🎉 Our teachers and classrooms are ready – are you?

It’s KICKOFF time, tonight! The wait is over — we officially start the new school year as we welcome back all our students and families!

Our teachers have been hard at work preparing warm, welcoming spaces where learning, laughter, and growth will happen every day. 📚💡

Here’s a little sneak peek 👀 of the classrooms that are ready, now all we need is YOU! 🫶

We can’t wait to see your smiling faces walk through the doors!

#ucathunder
1 day ago, UCA
picture of an empty science classroom
picture of an empty 4th grade classroom
picture of a classroom door
picture of an empty 5th grade classroom
picture of an empty high school classroom
picture of a chinese classroom
picture of an empty 2nd grade classroom
👋 Help us give a warm welcome to the newest members of the UCA community! 💜

Let us introduce the Richter family, bringing a student into Kindergarten:
“We wanted to give our child an education grounded in faith, with a community that embodied the values we have as a family. We are mostly excited for Jordan to begin creating lasting relationships with his classmates and his new school. We are excited to see the UCA community in action and watch how it helps mold Jordan‘s personality for the future. There are three things at the core of our family: (1) faith, (2) relationships, and (3) sports. We are constantly on the go, but these core things remain constant. And we look forward to our opportunities to be together.”

🏫 Welcome to UCA! We’re thrilled to have you join us and look forward to seeing the friendships, memories, and growth ahead. ⚡️

#ucathunder
2 days ago, UCA
graphic with a family picture of new students coming to UCA in the fall
✝️ 🏫 UCA is proud to be a member school of The Collaborative for Christian Ed Leaders—an online community designed to equip and encourage Christian school leaders.

💻 Through this network, our staff has access to a wide range of free resources, professional connections, and shared services that enhance both the learning environment for our students and the professional growth of our team.
Today, our staff gathered for a special session with the founders of The Collaborative, who gave us a guided tour of all the tools, training materials, and opportunities available to member schools.

💡 The presentation sparked lively discussion, fresh ideas, and a renewed sense of mission as we explored ways to use these resources to enrich our classrooms, strengthen our programs, and build a thriving Christ-centered community.
We’re grateful for partnerships like this that help us grow in excellence—for the glory of God and the good of our students!

#ucathunder #ucateachers
2 days ago, UCA
two presenters at the front of a classroom speaking to a group of teachers
a teacher having a discussion with the presenter
a teacher having a discussion with the presenter
two teachers having a discussion
two presenters at the front of a classroom speaking to a group of teachers
a teacher having a discussion with the presenter
a teacher having a discussion with the presenter
📣 Meet Our New Teachers! 🍎✏️

We’re excited to welcome some incredible new educators to the UCA team this year! Each of them brings unique gifts, a heart for students, and a passion for Christ-centered education.

Introducing – Rachael Kastner, who will be teaching 4th Grade 👩‍🏫🖍️

“I'm incredibly grateful for the unique journey that has brought me back to United Christian Academy! Having attended all three legacy schools as a student and later teaching at one of them during the time of the merger, it was a true honor to serve as the fourth grade teacher during UCA’s very first year. I'm thrilled to return to UCA and once again teach fourth grade! Three years ago, my family and I moved to Florida, where we enjoyed living just 15 minutes from the ocean. Our days were filled with beach visits, wildlife watching, seashell collecting, fishing, creating art, playing board games, and of course—teaching. While we loved our time there, we’re happy to be back near friends and family, and we’re excited to rejoin the UCA community. What excites me most about this new school year is the opportunity to teach math and to center our learning around God. I’m also overjoyed that my daughter will be attending school with me—and that I get to work alongside my mom, Ms. Chant!”

Welcome (back), Mrs. Kastner! We are so excited to have you join the community! 💜

#ucathunder #ucateachers
3 days ago, UCA
picture of a woman with text around it welcoming her as a new teacher
🍽️ Today we were blessed to be treated to lunch by the amazing staff of Cedar Valley Church! Their kindness, encouragement and prayers mean so much as we gear up for the new school year. It was an opportunity for us to pray over their staff and ministries as well. 🙏

This afternoon, our own school team kept the momentum going—busy preparing classrooms, planning lessons, and even taking new staff headshots 📸.

We’re grateful for the continued partnership between the church and school, we are so blessed to be able to call this building our home, and we’re excited for the year ahead!

#ucathunder
3 days ago, UCA
staff sitting at tables while a pastor prays for the meal
staff seated at tables eating lunch
staff dishing up food for lunch
church and school staff members having a conversation
principal speaking to a group of teachers and church staff
church staff laying hands on teachers while they pray
staff member having her head shot taken
staff member having her head shot taken
staff member having her head shot taken
staff members looking at pictures
👋 Help us give a warm welcome to the newest members of the UCA community! 💜

Let us introduce the Duray family, bringing a student into 9th grade:
“We’ve heard about UCA from friends for years, and we’re thrilled that God answered our prayers with an opportunity for our girls to attend high school there. They’ve waited years to be part of a school that supports their faith & worldview. We’re so thankful and looking forward to watching their minds and hearts be strengthened and matured for God’s glory. We love spending time together in God’s creation; ATV-ing, fishing, and hunting together as a family.”

🏫 Welcome to UCA! We’re thrilled to have you join us and look forward to seeing the friendships, memories, and growth ahead. ⚡️

#ucathunder
4 days ago, UCA
graphic with a family picture of new students coming to UCA in the fall
📣 Meet Our New Teachers! 🍎✏️

We’re excited to welcome some incredible new educators to the UCA team this year! Each of them brings unique gifts, a heart for students, and a passion for Christ-centered education.

Introducing – Cody Irwin, who will be teaching High School Language Arts 📚✍️

“Since 2021, I have been working as a trainer and researcher for a global theological education organization called Training Leaders International. While most of my work involves global adult education and discipleship, the Lord has placed a desire in my heart to help locally teach, inspire, and disciple young minds and hearts in the Twin Cities. I was drawn to UCA because of its Christ-exalting commitment to cultivate, equip, and encourage students for the glory of God. And what better place to help the next generation root themselves in what is true, good, and beautiful than in a school that confidently stands for King Jesus upon the Word of God.
I am really excited to jump into the classroom to help students write eloquently, research effectively, and analyse literature with wonder and worship for the glory of God. Helping students get to the Ah-Ha moments, that's worth looking forward to, yeah!? You may also see me at a few sporting events too. Go Thunder!
Some fun facts about me: My father is Steve Irwin (not the Crocodile Hunter, the podiatrist from Michigan). In my young adult days, I was trained as a helicopter pilot by a Desert Storm Cobra fighter. I am under the conviction that the Indigo Tea Company in Burnsville is the best tea place in the country. I believe The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is one of the best books ever written. My favorite Bible book to study is Job. Go Vikings! Go Wolverines! Go Hotspurs!
I am currently writing a master's thesis on theocentric humility that I am pretty proud of.”

Welcome, Mr. Irwin! We are so excited to have you join the community! 💜

#ucathunder #ucateachers
7 days ago, UCA
photo of a man standing in front of a bush with text around it welcoming him as a new teacher
👋 Help us give a warm welcome to the newest members of the UCA community! 💜

Let us introduce the Swenson family, bringing a student into 10th grade:
“We chose UCA because of the warm atmosphere and Christian grounding it offers, its variety of academic choices (e.g., aviation, Chinese language, etc.), and positive experience of friends who are at UCA. We are most looking forward to developing new friendships and plugging in to the UCA community. We have four boys (upcoming 1st grade-10th grade) and have homeschooled most of their school years.”

🏫 Welcome to UCA! We’re thrilled to have you join us and look forward to seeing the friendships, memories, and growth ahead. ⚡️

#ucathunder
8 days ago, UCA
graphic with a family picture of new students coming to UCA in the fall
📣 Meet Our New Teachers! 🍎✏️

We’re excited to welcome some incredible new educators to the UCA team this year! Each of them brings unique gifts, a heart for students, and a passion for Christ-centered education.

Introducing – Roy Mould, who will be teaching Middle School Social Studies and coaching boys basketball 👨‍🏫 🏀

“There were a few factors that drew me to UCA. Most importantly, it was the Christ centered school environment. I have taught in the public schools for six years, and I am incredibly excited to be able to make the gospel of Jesus Christ front and center in my teaching. Another factor is that I am a graduate of Bethany Academy, so in many ways this is a “coming home” for me. Something unique is that I will also be the head coach of the boys basketball program. I am most excited to teach History through the lens of the gospel and really watch my students grow not just as learners, but also as young believers.”

Welcome, Mr. Mould! We are so excited to have you join the community! 💜

#ucathunder #ucateachers
9 days ago, UCA
picture of a man at Wimbledon with text and graphic welcoming him as a new teacher

💜 Building Community, Supporting One Another 💜

One of the greatest blessings of our UCA family is the way we support and uplift one another. Over the past year, the UCA Business Directory has become a go-to resource for connecting with businesses owned by members of our own school community.

From home services to professional expertise, these businesses represent the heart of UCA—faith, excellence, and a commitment to serving others well. Let’s continue to strengthen our Christ-centered network by choosing UCA businesses first!

👉 Explore the full directory here: https://www.ucathunder.org/page/business-directory

✍️ If you are part of our community and would like to be added to the directory, fill out this form: https://forms.gle/x44U6DtAcxui7xwz6

💜 Together, we’re building more than a school—we’re building community.

#UCABusinessDirectory #UCACommunity #SupportLocal #FaithInAction #UCAPartners

9 days ago, UCA
School logo with business directory title
🎷 🥁 Band Camp Wrap-up! 🎺 🎶

Our 8th–12th grade students wrapped up a fantastic week of Band Camp last Friday.
They spent their days learning new songs, strengthening their musical skills, and growing together through teambuilding activities and other games. It was a great balance of hard work and fun.
It was exciting to see this bigger ensemble come together, one of the biggest groups UCA has had thus far. We can’t wait to hear these musicians in action this coming school year! 🎼💜

#ucathunder #ucafinearts #ucasummercamp
10 days ago, UCA
group of 8th-12th grade band students performing a concert
group of 8th-12th grade band students performing a concert
four trombone students practicing
band students practicing with their director
band students practicing with their director
two percussion students
band ensemble practicing
band ensemble practicing
students standing on a tarp working on a team-building exercise
students standing on a tarp working on a team-building exercise
👋 Help us give a warm welcome to the newest members of the UCA community! 💜

Let us introduce the Elder family, bringing a student into 7th grade:
“We were looking for a Christian school in the Bloomington area for our daughter Annie, and our former neighbors (Chris & Hope Palmer) spoke very highly of UCA. After touring and meeting with staff members, we were very impressed and excited for Annie to start 7th grade at UCA this fall. We look forward to being part of a community with strong Christian values and the opportunity for Annie to learn and grow in a Christ centered learning environment. We have two English Cocker Spaniels named Honey and Biscuit and a bearded dragon named Alfredo.”

🏫 Welcome to UCA! We’re thrilled to have you join us and look forward to seeing the friendships, memories, and growth ahead. ⚡️

#ucathunder
11 days ago, UCA
family picture of new students joining the school this fall
📣 Meet Our New Teachers! 🍎✏️

We’re excited to welcome some incredible new educators to the UCA team this year! Each of them brings unique gifts, a heart for students, and a passion for Christ-centered education.

Introducing – Mitch Hagen, who will be teaching High School Aviation 👨‍🏫 ✈️

“All three of our children (Nate ‘10, Zach ‘12, Sam ‘14) attended and graduated from Bethany Academy. After retiring from United Airlines in 2024, my desire was to remain in the aviation field in some capacity, and upon hearing that UCA was looking for an aviation teacher, I reached out to express my interest in helping to further the program.
I grew up in Fosston, a small town in northwestern Minnesota, where my Dad owned a Dairy Queen. Since it was family-owned, I used to work there often and, of course, enjoyed ice cream and “sampled” various items. When my Dad found out how much I ate while working, he quietly discontinued my employment!
I have taught other pilots in various capacities over the years, both prior to the airlines and while at the airlines. I enjoy helping others succeed in achieving their goals and have had a lot of fun over the years instructing. My son Nate was hired as a pilot at United Airlines, and I had the joy of doing his flight training on the Airbus 320 and Boeing 787. Having been greatly blessed to do something I thoroughly enjoy, I hope to be able to pass on this same enthusiasm for aviation to those I will be teaching. It is an awesome industry with so many options to do something that is unique and provides an opportunity to see so much of this world that God has blessed us with.”

Welcome, Mr. Hagen! We are so excited to have you join the community! 💜

#ucathunder #ucateachers
14 days ago, UCA
picture of a man in an airplane cockpit with text around it welcoming him as a new teacher
🌟 Last week, a group of incoming juniors and seniors came together for our 2025 Leadership Retreat—and it was an incredible day of growth, connection, and preparation for the year ahead!

Held at Mount Olivet Retreat Center and led by Mr. Peters, Ms. Hawthorne, and Mrs. Larson, the afternoon was filled with team-building, leadership workshops, and student-led vision casting for the upcoming school year. From student clubs and worship teams to sports leadership and beyond, these students are stepping up to lead with purpose. 🙌

We’re so proud of their hearts to serve and their excitement to shape our school community. 💜

#ucathunder #ucahighschool #ucaleadership
14 days ago, UCA
teacher speaking to a group of students at a leadership retreat
teacher speaking to a group of students at a leadership retreat
small groups of students at a retreat
teacher speaking to a group of students at a leadership retreat
small groups of students at a leadership retreat
teacher speaking to a group of students at a leadership retreat
head of school standing at a whiteboard
group of students playing Uno
students in a hottub
👋 Help us give a warm welcome to the newest members of the UCA community! 💜

Let us introduce the Miller family, bringing a student into Kindergarten:
“We have a friend who previously worked at the school who recommended UCA. She said it is a great school that is biblically sound. Upon listening to the orientation, taking the tour, and meeting the teachers we agreed with our friend's assessment. We toured other schools and none seemed to meet all our needs like UCA. The professional and intentional approach to Christian education is evident. We are most looking forward to growing strong relationships with the instructors, and other families, as we partner together to bring a Christ centered education to our children. We value that this growth will be in a safe gospel environment. In addition, we are looking forward to our child growing in friendship with other children who come from families with similar values and beliefs. Our family loves outdoor activities, especially being in the water!”

🏫 Welcome to UCA! We’re thrilled to have you join us and look forward to seeing the friendships, memories, and growth ahead. ⚡️

#ucathunder
15 days ago, UCA
family picture of new students joining the school this fall
#UnitedAllSummerLong

Even in the summer, our teachers are going above and beyond!

Mrs. Diamond, our high school science teacher and certified EMT, has been spending her break working at lacrosse tournaments—putting her emergency medical skills to use and keeping them sharp. 🩺⚕️

She brings that real-world experience right into the classroom when she teaches Basic First Aid and Emergency Medical Response to our students.

We’re so grateful for her dedication—to both her profession and her students! 💜 👏

#ucathunder
15 days ago, UCA
selfie of a high school science teacher at a lacrosse tournament working as an EMT
picture of a mountain scene with text asking people to share their pictures of summer vacation
📣 Meet Our New Teachers! 🍎✏️

We’re excited to welcome some incredible new educators to the UCA team this year! Each of them brings unique gifts, a heart for students, and a passion for Christ-centered education.

Introducing – Becca Mathews, who will be teaching High School Math 👩‍🏫

“I was drawn to UCA because I can tell that it's a team of people who love the Lord and love learning. It feels similar to another school that I taught at, so I felt right at home! I can't wait to walk alongside the students as they pursue excellence in their walk with the Lord and in their schoolwork. A fun fact about me is that I love to travel and have visited both coasts this summer at California and South Carolina. I also love to read and have already finished 33 books this year. One thing I'm most excited about is finding out what house I'm in and becoming a part of that community. I also just genuinely love math and am very much looking forward to getting to talk about math all day!”

Welcome, Ms. Mathews! We are so excited to have you join the community! 💜

#ucathunder #ucateachers
16 days ago, UCA
Picture of a woman at Disney World with text around it welcoming her a new teacher this fall
#UnitedAllSummerLong 🌞

We love keeping up with our UCA community and seeing where summer adventures take you!

The York family sends sunny greetings from Conchas Lake State Park in eastern New Mexico—Tom’s home state! 🏜️

They enjoyed beautiful weather, fishing, and camping with extended family. 🎣 ⛺️
Thank you to the Yorks for sharing a glimpse of your summer fun! 💜

#ucathunder
17 days ago, UCA
UCA family wearing school swag while on vacation in New Mexico
UCA family wearing school swag while on vacation in New Mexico
UCA family wearing school swag while on vacation in New Mexico
UCA family wearing school swag while on vacation in New Mexico
UCA family wearing school swag while on vacation in New Mexico
⚽🏀🏃‍♂️ Some of our 3rd–6th graders spent last week with Mr. Peters at Multi-Sport Camp, and they had a blast! From kickball and basketball to soccer, 4 square, and more—it was a week full of energy, laughter, and teamwork.

Beyond the fun and games, students were building skills, encouraging one another, and learning what it means to be great teammates. Thanks to Mr. Peters for leading such an awesome week of movement and mentorship! 💪👏

#ucathunder
17 days ago, UCA
students playing soccer
students playing 4 square
students playing soccer
students playing 4 square
students playing soccer
students playing 4 square
students playing soccer
students playing 4 square
students playing soccer
students playing 4 square
👋 Help us give a warm welcome to the newest members of the UCA community! 💜

Let us introduce the Aos family, bringing a student into 9th grade:
“We chose UCA because of the intentional focus on growing in the Lord. We are excited for Novia to meet other like-minded believers who also enjoy the same activities as she does. A fun fact about Novia, we think it is pretty cool that her birthday is on the 4th of July.”

🏫 Welcome to UCA! We’re thrilled to have you join us and look forward to seeing the friendships, memories, and growth ahead. ⚡️

#ucathunder
18 days ago, UCA
family picture of new students joining the school this fall