The Covenant School (TCS) is a private Christian school in Charlottesville, Virginia, in the United States. It is composed of the Birdwood Campus, which houses the Lower School (Grades Pre-K—5), located in the former McIntire High School, and the Hickory Campus, which is home to the Middle (Grades 6—8) and Upper (Grades 9—12) Schools. The Hickory Campus is in Albemarle County in a building completed in 2002.
History
The Covenant School was founded in 1985, opening its doors with 46 students in Grades K-6. In 1987, the school offered a full K-12 program. The school was restructured as a K-8 school in 1990, then added Grade 9 in 1992, Grade 10 in 1994, Grade 11 in 1995, and Grade 12 in the fall of 1996, graduating 43 seniors in May 1997. A pre-K program was added in the fall of 2003. The 2007-2008 school year saw a peak enrollment of 710 students.[1]
Traditions
Chapel
The school community gathers in worship every Wednesday at the Hickory and Birdwood Campus.[2] At Birdwood, students and parents actively participate in the service: leading music, reading scripture, and reciting The Lord's Prayer.[2] Arts performances by fifth-grade students include handbells and choir.[2] A weekly parent prayer time follows chapel.[2] At Hickory, this worship time consists of a student-led music team, various scripture and historic Christian creeds readings, personal testimonies, and a message from the chaplain, a teacher, or a community member. A parent prayer time precedes the chapel each week.[2]
House
In 2014 the school founded the House program.[3] A quartet of communities named for the cardinal virtues of Temperance, Fortitude, Wisdom, and Justice, the House System stands at the center of fellowship on the Hickory Campus.[3] Upon attending, each individual finds a home in one of the four Houses.[3] The four house colors are red, dark green, light blue, and dark blue.[3] House members seek to know, celebrate, serve, and love each other, fostering a positive culture that stands apart from the rest of the world.[3] House also provides educational leadership and administrative opportunities for students through the House Leadership Team, a body of elected student officials, and a faculty Head of House who shepherds a House throughout the year.[3] A House Leadership Team leads each House—ten elected student leaders and a faculty Head of House who fulfill roles from the president to community service coordinator to a chaplain.[3] The House motto is "For Others, For Christ".[3]
Rock ceremony
A culminating Lower School grade-level event, the Rock Ceremony is an opportunity for teachers to affirm each student with a Bible verse written on a smooth rock for them to keep. Verses are individualized for each student and represent their God-given gifts and talents.
Live nativity
Held on the front lawn of the Birdwood Campus each December, this Christmas worship event with live animals and actors is open to the public.
Athletics
The Athletics Department has 19 athletic programs and 36 state championships.[4] They are a Division II school in the Virginia Independent School Athletic Association (VISAA).[4] The school competes in the Blue Ridge Conference (BRC) and the Virginia Independent Conference (VIC).[4] On June 13, 2019, the school hired Jason Bennett as the new Athletic Director.[5]
This list is incomplete. The Covenant School Hickory Campus, Charlottesville Catholic School, and Tandem Friends School have Charlottesville, VA postal addresses but are in adjacent Albemarle County.
