Finding the right educational path for your child can be a daunting task, especially when you are looking for a program that balances academic rigor with a strong spiritual foundation. Accelerated Christian Education, commonly known as ACE or the School of Tomorrow, has been a leading choice for families and private schools for decades. This individualized, self-paced curriculum is designed to help students master concepts before moving forward, ensuring a solid educational base.
Whether you are a homeschooling parent, a school administrator, or a student looking for supplemental materials, understanding how to navigate the ACE system is essential. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the curriculum, how to get started, and where to find the resources you need to succeed with this unique educational model.
What is Accelerated Christian Education?
Accelerated Christian Education is a mastery-based curriculum that serves students from preschool through high school. Unlike traditional classroom settings where a teacher lectures a group of students at the same pace, ACE allows each student to work independently. This approach recognizes that every child learns differently and may excel in one subject while needing more time in another.
The curriculum is built around the concept of PACEs, which stands for Packet of Accelerated Christian Education. Each subject is divided into 12 PACEs per grade level. These are bite-sized workbooks that integrate biblical principles and character-building exercises into every lesson. Students work through these workbooks, complete self-tests, and finally take a PACE test to demonstrate mastery of the material.
The Core Subjects
The ACE program covers all the standard academic requirements through its core PACE series. These subjects include:
- Math: Focuses on foundational skills, progressing from basic arithmetic to advanced algebra and trigonometry.
- English: Covers grammar, punctuation, and composition, with a heavy emphasis on communication skills.
- Social Studies: Includes history, geography, and government, often taught from a providential perspective.
- Science: Explores the natural world, biology, chemistry, and physics through the lens of creationism.
- Word Building: A unique spelling and vocabulary program that helps students master the mechanics of the English language.
- Literature and Creative Writing: Encourages reading comprehension and helps students develop their own writing voice.
How to Get Started with the Curriculum
Transitioning to the ACE curriculum requires a few specific steps to ensure the student is placed at the correct level. Because the program is individualized, a student’s grade level in a traditional school may not perfectly align with their PACE level.
Step 1: Diagnostic Testing
The most critical first step is diagnostic testing. These tests identify exactly where a student stands in their knowledge of math, English, and reading. If a student has gaps in their learning from previous years, the diagnostic test will reveal them. This allows the parent or supervisor to assign PACEs that bridge those gaps before the student moves on to more difficult concepts.
Step 2: Setting Up the Learning Environment
ACE is designed to be used in a “Learning Center” environment. In a home setting, this means creating a quiet, dedicated space for study. Many families use “offices,” which are simple carrels or desks with dividers that help the student focus on their work without distractions. This environment encourages independence and self-discipline from a young age.
Step 3: Ordering Materials
Once you have the diagnostic results, you can order the specific PACEs and Score Keys needed. Score Keys are the teacher manuals that contain the answers to the PACEs. In the ACE system, students are often taught to score their own work under supervision, which helps them identify and correct their mistakes immediately.
The Five Laws of Learning
The ACE program is built upon five foundational laws of learning that govern how the curriculum is structured and administered. Understanding these laws helps parents and educators implement the program effectively.
- Level of Placement: The student must be placed at the level where they can perform successfully.
- Goal Setting: Students are taught to set their own daily goals, which fosters a sense of responsibility and achievement.
- Controlled Motivation: The curriculum uses a system of rewards and incentives to keep students engaged and moving forward.
- Measurement of Learning: Mastery is measured through testing; students must score a minimum of 80% (or 90% in some subjects) to pass a PACE.
- Individualization: The curriculum is tailored to the individual’s needs, not the needs of a group.
Navigating Resources and Support
Finding official resources is key to maintaining the integrity of the program. There are several ways to access the materials and support needed for a successful ACE experience.
Official Distributors and Online Stores
Most families and schools purchase their materials through authorized distributors. These stores provide the full range of PACEs, Score Keys, and required reading books. Many distributors also offer starter kits for new homeschoolers, which include everything needed for the first few months of instruction.
Training for Supervisors
While the curriculum is student-led, the role of the “Supervisor” (the parent or teacher) is vital. Training is available for those who want to understand the administrative side of the program. This training covers how to manage goals, how to handle scoring procedures, and how to motivate students who may be struggling.
Student Conventions
One of the highlights for students in the ACE program is the opportunity to participate in Regional and International Student Conventions. These events allow students to compete in hundreds of categories, including athletics, music, art, and academics. It is a great way for students to meet others using the same curriculum and to showcase their talents.
Tips for Success with Individualized Learning
To get the most out of this curriculum, consistency is vital. Because students work at their own pace, it can be easy for them to fall behind if they are not held accountable to their daily goals. Here are a few tips for staying on track:
Monitor Goal Cards Daily: Every morning, the student should write down exactly what they plan to accomplish in each subject. At the end of the day, the supervisor should check the goal card to ensure the work was completed and scored correctly.
Don’t Skip the Scoring: Scoring is where the actual learning often happens. When a student gets an answer wrong, they should go back to the text, find the correct information, and fix the error. This reinforces the material and prevents them from repeating the same mistake on the final test.
Encourage Independent Research: As students move into higher levels, the PACEs will require more critical thinking and research. Encourage them to use dictionaries, concordances, and other reference materials to find answers rather than simply giving them the solution.
Conclusion
The Accelerated Christian Education curriculum offers a structured yet flexible approach to learning that has helped millions of students achieve academic success while growing in their faith. By focusing on mastery and individualization, it removes the pressure of keeping up with a group and allows students to truly understand the material they are studying.
If you are looking for more ways to enhance your homeschooling journey or want to explore different educational methodologies, be sure to check out our other articles on curriculum planning and student motivation. Taking the time to find the right resources today will set your student up for a lifetime of confident learning.