Academics

Home School Options

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Part-Time Students at ACA

From the foundation of the school in 1997, ACA has been dedicated to helping parents fulfill their God-given mandate to train their children for life. Recognizing that parents may choose to customize their child’s education, ACA has always offered the opportunity for parents to enroll their student part-time, choosing what classes fit with their educational plan. It was also essential to ACA that all its students, full and part-time, have every opportunity to be a part of the school culture and find their important role in building a strong godly school. For this reason, ACA encourages part-time students to participate in school activities regardless of how many or how few classes they are taking.

Quick Facts

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The following is a list of activities available to students enrolled in at least one class:

  • Chapel Worship and Bible study groups: Whether it is participating in the congregation or leading worship as a member of the worship team, all students are invited to be a part of the time we set apart on Monday mornings for corporate worship. Small group Bible studies meet on Thursday mornings and are open to part timers, as well as Bible Quiz Bowls which are held every year

  • House Membership: All students, grades 6-12, are enrolled as members of one of the Four Royal Houses at ACA: Dragon, Falcon, Griffin, or Pegasus. The Houses compete in academics through quiz bowls, sports (including the ever-popular “Grailball”), elementary class activities as older brothers and sisters to our younger students, and community service. Through House competitions and fellowship, students build relationships and learn to watch out for each other in a strong family-like atmosphere. House leadership positions are also open to homeschool students.

  • Junior/Senior School Trips: Each year, the school sponsors an academic trip for juniors and seniors to round out their high school program. In even-numbered years, our students journey with Smithsonian Student Travel to the eastern seaboard, visiting historical sights in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Boston, and New York City. In odd-numbered years, ACA offers a two-week trip to Israel that has been called a “life-changing experience” by those who have gone. Students, as well as family members and alumni, take part in this journey to the Holy Land.

  • Musicals and other performance-related opportunities: ACA has earned the reputation for excellence in its performing arts. The annual musicals are the most popular activities of the year, with a participation rate of 80%. Every student who tries out and is willing to commit to the work involved is given a part in the production. With positions for stagehands, technical crew, and others, there is plenty of opportunity for any student who wants to participate. In addition, we have a Show Choir, Musical Theater class, and other performance opportunities during the year at different assemblies, talent shows, and Little Theatre nights, all of which are available to part-time students.

  • Colloquia: Each semester, students are offered opportunities to study a particular piece of literature, music, art, etc., in a small group setting with a mentor who loves that particular piece. Example colloquia from recent years include the following: the classic poem Rime of the Ancient MarinerPlato’s RepublicEinstein’s Theory of RelativityThe Arts and Crafts MovementThe Hunger Games, and many more. No more than six students may attend any one colloquia, but enough choices are offered each semester to allow students the opportunity to choose a topic of interest to them.

  • Winter Court: Our annual formal banquet for our School of Rhetoric students is a wonderful time of celebrating who we are in Christ. By tradition, the School of Dialectic students serve at Winter Court, and although they work very hard, it is a great time for them as well.

  • Graduation: ACA offers a Standard Classical diploma for those students who complete all of its 27 units of required courses with at least 15 units completed at ACA. The graduation ceremony is a formal and exciting culmination to the year with a strong focus on honoring our seniors who have achieved so much. Homeschool students who have completed at least 3 units at ACA and 12 homeschool units are invited to be a part of the ceremony as well in every way as full-time seniors with the only exception of the diploma. They receive a diploma from their parents on stage in a touching ceremony. The reception following the ceremony allows family and friends to congratulate the graduates.

  • New Order of Augustine: Seniors are invited to join a special alumni organization called the New Order of Augustine. These alumni agree to pray for the school and stand as guardians to help it stay true to its spiritual commitment. They visit the campus whenever they are in town and often speak to groups of students, parents, and staff. At the induction ceremony during Winter Court, they are given a new Latin name. Additionally, to remind them of their position, the ladies receive a tiara and dagger, and the men receive a sword.