As Augustine Christian Academy grew, there was concern that the close, family atmosphere that had marked its first few years might be lost with the influx of new students and the necessary structure that accompanied that.

To help with this and to build school spirit and a sense of belonging, ACA borrowed from a tradition long used in the boarding schools of Europe and divided the students in the schools of Dialectic and Rhetoric into Houses. Although the students do not actually “house” on campus, this allowed every student the opportunity to belong to a smaller group and to enjoy some personal one-on-one contact with their staff house sponsor in a way that is not related to class time. The mixing of students from grades six through twelve affords an opportunity for older students to mentor the younger and the younger students to learn from the older.

The four houses are named for traditional medieval characters. Dragon House represents protectors: valiant defenders of truth. Falcon House represents eagerness to serve and enthusiasm. Griffin House represents the traits of faithfulness, endurance and virtue. Pegasus House represents a messenger from God and the character traits of compassion and sincerity.

The houses compete with each other in 4 areas: academics, character, games, and community service. Points are tallied weekly and the house with the highest number of points at the end of each quarter is the declared the House of Honor and given an off campus lunch. Three of the houses also have areas of the school campus they clean twice a week. The House of Honor does not clean, but assigns and supervises the cleaning done by the other houses.

Each house has three positions of leadership filled by students in that house: the Prefect who heads the house and calls its meetings, the Sergeant-at-Arms, who assigns cleaning and deals with house discipline, and the Recorder, who keeps track of individual and house points. These leaders work with the leaders of the other houses to make sure that all the programs work together to build school unity and keep the focus on growth in Christ.

Competitions include quiz bowls on academic subjects, house challenges in everything from pogo stick and chess to basketball and bake-offs. The houses compete regularly in the house game invented by one of out alumni called “Grail Ball.” The game is played indoors or out and requires skill and physical endurance.

As the students grow up in their houses they build on the traditions and bring new and exciting ideas to the school, while at the same time building the kind of close relationships that help us communicate the truths of the Christian life to each other. It is as the shield above the house banners in our chapel reads, “Four Royal Houses: One Eternal King”.