God has established Prestonwood Christian Academy for the purpose of impacting lives for eternity through biblically-based and Christ-centered education. This vision and mission statement articulates the purpose behind the school’s existence. When coupled with seven core values and a series of operating principles, this mission statement provides Prestonwood Christian Academy with an operating constitution that guides all of its policies, procedures, and practices.

Prestonwood Christian Academy has been recognized as one of the outstanding Christian schools in the United States. With almost 1,500 students enrolled in the Pre-K through 12th grade, Prestonwood Christian Academy is one of the fastest growing Christian schools in the nation.

Prestonwood Christian Academy is located in Plano, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The City of Plano has earned a national reputation as one of the best places in the country for employers to do business and for families to live and work. Plano is located 20 miles north of downtown Dallas and is the largest city in Collin County with a January 1, 2001 estimated population of 236,539.

Prestonwood Christian Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and is a ministry of Prestonwood Baptist Church.



School Hours

Lower School (Grades PK-K) – 8:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Lower School (Grades 1-4) – 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Middle School (Grades 5-8) – 8:00 a.m. – 3:20 p.m.
Upper School (Grades 9-12) – 7:45 a.m. – 3:20 p.m.

Student-Teacher Ratio

Lower School (Grades PK-4) – 1:10
Middle School (Grades 5-8) – 1:16
Upper School (Grades 9-12) – 1:18

Inclement Weather Information

The following information is provided to help parents understand how Prestonwood Christian Academy determines whether or not to hold school or delay opening school on bad weather days and the notification procedures which are in place. Please note that student and staff safety is our first priority. The decision to call off school is a very important one and is made only after thorough consideration.

• Always assume that school will open as usual.
• Check with one or more of the following sources of information to obtain accurate information:
  
  • Local television stations
  • Local radio stations
  • School recording at 972-820-5300

2006-07 School Year Immunization Requirement

The Texas Department of Health prohibits children from attending school without current immunizations. If your child has received immunizations this fall and you have not submitted documentation of those immunizations, they need to be submitted at this time. Parents of children whose immunizations come due over the summer will need to submit current immunization records showing those immunizations prior to the first day of school. This usually includes children turning 5 years old as well as children entering Kindergarten. In accordance with state law, children are not allowed to attend school unless immunizations are current. PCA does enforce this policy. Appropriate documentation of immunizations consists of a shot record including the child’s name, date of birth, complete date of the immunization(s) and physician’s signature or stamp. All first time students must submit a current physical exam (health form) that has been completed within 12 months of the first day of school and signed or stamped by the physician. If this has not already been submitted, it will need to be submitted at this time.

PCA policy requires that a Health Form be completed and signed by the physician each year for students in preschool and kindergarten. Once students have all of their shots on record, a new Health Form is not necessary unless state requirements change.

The following immunization requirements will be in effect for 2006-07:

• DPT/DTaP: Five (5) doses including one received on or after the 4th birthday but before Kindergarten entry.
  
• OPV/IVP: Four (4) doses including one received on or after the 4th birthday but before Kindergarten entry.
  
• MMR: One (1) dose received on or after the1st birthday and an additional dose received before Kindergarten entry.
  
• Varicella/*Chickenpox: Date of illness documented or vaccine required for all students in K-5th grades and 7th-11th grades.
  If the first vaccine was received after age 13, then two doses are required.
  
• Hepatitis B: Three (3) doses for all students in K-11th grades.
  
• Td (tetanus) Booster: One (1) dose within 10 years of the last DTP/DTaP vaccine.

*Chicken pox vaccine is required unless we have a documented note stating the child has had chicken pox. A parent or doctor may document the date of the chicken pox disease by submitting a signed letter stating, “My child, name of child, had chicken pox on or about give date including month and year.”

Children enrolled in Pre-K4 or Pre-K5 must show proof that the above
immunization doses have been received by their 5th birthday.

Texas state law allows for exclusion from immunization by reason of conscience. There are strict guidelines which must be followed to claim this exemption. Information about this exemption may be found on the Texas Department of Health website at www.immunizeTexas.com. An Affidavit of Exemption From Immunizations For Reasons of Conscience form is available only from the Texas Department of Health. A request for this form must be made in writing to the Texas Department of Health and must be submitted by mail from the parent. To claim this exemption, a person must submit the original Affidavit of Exemption From Immunizations For Reasons of Conscience Form to the school nurse. This affidavit is now required to be renewed every two years.

A medical exemption may only be granted by the child's physician and must state for how long the medical exemption will apply and the reason for the exemption. To claim this exemption, you must submit to the school nurse the medical exemption letter written by the child's physician.

For more information on immunization requirements, please contact Janet Ludgar at 972-930-4005 for students in grades PK–6, or the Katrina Nash at 972-820-5064 for students in grades 7-12.