So after 5 years at GDA, it came time for our family to think about the direction of education we felt was appropriate for our household. When we first start at GDA, Jamie King was the head of school. We loved her and were very sad to see her leave. I loved the curriculum, the fact that cursive was taught in kindergarten and Latin was taught in 1st grade and 2nd grade if I am remembering correctly. I also loved that I had a set of books at home so I could follow the curriculum as close a possible to the way the teacher was teaching for home days. Unfortunately the parent involvement demands for GDA no longer worked for us. Also, not having a full 5 days a week with a teacher for routine for my student was not beneficial. When we started comparing private schools in the local community, I made a pros and cons list of why we should stay at GDA and why another school might be a better fit for us. GDA has grown a little since we have left and now that TEFA has been implemented, I'm sure the number of students will grow. I suggest when you look for a school, regardless if it is public or private, take a tour of the campus, ask families of current students and alumni their opinion. Take people's reviews on Yelp, Facebook, and Google with a grain of salt. Also reach out to them and ask them if their student is still at the school AND did this student graduate from that school the reviewer is praising. You will surprised at how many people give schools 5 stars and left the school for a different school. Somethings may have changed since I created my list, but here is part of my list for GDA that I used to decide to stay or go to a different school: -GDA: Established 2012 -The tuition and fees are from 3-4 years ago, so this info is incorrect. Tuition: $5,580 yr/$465 mo Enrollment Fee: $425 Reenrollment Fee: $275 Application Fee: $150 Discounts: Pioneer Family discount $400 annual (10.75%). 3+ student discount. -Financial Aid: Yes. ACE Scholarship (and now TEFA). -Acceptance notification: Via Email. 7 days to accept/deny. -Special Needs Program: No. -School schedule: K-6th- 2 days in class; 2 days homeschool -Lunch & Snacks: Must bring lunch/snacks & water bottle. -Cafeteria: No. Refurbished and broken picnic tables. -Lunch Time: 12 PM - 12:30 PM -School Dress Code: Uniform. Red/BLK/GRY Uniform Cost: $50 - $100. Land's End/Speckled Goats/Other School Supplies: Must Purchase. Approx. $300-$500 -Textbooks: Must purchase, hard to find. -Textbook Cost: See above. -Curriculum: Classical, but outdated. -After School Program: None -After School Program Fee: None -Bus to/from school: No. Must pay daycare for P/U if I cannot pick up student. -Academic Calendar: August - May -School Hours: 8:15 AM - 3:30 PM -Parent Volunteer Hours: Required 20 per yr or $25 per hr -Devotions/Chapel time: Use Riverside Church. (I don't think this is correct anymore). -Chapel Attire: No longer implemented. Regular uniform for chapel days. -Gym: No. -PK3- 2nd Grade: Separate School House. -Kinder Nap Time: No. -3rd Grade - 12 grade: Renting Classrooms. (I believe there are new buildings for some of the classrooms that were purchased). -PTA: No. 2 tries and ended. Was called the Lion's Den. -Apps: Track It Forward and GroupMe. -Software Programs: RenWeb/FACTS -Payment Program: FACTS/Nelnet -Summer Camp(s): Yes. -Sports: Yes. And if you are curious about if we stayed or left; we left. Even with the fact we were considered a "Pioneer family". This title was reserved for families that enrolled students when GDA was founded and I think up to 5 years of the school opening. We are much happier with a 5 day a week school even though it was more expensive and we lost our special "Pioneer Family" discount. GDA is for the mom who wants to homeschool but likes the organization of a private school; and it's great to have a real teacher 2 days a week to help with teaching. read more

Gloria Deo Academy is a wonderful school for parents who can manage three days out of the week dedicated to homeschool. (Lower school is 2 days in person) My daughter attended for kinder and first grade; she loved it very much. It is a beautiful, safe, & loving school. They worked with us on the tuition and they have an option to volunteer a certain amount of hours. The classes are small which I liked. The only reason that we exited is because I needed to switch to a 5-day since I began working full time. We do miss this school and do recommend it for those who are looking for a hybrid school. read more