Our Rhythm
Four days a school. Seven days a family.
We teach Monday–Thursday in focused, full days. Then Friday through the weekend belongs to you — for rest, faith, and the life your family is building together.
Why four days
It isn't less school. It's a better week.
The four-day week isn't a shortcut. It's a choice about what childhood should feel like — and what a family needs to thrive. Here's what it gives back.
Family time
You get a whole day back, every single week. Not a frantic Saturday squeezed between errands — a real, unhurried day for your kids. Doctor visits without missing class. A grandparent's visit. A trip, a project, a slow morning. The fifth day is yours to spend on the people who matter most.
Deeper focus
Fuller school days mean fewer stops and starts. Teachers can go deeper instead of racing the clock, and kids settle into real work instead of bouncing between bells. Concentrated days, taught well, do more than five thinned-out ones.
Rest & observance
Scripture takes rest seriously, and so do we. The long weekend leaves room to worship, to serve, and to simply breathe. Kids who are rested show up ready to learn — and families who aren't running on empty have more to give each other.
Affordability
A four-day week fits how real families actually live. It can mean one less day of childcare to arrange, more flexibility for working parents, and a schedule that bends toward your household instead of against it. Want the full picture on cost? See tuition & aid.
The week at a glance
What a four-day week actually looks like
4 focused school days, then three days that belong to your family. Simple, and it adds up week after week.
A full, focused day of learning.
Deeper work, fewer interruptions.
Right in the heart of the week.
Finish strong, then home for the long weekend.
Your day back, every week.
Rest, play, and life together.
Worship and reset for the week.
Our Monday–Thursday days are full and focused — not shortened. Elementary (K–5) runs 8:10 am–3:30 pm, and middle & high school (6–12) runs 8:20 am–3:45 pm.
Family first
The fifth day is where childhood happens.
Ask any parent what they wish they had more of, and the answer is almost always the same: time. Not someday — now, while the kids are still home. The four-day week hands that time back on purpose.
Some families use the day to slow down. Others fill it — service projects, music lessons, a part-time job for an older teen, a standing breakfast with grandparents. However you spend it, it's yours. That's the whole point.
Come see how it works
Honest answers
The questions parents actually ask
Isn't that less learning?
No — it's fuller, more focused learning. Our school days are longer and more concentrated than a typical five-day schedule, so the teaching time is there. What's gone is the wasted time: the slow restarts, the half-days, the constant interruptions. Kids who are rested and engaged learn more in four strong days than in five tired ones.
What do families do on the off day?
Whatever fits your family. Some use it to rest and catch their breath. Others schedule appointments, lessons, or service so the weekend stays open. Older students use it for jobs, apprenticeships, or independent projects. There's no SMCA-mandated agenda for the fifth day — that's the gift. It's a real day back, on your terms.
Does this hurt college readiness?
Not at all. A four-day week and serious academics aren't in tension — focused days are part of how we keep the rigor high. We offer college-level coursework and prepare students for what comes next. See the full picture on our academics page.
Can my work schedule handle it?
Many working families make it work, and we're happy to talk through the practical side with you. Some parents adjust a workday, share coverage with another SMCA family, or use the day for older kids' independence. The best way to figure out your version is a quick conversation — bring your questions when you book a tour.
Does the school provide transportation?
SMCA does not provide busing — families are responsible for getting their students to and from campus. The good news is that our close community makes it easy: we actively encourage carpools, and many families team up with others nearby to share the driving. When you book a tour, we're glad to help connect you with families in your area.
Come see it for yourself.
The best way to understand SMCA is to walk the halls, meet a teacher, and watch a small class at work. Book a tour — we'd love to meet your family.