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ACADEMICS
Palatka Christian Junior and Senior High School
Our Curriculum
Accelerated Christian Education (ACE)
Palatka Christian School uses the Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.) curriculum, a self-paced program designed for mastery. Students work through PACE paperback booklets containing reading material and graded assignments, followed by a written test at the end of each booklet.
Sample Classroom: Minute 2:16 -
1 min, 50 sec
Placement Tests and Mastery-Based Learning
- New students are required to complete placement (diagnostic) tests in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies so that Silver Lake Academy can determine the most appropriate starting level for each subject. These assessments help identify both areas of strength and areas where a student may need additional support, to include remedial coursework.
- Because we use a mastery-based approach, accurate placement is essential. Some students arrive ready for grade-level or advanced work, while others may have gaps in their foundational knowledge. In these cases, students begin with remedial courses in one or more subjects to strengthen essential skills before progressing. Placement testing allows us to identify these needs early and create an individualized academic plan that positions each student for success from the very beginning.
- Some students have 'passed' prior courses at a public school, but lack the solid foundational knowledge needed for higher-level work. We refuse to set students up for repeated failure, frustration, or cheating. Our mastery-based approach (with remedial courses where needed) ensures real understanding.
- For context on high school academic demands: Achieving competency in Algebra I generally requires an IQ of at least 98-100, Geometry 105-115, Algebra II 115-125high, Chemistry 110-125, and British/World Literature (English IV) 100-105. These are general benchmarks drawn from cognitive research—not rigid cutoffs. Students below these thresholds can still succeed with diligent effort and targeted support, including remedial study.
- At Silver Lake Academy, we meet students where they are, close gaps, and prepare them for meaningful careers —emphasizing character, citizenship, and practical skills alongside academics.
Individualized Curriculum and Graduation Timeline
- Because students enroll with varying levels of academic preparation, the specific sequence of the four courses a student completes in each core subject (English, Math, Science, and Social Studies) will not be the same for everyone.
- Placement testing identifies the most appropriate starting level for each student, and those who need additional support begin with remedial courses to strengthen foundational skills before advancing. This individualized approach ensures that every student builds genuine mastery rather than moving forward with gaps in understanding, which can lead to frustration and failure.
- For example, in Mathematics one student might complete the sequence Remedial Math 1, Remedial Math 2, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra. Another student who demonstrates stronger readiness and an above average IQ might instead complete Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Pre-Calculus. Comparable variations in course sequencing occur in English, Science, and Social Studies. In every case, students still complete four courses in each subject, but the specific courses and pacing are tailored to their placement test results, their IQ and their individual needs.
- This flexibility in pacing directly affects graduation timelines. Students who need additional support in certain subjects may require more time and summer school options to build a strong foundation. In contrast, students who are ready for advanced work can often progress at an accelerated pace and have the opportunity to dual-enroll in college during their senior year.
- Silver Lake Academy’s mastery-based model prioritizes thorough understanding and long-term success over a rigid, one-size-fits-all schedule. Each student receives a personalized academic plan that supports steady progress toward graduation while allowing the time necessary to achieve true mastery in every subject.
Junior High and High School Curriculums
Meet mock graduates whose stories illustrate our Mastery-Based Curriculum:
Faculty
Sharon Fair, BA, BS, PT, MS, PsyD, PhD
Dr. Sharon Fair, Founder and Head of School of Palatka Christian School, also serves as the school’s faculty.
Dr. Fair holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction in Creative and Technical Writing from the University of South Florida, a Master of Science in Education with a focus on Nutrition and Exercise Science, a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), and a PhD in Education. She also earned a degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland at Baltimore and has been a licensed physical therapist for more than 30 years.
For eight years, Dr. Fair served as an Associate Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, where she also served for two years as Chair of the University Curriculum Committee. She previously served as an Assistant Professor at the City University of New York and at Essex Community College in Maryland. In addition to her academic and clinical experience, she has provided one-on-one tutoring to numerous high school students in a variety of subjects.
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Phone: 386-312-7669