Oakwood Christian Academy

Oakwood Christian Academy

People tend to associate faith with Thus, education is a learning process has had in-class learning five days a religion and knowledge with whereby a child develops and grows week, thus far, during the 2020-21 school education with a firm barrier academically, socially, and spiritually. year with few interruptions. between the two pairs, seemingly to OCA is fully accredited by Cognia Oakwood Christian Academy say that faith has nothing to do with (formerly Advanced-Ed), the North strives to serve the Lord through training education and religion has nothing to do American Christian School Accrediting disciples in the ways of the Lord. with knowledge. At Oakwood Christian Agency (NACSAA), the National Council Their educational curriculum includes Academy, the mission statement is of Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), community service and missions. Each “Uniting a passion for Christ with the American Association of Christian year, their school and classrooms serve the excellence in academics.” They adhere Schools (AACS), and the Georgia surrounding communities. The Academy to the belief that all learning and Association of Christian Schools (GACS), participates in opportunities such as training must flow from the Truth, the which is a charter member of the Georgia mission trips and ministry outreach. Word of God. Private School Accrediting Commission Their classes serve on an individual

Psalm 78:1-4 says, “O my people (GAPSAC). As such, graduates of OCA basis through many avenues such as hear my teachings, listen to the words are afforded opportunities for collegiate nursing homes, missionary support, and of my mouth. I will open my mouth scholarships and are equally offered collaboration with other ministries. in parables, I will utter hidden things, availability for the Georgia HOPE OCA currently enrolls around 300 things from old—what we have heard scholarship program. students in grades Pre-K3–12, 55% of and known, what our fathers have In their classrooms, teachers share whom are from Chickamauga/Walker told us. We will not hide them from three main learning components to be County, 37% from Catoosa County, their children; we will tell the next established with Christian influence: a and 6% from various surrounding generation the praiseworthy deeds of student’s development of appropriate communities, including Dade County the Lord, his power, and the wonders social adjustment, spiritual growth, and and Hamilton County. They have smaller he has done.” Oakwood Christian acquisition of academic information. teacher/student ratios, which grants Academy believes Christian education Teachers make a point of focusing marvelous opportunities for teachers to should involve the development of equally on all three goals and believe develop the whole child. academic understanding, social skills, all three to be inseparable. Therefore, in Oakwood Christian Academy is and a personal relationship with God. class, learning is very important. OCA a standard-driven school. The school 22 // January 2021

embraces solid Christian curriculums such as Bob Jones University Press, Abeka Publishing, and Progeny Press Publishing, as well as other Christian and secular material, to achieve their goal of building a biblical worldview and seeing all spheres of study through the lens of Scripture. They use research-based and time-tested standards created by quality sources such as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, College Board Standards, National Science Education Standards, and the National Council of Teachers of English. In addition, the National Mathematics Advisory Panel recommendations are utilized as the backbone for mathematics instruction at OCA. When this curriculum is combined with best practice strategies, the result is a rigorous learning atmosphere for students. Students in kindergarten–ninth grade are given the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), and high school students can benefit from dual enrollment opportunities, with the opportunity to earn up to 30 college credits from TruettMcConnell University at no additional cost to parents. Additional credits may be earned and paid for by parents.

Oakwood Christian Academy is not just focused on academics; they realize the importance of extracurricular activities and developing more than just book knowledge. They also have a wide selection of extension opportunities. They offer band, PE, Spanish, French, music, drama, art, and technology training. The band program, beginning as early as fourth grade, serves the school through concerts, pep band, chapel band, and other community performances along with the opportunity to represent OCA in the GACS Fine-Arts Competition. PE begins in kindergarten, and all students participate. Spanish and French classes are offered in high school as foreign language class options. Music is offered from kindergarten up, and students in fifth–12th grade compete in GACS competitions. Each year, the elementary school hosts a Christmas musical, while the high school drama department stages a dramatic production. Art is an option for grades seven–12, and the students’ artwork is showcased in the school along with possibilities at GACS competitions. Technology is also being included at every grade level, and teachers ensure that technology is incorporated into classroom projects when necessary.

OCA has also built a strong athletic department where they offer baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, and volleyball. The elementary and middle school competes in the Independent School Conference (ISC), while the high school competes in the Southern Christian Athletic Conference (SCAA) and the Georgia Association of Private Parochial Schools (GAPPS). Their middle school soccer team was the ISC Co-Ed Conference champion in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and runner-up in 2020. The high school soccer team joined the GCAA in 2020 and was the GCAA State Soccer champion, and their elementary school soccer team was runner-up in the ISC Small School Division Conference for 2020.

OCA’s high school volleyball program played in the SCAA and was the champion or runner-up for six years. The team moved to the GAPPS in 2019, becoming the region champion, and earning runner-up at state in 2020.

In 2019, their girls’ high school basketball team joined the GAPPS. They were region champions and went to the Elite Eight in 2020. Their high school boys were SCAA Conference runners-up in 2020.

As one of the few Christian schools in Northwest Georgia, OCA is nestled in the quaint, historic town of Chickamauga with approximately 3,200 residents and is situated on the rolling hills of Northwest Georgia at the foot of Lookout Mountain. Oakwood Christian Academy is a ministry of Oakwood Baptist Church that serves students from Pre-K3—12 grade. For additional information about Oakwood Christian Academy, you can visit the school website at www.ocaeagles.org.