SPECIALS & EXTRACURRICULARS
We believe it is important for students to be well-rounded. The purpose of the co-curricular and supplemental courses at HCA is to provide students with opportunities to honor the Lord through a balanced life. Students of all ages participate in our music, art, and physical education programs, while those in grades 6–12 can take part in our athletic program. These activities allow us to teach valuable lessons in discipline, self-control, and striving for success while always doing one's best.
Art
At Heritage Christian Academy, students are encouraged to use their artistic talents to honor the Lord, recognizing Him as the ultimate Artist and Creator. Students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade attend a weekly art class where they explore the basics, fundamentals, and elements of art, along with early and ancient art history. Students in Grades 6–8 continue with weekly art classes that introduce them to the world of fine arts.
High school art is offered as an elective, meeting at least twice a week. These classes focus on fine arts and provide students the opportunity to submit their work to the KCEA Fine Arts Festival or MACS Competition—venues where they can showcase their God-given and cultivated talents with excellence. Additionally, Senior High students participate in a Marketing & Design course where they learn the basics of marketing, principles of design, an introduction to photography, and collaborate to create the school yearbook.
Computer
Kindergarten – Fifth Grade
Elementary computer classes focus on teaching the fundamentals of computer use, basic keyboarding skills, and digital citizenship. Through weekly lessons, students explore technology as a tool within a safe, controlled environment. With biblical integration at the core of our curriculum, computer class also provides an opportunity to teach students what it means to be responsible citizens of both heaven and earth—especially in the digital world, where it is easy to hide behind a façade. We emphasize using words and actions online that reflect Christ-like character and integrity.
Middle and High School
High school computer class is an elective designed to help students move beyond the basics and develop essential digital skills. Students learn how to organize files effectively and use programs that will benefit them in the future, including the Microsoft Office Suite. Digital citizenship remains an integral part of the curriculum, as many students engage with social media platforms. The course emphasizes both the potential benefits and risks of these tools, guiding students to navigate the digital world with responsibility and discernment. Students are also taught to evaluate information through a Biblical worldview, learning to discern what is true and accurate.
Music
The philosophy of music education at Heritage Christian Academy centers on providing students with a strong foundation in both music theory and music ministry. We aim to deliver high-quality musical training while encouraging students to use their God-given gifts and interest to serve in their local churches.
Students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade attend weekly music classes focused on the basics of music. In Fifth Grade, students are introduced to the ukulele, learning the fundamentals of playing an instrument. All students in music participate in both the Christmas and Spring programs. Middle School students meet at least once a week to develop their group singing skills through choir and build music literacy through handbell participation. In High School, music is offered as an elective, with opportunities to join choir and handbell ensembles. Additionally, both Middle and High School students may participate in band. Students are encouraged to grow and challenge themselves through a variety of opportunities, including concerts, competitions, and state-wide events—both Christian and secular.
Physical Education
Physical Education is a vital part of our students’ overall development and aligns with our mission to educate the whole child. Students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade meet weekly to develop both large and small motor skills while learning the fundamental rules of major sports. The year concludes with a fun and active Field Day, where students can showcase the skills they’ve practiced throughout the year.
Middle School students attend Physical Education classes twice a week, focusing on full-body movement, endurance, teamwork, and understanding the rules and strategies of team sports. High School students also meet twice a week, with an emphasis on the intricacies of various sports, personal fitness, and long-term physical wellness. At Heritage Christian Academy, we believe God has called us to be good stewards of our bodies. Physical Education provides an opportunity to honor God by developing strength, discipline, and an appreciation for how wonderfully He has created the human body.
Robotics
Middle School students meet twice a week to learn the fundamentals of coding using LEGO Spike Prime. In this hands-on class, students build and program their own robots, which are then showcased at our annual Science Fair in February. The course culminates with a final project that highlights the skills they’ve developed throughout the year.
Most of the class activities are team-based, allowing students to grow in essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, adaptability, time management, and empathy. These skills not only help students succeed in the world around them but also reflect the way Christ interacted with others—with grace, humility, and compassion.
Spanish
Students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade attend a weekly Spanish class where begin to explore the language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. This exposure helps students expand their understanding of the world around them and introduces them to cultures beyond their own. Learning a second language offers numerous benefits, including enhanced memory, increased creativity, improved communication skills, and greater cultural awareness. More importantly, it also opens doors to share the Gospel with a broader audience, equipping students to connect with others in meaningful and impactful ways.
High school students are required to complete two years of a foreign language. At our school, we offer Spanish, allowing students to build upon the foundation they began in elementary school. Two key elements of the course include memorizing Bible verses and learning to share the Gospel in Spanish. In addition to these spiritual goals, learning a foreign language helps students develop stronger communication skills, gain cultural awareness, and enhance cognitive abilities such as memory and critical thinking. These skills not only support academic success but also prepare students to engage meaningfully in an increasingly globalized world.
STEM
STEM education integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math into all areas of learning. At Heritage Christian Academy, we provide meaningful opportunities for students and teachers to engage in the engineering design process, to develop their creativity, and to hone their critical-thinking, communication, and collaboration skills. Throughout the school year, dedicated STEM Days allow students to apply these skills through hands-on problem-solving and building activities.
Each week in STEM class, Kindergarten through Fifth Grade work through the engineering design process to develop solutions to problems they see in their everyday lives and in the world around them. They have opportunities to solve these problems through scientific and engineering exploration, as well as robotics coding and 3D printing design. In addition to academic learning, these challenges also help students to develop other soft skills such as perseverance and emotional intelligence as they work together to test and improve each of their designs.
High School Leadership Opportunities
Heritage Christian Academy offers middle and high school students the opportunity to develop leadership skills through participation in Student Government. This program allows students to practice leadership among their peers by representing student voices to the administration, organizing key school events such as the National Day of Prayer, planning the High School Banquet, and setting the tone and goals for the year.
Each year, Student Government members take a trip to tour the state capital, where they have the opportunity to meet with local and state representatives. They also attend the annual AACS Student Leadership Conference. Through these experiences, students not only learn the responsibilities of leadership but also participate in voting and learn how to effectively communicate with their representatives—gaining a hands-on understanding of civic engagement and self-governance.
Our ultimate goal is to help students become Christ-like leaders—leaders who influence others by serving. In a world that often promotes a self-serving view of leadership, we strive to teach our students a different model: that true leadership reflects the heart of Christ. At HCA, we believe leadership is not about power or position, but about humility, service, and influence that honors God.
Honor SocietyStudents in tenth through twelfth grades have the opportunity to be inducted into the AACS Honor Society. Candidates may be nominated by faculty and staff and must meet established qualifications in the areas of academics, Christian scholarship, leadership, character, and service. Additionally, students must be enrolled for at least one semester prior to induction.
