Prepared for What’s Next

The middle school years are an important bridge between childhood and high school. At Christian Heritage Academy, students are challenged to think deeply, work independently, take greater ownership of their learning, and build the academic foundation they need for what comes next—all within a Christ-centered community where they are known, supported, and encouraged.

  • Specialized instruction in core subject areas gives students the opportunity to learn from teachers who bring knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to their classrooms.

  • Strong English language arts instruction develops confident readers, writers, and communicators through grammar, writing, spelling, research, literature, and reading.

  • Singapore-based math curriculum moves students beyond memorizing processes to developing a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts through concrete, pictorial, and abstract learning.

  • Growing STEM opportunities encourage students to problem-solve, collaborate, create, experiment, and think critically.

  • Biblically integrated learning helps students examine history, geography, science, and literature through the lens of God's Word and His redemptive story.

  • Small class sizes create a strong middle school community where students are known by their teachers, supported academically, and encouraged to build meaningful friendships.

  • Physical education promotes teamwork, sportsmanship, fitness, and healthy habits while giving students plenty of opportunities to move and have fun.

  • Creative arts and drama give every student opportunities to participate, collaborate, discover new abilities, and grow in confidence.

  • Online access to grades and assignments helps students and families stay informed while encouraging students to develop greater responsibility and ownership of their learning.

  • The 8th Grade Capstone Project brings together research, real-world experiences with professionals, and a final presentation, giving students an opportunity to demonstrate what they've learned while exploring their interests and preparing for the next chapter.

By the time students leave CHA, our goal is for them to be more than academically prepared. We want them to be confident learners, thoughtful problem-solvers, responsible students, and young people grounded in their faith as they step into high school and beyond.

Faith: More Than a Subject—It’s the Way We Live

At Christian Heritage Academy, faith isn't confined to Bible class or chapel. It's woven into how we learn, how we treat one another, how we navigate challenges, and how we understand the world around us. During these important middle school years, students are encouraged to ask questions, dig deeper into God's Word, and begin taking greater ownership of their faith.

  • Faith in everyday life encourages students to move beyond simply knowing what they believe to understanding how their faith shapes their choices, relationships, attitudes, and responses to the world around them.

  • **SOAP Devotions—Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer—**teach students a practical way to study God's Word, reflect on its meaning, apply it to their lives, and respond through prayer.

  • Bible & Life classes help students deepen their knowledge of Scripture while exploring how biblical truth applies to the real questions, challenges, relationships, and cultural influences they encounter as young people.

  • Teachers who live their faith provide students with daily examples of what it looks like to follow Christ. Each brings unique gifts to the classroom while faithfully serving, encouraging, and growing alongside their students.

  • Weekly chapel creates intentional space for middle school students to worship together, hear God's Word, pray, and address topics that speak specifically to where they are spiritually and developmentally.

  • Hands-on service opportunities give students meaningful ways to put their faith into action by recognizing needs, serving their neighbors, and experiencing what it means to love others as Christ has called us to do.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Opportunities for Leadership and Responsibility

SALT

  • The mission of the CHA Student Ambassador Leadership Team is to cultivate students who will lead in love serving their peers, school, and community with the ultimate goal of serving the Lord.

  • SALT comes from Matthew 5:13-16. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

  • To become a SALT leader students must…

    • Maintain a yearlong effort to be kind and encouraging to everyone while demonstrating Christ-like behavior

    • Be able to serve through the end of the school year

    • Maintain an “S” or above on the character portion of the report card each trimester

    • Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher

    • Have an attendance record that does not interfere with SALT duties

    • Two adult recommendations

    • Interview with CHA leadership

    • Only a select few candidates will be selected from the interviews to be SALT leaders each year.

ALL OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

  • Students engage and lead activities with younger students

  • Jobs and responsibilities at school prepare them for some of the mundane work of service

  • Pursuit Academy for 6th graders that develops basic entrepreneurial skills 

Mentors Who Know and Encourage Them

Middle school is a season of tremendous growth—not only academically, but socially, emotionally, and spiritually. At Christian Heritage Academy, students don't navigate these years alone. Our teachers and advisers intentionally invest in students, helping them recognize their strengths, work through challenges, set meaningful goals, and grow in confidence, responsibility, and character.

  • Teacher-advisers who know their students help students identify their strengths and areas for growth while setting academic, organizational, and personal goals.

  • Regular advisory sessions create intentional time to develop practical skills and talk through topics that matter during the middle school years, including organization, study habits, homework, devotions, relationships, conflict, and personal goals.

  • Conflict resolution skills are intentionally taught and practiced, helping students learn to communicate well, extend grace, take responsibility, and work through disagreements in a Christ-honoring way.

  • Student ownership and leadership are encouraged as students help shape expectations for their middle school community and learn that their choices impact those around them.

  • Manners, respect, and responsibility are modeled, taught, and expected as students grow into young men and women who know how to treat others with kindness and integrity.

Growing in Independence

Middle school is a season of tremendous growth, change, and increasing independence. At CHA, students are given opportunities to make choices, take greater ownership of their learning, and grow in responsibility—all while surrounded by the guidance and encouragement of teachers and advisers who know them well.

Through intentional mentoring, reflection, Bible study, and prayer, students develop independence and self-discipline while being continually reminded that their identity and worth are found in Christ.

And because middle school should be fun, we make plenty of room for that, too!