The Covenant School

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. Traditions Chapel The school community gathers in worship every Wednesday at the Hickory and Birdwood Campus. At Birdwood, students and parents actively participate in the service: leading music, reading scripture, and reciting The Lord's Prayer. Arts performances by fifth-grade students include band, handbells, and choir. A weekly parent prayer time follows chapel. 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.