Champions Christian Academy is excited to announce the addition of 6th grade as of the 2012-2013 school year.
We have spent a lot of time brain-storming and planning for the addition of middle school grades. As you know, we never considered adding grades until parents began asking for this addition. This week, we met with all students, grades 3 – 5, to fill them in on plans that are in the works. While most of these plans will only affect students in sixth grade, there are some things that will be “folded into” grades three and four as well.
Some of the exciting things we are adding include:
Leadership Fridays
Fifth graders are maturing with leadership skills and focusing on their future is important: it’s not too early to be thinking about college, career interests, and so on. It’s also a time when it’s important for students to become involved in their community – giving back to those around us. So we will be structuring our Middle School with those thoughts in mind. Monday through Thursday will be normal academic days. Fridays will be a day dedicated to leadership development. Some activities that we are planning include (but are not limited to):
- Visiting college campuses such as Texas A&M, Prairie View, University of Houston, Houston Baptist University, and Rice.
- Various Field Trips
- Library days
- Museum days
- Some additions to health such as CPR / First Aide training
- Career exploration with guest speakers and field trips
- Units such as speech, home economics, etc.
- Community Involvement that will mimic “service hour” requirements that students will see in High School
Leadership Fridays will be limited to Sixth Grade students normally, but there may be some events/activities that we include fourth and fifth grade students in. We will also be changing the rotation of “specials” to include art year-round, move computers toward a “COWS” (Computer on Wheels) laptops program, move P.E. toward a more fitness/sports type program. These special changes will affect younger grades as well.
Languages
We also have plans to add basic Spanish into the rotation for students in Fifth grade and above.
Other Facilities
Our plans to add a Science Lab and Basketball Court still stand. We will utilize Science Lab with students as young as second grade and plan to start with at least one dissection unit in sixth grade. Although many high schools are moving away from the use of lockers, we will be utilizing lockers all year in sixth grade and above and as we always have, starting at mid-year for fifth graders. This is to prepare students who will attend high schools that use lockers for that type of responsibility.
We have other plans on the board as well, including, a missions involvement like Compassion International and expanded lunch options (for all grades).
Behavior Code
Lastly, once students move into sixth grade, the behavior code will move from the color code system to a more mature accountability structure for sixth grade and above. Yes, no more color clips in middle school!
Future Expansion
Seventh grade will be added in 2013-14 and 8th grade will be added in 2014-15.