💪🪑 Out with the old, in with the new-to-us!
We took advantage of a liquidation auction in Mandan, North Dakota, and picked up 150 new classroom desks to replace older ones at UCA. Three dedicated staff members made the trek with a 26-foot U-Haul to load everything up, and a helpful crew was waiting back at school to unload it all. 🚚 🏫
It was a big team effort and a big win for our learning spaces!
#ucathunder #unitedallsummerlong
🎓🍩 Our Pre-K students had a special and eventful morning on the last day of school!
They said heartfelt goodbyes to their senior buddies and then enjoyed a sweet breakfast with classmates and families.
This was a momentous first year as UCA students, and we’re so thankful to have shared it with them. We can’t wait to see all the joy, growth, and learning the years ahead will bring! 🌱 💜
#ucathunder #ucaprek
🏆 Final “House”keeping of the Year! 🏆
On the last day of school, we wrapped up the House System with one final celebration — announcing this year’s House Cup winners… Congratulations to Gratia House for taking the title! 🎉💙
We also watched as our current middle and high school house leaders officially passed the baton to next year’s newly elected leaders. It was a special moment recognizing leadership, teamwork, and school spirit.
We’re so proud of all our houses and can't wait to see what next year brings! 💪
#ucathunder #ucahousesystem
🎉 Big congratulations to senior volleyball player, Kennedy, on signing her letter of intent to play women's volleyball at Carthage College! 🏐
She started at UCA in her junior year and, despite being ineligible to play varsity due to transfer rules, she never let that hold her back. With a positive attitude, strong leadership, and dedication both on and off the court, she made a lasting impact on our program.
We’re so proud of you and can’t wait to cheer you on at the next level! Best of luck at Carthage! 💜
#ucathunder #ucaathletics #ucahighschool
🎓 What a special day!
Graduation was filled with joy, memories, and celebration as we honored the Class of 2025. From heartfelt speeches to proud moments on stage, it was a beautiful sendoff for our amazing seniors. 💜
#ucathunder #ucaclassof2025 #ucahighschool
🏆 During the last chapel service of the year, we had the honor of recognizing our Student of the Quarter winners for the fourth quarter! These outstanding students were chosen by their teachers for consistently displaying the House Essentials—integrity, helpfulness, respect, compassion, and many more. 🌟
💛 Elementary: Camden L (Fide House)
💚 Middle School: Avery B (Scriptura House)
💛 High School: Andre Y (Fide House)
We are so proud of each of them for their dedication to excellence both in and out of the classroom. Congratulations to all the winners!
#ucathunder #ucahousesystem
🧬🐖 Biology in Action! 🐖🧬
Our high school biology students recently completed a fascinating hands-on lab — the dissection of fetal pigs. This in-depth experience gave students a close-up look at the internal anatomy of mammals, helping them understand body systems and how they work together.
It was an incredible opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in class to real-world biology — sparking curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for the complexity of life.
#ucathunder #ucahighschool #ucastem
Amazing Shrinking Art! 🔥🎨
Our 6th graders had a blast experimenting with shrinking art! Each student drew and painted their favorite artwork on large sheets of special plastic — then watched in awe as their creations went into the oven and shrunk down to miniature masterpieces! 🖌️ ➡️ 🔥 ➡️ 🖼️
It was a fun and creative way to explore how materials react to heat — and the results were seriously impressive!
#ucathunder #ucamiddleschool
💚 💛Final House Games of the Year! 💙❤️
Last Friday, our 6th–12th grade students wrapped up the final House Games of the school year with fiery energy — even in the cold rain! 🔥🌧
Whether it was kickball, volleyball, basketball, or the always intense "Thunderball," the competition was fierce, the teamwork was strong, and the school spirit was high. There were even some fun water games in the mix. This day was the perfect way to finish the year with fun, friendly rivalry, and lots of laughs! 💜🤣
#ucathunder #ucahousesystem
“Do your best, forget the rest, sportsmanship is the real test!” ~Chad Peters
💨🏃♀️🏃🏻♂️After the opening pep talk by our head of school, our elementary students bundled up and bravely faced the chilly wind to give it their all at Field Day! From running, throwing, and jumping to the always-tough bent arm hang, these young athletes rose to the challenge.
Even more impressive than their efforts was their incredible sportsmanship — cheering on classmates, celebrating victories, and offering encouragement when things didn’t go as planned. 💜👏
Huge thank you to all of our volunteers who helped make this day happen!
#ucathunder #ucaelementary
🎓✨ Senior Spotlight - Gracie Hendley ✨🎓
As we celebrate our Class of 2025, we will feature our amazing seniors and highlight their journeys, achievements, and future plans!
How do you see your future self?
“I see myself living somewhere warmer.”
Testimonial Tidbit:
“I gave my life to Jesus when I was ten and He has always been there for me.”
Best of luck to our seniors as they finish out their final months at UCA and prepare for the exciting adventures ahead!
#ucathunder #ucaclassof2025 #ucahighschool
🌸 Science in full bloom! 🌸
Our 7th grade science students recently dove into the fascinating world of plant biology by dissecting flowers. This hands-on lab allowed students to explore the parts of a flower — petals, sepals, stamens, pistils, and more — and understand how each part plays a critical role in the process of plant reproduction.
This engaging activity helped bring textbook learning to life. There's nothing like hands-on exploration to deepen understanding and build a lasting appreciation for God’s creation! 🌿
#ucathunder #ucamiddleschool #ucastem
🎓✨ Senior Spotlight - Zac Hopkins ✨🎓
As we celebrate our Class of 2025, we will feature our amazing seniors and highlight their journeys, achievements, and future plans!
How do you see your future self?
“I see myself as some sort of coach or teacher.”
Testimonial Tidbit:
“When I came to UCA, I was a Christian, but I rededicated my life a couple of months ago after I watched a sermon by Steven Furtick. My anxiety suddenly wasn’t as bad as it was before, and I have seen God work in all areas of my life.”
Best of luck to our seniors as they finish out their final months at UCA and prepare for the exciting adventures ahead!
#ucathunder #ucaclassof2025 #ucahighschool
✉️ Letter writing is not a lost art — just ask our 8th graders!
For a one-day project as they are wrapping up their Language Arts Writing class, these students learned how to properly format a letter and address an envelope. In a world of texts and emails, it’s refreshing (and important!) to practice the timeless skill of written communication.
Using a few classmates as real-life practice, they wrote notes, addressed the envelopes, and will send them in the mail! 💌📬
#ucathunder #ucamiddleschool
🏐 Our UCA Boys Volleyball athletes recently hosted an exciting elementary clinic—and it was a hit!
Our JV and Varsity players spent the afternoon teaching foundational skills to the up-and-coming athletes of tomorrow. It was an awesome opportunity for younger students to learn the game, build confidence, and connect with our experienced players.
Not only is this a great way to invest in the future of volleyball, but it also strengthens our Thunder community.
Way to lead, Thunder athletes! 💜💪
#ucathunder #ucaathletics #ucaelementary
Our elementary Phy Ed students are on fire this week learning the game of 4 Square! 🔥🟪 🏐
With quick moves, sharp reflexes, and tons of laughter, they’ve been mastering the rules and bringing their A-game to the court. It’s been a fast-paced mix of fun, friendly competition, and skill-building — and they’re loving every minute! 💥🙌
#ucathunder #ucaelementary
Two of our students, Elise and Thomas, had an unforgettable morning! 🚓🍳✨
From the silent auction at our spring fundraising event, they won the special opportunity to have breakfast at Chick-fil-A with two amazing Bloomington police officers. After a fun and friendly meal, they got the VIP treatment—arriving at school in a squad car, complete with lights and sirens! 🚨🚔
We’re so grateful for community partnerships like this that create memorable moments for our students and help build strong, positive relationships with local law enforcement. 💜💙
#ucathunder
🎓✨ Senior Spotlight - Anna Hohnstadt ✨🎓
As we celebrate our Class of 2025, we will feature our amazing seniors and highlight their journeys, achievements, and future plans!
How do you see your future self?
“I see myself as a teacher who is making a positive impact on those around me and pursuing what I love. I also hope to someday go into the missions field to share the gospel.”
Testimonial Tidbit:
“When I started high school, God pursued me and I desired a deeper, stronger faith. I made my faith my own and got baptized! God’s faithfulness and mercy are at work in my life daily as I am sanctified and renewed by Him.”
Best of luck to our seniors as they finish out their final months at UCA and prepare for the exciting adventures ahead!
#ucathunder #ucaclassof2025 #ucahighschool
Our 3rd graders had a blast on their field trip to the Minnesota Science Museum! 🧪🔬⚡
From exploring hands-on exhibits to diving into topics like dinosaurs, physics, and the human body, students were filled with curiosity and excitement. It was a day full of discovery, learning, and fun—what a great way to bring science to life outside the classroom!
#ucathunder #ucaelementary #ucastem
🚨✈️ Our Emergency Medical Response (EMR) students recently put their training to the test in a high-intensity simulated plane crash scenario!
🤕 Volunteers were enlisted to act as injured passengers, made realistic by the “wounds” they received with makeup.
From triaging patients and administering care in chaotic conditions, students demonstrated the vital skills they’ve learned throughout the course. This hands-on experience helped reinforce teamwork, quick thinking, and the importance of staying calm under pressure. We’re proud of their hard work and growth—way to go, EMR team! 👏💪🩺
#ucathunder #ucathunder
