CHRISTIAN CENTRAL ACADEMY
Pre-K-12 Private College-Preparatory School
Academic Structure
At Christian Central Academy, our formal academic departments allow for better evaluation, instruction, and continuity within each discipline. This structure also ensures effective horizontal and vertical coordination of the curriculum, promoting a holistic educational experience.
Christian Studies
The Christian Studies Department is dedicated to nurturing students in their Christian faith while equipping them with a deep understanding of the Christian worldview. Our aim is to empower students not just academically but also spiritually, enabling them to apply biblical principles in their personal, relational, and vocational lives.
Introducing the New Christian Studies Curriculum through Summit Ministries: Christian Central Academy has partnered with Summit Ministries to deliver a comprehensive, Christ-centered worldview curriculum for all K-12 grades. The curriculum is already in place, ensuring students receive a solid biblical education that prepares them for a lifetime of faith and service.
- * Elementary Grades (K-5): Introduction to 20 foundational truths of Christianity, setting a solid spiritual foundation.
- * Middle School: A deeper exploration of these 20 truths, preparing students for advanced theological studies.
- * 9th & 10th Grade: Foundational theology courses emphasizing practical application in daily life.
- * 11th Grade: Comparative study of Christianity with other worldviews, equipping students to defend their faith.
- * 12th Grade: Christian Ethics course addressing contemporary cultural issues with humility, truth, and love.
Senior Missions Trip: Seniors culminate their spiritual journey with a mission trip to Costa Rica, applying their biblical knowledge in real-world contexts.
Computer & Technology
The Computer & Technology Department at CCA is continuously evolving to help prepare students for the 3rd decade of the 21st century. Data Science, Computational Thinking, Coding, and Physical Computing (e.g., Robotics) now constitute essential components of literacy. Problem definition and solution require logical thinking, which is often best explored and demonstrated in working coding solutions. Therefore, at CCA, computer classes are taught from 4th grade through 12th grade.
Our elementary computer literacy classes provide the foundation.
Computer Skills by Grade:
* Grades 4th-5th: STEM/Problem Solving
* Middle School: Coding, 3D CAD, MS Office
* High School: Foundations of Computer Science, Intro to Python, Intro to Java, AP Computer Science
We have a computer lab and a designated STEM/STREAMM Lab to facilitate implementation of these objectives.
English
The English Department at CCA strategically scaffolds student learning from middle school through high school. At each grade level, our ELA curriculum consists of grammar, spelling, vocabulary, literature, critical thinking, speaking, and writing instruction. Students are exposed to various genres of classic and modern literature for the purpose of practicing informed and relevant literary analysis. Reading assignments, research projects, writing topics, and class discussions are centered on cross-curricular connections that include social studies, science, technology, engineering, and math.
Our goal is to empower well-read thought leaders, who are effective writers and influential speakers motivated by a biblical worldview.
Additional program enrichments include:
* The Nurline Lawrence Declamation Competition
* Annual Spring Essay Contest
* Middle School Words of Art Writing Club
Spanish Language
The Spanish Language Department strives to infuse our distinctly Christ-centered approach to all aspects of learning, including world language.
Spanish is the world language taught in all grades starting with Kindergarten. By offering engaging and challenging activities and projects, our students gain a love of learning Spanish through listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
The highlight and cultivation of CCA students’ Spanish education is going on the Senior Mission Trip to a Spanish-speaking country. During this trip, students engage with the Spanish people, participate in service projects, and share their testimonies of faith.
History
The History Department at Christian Central Academy provides a Biblical perspective on world events, past and present. This perspective enables students to understand the unique role of Christians in this contemporary world. We are using the Bob Jones University (BJU) curriculum, which teachers form and promotes a Christian worldview.
In Elementary school, our students learn the concepts of community, government, and rule of law.
Beginning in Middle school, we teach ancient world and United States history, laying a solid foundation for the values and principles for which our nation was founded.
In High school, we provide a deeper exploration of God’s sovereignty and His plan of redemption over the course of human history from Genesis to the modern era. We also teach responsible citizenship and world economics.
Our courses are designed to develop:
* Critical thinking skills
* Historical analysis
* Understanding the relationship between decisions and consequences
* The story of mankind and the mandate to serve and advance the Kingdom of God
Our students graduate with the ability to view time and events through the lens of historic Christianity.
Math
From Algebra to AP Calculus, the objective of the Christian Central Academy Mathematics Department is to foster students who go beyond the rote and can critically think. Developing the student’s deep mathematical knowledge with logical reasoning allows students to solve real-life problems at the highest level. Our small class sizes allow for each student to be challenged at their level.
Planning, instruction, and assessment are all implemented through the lens of a biblical worldview. Our instructional principle is modeled after Romans 5:2-4, where students engage in problem solving “… which produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Our experienced Christian teachers continually give the extra instruction needed for success and challenge the gifted student to keep learning. Mathematics is foundational for life and the skills learned at CCA will help our students be successful in higher education and whatever career they choose.
Performing Arts
Music Department (K-12)
The Music Department at Christian Central Academy starts in elementary, with general music classes for grades K-5. Students learn the foundations of music and singing. Courses in band and orchestra are offered in grades 4-12. Chorus is offered in middle and high school.
The upper school electives are designed to encourage the broadening of students’ understanding of foundational musical components and how they interact across a broad spectrum of other subjects: interacting with math, science, language, and visual art. Electives are offered to students to explore different features of musical composition and development. Independent Learning classes (ILPs) are available in collaboration with the advising faculty, allowing students to explore areas of particular interest to them.
There are periodic performances in school concerts and musicals for all ages. Further performance opportunities include small group performances at a variety of venues in conjunction with service projects, as well as involvement in the county (ECMEA) and state (NYSSMA) festivals and concerts. All of CCA’s music classes are firmly rooted in a Christian perspective that seek to explore the magnificent features present in music and turn the knowledge gained to the glory of God.
Drama Department (Grades 7-12)
The Drama Department at Christian Central Academy is an extra-curricular department that strives to encourage creativity and professionalism in its yearly productions. The Department produces one play each spring. Students participate in the productions through set building, stage management, technical production, and acting.
Past Productions:
* The Mousetrap
* Is He Dead?
* The Importance of Being Earnest
* Harvey
* The Diary of Anne Frank
* The Curious Savage
* The Butler Did It
* The Miracle Worker
* Little Women
Physical Education
Christian Central Academy’s Physical Education program is a mandatory Kindergarten through 12th grade program. At the youngest age, we develop a foundation that teaches basic motor skills. Slowly, as students develop physically and mentally, we add challenging activities that fit their age level and give them the ability to explore and use their imagination.
We strongly promote activities that use creative thinking skills that help build the qualities needed for traditional and lifelong sports. The Physical Education program will help students gain positive attributes, which in turn will build confidence to serve and lead a healthy lifelong lifestyle. Most importantly, the backbone of this program is based on our Savior, Jesus Christ. We instill Christian Character morals and leadership in all that we do.
Science
At CCA, our science program is designed to help students understand and explore God’s creation through scientific inquiry and experimentation. We believe that all wisdom and truth ultimately points to the Creator. Our teachers integrate faith with learning, helping them to discover the beautiful wonders of the world.
Elementary (PreK-5) – Our program lays a foundation for students to succeed at higher levels. We Grade, students are introduced to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) encourage curiosity and inquiry learning to help students develop a love for science. In 4th and 5th learning, where they are encouraged to think critically and problem-solve in innovative ways.
Middle School (6-8) – Students dive deeper into topics of Earth Science, Life Science, Physics, Chemistry. Students become scientists by participating in the Annual Middle School Science Fair. They are taught how to question the world, collect and analyze data, and communicate their results to guest judges. All students likewise further their learning by taking STEM, helping them to develop essential skills for learning. Students are able to demonstrate their understanding of science in a meaningful way.
High School (9-12) – Each subject is approached from a biblical worldview, highlighting how scientific principles reflect God’s order and creativity in sustaining life. Students engage in advanced laboratory work, critical thinking, and discussions that challenge them to think deeper about the world. The classes currently offered include both high school and college credit options.
Key Courses:
* Physics
* Chemistry
* Earth Science
* Biology
* Environmental Science (College Credit)
* Intro to Java
* AP Computer Science
Visual Arts
The Visual Arts Department of CCA strives to instill excellence in understanding, analyzing, generating, and crafting all forms of Art. Students from Kindergarten through twelfth grade are instructed on the foundational Elements of Art and Principles of Design and mentored on how to use combinations of these tools in a wide variety of media. Elementary and Middle School students work on developing a basic understanding of studio safety and proper handling of materials.
High School studio courses are more in-depth, using more complex materials, and offer the option of independent, exploratory study. Students enjoy choosing between a variety of electives including Studio Art, Drawing and Painting, Advertising and Design, 3 Dimensional Design, Publications Design, and Independent Studies.
Eighth grade and high school students also have the opportunity to explore the digital arts through several Adobe Creative Suite programs and in helping to compile the annual student yearbook. In addition to our yearly student art show, CCA student work is frequently shown in other local art shows around Western New York.
Explore More About Our Grade Levels:
To learn more about the academic experience at each grade level, click on the links below: