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Fast Facts About Honors High School

✓ Who & When: 10th-12th Grades (Traditional & Honors High School options). 5 Days/Week, End of August – Beginning of June

✓ College Prep: During the 2021-2022 school year, 60% of Dayspring sophomores, 81% of juniors, and 100% of seniors are taking college-level courses.

✓ Location: Conveniently located just 1 minute from the Mountville exit of Route 30 in Lancaster County, PA

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Preparing Students for Higher Education

Dayspring Christian Academy’s Honors High School can also be called a “college prep high school“. It’s an important element in our mission to prepare students to be citizens of excellence in Christian character and scholarship. Classes in the Honors High School program are specially designed to meet the needs of academically gifted and high-performing students.

How is it Different from Traditional High School?

Honors High School Courses differ from traditional courses in that they foster a greater degree of independent scholarship grounded in inquiry (a crucial skill associated with scientific discovery), creative design, and lifelong learning.

Traditional High School: It’s common and appropriate for teachers to present a concept or skill, have students learn and practice said concept or skill, then show students how to apply what they’ve learned.

Honors High School: Teachers become more like coaches who “guide from the side.” Instead of providing students with questions and assigning the same analysis task to all, teachers in the Honors High School encourage students to ask the questions and to design and carry out their own plans for analytical, evaluative, and creative projects.

To get students ready for college (and life after), the Honors High School helps students hone creativity and inquiry-based learning skills: those associated with artistry, scientific discovery, invention, and lifelong learning.

Male Honors school student smiling

Distinctives of Honors High School

  • A culture of respect and learning in the classroom
  • A spirit of joy in learning and discovery
  • High academic standards and expectations
  • Best practices utilized in teaching-learning methodology
  • Off-site field studies and learning opportunities (during the school year as well as summer)
  • High-level intellectual discourse
  • A student portfolio verifying a fully developed application of the Notebook Method
  • Career emphasis in the context of seeking God’s calling
  • Extra work beyond class time
  • Student-teacher ratio is 12:1 (traditional high school student teacher ratio is 20:1)

Goals of Honors High School

To provide an academically-focused high school education that:

  1. Recognizes students’ individuality in the context of their spiritual calling.
  2. Requires students to give internal consent to Christian character growth as the fountain from which excellence proceeds.
  3. Challenges students to excel still more in their pursuit of academic excellence in stewardship of their God-given abilities.
  4. Prepares students for entrance into the higher education opportunities for which they are best suited

College Preparation at Dayspring

Dayspring’s average SAT scores are typically about 100 points higher than the national average. This is a reflection of our students’ commitment to working as unto the Lord in school and the preparation that we offer as students prepare for college. Dayspring high school students have the opportunity to earn up to 30 college credits before graduation through our dual enrollment program with Cairn University and our stellar AP courses. Many of our students arrive at college already having earned a full semester of credits!

  • Dual Credit Program: Students are given the opportunity to build their college transcript while completing High School through our dual credit program with Cairn University. Earning college credits before graduation can save time and money after high school.
  • Advanced Placement (AP) classes include: Psychology, US History, English Composition, English Literature, Physics, Statistics, and Calculus.
  • Apprenticeship career program for Juniors.
  • Senior thesis is written and defended. Senior thesis is a graduation requirement.

You can find more information regarding college preparation at Dayspring using these links:

College Acceptance Facts

GPA & Class Rank Computation

SAT Scores: Top & Averages

Curriculum for Honors High School

Our rigorous curriculum encompasses core courses from Algebra through Calculus and Statistics, from Earth Science through Physics, from Biology to Anatomy & Physiology. Students are equipped with truth as they explore the rudiments of American history and our form of republicanism.

  • Languages: Includes Spanish, American Sign Language, and Greek
  • Literature: Includes British and American classics from Beowulf to Ben Hur, with an
    annual study in Shakespeare.
  • Science: Includes AP Biology, Honors Chemistry, and Physics. Optional STEM courses are available.
  • Logic: Our students study the ancient disciplines of logic (“the art of thinking”) and rhetoric (“the art of speaking”) as defined in Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary.
  • Bible: Students take Exegesis to better understand and interpret the original languages of the Bible.
  • Art: Students may participate in art classes, including AP Studio Art
  • Music: Options include high school choirs, music theory, as well as Honors Choir (auditions required). Students may join instrumental ensembles and take music electives.
  • Dual credit courses include:General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 1 Lab (4 college credits)
    English Composition (3 college credits)
    Survey of British Literature (3 college credits)
    Probability and Statistics (3 college credits)
    Calculus 1 (3 college credits)
    Calculus 2 (3 college credits)
    General Psychology (3 college credits)
    Biology 1 (3 college credits)
    United States History II (3 college credits)Additionally, students may take AP Courses. The course available at Dayspring are:AP Statistics
    AP Calculus AB
    AP Calculus BC
    AP Psychology
    AP Biology
    AP 2-D Art and Design (Portfolio)

To learn more, view our full Course Catalog!

A female Dayspring Christian Academy high school student

Next Steps

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Student Life

Field Trips: Onsite, Interactive In-Depth Learning

In-depth field studies in high school include the study of the rudiments of American history in studies to Boston; Plymouth, MA; New York City; and Washington, D.C. The Dayspring high school student’s Senior year is culminated with a 12-day study in Israel. We call this trip “the final Dayspring classroom.” Learn why in this blog.

Athletics & Extra-Curricular Activities

Athletics include boys soccer, girls lacrosse, golf, boys and girls basketball, girls volleyball, and track and field. High School students may also participate in any sport at McCaskey High School through our cooperative sponsorship.

Electives and clubs include worship team, pinewood derby, music-based clubs such as strings and ukulele, history, science clubs, games, cooking, newspaper, yearbook, student government, and so much more!

FAQ

Is there an additional cost for honors high school and dual credit programs?
Yes, students can pay for dual credits and take an AP exam in the same course with the idea that his/her college might accept one not the other.
What school safety/security measures are in place?
Dayspring’s honors high school classrooms are large, bright, welcoming, and friendly. Appropriate security measures are in place to ensure that our families feel confident that their precious children are safe, loved, and well-cared for.

Click here to learn more

Will my child use the same textbook as government schools or other Christian schools?

Dayspring students do use textbooks for skill-oriented subjects, by and large, though, textbooks are used as resource tools. Students and teachers alike develop highly specialized notebooks that become the primary teaching-learning tools that enhance internalization of the material. All textbooks are selected with care in alignment with biblical truth and rooted in primary sources.

Learn more about the Dayspring’s approach here

Why should I seek Christian honors high school education for my child?
The Bible clearly teaches that the responsibility of education belongs to parents, not the State. Proverbs states that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Only by teaching our children the Truth as seen in God’s Word, will we ensure that they can adequately meet the challenges of a secular world and affect that world dynamically for the cause of Christ.
Can I see the school and meet the honors high school teachers?

Yes! Visiting Dayspring is a great way to get your questions answered, learn more about the school, meet the high school teachers and faculty, and see how we can meet your child's individual educational needs.

Schedule your tour today

Are before and after school programs available to honors high school students?
No, before and after school programs are not available to honors high school students.
What is the school year like for honors high school students at Dayspring Christian Academy?
For grades 10th – 12th, the honors high school year (Traditional & Honors High School options) is a standard 5 Days/Week. From the end of August to the beginning of June.
Is Dayspring Christian Academy honors high school curriculum focused college prep?

Often, Dayspring’s SAT scores are on average about 100 points higher than the national average.

Dayspring high school students are given the opportunity to earn up to 28 college credits before graduation through our dual enrollment program with Cairn University and our stellar AP courses.

Many of our students arrive at college already having earned a full semester of credits!

  • Dual Credit Program: Students are given the opportunity to build their college transcript while completing High School through our dual credit program with Cairn University. Earning college credits before graduation can save time and money after high school.
  • Advanced Placement (AP) classes include Psychology, US History, English Composition, English Literature, Physics, Statistics, and Calculus.
  • Apprenticeship career program for Juniors.
  • Senior thesis is written and defended. The senior thesis is a graduation requirement.

In fact, During the 2018-2019 school year, 31% of sophomores, 48% of juniors, and 56% of Dayspring seniors took college-level courses

How does honors high school differ from traditional high school?

Honors High School Courses differ from traditional courses in that they foster a greater degree of independent scholarship grounded in inquiry (a crucial skill associated with scientific discovery), creative design, and lifelong learning.

  • Traditional High School: It’s common and appropriate for teachers to present a concept or skill, have students learn and practice said concept or skill, then show students how to apply what they’ve learned.
  • Honors High School: Teachers become more like coaches who “guide from the side.” Instead of providing students with questions and assigning the same analysis task to all, teachers in the Honors High School encourage students to ask the questions and to design and carry out their own plans for analytical, evaluative, and creative projects.
What’s the honors high school class size?
12 students per class, 1 class per grade level (10th – 12th).
Are there before/after school activities available to my honors high school student?
High school students are offered after school activities such as sports, some clubs, and our annual Spring musical.
What athletic programs are available to honors high school students at Dayspring?

Dayspring offers seven sports programs:

  • Girls Volleyball
  • Boys Basketball
  • Girls Basketball
  • Girls Lacrosse
  • Track and Field
  • Boys Soccer
  • Boys Volleyball

Click here to learn more

Take a tour of Dayspring!

Private tours for you and your child are available. Additionally, middle and high school students are able to experience a day of school at Dayspring Honors High School in Lancaster, pa through our visitation program. Call Karol Hasting at 717-285-2000 or use the button below to register.

Schedule a Tour  
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