Cumberland Christian Academy
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| Cumberland Christian Academy | |
| Image:Name of image | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Austell, Georgia, USA | |
| Information | |
| Religion | Christian |
| Larry F. Kendrick | |
| Enrollment |
350 |
| Faculty | 25 |
| Student:teacher ratio | 15:1 |
| Type | K5-12th Grade |
| Established | 1989 |
| Homepage | [1] |
Cumberland Christian Academy is a Christian school located in Austell, Georgia. It is presided over by headmaster Larry F. Kendrick and Administrative Assistant Mark Ohliger. The school was founded in 1989 and has served ever since as an alternative to the public schools in the area. After a severe drop in enrollment during the early 2000s following the departure of several well-loved principals, the school is finally seeing a resurgence in students and has graduated sizable senior classes for the past two years.
Contents |
[edit] Administration
- Dr. Larry F. Kendrick, Headmaster/High School Principal
- Mark Ohliger, Administrative Assistant
- Reenie Oxendine, High School Vice-Principal
- Gloria Howard, Elementary/Preschool Principal
- Carol Thaxton, Middle School Principal
[edit] Elementary school/Preschool
With a motto of "Education that Transforms Heart, Soul, and Mind" Cumberland Christian is known for affordable tuition and labelled as "Excellence in Christian Education." The elementary school, preschool, and central offices are located at 2356 Clay Road in Austell and is situated in what was formerly a branch of the Davis Funeral Homes franchise popular in south Cobb. Principal Gloria Howard presides over this branch of the school as well as the preschool. Past principals include JoAnn Watson (retired in 2000), Brenda Henderson-Mocsiran, and Dr. Davida Grant. The elementary school uses A Beka Book and Saxon Math as its curriculum for instruction.
Until 2003, there were two elementary campuses, one located where the middle school is presently housed and one located at a church in Smyrna. However, it was determined it was not necessary to maintain two campuses and so they were merged together.
[edit] Middle school
The middle school is located in Mableton in a church. Principal Carol Thaxton, who was formerly principal during the late 1990s, recently returned to lead the school. Past principals include Billy Wilkins and Carol Werner. The middle school also uses A Beka Book and Saxon Math for lessons.
The middle school campus was formerly located where the elementary campus is housed now, but was moved in the summer of 2003.
[edit] High school
The High School is in Marietta and is also in a church. Dr. Larry Kendrick serves as the high school principal in addition to his job of Headmaster. Past principals include Billy Wilkins (served 1992-1996), Edith Holt (served 1996-2000), and Brenda Henderson-Mocsiran (served 2000-2001). Both college preparatory programs and technical preparatory programs are offered, though Cumberland strives to prepare each child for a four-year college plan of study.
[edit] Central Office
The headquarters of CCA are maintained in a former house next to the elementary campus. It is there that the administrative duties are carried out and important school proclamations are formed. There are several secretaries who work in the central office to help with all the administrative duties. Principals maintain their offices wherever the school is that they are in charge of.
[edit] The Cumberland community
CCA is active in the community of south Cobb County, frequently having volunteer days and such in order to help other less fortunate people. They are also active in the international Christian community; junior and senior high school trips are not strictly for leisure or fun (though having fun is not prohibited), they are mission trips. Collections are also taken up for the poor in such countries as Haiti and Romania.
Each year, a fundraiser called the Wall-Ka-Thon is held to raise money for the school. The Wall-Ka-Thon is generally held in the first part of November and consists of a mile walk and cookout. Beginning in 2006, the name of the fundraiser was changed to Relay for Christ.
[edit] Notable staff and alumni
Billy Wilkins, a founding member of the popular Christian band Third Day, was a principal and teacher at the school from 1991 to 1999.
Edith Holt, high school principal from 1996 to 2000, was involved in a serious car accident that caused the death of her daughter, seriously injured her, and sparked a great deal of interest in the training and disciplinary standards of commercial truck drivers in the state of Georgia.
Tillie Willis, member of the graduating class of 2001, was a star basketball player at Louisiana State University.
Alex Kendrick, member of graduating class of 1989, and Stephen Kendrick, member of graduating class of 1992 (both of whom are sons of Headmaster Larry Kendrick) are the creators and producers of the movie Facing the Giants. The character of Larry Childers in that film was based upon their father. Upon the movie's release in theaters, the entire student body of CCA took a special field trip to see the movie at Regal Cinemas' Austell branch.
During the 2007 High School Graduation ceremony, Dr. Garth Runion, PhD from Liberty University awarded Cumberland Headmaster Larry Kendrick with a Doctorate of Divinity degree because of his 378 earned degree hours and 24 years of service in education.
HomeLife Magazine also honored Dr. Kendrick and his sons on the cover of the June, 2007 Father's Day issue and featured an article about his impact and legacy.
