Harvest Christian School exists to complement home and church, especially in academics. The Administration and the Education Committee, which includes teachers and parents, is dedicated to choosing and maintaining the best curriculum choices to meet the needs of our students, while maintaining a distinctly Christian worldview. Academically, Harvest Christian School stresses excellence in every subject. Curriculum is continually evaluated to ensure that academic objectives are being met. The academic standards and expectations are high but not unrealistic. While we realize that each student has different abilities, we expect each student to do his or her best. Our goal is to academically equip our students with knowledge and understanding that prepares them to succeed.
In addition to the curriculum listed below, teachers have the ability to draw on their life experiences to supplement the coursework taught in their classroom. These supplements may be teacher-created or from publishers such as Abeka. This allows teachers to adapt to the academic needs of their classrooms and to individual students.
In addition to the curriculum listed below, teachers have the ability to draw on their life experiences to supplement the coursework taught in their classroom. These supplements may be teacher-created or from publishers such as Abeka. This allows teachers to adapt to the academic needs of their classrooms and to individual students.
Curriculum
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English Curriculum
English and Language Arts curriculum comes from two sources. K through 4th grade use Bob Jones University Press (BJU Press) English curriculum for its strong emphasis on phonics and ability to establish a strong foundation for reading. K through 12th grade classes use Bob Jones University Press curriculum for Literature because of its rigorous study of the elements of literature, and its emphasis on understanding what is being read. In addition, the 5th through 12th grade classes receive strong instruction and reinforcement of grammar rules through the use of the Easy Grammar curriculum. At all grade levels, writing skills are taught and practiced. Novels are used in all grades to emphasize the fundamentals of literature being taught and enrich the learning experience by incorporating great literature into the classroom.
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Bible Curriculum
Bible instruction in included in every subject but is also given special consideration by grade. The Pre-K through 6th grade classes use the Purposeful Design curriculum as the foundation of their Bible classes. 7th and 8th grade classes use a variety of curriculum from BJU Press and Purposeful Design. 9th through 12th grade classes have the privilege of being led by teachers who hold masters degrees in Bible. This emphasis on using the resources God has given us through local pastors/teachers to connect the real world to the Word of God distinguishes Harvest from the schools around us. Currently, the high school Bible class is using the CASKET EMPTY Bible study and coursework.
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Science Curriculum
It is a privilege to be able to speak the name of God during a science class. The science curriculum used by Harvest is published by Bob Jones University Press. This curriculum emphasizes that science is simply the observation of the revelation of God through his creation. Its emphasis is that the Word of God is infallible and that creation happened as given in the account in Genesis. Through science study and laboratory work, it becomes clear that a Christian worldview is compatible with science today. The HCS science program is geared toward exposing a student to all branches of science and preparing a student for further science study at the college level. Each year Harvest hosts an Invention and Science Fair to show off the investigative talents of our students. High school coursework includes Physical Science, Biology, and Chemistry.
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Math Curriculum
Whether we notice or not, mathematics is all around us. The K through 6th grade classes use BJU Press mathematics curriculum to establish a solid foundation in math. This curriculum uses a mastery approach to teaching new concepts and incorporates review/reinforcement of concepts previously learned. Once a student enters 7th grade and enrolls in Pre-Algebra, the math curriculum continues to be Bob Jones University Press. Classes are offered through the level of Pre-Calculus and Consumer Math.
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History/Social Science Curriculum
Noticing the hand of God throughout history is another privilege we share with our students. Each year students learn about their communities, their country, the world around them and the history of how current events came to be. It is important to HCS to provide our students with the tools they need to become well-informed citizens. Our school uses the Bob Jones University Press curriculum for social science education in K-11th grade classes including course work in American History, World History and Cultural Geography. 12th grade students have an option to study either American Government or Economics through independent study.
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High School Graduation Requirements
Students fulfilling the graduation requirements at Harvest Christian School will also fulfill Minnesota State Education course recommendations. The student must have a passing grade for each semester in order to earn full credit for a course. A credit is a full year, or two semesters, of passing grades. (PSEO students may transfer a 3 or 4 credit college course to Harvest Christian School for high school credit.) The HCS credit requirements are as follows:
A total of 21 1/2 credits are required for graduation. Please note that colleges and universities recommend 4 credits each of math, science, social studies and 2 credits of foreign language. HCS students seeking to meet these goals will be encouraged to participate in Post Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) to earn credits not available at HCS.
- 4 credits of language arts
- 3 credits of mathematics, including algebra, geometry, statistics and probability sufficient to satisfy standards. Students must also complete an algebra II credit, or its equivalent, as part of the 3-credit requirement. In addition to the high school credits, students must also complete an algebra 1 credit by the end of 8th grade.
- 3 credits of science, including a biology credit. In addition, students must complete a chemistry, physics, or Career and Technical Education (CTE) credit as part of the 3-credit requirement. (The CTE credit must meet the standards underlying the chemistry or physics credit.)
- 3 1/2 credits of social studies, including U.S. history, geography, government and citizenship, world history and economics.
- 1 credit in the arts
- 4 credits of Bible
- 3 elective credits
A total of 21 1/2 credits are required for graduation. Please note that colleges and universities recommend 4 credits each of math, science, social studies and 2 credits of foreign language. HCS students seeking to meet these goals will be encouraged to participate in Post Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) to earn credits not available at HCS.
Postsecondary Enrollment Option (PSEO)
What is PSEO? Please read the following paragraph from the State of Minnesota:
"Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows public and nonpublic students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades to earn college credit while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college nonsectarian courses at eligible postsecondary institutions. Students generate both college credit and high school credit by successful completion of the course. Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online. Each participating college or university sets its own admissions requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses. Eleventh and 12th-grade students may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis; 10th-graders are eligible to enroll in PSEO on a more limited basis (see note below). Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09."
Harvest Christian School students, who are eligible, are encouraged to take advantage of this program. Colleges and universities around the state have programs to fit many career paths. Both secular and Christian institutions can take advantage of this program. In recent years, students from HCS have completed coursework through Pine Technical and Community College, Lake Superior College, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, University of Northwestern, and others.
Students who enroll (and pay enrollment fee) with Harvest Christian School and are taking PSEO classes at a qualified institution may also take classes needed for graduation from HCS. PSEO students who are not taking classes from HCS but need an independent study Bible credit may take advantage of our off-site PSEO option. The PSEO Student Options application is available from the office.
PSEO classes taken, while an enrolled HCS student, through any accredited college will be treated as a HCS class credit. A 3 or 4 credit college class will be treated as one high school credit. PSEO students have the privilege of leaving campus during their PSEO hours.
"Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows public and nonpublic students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades to earn college credit while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college nonsectarian courses at eligible postsecondary institutions. Students generate both college credit and high school credit by successful completion of the course. Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online. Each participating college or university sets its own admissions requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses. Eleventh and 12th-grade students may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis; 10th-graders are eligible to enroll in PSEO on a more limited basis (see note below). Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09."
- Excerpted from https://education.mn.gov/mde/fam/dual/pseo/
Harvest Christian School students, who are eligible, are encouraged to take advantage of this program. Colleges and universities around the state have programs to fit many career paths. Both secular and Christian institutions can take advantage of this program. In recent years, students from HCS have completed coursework through Pine Technical and Community College, Lake Superior College, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, University of Northwestern, and others.
Students who enroll (and pay enrollment fee) with Harvest Christian School and are taking PSEO classes at a qualified institution may also take classes needed for graduation from HCS. PSEO students who are not taking classes from HCS but need an independent study Bible credit may take advantage of our off-site PSEO option. The PSEO Student Options application is available from the office.
PSEO classes taken, while an enrolled HCS student, through any accredited college will be treated as a HCS class credit. A 3 or 4 credit college class will be treated as one high school credit. PSEO students have the privilege of leaving campus during their PSEO hours.