grade students participated in a writing contest by submitting essays with the theme, “What the GCS contributed 2,644 pounds of Pledge of Allegiance Means to Me.” Hannah Spear’s essay qualified for State Recognition, and Favour Spear was the local winner. food items through the Souper Bowl of Sports Highlights Caring to be used in local communities. Congratulations to our Boys Soccer team who enjoyed an Our Student Government continued to undefeated season under the leadership of Coach Jon Huitt. These middle school teams also had winning seasons: Baseball, BoysVirgina Conover serve our school community through Basketball, and Girls Basketball.Principal helping with morning announcements, The middle school welcomed three new staff members this year: Katie Freeman, Middle School Guidance Counselor; Joel Peckman, sponsoring projects for Holly Diggs, Algebra, Pre-algebra, and Math 7 teacher; Michael Slate, Middle School Athletic Director and Boys PE teacher.school cleaning projects, and paper recycling. Students participatedin the Juvenile Diabetes Walk in May.Academic Highlights Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP): Twenty-one seventhgrade students qualified for TIP recognition in the fall of 2014.Mikayla Gordon, Casey Hagaman, and Daniel Nivens received StateRecognition and also qualified for the Academy of Summer Studies. Gazette Spelling Bee: Jackson Lee represented GCS at the GastonCounty Spelling Bee held at Hunter Huss High School on March 25,2015, placing fifth in the competition. Jayden Branch was our school-14 ANNUAL REPORT Photo courtesy of The Gaston Gazette

HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATIONStudents with Senator Richard Burr outside the Capitol during Washington, DC field trip.Love in growth and service“The greatest of these is love” (I Corinthians 13:13) has been our theme verse for the 2014-2015 school year; the continued to enhance learning; in addition, electronic curriculum was staff and students have had numerous opportunities to adopted for World History, US History, AP US History, and Psychology show the love of Jesus to others. courses. Class of 2015: 53 graduates who received numerous recognitions and $3,755,901.00 in scholarship offers. Valedictorian: Victoria Lynn Becker; Fine Arts Focus Salutatorian: Nathan Alexander Foxx The high school band and choral students presented “A Night of Music” Spiritual Focus in March; the Gaston Christian Players produced Our Town in October and Spiritual growth and worship are a vital part of the school’s purpose as we The Jungle Book in April. prepare our students to “impact the kingdom of God by living productive International Student Program Christian lives”; each week the high school students participated in The International Student Program ministered to 22 high school students chapel services with student-led praise and worship. The annual Windy from China. Gap Retreat in September and the Spiritual Emphasis Day in March were Mock Trial Program spiritual highlights of the year. In addition, the SGA sponsored a “Night of Two teams participated in regional Worship” in early May. GCHS participated in two mission trips to Honduras: competitions in Asheville and High Point, 8 students and adults spent a week in March on a backpacking trip into with the Red Team advancing to the state the Honduran mountains; a group of 21 students and parents led by Mark competition in March and the national Moore (GCHS staff member) spent spring break serving the Lenca people competition in May. The teams are coached in Honduras. by Mrs. Jane Painter, a local attorney. Academic Focus Service Opportunities New courses added to the high school curriculum for 2014-2015 The high school students and staff included the New Testament Survey for 10th graders, Costuming (Theatre were busy this year serving within the Department), and Personal Finance. The high school offered seven community. The Senior Service Day in Advanced Placement classes this year and twenty honors courses across March allowed members of the Class of Nancy McDaniel the disciplines. In addition, a partnership with SevenStar Academy and 2015 to witness for Christ through serving Principal participation in the N.C. Career and College Promise Program allowed at five sites. Other opportunities for GCHS Gaston Christian to offer classes beyond the traditional classroom. students included participation in the Crisis Pregnancy Center’s Walk for 2014 mean scores for the College Board SAT and the ACT indicated that Life and Baby Bundles project, CROP Walk, Gaston County Heart Walk, Gaston Christian’s overall scores continued to surpass the mean scores Operation Christmas Child Shoebox project, blood drive for Community for Gaston County, North Carolina, and the nation. In September the high Blood Center of the Carolinas, Juvenile Diabetes Walk, care packages for school sponsored a Christian College Fair with 38 colleges/universities alumni serving in the military, food drives for Second Harvest Food Bank, represented. and collection of stuffed animals for children in the Least of These Gaston Technology Focus program. In addition, the high school donated over $1000.00 to provide With the one-to-one initiative of Google Chromebooks for all students food for the Faith, Hope, and Love Orphanage in Honduras; the Spirit Club in grades 10-12, integration of technology into classroom instruction raised $2300.00 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and the SGA sponsored a love offering for a middle school student’s family to help toward payment of medical bills. ANNUAL REPORT 15

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAML to R: Kevin Xiang, Larry Akramongkolrojn, Ocean Huang, Grace Shi, Will Wang, Dora Hou, Alex Wang, Jessie Wang, Nathan Tian, Louisa Wang, Max Xu, Veronica Song, Marcus Li, Candice Ye, Caitlin Wang, Mandy Lui, Yani Nie, Jay Du, Maria Gu, Star Zhang, Leo Li, Karen Brooks and Alexander Jiang你好! — Greetings from China!G aston Christian School was host to 24 international students from China for 2014-2015. We had seven 9th the Holy Spirit, host family, GCS faculty/staff, GCS students, and the graders, six 10th graders, five 11th graders, and four respective church and youth group. When one of our International 12th graders. During the second semester, we added two students makes a profession of faith, all of the members of the8th graders to the middle school program. team have played a part. It is always exciting when we hear that International students have made professions of faith and followedIf it were not for the willingness of host families to participate up with believer’s baptism. and become a part of the lives of Out of the International Student Program has come the International Club here at GCS. American and International students these students, we would not be able work together to help our students become aware of other cultures and participate in mission opportunities around the world. Our to have this program. God placed our primary mission focus is to sponsor and serve Samaritan’s Purse. We served as volunteers at Operation Christmas Child on two different International students into homes filled occasions and sponsored a fundraiser for the Honduras Mission Trip. with a sense of belonging, attention, Five of our Internationals went with Mark Moore and Louder Than Words Ministry to Honduras on a mission trip over Spring and the love of Christ. Our program Break. Will backpacked with the group to share Christ with the Lenca Indians. Star, Grace, Louisa, and Larry went with the ministry over included 22 host families this year. spring break to work in an orphan camp. They had an incredible time playing games with the children, going door-to-door with teams to The major role of the host family is to provide for the physical needs of the student who is in their home. Food,Karen Brooks shelter and transportation are the basicsCoordinator for but the emotional and spiritual supportInternational Students means so much to the program. Whenand Online Education a student comes into a family, they become a part of the family. Lifestyle share Christ, and working construction. The experience was one theyevangelism becomes a major component in sharing Christ with will never forget and, hopefully, will never be the same because of it.these students. The host families take the student to their church to This past year in the international program, God continued tobecome an active member of the youth group and Bible study but remind us to be faithful to plant a good seed of faith, then step backeven more importantly, the family plants seeds of faith into the lives and let God cultivate and water the seed. The Holy Spirit will do aand hearts of the student. Then, it is the Holy Spirit that causes the much better job than we can.seeds to grow. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shallThe “mission team” for the International program consists of reap, if we faint not.” – Galatians 6:916 ANNUAL REPORT

FROM THE ACADEMIC DEAN2014-15 in Academic ReviewT he Lord’s gracious provision is at the heart of the following important advancements in the life of our school: school personnel use these histories that are updated yearly to assist students in their course selections. Working with program principals, Following the External Review Team visit in February, the Academic Dean continued to research the best digital textbook the AdvancED Accreditation Commission sent official options for the High School and Middle School Programs. Advanceddocumentation in June that Gaston Christian School has earned the Placement US History, Spanish I, and Government-Economicsdistinction of accreditation by AdvancED for another five-year term courses will have digital textbooks for fall 2015; mathematics will bethrough June 2020. Based on the three distinct areas of Teaching and the initial digital textbook for the MiddleLearning Impact, Leadership Capacity, and Resource Utilization, our School program.school’s Index of Education Quality (IEQ) is a measurement that reflectshow well we are performing compared to expected criteria. The IEQ score GCS professional development forfor Gaston Christian surpassed the AdvancED Network Average in all areas. 2014-2015 included the following: The traditional October Teacher In-Service Day became a Teacher–Parent Conference Day this year. This change is a response to our Summer 2014 Teaching & Learningaccreditation Parent Survey results that indicated the need to strengthen Conference – A total of 48 teachers attended 255 professional developmentthe school’s communication with stakeholder families. sessions for 399 hours of credit at this Gaston County-sponsored event. During the fall of 2014, the Academic Dean met with all ElementarySchool teachers by grade level and with all Middle School and High The opening Teacher In-ServiceSchool teachers by discipline to share the standardized test results of Day on Monday, August 11, featured Dr.the spring 2014 administration of the Stanford Achievement Test for grades Phil Graybeal, well-known consultantK-11; scores have continued to be strong. A three-year history of score nationally and internationally in the areareports and performance data in all test and subtest areas provided the of educational leadership. As a result ofbasis for the discussions; all teachers received written documentation the accreditation process, Dr. Graybeal Dr. Shirley Huelsmanof practical classroom applications to strengthen the teaching-learning spoke to the GCS Faculty to clarify the Academic Deanprocess and to support student achievement. The GCS Mentorship responsibilities and limitations of ourProgram welcomed the five faculty members new to GCS this year; GCS Board as outlined in the Carver Model. An overview of the Board’sthe Principals and Academic Dean assisted them throughout the stewardship of GCS by Chairman Rhett Melton preceded Dr. Graybeal’syear as they transitioned to their assigned positions. There were eight informative morning sessions entitled “Do We Call 911 for the Board?” andnew resources added to the GCS Professional Development Library. “Does the Board Love Me?”The Dean also completed the academic profiles for all eighth-gradestudents; these profiles include a three-year history of each student’s “Accreditation Initiatives and Lockdown Training” – This session onStanford Achievement Test scores, Student Ability Index scores, subject- January 5, 2015, was a presentation of the final format of the Gastonarea grades, grade-point averages, and attendance records. High Christian School Initiatives, or school improvement plan, that our school submitted to AdvancED as part of the accreditation requirements. This review of the GCS Initiatives not only prepared teachers for the External Review Team visit but also focused the faculty on the areas of concentration over the next five years. The required lockdown training was a review of scenario procedures and communication options for internal and external lockdowns. ANNUAL REPORT 17

2014-15 ANNUAL FUND DONORSMr. & Mrs. Erwin Alexander Mr. & Mrs. Mark Forbes Liveops Mr. & Mrs. James RamseyDr. & Mrs. W. Edward Anthony Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Forbes Ms. Kaethe Lorch Mr. & Mrs. Tim RamseyArrochem, Inc. Ms. Gaynell Foster M & M Electric Services Co. Mr. & Mrs. John RandolphMr. & Mrs. Eddie Barrett Mr. & Mrs. J. Scott Foxx Ms. Jan Mahannah Mr. & Mrs. Dan RatchfordMr. & Mrs. Ted Beachley Mr. & Mrs. Leo Foxx Mr. & Mrs. Woods Martin Mr. & Mrs. Richard RayneMr. & Mrs. Benjamin Beasley Mr. & Mrs. Ronald France Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Matolka Mr. & Mrs. Michael ReynoldsMr. & Mrs. Robert Becker, Jr. Miss Katie Freeman Mr. & Mrs. Nils Matthews Mr. & Mrs. Don RhodesMr. & Mrs. Ty Berry Mr. & Mrs. Ethan Gallagher Mr. & Mrs. Jason McAllister Mr. & Mrs. Joe RishaMr. & Mrs. Robert Blake Mrs. Becky Garrison Mr. & Mrs. Roger McAllister Mr. & Mrs. Turner RivenbarkMr. Randy Boyd Mr. & Mrs. Tony Giardino Mr. & Mrs. Jon McBee Mr. & Mrs. Douglas RoachMr. & Mrs. Curtis Brooks Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Goforth Mr. & Mrs. Michael McCoy Mr. & Mrs. Timothy RobertsMr. & Mrs. Don Brown Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Grahl Mr. & Mrs. Tony McCraw Mr. Daniel Rooney & Dr. Allison EvanoffMr. & Mrs. Martin Brown Mr. & Mrs. Randy Green Mr. & Mrs. Sam McDaniel Mr. & Mrs. Bernat RosnerMr. & Mrs. Charles Burch Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Guy Mr. & Mrs. Gene McDowell Rouse & Associates, Inc.Mr. & Mrs. Dale Burkett Mrs. Myra Guy Mr. & Mrs. J. Reid McGraw Mr. & Mrs. Carlton RouseMr. & Mrs. Daniel Campbell Mr. & Mrs. Preston Guy, III Mr. & Mrs. Ray McKenney Rouse Builders IncCenter for Affirmative Parenting Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hagaman Mr. & Mrs. Bill McKinley Mr. & Mrs. Wade RouzerMr. & Mrs. Doby Chapman Hannleb Inc. Mr. & Mrs. David McSwain Rudisill Enterprises, IncMr. & Mrs. Bo Chriscoe Mr. & Mrs. D. Scott Hardin Mr. & Mrs. Russ Moore Mrs. Linda RussMr. Bo Chriscoe Ms. Annette Harris Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Morgan Mrs. Bethsy San MillanMr. & Mrs. Robert Coffman Mr. & Mrs. W Michael Haven Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Morrison Mr. & Mrs. Gene SandersCommunity Foundation Mr. & Mrs. John Hedgepath Mr. & Mrs. Quay Moss Mr. & Mrs. George SandorMr. & Mrs. Mike Conder Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Hedges Ms. Laura Myers Mr. & Mrs. Shon SbarraMr. Kenneth Connell Mr. & Mrs. Grady Herman Mr. & Mrs. David Nanney Mr. & Mrs. Jerry ScarboroughMr. & Mrs. David Conner Mr. & Mrs. Brad Hillier Mr. & Mrs. Pat Nanney Mr. & Mrs. Carl SimmsMrs. Virginia Conover Mr. & Mrs. Rick Hodges Mr. Robert Nash Mr. & Mrs. Jerry SimpsonMr. & Mrs. Christian Cook Mr. & Mrs. James Holler National Christian Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Charlie SmithMr. & Mrs. Richard Cook Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Hollowell Twin Cities Mr. & Mrs. Christopher SmithMr. & Mrs. Rhett Cozart Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Horsley Amanda Bridges Mr. & Mrs. Kevin SpearMr. & Mrs. Jim Crisp Ms. Patty Hostetler Mr. & Mrs. Johnnie Nichols Stephen G. Cochran & MelissaDr. & Mrs. William Current Sr. Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Hovis Mr. & Mrs. Michael Nicholson D. Matulis Charitable FundMr. & Mrs. Will Current Jr. Mr. & Dr. Glenn Huelsman Dr. & Mrs. Charles Niemeyer Mr. & Mrs. Everett StillD & S Travel Tours J.E. & Mildred Waggoner Fami- Mr. & Mrs. Charles Niemeyer Dr. & Mrs. Marc StoutMr. & Mrs. Mark Davis ly Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Chris Painter Mr. & Mrs. Ernie SummeyMr. & Mrs. Timothy Davis Mr. & Mrs. David Jackson Mr. & Mrs. Charles Parker Dr. & Mrs. Mike TamberellaMr. & Mrs. Jay Diggs Mr. & Mrs. David Jennings Mr. & Mrs. Ken Parks Mrs. Elizabeth TeagueMr. & Mrs. Marshall Dilling, III Mr. & Mrs. Grady Johnston Rev. & Mrs. Tom Parnelle Mr. & Mrs. Craig ThornburgMr. & Mrs. Donald Dixon Mr. & Mrs. Reggie Keistler Mr. & Mrs. Rich Pasqualone TIAA-CREFDuke Energy Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Kettelhut Dr. & Dr. Jorge Paulino Mr. & Mrs. Watson TomlinsonMr. & Mrs. Dan Dunkin Elisabeth King Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Pearson Mr. & Mrs. Don TrappMr. & Mrs. Jeremy Eastburn Mr. & Mrs. Robert King Mr. & Mrs. Plato Pearson Dr. & Dr. Harald VaherMr. & Mrs. Bill Eckard Mrs. Barbara Knouse Mr. & Mrs. Robert Pearson Wachovia-Wells Fargo Matching Gift ProgramMr. & Mrs. Allan Edwards Kraft Employee Involvement Mrs. Mary Lou Pearson Mr. & Mrs. Lonnie WaggonerMr. & Dr. William Egeln Lakeview Baptist Church Mr. & Mrs. John Peoples Mr. & Mrs. Trent WalkerMr. & Mrs. Donald Ellis Mrs. Mary Lancaster Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Poche Mr. & Mrs. Don WarrenMr. & Mrs. Garry Farmer Mr. & Mrs. Norman LaVriha Mrs. Faye Porter Mr. & Mrs. Alan WelfareMr. & Mrs. Jamie Farmer Mr. & Mrs. Danny Lawrence Mr. Robert Pressley Mr. & Mrs. Trent WilsonMrs. Bettie Faulk Dr. & Mrs. David Layne Mrs. Valarie Pressley Mr. & Mrs. Howard Yellets, Jr.Mr. & Mrs. Lee Faulkenberry Mr. & Mrs. Doyt Ledford Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Price Dr. & Mrs. Robert ZicklerMr. & Mrs. Sam Fleeman Dr. & Mrs. Jack Leff Mr. & Mrs. James Price Drs. Mark & Kelly ZukaitisFMC Foundation Matching Gift Plan Dr. & Mrs. Edward Lineberger Mr. & Mrs. George Ramsey18 ANNUAL REPORT

2015 COMMUNITY FOUNDATION RUN DONORSDr. and Mrs. Ed Anthony Mr. and Mrs. Plato Pearson Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Robert J Becker Jr. Mr. Dan RatchfordMr. Randy Boyd Mr. and Mrs. Timothy F. RobertsMr. and Mrs. David L Conner Mr. and Dr. Daniel M. RooneyMrs. And Mrs. Thomas E. Forbes Mr. and Mrs. William C RouseMr. and Mrs. Mark A. Forbes Mr. and Mrs. Gene SandersMr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Grahl Mr. and Mrs. Jerry ScarboroughMr. and Mrs. Rick Hodges Stephen G. Cochran & Melissa D. Matulis Charitable FundMr. and Mrs. J. Reid McGraw Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie A. Waggoner IIIMr. and Mrs. Charles J. Niemeyer Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Mark G. Zukaitis 2014-15 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN DONORSMr. and Mrs. Thomas Barnhill Mr. and Mrs. Dan Dunkin Dr. and Dr. Jorge PaulinoMr. and Mrs. Doby Chapman Mr. and Mrs. Luke Ellington ANNUAL REPORT 19

MIDDLE, HIGH SCHOOL AND ADMINISTRATION PERSONNELMIDDLE SCHOOL Tina Cook Joel Peckman After School Care Julie Denham Sherry Simpson Julie DiggsPrincipal Patty Grahl Terry VanZant Academic DeanVirginia Conover Johnathan Gunter Dr. Shirley Huelsman Diane Thompson MS Athletic Director NursesSecretary Jonathan Huitt Michael Slate Melanie HighKaren Parker Joan Jones Shawn Zill Sharon Lease Counselor ChaplainFaculty David Morrow Katie Freeman Tim BarrettJulie Barker Karla PursleyMelissa Brandon Trina Robinson Mark Moore Athletic DirectorHIGH SCHOOL Jill Overton Tom Hawxwell Faculty Karla PursleyPrincipal Melissa Brandon Bethsy SanMillan ChaplainNancy McDaniel Ken Connell Les Schofield Tim Barrett Robin Ferguson Gary StiltnerDean of Students Dorothy Groner Thomas Walls CounselorKevin Hartley Johnathan Gunter Susan Weakley Kim Faulk Ashley Hartley Cathy WhitleySecretary Justin Huitt Paula Wyatt NursesBarbara Smith Renee Jordan Academic Dean Melanie High Adam Lynn Dr. Shirley Huelsman Shawn ZillADMINISTRATION Trey McKeown Maralie Medlin Business Office MaintenanceHead of School Kristen Lowe Chris BrownDr. Marc Stout International Student Nancy Roach Greg Farmer Coordinator Karin Slate Todd MeltonAdministrative Assistant Karen Brooks Jason MooreDebra Brown AdvancEd Coordinator IT Specialist Fred Chase Communications DirectorAdmissions Director David Jordan Randy ErwinAmber Karr Operations Director Academic Dean Steve Matolka20 ANNUAL REPORT Dr. Shirley Huelsman Media Specialist Debra Barton

FINE ARTS DEPARTMENTArt projects displayed during Fine Arts Night Jungle Book production Chorus performed during Night of Music Band performed during Night of Music Our Town production ANNUAL REPORT 21

BOOSTER CLUB AND YEAR IN SPORTSAnnual GCS Golf Tournament at Pine Island Country ClubGCS Booster Club updateT he purpose of the Gaston Christian Booster Club is to provide support to Booster club contributed If you would like to get involved and the athletic program at GCS through to the following projects: support the GCS athletic program through assistance in fundraising, marketing, the Booster Club, please feel free to contact Purchase of two buses me or Tom Hawxwell in the Athletic Office.and promotions.  During the 2014-2015 school Everyone is welcome to attend any of our Soccer bleachers meetings during the year to share your thoughtsyear, the Booster Club generated gross revenues and ideas. For a complete schedule of Booster Sidewalks around tennis Club events, please check the school websiteof $100,000 through gate receipts, concessions, courts and soccer field under the Booster Club section of the athletic page.corporate advertising, fall festival, spirit wear Tennis courts Sincerely,sales, golf tournament, softball tournament,basketball tournament and private donations. Our annual golf tournament held last Mayat Pine Island Country Club was a continuedsuccess as the tournament generated over Ben Beasley, President$40,000 of total revenue. [email protected] there are many awards given to GCS athletes at VARSITY GIRLS SOCCERthe close of each season, the following conference and MAC Tournament Championsstate recognitions were given to GCS athletes or teams: All Conference – Taylor Helms, Abby Hoover, Katie Moore, Emma Shearer, Favour SpearVARSITY BOYS SOCCER #10 seed for the NCISAA TournamentFinished 3rd in the MAC ConferenceAll Conference – Alfredo Cacho, Davis McBee, Denver Monteith VARSITY BASEBALL All Conference – Landon GuyVARSITY VOLLEYBALLFinished 3rd in the MAC Conference VARSITY BOYS GOLFAll Conference – Alison Faulkenberry, Mary-Madison Goforth MAC Conference Champions All Conference – Cullen Beasley, Harrison Connor, Josh Friday,CROSS COUNTRY Levi KettelhutGirls finished 6th in the MAC Conference Qualified for NCISAA Tournament – Josh Friday, Levi KettelhutBoys finished 3rd in the MAC ConferenceAll Conference – Jordan Putnam, William Anthony VARSITY SWIMMING All Conference - Ashley McGraw, Jillien ZukaitisVARSITY GIRLS TENNISMAC Tournament Champions VARSITY BOYS TENNISAll Conference – Meredith McCraw, Caroline Moore, Casey Regular Season ChampionsMcEown, Lauren Sbarra MAC Tournament Champions#12 seed for the NCISAA Tournament All Conference – Brandon Hostetler, Bryce Martin22 ANNUAL REPORT

2014-15 ATHLETIC SEASON RECORDS2015 MAC Conference Tournament Championship 2015 MAC Conference ChampionshipRegular Season Champions and 2015 MAC Conference Champions 2015 MAC Tournament ChampionshipVARSITY SPORTS RECORD COACHTEAM 10-9 (5-8) Tim Brown, John MullisBaseball 7-16 (2-12) Basketball - Girls 2-21 Arliss KnouseBasketball - Boys N/A Travis Holmes, Zip Stowe, Earnest StoweCheerleading Boys – 3rd in MAC, Girls – 6th in MAC Cross Country 3-5 Meredith McMillanGolf – Girls 12-3 Megan Slate, Jason MooreGolf – Boys 12-9-0 Soccer – Boys 15-7-0 Marc StoutSoccer –Girls 12-10 (5-4) Thomas GriffinSoftball Finished 6th in MAC Justin Huitt, Johnny HooverSwim Team – Girls Finished 6th in MAC Justin Huitt, Johnny HooverSwim Team – Boys 7-4 Mark Foy, Marvin Foy, Hoyle FoyTennis – Girls 8-3 Spencer HopperTennis – Boys 5th in MAC Spencer HopperTrack / Field 14-11 (8-6) Sharon AvantsVolleyball Sharon Avants JUNIOR VARSITY SPORTS RECORD TEAM 7-11 Jason MooreVolleyball Roy Goforth, Lisa RevelsMIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS RECORD TEAM 8-7 COACHVolleyball 14-0 Wayne Helms, Ashley JonesSoccer - Boys 0-6 Tennis - Girls N/A COACHCheerleading 9-7 Angel FreemanBasketball - Girls 12-6 Jonathan Huitt, Johnny HooverBasketball - Boys 4-10 Sharon AvantsSoftball 13-2 Rachel LawingBaseball 6-6-3 Soccer - Girls 0-4 Mark HighTennis - Boys Michael Slate Hailey Beaty, Rick Humphries Ricky Martin, Justin Ottinger Jonathan Huitt Sharon Avants ANNUAL REPORT 23

OUR MISSION STATEMENTThe mission of Gaston ChristianSchool is to help students maturespiritually and excel academicallyby offering a Biblically integrated,college-preparatory programthat will enable them to impactthe kingdom of God by livingproductive Christian lives.OUR VISION STATEMENTSoaring to Excellence in Christ GASTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL1625 LOWELL-BETHESDA ROAD, GASTONIA, NC 28056 | WWW.GASTONCHRISTIAN.ORG EARLY CHILDHOOD ELEMENTARY MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL (PS3-Kindergarten) (1st-5th Grade) (6th –12th Grade)Phone: (704) 824-9893 Phone: (704) 824-9011 FAX: (704) 824-9895 FAX: (704) 824-9013 Phone: (704) 349-5020 (HS) Phone: (704) 349-5030 (MS) FAX: (704) 349-5027