Our Purpose
The purpose of the Guidance Department at Calvary Christian Academy is to serve the academic, personal and spiritual needs of our students. The guidance team is committed to working alongside families, teachers, our administration and pastors to address our students’ academic pursuits, as well as their social and spiritual development. We are available to assist students with course selection, study skills, college entrance exam preparation, and college planning, as well as to offer encouragement, accountability, and Biblical counsel. We welcome you to contact us with any questions.
Academic, Social and Emotional Support
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
The School Counseling Department at Calvary Christian Academy exists to serve the academic, social, and emotional needs of our students. We are biblically-based and solution focused, believing that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the foundation for health and well being. The Bible is our authoritative source and guidepost for ministering to students’ needs. We provide these services through a School Counseling curriculum that teaches interpersonal, goal-setting, and advocacy skills, with a focus on helping students navigate through age-related issues in both small group and individual settings. Our over-arching goal is to help students understand that they are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14).
We lead the identification of students who represent the vast spectrum of special learning needs and provide academic counseling and support for all learners. Our office is responsible for the interpretation of academic data within the junior/senior high school and uses that data for the enhancement of student learning. We identify and oversee the Academic Achievement Awards, participation in Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, and the Upper School portion of the Elementary Mentor Program and the Junior High Mentor Program.
College Counseling
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
CCA’s College & Career Guidance Department exists to serve our students as they seek to pursue God’s individual plan and purpose for their lives beyond high school. We know that the research, decision making, application process, and financial planning surrounding college admissions and career pursuits can be overwhelming for both students and their parents. We are committed to the one-on-one time necessary to assist each student as they navigate through this process.
Our guidance curriculum begins in 9th grade and includes individual meetings, classroom visits, and informational sessions, as well as connecting students to useful information through scheduled college representative visits, a college fair trip, and online exploration. Our counselors are available to meet with students and parents to assist with course selection, college admissions testing, career planning, and the college application/financial aid process. It is our hope and desire to encourage each student to recognize their unique value in Christ and, with a heart of faithful stewardship, “to press on toward the goal for the prize of their upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14)
Please use the following link to order your official electronic transcript
If you have questions about your transcript, please contact Jody Luther: jluther@ccphilly.org
Please use the following link to order your official electronic transcript
If you have questions about your transcript, please contact Jody Luther: jluther@ccphilly.org
Ways for Alumni to Get Involved:
Sign up to be one of our Alumni Career Mentors
1. email jluther@ccphilly.org
2. let us know the following:
– what career you are in
– what college or training you received
– if you would be willing to be contacted to speak to students
College Entrance Exams:
The College Board – Find registration information and Test Preparation for the SAT Test and SAT Subject tests. Also find information about AP Courses and exams as well as CLEP Exams, by which High School students can earn college credit with specific subject testing.
The ACT – Registration information and Test Preparation for the ACT exam.
Fee waiver information for the SAT
Fee waiver information for the ACT
SAT/ACT Tutoring Resources:
Financial Aid:
FAFSA – Free Application For Federal Student Aid: Apply online for grants and loans through the Department of Education.
https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/f4cForm – US Department of Education’s website where a parent of a high school underclassman can receive an early estimate of eligibility of federal student aid.
PHEAA – The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency: Find information about PA Grants, financial aid and student loans.
Smart Borrowing – Use this interactive debt tool to plug in your potential career choice and school choice to determine the cost of your education and factor whether you’ll be able to afford to repay your loans at your expected salary.
The Net Price Calculator Center – provides you a tool to explore the net price of any given college – that is, the price after subtracting the scholarships and grants you are likely to receive. Then, you can easily compare estimated net prices across the institutions that you are considering.
Scholarship Search – The U.S. Department of Labor’s FREE scholarship search tool.
Scholarship Guide – Information about finding and applying for scholarships.
College Shopping Sheet – Many schools will send you a Shopping Sheet if they offer you a financial aid package. The Shopping Sheet provides personalized information on financial aid and net costs as well as general information on institutional outcomes – all in a standardized format. This tool provides an easy way to make clear comparisons among financial aid offers that you may receive.
College Affordability and Transparency List -find information about tuition and net prices at post-secondary institutions. The site highlights institutions with high and low tuition and fees as well as high and low net prices (the price of attendance minus grant and scholarship aid). It also shows institutions where tuition and fees and net prices are increasing at the highest rates.
College and Career Planning:
Checklists for academic and financial preparation.
My Next Move – The U.S. Department of Labor’s career search tool.
Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Department of Labor- Bureau of Labor Statistics career guide.
My College QuickStart – Every student who has taken the PSAT has free access to an online personalized planning kit based on his or her test results. Features of this program include: a customized SAT study plan, personalized lists of colleges, majors and careers, and access to personality assessment tools and major/career guidance. Students can register for my college QuickStart by visiting www.collegeboard.com/psatextra and entering their access code printed on their official PSAT paper score report along with some identifying information.
Education Planner – PHEAA’s college and career planning online resource developed in cooperation with Peterson’s, a worldwide leader in education information. It is designed to help students develop their lifelong education and career plans from middle and high school to higher education and beyond.
https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/NCAA Eligibility Center – Athletes who aspire to NCAA Division I or II colleges need to register with the NCAA.
Services for Students with Disabilities – College admission requirements and tips.
College Search:
College Scorecard makes it easier for you to search for a college that is a good fit for you. You can use the College Scorecard to find out more about a college’s affordability and value so you can make more informed decisions about which college to attend.
College Navigator is an interactive website that allows you to explore and compare features of different institutions, including programs and majors, admissions considerations, campus crime statistics and more.
My Blueprint Story – Christian college search engine & information about Christian college fairs.
Christian Connector – Receive free information from over 100 Christian colleges.
Technical School Search– Locate and find what Technical/vocational/trade school is best for you!
NACAC National College Fairs – Dates, locations & details.
The Association for Biblical Higher Education -A directory of Bible colleges.
College View – Information about careers & majors and colleges (state, community, Christian, etc).
Applying to College
The Anatomy of the College Application – A quick guide to college application requirements.
College Board Essay Help – Support and resources for writing an admissions essay.
College Application Fee Waivers-FAQs from The College Board.
The Common Application is an undergraduate college admission application that applicants may use to apply to over 500 member colleges and universities.
