Nestled in the southeast corner of South Dakota's largest city, Sioux Falls Christian (SFC) makes formulating class schedules easy for their students and staff with the help of Ignite Christian Academy's dual enrollment program.
Designed to help Christian schools cater to the diverse needs of their community, the academy's dual enrollment program allows students to enroll full time at their local Christian school while simultaneously taking courses through ICA's fully accredited online program. The program, complete with distance learning teachers, academic assistance, and more, makes it easy for small schools to expand flexibility and increase course options.
According to Pam Tiefenthaler, chief education officer at SFC, ICA informed the Christian school about its dual enrollment program five years ago, and Sioux Falls Christian decided to participate in the program because the institutions share a similar mission.
"We are much more interested in working together with a Christian organization that shares our values and perspective than in utilizing a platform that we aren't sure will support what we're teaching every day in our school," Tiefenthaler said. "We feel very blessed to have such a quality Christian online platform to use!"
SFC uses the dual enrollment program primarily to resolve schedule conflicts and offer electives that aren't available onsite. In the past year, 25 students at SFC have taken dual enrollment courses through ICA. Some students even complete summer school courses through the online academy.
"If students have a conflict and are unable to fit a requirement into their schedule, we always turn to ICA because of the Christian partnership. We also make great use of electives to enhance our own offerings," Tiefenthaler said. "The social studies classes have been very popular, and the new business and computer courses have been a great addition that students are using."
According to Tiefenthaler, ICA's course selection and flexibility are the most beneficial features of the dual enrollment program.
"First of all, the number of offerings that ICA allows us to add to our curriculum that otherwise wouldn't be possible has been a great benefit to our school," Tiefenthaler said. "Because we can schedule students into the program anytime throughout the day, the program meshes extremely well with our schedule, no matter what it is for the day."
Students and parents at SFC also enjoy the convenience of taking courses through ICA. Tiefenthaler said they find the learning platform easy to use and value the Christian partnership. In addition, they appreciate the teachers' commitment to communicating effectively with students online and via phone.
"Teachers are very good about getting back to students in a timely manner, so lag-time for communication is normally not a problem," she said.
After working with ICA for five years, Tiefenthaler said she encourages other Christian schools looking for a dual enrollment option to try Ignite Christian Academy.
"It's an exceptional opportunity to enhance the electives offered at your school, as well as allow for courses that don't work into your schedule, with the confidence that your Christian worldview will not be compromised. It's been a wonderful addition to our curriculum in many ways!"