Calvary Day School Why Calvary? Calvary Day School

About Us

We are a community of learners and leaders where teaching and learning are stimulating, interesting, and Christ-centered. Students, staff, and parents are supportive of one another and work cooperatively to reach ever higher academic, social, emotional, and spiritual competencies. Differences are accepted and respected by students, staff, and parents. We follow many pathways to learning while sharing goals that unite us, a common core of knowledge, and a belief in biblical truths.

Admissions

It is our desire to learn more about you and your family and how we may best serve your child. We seek to develop each student: academically, athletically, socially and most of all, spiritually. In turn, we are seeking students who want to integrate and fully invest in the school with their time and talent to obtain the most out of their experience here at Calvary Day School.

Faith

Our key verse at Calvary Day School is Luke 2:52, which states: “So Jesus grew both in height and in wisdom, and he was loved by God and by all who knew him.” For the Administration and educators of Calvary, this verse is a presentation of the guiding force behind everything we do. This verse encompasses the four components of a truly Christian philosophy of education: physical growth, intellectual growth, spiritual growth, and social/interpersonal growth.

Academics

At Calvary Day School, we are called to a higher mission. We infuse faith into our classrooms, clubs, gymnasiums, playing fields, etc.; in essence, into whatever is being done or taught. At Calvary we also pursue excellence in whatever we do. As a result of this internal pursuit of excellence, Calvary was recognized as the first charter member of the National Elementary Honor Society, and our students are accepted each year into some of the finest colleges and universities in the United States, with over half of these students typically receiving academic scholarships.

Giving

Since Calvary Day School opened its doors in 1961, it has been blessed with enormous support from those who seek to further the school’s mission of providing an academically challenging education in a uniquely Christian environment. Exceptional teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, and superior athletic venues are all possible because of the generous support of the Calvary family.

From the Head of School

Thank you for visiting our website. I’m Dr. Hunter Chadwick, and I have the privilege of being the Head of School here at Calvary Day School. You will learn quickly from our website, and even more from a personal visit to our beautiful campus, that Calvary is a family. When visiting our campus you will notice that our students display a sense of personal confidence and a well-balanced maturity that is uncommon nowadays. We believe this distinctive among our students comes from maturing in a loving and vibrant Christian school community, where a student truly belongs, feels safe, is accepted, and is challenged to reach ever-greater personal heights.

Calvary is a genuine Christian school. We believe personal faith speaks to personal character; and faith, character, and intellect help define a well-balanced student for their future goals and aspirations. At Calvary Day School we provide an academically rigorous environment, carefully interwoven with a thoughtful Christian philosophy of education. This thoughtfully crafted balance is evident in our weekly chapel services, annual Spiritual Emphasis Week, mission projects, myriad small groups, and in the very way we teach our content area classes.

Calvary graduates are accepted to schools such as Georgia Tech, UGA, Harvard, MIT, John Hopkins, Brown, and countless more. Your child will have all the tools necessary to succeed at a remarkably high level, in a world in desperate need of truly Christian leaders and experts in their chosen field. Calvary Day School offers the kind of sure foundation necessary for students to be a bright light in our global community.

I personally invite you and your family to visit us here at Calvary to see how we can partner in the life of your child.

Calvary Day School History

From its inception in 1961, Calvary Day School has been dedicated to remaining a deliberately Christian school where academic excellence is rigorously pursued. Dr. John Tippett, along with several involved parents, began the process in 1959 of planning for the creation of a Christian school founded on the developmental principles of Luke 2:52 where Jesus grew intellectually, physically, socially, and spiritually. Originally named Calvary Baptist Day School, Calvary enrolled thirteen kindergarten students that first year. The academic reputation of the school continued to grow along with the need for a distinctly Christian education. Each year a grade was strategically added until the 1973-1974 school year when Calvary enrolled its first senior class. The students, parents, and faculty of the Calvary Day School family continue to enjoy God’s rich blessings after more than fifty years of faithful educational ministry.

Calvary Day School now enrolls approximately 1300 students six-weeks through 12th grade. As a non-denominational Christian school, Calvary’s student body represents more than 100 churches in the Savannah area. In keeping with our historical past, Calvary faithfully pursues a deliberate and intentional Christian education where God’s truth is enmeshed in all learning activities.

Why Calvary?

List of 4 items.

General Facts
- Private, Christian-based, co-educational school for six weeks through 12th grade
- Highest level of accreditation by Cognia and the GAC
- Member of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA)
- Member of the Savannah Parochial Athletic League (SPAL)
- Member of the National Association of College Admission Counselors
- Average enrollment: 1044
- Current senior class enrollment: 89
- Average student-teacher ratio: 17:1
- Million-dollar sports facility, Specialty Sports Complex
- Online parental access to grades and assignments
- 1:1 Technology school
- Google for Education School
Faith
- Distinctly Christian philosophy of education
- Student-led chapels each year
- Spiritual Emphasis week
- Students volunteer thousands of hours in community service each year.
- Students serve around the world in short-term missions.
- Over 100 different churches represented
Academics
- 100% of graduates are accepted to college.
- Calvary offers 33 Advanced Placement and honors courses.
- Calvary is a charter member of the National Elementary Honor Society.
- Over $5 million college scholarship average for the last three graduating classes
- 68% of graduates received the HOPE scholarship.
- 2016-2017 National Merit Commended Scholar
Excellence
- AdvancED Global Accreditation
- 2016 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
- Interim Week provides students with global educational experiences as well as life skills that equip them for success in life beyond campus.
- 1:1 Technology
- Google for Education fully-integrated school
- Extensive research writing program
- 25+ GHSA Class 3A sports teams
- Over 50% of 4th and 5th Grade Students qualify for Duke TIP

Meet the Admissions Team

List of 4 members.

Phillip Lee

Director Of Athletics

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Philip Lee received his B.A. in middle grades education for science and history from Brewton-Parker College. Lee attends Calvary Baptist Temple, and his favorite verse is Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Lee loves that his job offers not only a present impact on students’ lives, but an eternal one as well.

Serving Calvary Day School Since 2008
Karen Strickland

Early Learning and Lower School Admissions Specialist

912-644-5054

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Karen Strickland is a graduate of Jenkins High School, and she has worked at Calvary Day School since 2001. She attends Calvary Baptist Temple, and her favorite Bible verse is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” She is married to Mark and has two children, Brittany (a 2005 Calvary graduate), and Skylar (a 2012 Calvary graduate). Strickland’s hobbies are reading, spending time at the beach, and working in her yard.

Serving Calvary Day School Since 2001
Michelle Smeltzer

Middle and Upper School Admissions Specialist

912-644-5055
Martha VanVleck

Finance Specialist

(912) 644-5098

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Martha VanVleck has been employed with Calvary Day School since 2015. She accepted the position in the Finance Department after retiring from the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office after 27 years of service. Martha is married to Alan, who is also an employee of Calvary Day School. She has a daughter Kristen, a 2004 Calvary graduate, and a son David, a 2008 Calvary graduate. Martha’s daughter-in-law Stephanie is a first grade teacher at Calvary Day School, and Martha is also a very proud grandmother to a beautiful granddaughter, Brooke Mae.

Martha’s church home is First Baptist Church of the Islands. Her favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else guard your heart, for all you do flows from it.”