Middle School

1. Overall Focus

At TCA Middle School, Christ is our foundation and formation is our priority. We partner with families to educate minds, equip hands, and empower hearts, shaping students who learn well, love deeply, and lead boldly as royal sons and daughters of the king. Through rigorous yet balanced academics, intentional spiritual formation, authentic community, and experiential learning, students build confidence, curiosity, and Christlike character as they navigate these pivotal years. Each student is known, loved, formed, and commissioned for lifelong kingdom service, preparing them for Upper School and beyond.

2. Key Skills & Outcomes

• Spiritual Formation

• Deepen personal faith through Bible study, worship, and small group discipleship

• Strengthen understanding and delight in spiritual disciplines, including prayer, Scripture reflection, worship, fasting, solitude, and service

• Apply biblical truths to identity, relationships, and daily decisions

• Academic Growth & Intellectual Maturity

• Advanced mastery in core disciplines (ELA, math, science, social studies) with critical thinking and analytical depth

• Integration of a biblical worldview to evaluate ideas and culture with discernment

• Cultivation of curiosity, wonder, and a genuine love for learning

• Leadership & Character Development

• Participation in the Royals Leadership Program and Advisory Program: weekly mentor-led groups for spiritual check-ins, academic coaching, life skills, and personal growth

• Leadership roles such as student Council, chapel leaders, club founders, team captains, and house system

• Developing responsibility, initiative, resilience, humility, and courage to lead boldly

• Communication & Public Speaking

• Presentation skills refined through project showcases, class discussions, and chapel speaking opportunities

• Speech & Debate Enrichment: Structured programs developing persuasive speaking, respectful argumentation, and clear communication

• Real-World Readiness & Life Skills

• Financial Literacy: Budgeting, saving, giving, introduction to investing basics, and stewardship

• Entrepreneurship: Innovation lab projects, business planning, product design, and pitch experiences

• Trade Skills Exposure: Culinary arts, woodworking, electrical basics, simple construction projects, mechanical exploration (bike or small engine maintenance)

• Health & Wellness: Personal health, nutrition, emotional intelligence, and relational well-being

• Technology & Digital Citizenship: Responsible tech use, research skills, media literacy, and digital creation

• Portfolio-Based Learning

• Students build annual portfolios demonstrating academic mastery, creative projects, leadership experiences, and spiritual growth reflections, preparing them career pathways, and kingdom impact

• Used for student-led conferences, personal growth planning, and Upper School readiness

3. Enrichment Programs

• Advisory Program: Weekly mentor groups for spiritual, academic, and personal growth

• Bible & Chapel: Daily integration + weekly chapel worship, teaching, and student-led components

• Music & Performing Arts: Choir, band, worship team, theater, and media production opportunities

• Visual Arts: Advanced art projects emphasizing creativity, skill, and portfolio development

• Physical Education (PE) & Athletics: PE classes for fitness and health, dance, cheer, and competitive athletics in various sports

• Spanish: Continued language proficiency and cultural immersion

• Innovation Lab / STEM / Design & Entrepreneurship Studio: Integrated design thinking, coding, robotics, maker projects, product development, and entrepreneurial ventures

• Speech & Debate: Public speaking, debate, argumentation, and respectful discourse

• Leadership & Service Programs: Student Council, chapel leaders, service projects, and mentoring younger students

• Entrepreneurship & Business Workshops: Product design, business fairs, venture pitches, and Shark Tank-style competitions

• Trade Skills Modules: Culinary arts, woodworking, electrical basics, plumbing concepts, mechanical exploration

• Podcasting, Broadcasting, and Digital Content Creation: Students lead a dynamic media network featuring podcasts, news broadcasts, devotionals, interviews, and storytelling. They also explore photography, videography, graphic design, social media content strategy, and digital storytelling projects—cultivating creativity, technical skills, and kingdom-minded communication in today’s media-driven world.

• Local & Global Outreach: Hands-on local service projects with community partners and introduction to global missions through cultural awareness, prayer initiatives, and future mission trip opportunities

• Outdoor Education & Experiential Learning: Retreats, outdoor labs, environmental science projects, and nature-based learning

4. Implementation of Key Distinctives

• Christ-Centered: Faith woven into every subject, leadership context, and enrichment experience

• Spiritual Formation: Advisory, chapel, small groups, and spiritual disciplines cultivate Christlike maturity and strengthen students’ identity as royal sons and daughters of the King

• Integrated Curricula and Whole-person Development: Cross-disciplinary connections revealing God’s truth, creativity, and order

• Experiential Learning: Innovation Labs, outdoor education, service learning, and portfolio-based projects

• Balanced Rigor and Rhythms of Rest: Academic excellence with rhythms of rest, creativity, and joyful learning

• Innovative Programs & Enrichments: Podcasting, entrepreneurship, STEM, trade skills, and other programs engage students’ gifts and passions in unique ways

• Real-World Readiness: Financial literacy, entrepreneurship, trade skills, digital creation, and public speaking prepare students for future calling

• Leadership Development: Advisory mentorship, student leadership roles, service initiatives, speech and debate build confident servant leaders

• Authentic Community: Advisory program and school culture foster belonging, connection, and mutual growth