Upper School

(Grades 9-12)

1. Overall Focus

At TCA Upper School, Christ is our foundation and formation is our focus. We partner with families to educate minds, equip hands, and empower hearts, cultivating graduates who learn well, love deeply, and lead boldly as royal sons and daughters of the King, anchored in their God-given identity and called to lifelong kingdom service. Through rigorous academics, intentional spiritual formation, leadership development, and experiential learning, students are prepared to impact the world with wisdom, confidence, and Christlike character. Each student is known, loved, formed, and commissioned to live with eternal purpose beyond graduation.

2. Key Skills & Outcomes

  • Spiritual Formation

    • Deepening faith through Bible classes, chapel, discipleship groups (Advisory Program), and mentorship

    • Developing understanding and delight in spiritual disciplines (prayer, Scripture reflection, worship, fasting, solitude, service)

    • Wrestling with challenging questions of life and faith in grace-filled community, anchored in truth

    • Applying biblical truth to identity, relationships, leadership, career decisions, and life purpose

  • Academic & Intellectual Excellence

    • College-preparatory curriculum with rigorous AP, honors, and dual-credit options

    • Integration of a biblical worldview that welcomes exploration of God’s world and life’s deepest questions, equipping students to evaluate ideas and culture with wisdom and discernment

    • Cultivation of curiosity, critical thinking, research skills, and a genuine love of learning

  • Leadership & Character Development

    • Advisory Program (Discipleship Groups): Same advisor grades 9–12 for consistent mentorship, spiritual guidance, and college/career planning
      Royals Leadership Program: Structured leadership development pathway including seminars, mentorship, service leadership projects, and spiritual formation training to equip students as confident, humble servant leaders

    • Prefect Program: Prefect Program (student leaders serving in spiritual life, academics, and community culture under faculty mentorship), Student Body Officers, House System Captains, Chapel Worship Team leaders, Peer Counselors (trained peer mentors for student wellness and support), Honor Committee (upholding community standards and fostering Christlike character)
      Leadership Roles: Student Body Officers, House System Captains, Chapel Worship Team leaders, Peer Counselors (trained peer mentors for student wellness and support), Honor Committee (upholding community standards and fostering Christlike character)

  • Communication & Public Speaking

    • Mastery of formal and informal presentation skills through class projects, speeches, debates, and chapel teaching opportunities

    • Development of written communication excellence through research papers, creative writing, business proposals, and reflective essays to articulate ideas with clarity and purpose

  • Real-World Readiness & Life Skills

    • Financial Literacy: Personal finance, budgeting, investing, and economics

    • Entrepreneurship: Business planning, marketing, venture pitches, and campus enterprises

    • Trade Skills Exposure: Culinary arts, woodworking, construction basics, mechanical and automotive exploration, welding, electrical concepts

    • Health & Wellness: Physical health, nutrition, mental health awareness, sports psychology, and life balance

    • Technology & Digital Citizenship: Research, media production, digital ethics, and creative tech integration

    • College & Career Readiness: College counseling, career exploration, resume writing, interviewing skills, and professional internships

  • Portfolio-Based Learning

    • Students build multi-year portfolios showcasing academic mastery, creative works, service impact, leadership experiences, and spiritual reflections

    • Culminates in a senior capstone presentation demonstrating readiness for college, career, and kingdom service

3. Magnet Programs & Pathways

  • Business & Entrepreneurship Magnet: Global business principles, marketing, finance, management, resume preparation, interview skills, and senior-year internships with local businesses and entrepreneurs

  • Engineering & Robotics Magnet: CAD design, robotics, physics, hands-on projects, teamwork, problem-solving, and engineering field internships or professional shadowing opportunities

  • Law & Government Magnet: Argumentation, legal writing, ethics, mock trial, constitutional law, civic leadership, and internships with local law firms, courts, or civic organizations

  • Medical & Health Sciences Magnet: Advanced life sciences, anatomy, clinical knowledge, and professional shadowing and internships with medical clinics, hospitals, and health organizations

  • Fine Arts & Media Production Magnet: Theater, instrumental and vocal music, broadcasting, film, digital arts, media design, and internships or mentorships with local studios, production teams, or arts organizations

  • Athletics Performance Pathway: Designed for highly focused athletes (e.g. gymnasts, elite sports), integrating strength & conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition, and personalized training into their school day, with potential partnerships with local gyms, trainers, and sports organizations

  • Trade Skills & Professional Pathway: Carpentry, welding, electrical, culinary, automotive basics, and mechanical exploration, preparing students for immediate workforce opportunities alongside professional partnerships, trade school connections, and internship placements to build career-ready skills

4. Enrichment Programs

  • Advisory Program (Discipleship Groups): Long-term mentorship for spiritual, academic, and life guidance

  • Bible & Chapel: Advanced Bible classes + weekly student-led chapel services

  • Music & Performing Arts: Choir, band, worship team, theater productions, and media performance

  • Visual Arts: Advanced studio arts, portfolio development, and public exhibitions

  • Physical Education & Athletics: Varsity sports, strength training, PE classes fostering fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship

  • Spanish & Global Languages: Continued proficiency with global awareness integration

  • Innovation Lab / STEM: Advanced robotics, computer science, design thinking, and maker projects

  • Speech & Debate Enrichment: Competitive teams, apologetics, and advanced public speaking development

  • Leadership & Service Programs: Royals Leadership Program (seminars, mentorship, and service leadership projects); Prefect Program (student leaders serving in spiritual life, academics, and community culture under faculty mentorship); Student government; House System; Peer Counselors (trained Upper School mentors providing peer support and wellness advocacy); Honor Committee (student leaders upholding community standards and character expectations); and service leadership projects

  • Entrepreneurship & Business Workshops: Business fairs, product pitches, entrepreneurial ventures, and campus enterprises

  • Trade Skills Modules: Welding, automotive basics, electrical work, culinary arts, carpentry, and mechanical exploration

  • Podcasting, Broadcasting & Digital Content Creation: Student-led news shows, podcasts, devotionals, interviews, storytelling broadcasts, photography, videography, graphic design, and social media content creation—equipping students with creativity, technical skills, and kingdom-minded communication in today’s media-driven world

  • Local & Global Outreach: Ongoing local service projects and annual national or international mission trips for kingdom impact

  • Outdoor Education & Experiential Learning: Leadership retreats, outdoor labs, and field experiences

5. Implementation of Key Distinctives

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

  • Spiritual Formation: Advisory/discipleship groups, chapel, and spiritual disciplines fostering mature disciples

  • Integrated Curricula and Whole-Person Development: Cross-disciplinary learning revealing God’s truth and design, welcoming exploration and deep questioning

  • Experiential Learning: Innovation Labs, outdoor education, internships, magnet programs, and capstone projects

  • Balanced Rigor with Rhythms of Rest: A balanced approach integrating rigorous college preparatory academics with practical career pathways, experiential learning, and purposeful rest—equipping students to flourish in higher education, professional pursuits, and lifelong kingdom service

  • Innovative Programs & Enrichments: Magnets, podcasting, content creation, STEM, entrepreneurship, and trade skills develop students’ gifts for kingdom service

  • Real-World Readiness: Financial literacy, trade skills, entrepreneurship, college/career prep, and life skills

  • Leadership Development: Advisory mentorship, Royals Leadership Program roles, student leadership, House System, magnet pathways, service initiatives, and public speaking build confident servant leaders

  • Authentic Community: Advisory program and Upper School culture foster belonging, accountability, and purpose