Mondays with Mike: How We Think About Graduate Success

Dear PCA Community,

I hope you are enjoying your winter break, wherever this finds you. As I send this to you the snow is blowing hard this wintry afternoon on Monday. 

Over the past few weeks, we have been going deeper into themes from our State of the School. We began with our educational vision. Last week, we discussed how data informs but does not define our students–compared to 60% nationally.

In today’s Mondays with Mike, I sit down with Mr. Jordan Heckelmann, our Upper School Principal, to talk about our graduates — where they are going and what those outcomes represent.

Looking at our most recent graduating classes, we reviewed more than 100 seniors who collectively submitted over 700 college applications and matriculated to nearly 100 different institutions. Nine out of ten pursued further education immediately after graduation.

Our goal is not prestige. It is fit.

Selectivity is about access. Fit is about formation.

Fit does not mean lowering standards. It means aligning opportunity, preparation, and calling. We are seeing PCA graduates align with national acceptance patterns at highly selective, selective, and somewhat selective institutions. More importantly, 

When we talk about “fit,” we mean academic alignment, spiritual community, financial stewardship, and a thoughtful sense of calling. We want PCA graduates to choose environments where they can continue growing — not simply places that seem impressive.

These outcomes reflect years of steady investment from teachers across every division and students who are learning to think, discern, and take ownership of their next steps. Even as we continue strengthening coherence and clarity across our academic program, we are grateful to God for what we are seeing.

Our measure of success is not where they get in — it’s who they are becoming, and the faithful next steps they take.

Why you will want to listen

• To understand how we define success beyond college rankings.
• To hear how we guide students toward thoughtful, prayerful decision-making.
• To see how whole-person formation shapes life after graduation.

Whether you are a Lower School parent or have a senior preparing for next steps, this episode provides helpful perspective on where we are headed together.

Grace and peace,

Mike Runey
Head of School
Portsmouth Christian Academy

00:00–01:24 — Framing the Conversation
State of the School recap and why we are examining graduate outcomes.

01:24–03:49 — The Graduate Snapshot
107 seniors, 700+ applications, nearly 100 institutions, and 90% matriculation compared to national trends.

03:49–05:55 — Defining “Fit”
Academic alignment, finances, calling, athletics, and intentional discernment.

05:55–08:15 — Faith After Graduation
Christian colleges, secular campuses, and ongoing worldview formation.

08:15–09:29 — Staying Rooted in Church and Community
Encouragement for graduates to plug into local churches and ministries.

09:29–11:22 — Understanding Selectivity
Acceptance-rate tiers and how PCA students align with national patterns.

11:22–12:52 — The Role of SAT & Preparation
Why standardized testing still matters and how PCA supports readiness.

12:52–14:50 — Selectivity Is Not the Same as Fit
Quality, opportunity, and choosing the right environment for growth.

14:50–17:28 — Impacting the World for Good
Alumni stories, leadership, faithfulness, and long-term relationships.

17:28–18:51 — The Faithful Next Step
Closing encouragement for families across every division and commitment to steady mission and vision.

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