Portsmouth Christian Academy
Primary and secondary school in Dover, NH, The United States
Portsmouth Christian Academy (PCA) is a private, non-denominational Christian school in Dover, New Hampshire, United States, for students from preschool to grade 12. It is located on a 50-acre riverfront campus at 20 Seaborne Drive. Its programme is college-preparatory and based on a classical philosophy, and it is organised in five divisions:
- Preschool
- Kindergarten
- Lower School
- Middle School
- Upper School
PCA is a SEVIS-approved school with an International Student Program. Students in grades 4 to 8 can join the Cultural Opportunity to Master English (COME) programme, with short-term stays in grades 4 and 5 and full-year places from grade 6. In the Upper School, international students study full time, take English Language Learner (ELL) classes as needed alongside credit-bearing courses, and can prepare for the SAT and ACT in their last two years.
International students must be represented by an agency, live with a host family and take out health insurance through the school. Admission is rolling, based on capacity in each grade, and the school recommends applying in the autumn before the desired start date. A need-based Variable Tuition programme is available from Kindergarten to grade 12.
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Scholarships and financial aid
PCA offers Variable Tuition, a need-based tuition reduction for students from Kindergarten to grade 12; according to the school, more than 40% of students receive it. Families apply each year through Clarity Financial Aid, after applying for admission or re-enrolment; no family is awarded full tuition. Families can also apply for scholarships from the Maine and New Hampshire Children's Scholarship Funds, and New Hampshire families for Education Freedom Accounts.
Housing
All international students live with a host family; many host families have children at PCA or belong to the local community. The student's agency acts as legal guardian, vets the homestay and supports the student during the stay. The host family provides breakfast and dinner on school days and all meals when school is not in session, and arranges daily transport to and from campus. The agent arranges airport pickup from Boston, Manchester or Portland on arrival.
Subjects taught
- Education
- Secondary Education
- Early Childhood Education
- Primary Education
- Elementary Education