Instructional Program Overview   

Christian Heritage Academy is home to creative thought and its purposeful expression. As expressed in our Philosophy of Education, "Christian Heritage Academy provides an environment that encourages a Christ-centered inquiry into culture and creation, with the divinely inspired Scriptures providing the foundation, absolutes and principles for such instruction."  (2 Tim. 3:16) 

One of the most dynamic words in this statement is "inquiry."  Our school strives to inspire the students to ask questions.  As students grow older, the instruction is less and less dependent upon rote and more and more involving the student's creativity, research and problem solving.

 

Classroom instruction and independent study culminates in the Upper School, where each student is given a laptop to facilitate learning.  Middle school students employ the scientific method in projects of their own design, and extended hands-on scientific field trips and research projects.  Students in younger grades choose American states and then choose topics and examples to include in research.  Even the youngest students who are learning to read choose material to bring in support of a new concept, such as the sound of short "i" or the letter "o."

 

Many grades employ drama to pursue their study.  Third graders dress up as characters they research for social studies.  Fourth graders dramatize coming to Ellis Island as immigrants, reflecting their own family ancestry.  Sixth grade social studies and Bible students engage in complex role-playing and simulation activities to explore world culture. Seventh and eighth grades study American history, and civics education so as to understand thedemocratic process.  Ninth graders weave their studies of ancient Greece into both English and Social Studies as they create a first person speech reflecting that culture. Across all grades, skits and presentations to illustrate principles in history, Bible and literature.

 

Except for the Bible, the written material in our classes is not transmitted to the students as sacred.  Many of the textbooks are from secular publishers.  Many of the novels and stories we study present perspectives opposed to the Christian worldview.  We actively engage our students in questioning these perspectives, using the Bible as the standard by which other philosophies are to be measured.

 

Our school has made a challenging claim from its inception: that it will provide academic and spiritual excellence on par with the best institutions in our area.  With teaching focused on inquiry and critical thinking, we seek to sharpen our students both intellectually and spiritually.  We encourage the tough questions and rely on the Bible as our infallible measuring stick. Under guidance of highly qualified and spiritually mature teachers, students examine researched sources as they seek answers through the lens of Scripture. 

 

Student Activities at CHA

The Student Activities program philosophy mirrors that of Christian Heritage Academy: to glorify God in all that we do.  Our objectives for each student are:

  • To honor God
  • To have the opportunity to explore their interests outside the classroom
  • To develop gifts beyond the academic arena
  • To develop character and leadership through competition, performance, discipline
  • To enhance the overall impact of the educational experience

 Christian Heritage Academy offers a variety of extra- and co-curricular activities:

  • Athletics: Co-ed soccer, girls' volleyball, boys' volleyball, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, track (co-ed).
  • Drama:  Eighth grade play (co-ed) and various other opportunities (speeches, skits, musicals, chapel participation, etc.)
  • Music:  Lion's Pride Ambassadors chorus, (6th-8th, co-ed), Lion's Pride Cubs chorus (5th-6th, co-ed) Advanced Band Ensemble (co-ed) Beginning Band (co-ed), Orchestra
  • After-School Enrichment:  Rocketry Club, Chess Club, Christian Youth Theater (CYT), and other special activities