At Christian Village Academy, we've developed a distinctive educational philosophy we proudly call "the CVA Way" – an approach that seamlessly integrates academic excellence with spiritual growth. For over 18 years, our method has proven successful in preparing children not just academically, but in nurturing the whole child.

What Makes the CVA Way Unique?

The CVA Way is built on a simple yet powerful concept: consistent learning across all age groups, tailored to each developmental stage. Whether in our infant, toddler, preschool, or pre-K classrooms, children are learning the same core concepts but in ways appropriate to their age.

"When a child moves up to another class due to a birthday, or if a teacher is out and a child needs to go to another room temporarily, I never want that child to feel lost," explains Ms. Essence Marsh, CVA's founder. "If 'L' is February's letter, every classroom is learning about 'L' – just at different levels of complexity."

This approach builds remarkable confidence in our children. They enter each new classroom or experience with the security of familiar concepts, allowing them to focus on mastering skills rather than feeling anxious about new material.

Beyond Memorization to True Understanding

At CVA, we recognize an important truth that many miss: singing the alphabet song doesn't mean a child knows their letters. Many children memorize "LMNOP" as a single sound, not as individual letters!

Our approach moves beyond rote memorization to true understanding. We deliberately mix up letters and numbers rather than always presenting them in sequence. This ensures children genuinely recognize each letter and number independently, not just as part of a memorized sequence.

"We teach our kids ahead," Ms. Marsh notes. "We don't know where these children will go when they leave us – some to private schools, some to public—but I never want a CVA child to be below grade level anywhere they go."

Weaving Faith Throughout Learning

What truly distinguishes the CVA Way is how seamlessly we integrate faith into everyday learning. Rather than treating spiritual development as separate from academics, we weave Biblical principles and values throughout all subjects and activities.

When children learn about sharing in social settings, we connect it to Biblical teachings about generosity. When they observe plants growing in science, we discuss God's creation. These natural connections help children understand that faith isn't compartmentalized but is part of everything we do.

"We don't throw it down their throat," Ms. Marsh explains about our approach to faith, "but it's important that children understand there's somewhere they can go when life hits them. There's a foundation they can have and someone who's always in their corner."

Building Self-Esteem Through Achievement

Central to the CVA Way is our focus on building children's self-esteem through genuine achievement. We believe in setting high expectations and then providing the support children need to meet them.

"We bring kids in and build their self-esteem as high as we can," says Ms. Marsh. "As they keep living and going through life, they'll get hit enough that their self-esteem will level out naturally. But starting with that strong foundation makes all the difference."

This approach creates confident learners who believe in their abilities and aren't afraid to tackle new challenges—a trait that serves them well throughout their educational journey and beyond.

The results speak for themselves. Parents regularly share that their children remain academically ahead after leaving CVA, with many returning years later to express gratitude for the strong foundation they received.

Experience the CVA Way for yourself! Schedule a tour to see how our unique approach creates an environment where children thrive academically, spiritually, and socially.