The Pilgrim Academy is a member of several national and regional associations including the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS). Much of our fellowship with other teachers and students comes through competitions and conventions with the Garden State Association of Christian Schools and the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference, the latter of which Pilgrim was a founding member. We are also members of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Christian Schools, the American Christian Honor Society, and the New Jersey Business and Industry Council. Our accreditation is through the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS). It is by these associations that we are able to further teacher development and remain abreast of current methods and materials. Our students also benefit by enhanced and varied opportunities to compete and cooperate with students from other Christian schools. Our students consistently place in local, regional and national athletic and academic competitions.
The Pilgrim Academy campus consists of four interconnected buildings and a modular classroom on a 40-acre campus. There is a Lower School Wing, Upper School Wing also houses a Media Center with over 20,000 volumes, a computer lab, and music room. Playing fields include softball, baseball, soccer fields, basketball, street hockey courts, and an outdoor volleyball court.
SAT results have shown Pilgrim students scored the highest composite score of 1599 in comparison to students in nearby counties of Atlantic, Ocean, Cumberland and Cape May. Pilgrim students consistently score at the advanced level on standardized tests.
The school operates on a semester system awarding 2.5 credits for each class, per semester for a total of 5 credits per year. The school requires 120 credits minimum for graduation. In order to meet graduation requirements, students must take 8 semesters of English, 8 semesters of Physical Education/Health, 8 semesters of History, 8 semesters of Academic Bible, 6 semesters of Science, 6 semesters of Mathematics, 4 semesters of Foreign Language and Electives to total 120 credits. The Pilgrim Academy has a number of honors courses. In this program, a student can follow a more rigorous course of study. A Pilgrim student may take a college course and receive credit for it at both The Pilgrim Academy and the college. Pilgrim students often take College Level Placement Exams at nearby Atlantic Cape Community College through which they may also earn college credit. Over 90 percent of graduating seniors go on to pursue higher education at a four year university.
The Pilgrim Academy offers tutorial courses in a number of fine arts and academic topics. Each course includes weekly work, meeting with a faculty member, practical experience and/or public performances, and will culminate with a test or presentation at the state and national AACS Academic /Fine Arts Competition.
The criterion for The Pilgrim Academy’s Honor Roll is as follows: 92-100- Highest Honors, 90-91- High Honors, 84-89- Honors.
All teachers are required to be certified and often have two or more certifications. Approximately 20 percent of the faculty holds advanced degrees.
Aside from traditional athletic and academic offerings, the Pilgrim Academy takes great pride in its Student Coaching and Teachers Aide program, as well as the many community service projects in which students participate. Each year, the school as a whole, promotes math and science by participating in Science Fair. Many students go on to compete and place at the regional and national level.
Collectively, faculty and staff at Pilgrim seek to produce culturally literate graduates of sound spirit, mind and body who are well-rounded in the area of arts, athletics, work skills and practical Christian endeavors.