Arrowhead Christian Academy is a private junior high and secondary school located in Redlands, California.
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Co-founded in 1979 by Dr. Larry W. Poland (the current head of Mastermedia International, Inc. [1]) and Gordon Shipps, Arrowhead Christian Academy consists of grades 7-12 and is based on incorporating Christian teachings and ideals into all aspects of education.
Arrowhead Christian Academy has been accredited by the WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) since July 1996. ACA is also a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
The main campus building (originally a large hosiery factory) houses junior high and high school classrooms, a science wing with computer centers, a main computer lab with updated CPUs (economically affordable and refurbished) and a gymnasium/multipurpose auditorium. It includes a Library Research Media Center with 24 workstations, along with a wide assortment of research materials and books. Sports facilities include athletic fields, an exercise building (the "Barn"), and the 20,000-square-foot (1,900 m2) Eagle Arena with three full courts. In 2004, a 5-acre (20,000 m2) soccer field was completed which contains three full-size practice fields as well as one competition field. In 2010, five additional acres adjacent to the school were purchased in preparation for future expansion of the campus. The North Campus is home to the Center for the Arts Facility with classrooms for music and visual arts. The school hosts a comprehensive sports program with several teams earning CIF titles.
In 2008 ACA merged with Redlands Christian School to create a comprehensive Christian school system serving Redlands and the surrounding municipalities. The combined schools enroll over 1,000 students.
Arrowhead Christian Academy offers Advanced Placement and Honors Classes in different subjects, such as Philosophy and Theology, Lab Sciences, Mathematics, Language and Literature, and Social Studies.
Arrowhead Christian Academy has consistently received numerous awards and recognition for academic excellence. Many students are also awarded several academic awards, such as various forms of the AP Scholar Award. Around 98% - 100% of each years alumni move on to college each year. On average, around 4% - 9% of students of each graduating class move on to an Ivy League college or a comparable Tier 1 university. The student-to-faculty ratio is around 16:1.
ACA graduates have attended colleges such as Yale University, Harvard University, Stanford University, Cornell University, UC Berkeley, UC Los Angeles, United States Naval Academy, United States Military Academy, and Columbia University.
"Wings"
ACA’s yearbook, Wings, has garnered consistent national honors for the past 15 years under the direction of adviser Crystal Kazmierski (JEA National Yearbook Adviser of the Year, 2000). National awards include multiple Columbia Scholastic Press Association's Gold and Silver Crowns [2] , the National Scholastic Press Association's National Pacemaker Award [3] and the University of Iowa's Quill and Scroll. "Wings" is added to the president's collection [4] at Walsworth Publishing yearly and consistently pushes the envelope in the scholastic journalism world. In April 2006 "Wings" was inducted into the NSPA Hall of Fame for having earned 10 consecutive All-American ratings in their annual critique service.
Cambiata
ACA's high school choir performs annually at the ACSI Musicale in Pasadena, California. Under the direction of Elizabeth Van Gelder (1991–1998), Ellen Beery (1998–2004), Ruth Goodman (2005–2006) and Nancy Gilmore (2006-Current), they have participated in many choral-related events with the Kerygma Honor Choir.
Kerygma
ACA's honor choir has won a gold or silver award at the invitational Heritage Festival at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA annually since 2004. Kerygma competes each year as a small ensemble at ASCI musicale and has participated at local venues under Elizabeth Van Gelder (1994–1999), Ellen Beery (1999–2004), Ruth Goodman (2004–2005) and Nancy Gilmore (2005-Current). On March 23, 2007, the entire music department (Kerygma, Cambiata, and the Drum Line/Percussions Studies groups) attended the Heritage Festival in Anaheim.
| Competition | Result (Medal Awarded) |
|---|---|
| 2005 Heritage Festival | Silver |
| 2006 Heritage Festival | Silver |
| 2007 Heritage Festival | Silver |
| 2008 Heritage Festival | Gold |
| 2009 Heritage Festival | Gold |
| 2010 Heritage Festival | Gold |
Drama
Audience seating is set up for theatre-in-the-round productions that earn critical acclaim. Plays are performed such as Steel Magnolias, The Glass Menagerie, All in the Timing, The Mousetrap, The Bad Seed, The Unexpected Guest, Black Comedy, 'Art', Play On and The Curious Savage. Students are coached by Crystal Kazmierski and Nathan Smith, who have numerous years of performance/directing experience. Former directors include Wes Harty and Steve Smith.
Drum Line/Percussions Studies
In 2005, ACA introduced Drum Line classes. Its current director is Chris McDonal. Drum Line and Percussion Studies perform at school concerts and sporting events. Arrowhead Drum Line has won the gold in the 1A Category for the 2nd year in a row.
| Competition | Result (Medal Awarded) |
|---|---|
| 2006 Heritage Festival | Silver |
| 2007 Heritage Festival | Silver |
| 2008 Heritage Festival | Gold |
| 2009 Heritage Festival | Gold |
A new fund-raising opportunity called the "Diamond Jubilee" was introduced in 2008. Held at the Orange Show in San Bernardino, the evening event included a sit-down dinner, live and silent auctions and entertainment. In 2010 the Diamond Jubilee was replaced with Cirque du ACA, a fundraiser with a carnival atmosphere. It included a silent auction, a live auction, entertainment in the form of dramatic and musical pieces, a performance by the YMCA Circus and bounce houses. These fundraisers will help ACA with various expenditures such as improving campus facilities and donations to various organizations in the Inland Empire.
Arrowhead Christian provides an International Student Program for kids from other countries to come and study in the United States. Many international students find a host student (student that attends ACA) and the international student lives with the host student for the entire year.
| International Student Country | Population at School (Percent All-Time) |
|---|---|
| Korean | Approx. 60% |
| Chinese | Approx. 40% |