
🤓 Strategy and intellect abound as the Chess craze takes over UCA!
Our students turn the classroom into a battlefield of wits as they engage in fierce yet friendly chess matches. Win or lose, every game is a lesson in critical thinking, concentration, and sportsmanship. Each move sparks a flurry of discussions and friendly banter.♟️🤝
#ucathunder









Armed with curiosity and 3D-printed airfoils, our aviation students delved into the world of aerodynamics. 💨✨
These young minds tested their creations in the wind tunnel, analyzing lift, drag, and the intricacies of airflow. 📊📈 From concept to reality, each print carried the dreams of soaring high, just like the Wright brothers!
#ucathunder #ucaaviation #ucastem #ucaupperschool











🎒A Day in the Life!
Yesterday was no ordinary day for our 8th-grade stars. It was a look into their future as they got a taste of what it's like to be a high school student! 🏫🤩
Our Admissions staff and the Middle School and High School Deans hosted an exclusive "High School Encounter" event.
First, our students soaked up invaluable insights during a presentation by the deans, fueling their excitement for the journey ahead. Then, it was time to explore the High School as they received tours of the campus. 🏫
But the real adventure began when they stepped into 9th-grade classrooms, experiencing high school-level learning firsthand. 📝🧠🙋♀️
To top it all off, our 8th graders mingled with the High School house leaders and even attended the High School chapel service, connecting with the heart and soul of the high school experience. 🌟🙏🎵
#ucathunder #ucaupperschool #ucamiddleschool









Our lively 4th graders are turning the gym into a playground of skills enhancing their hand-eye coordination. Under the expert guidance of our PE teacher, Mrs. Aunan, they're not just mastering racket sports but also adding the joy of jumping rope.🎾🏸
From swift serves to timely jumps to tricky catches, these young athletes are on fire! As they enjoy the excitement of their successes, these 4th graders prove that fitness can be a blast! 🔥🎉
#ucathunder #ucaelementary











50 days smarter!
Our kindergarten students hopped into a time machine and traveled back to the fabulous 1950s as they celebrated the 50th day of school with a whirlwind of 50's themed activities! 🚀👦👧🕰️
With poodle skirts, slicked-back hair, and groovy dance moves, our little time travelers transformed into mini rock 'n' rollers and embraced the spirit of the '50s. 🎵👗👞
They explored the nostalgia of this iconic era through activities like a sock hop dance party, a soda fountain, a "jukebox" photo booth, and listening to 50’s music.🎶🕺💃.
#ucathunder #ucaelementary











Last night's "Big Questions with the Board" event was beautiful and encouraging. These two ladies spoke from their hearts and inspired us all to focus on the deeper lessons God tries to teach us. 🙏
UCA is on a journey, and we get to live in the excitement of what God does daily here at our school. We are also encouraged to remember that our school is not about the buildings we are in but about the people who are here. 💜
#ucathunder






🧬🔍Our 7th-grade science students are unraveling the intricate process of protein synthesis, delving into the very building blocks of life. From DNA to RNA, they're learning how cells work together to create the proteins that make our bodies function.
🤯 📚But beyond the textbooks and microscopes, Mrs. Hanson also encourages them to take time to appreciate the beauty of God's creation. Our bodies are an awe-inspiring masterpiece, and these young minds are amazed at the complexity and perfection of the human form. 🙏🌟
#ucathunder #ucastem #ucamiddleschool









Not too many days go by when an elementary student doesn't ask: "When can I see my buddy again?" 🗓️🤗
One of the core elements of our House System is Big and Little Buddies 👫 where we have students of varying grade levels matched up into small groups of buddies. There are mentorship opportunities sprinkled throughout the school year where these groups spend time together. 📚👬🌟
This past week, one of our part-time preschool students wanted to come to school on a day that was not his regular day because he didn't want to miss out on time with his big buddy! 💜
#ucathunder #ucahousesystem









It is an amazing blessing for our students to start each day in prayer and bible reading.
Mrs. Chant's 6th graders spent time with a partner, sharing prayer requests and taking turns reading scripture.
We thank God for this freedom!
#ucathunder #christcenterededucation







Mrs. Brown's 5th graders recently set out on an exhilarating STEM adventure, determined to answer the question: What's the best way to launch a candy pumpkin? 🤔🍬🎃
Armed with their knowledge, creativity, and a dash of scientific curiosity, these young engineers were given specific criteria and constraints to tackle this sweet "problem." Their mission: to design a pumpkin-launching contraption that could deliver candy treats the farthest. 📏📐🔧
But the real magic of this adventure wasn't just in launching candy pumpkins; it was in the journey. Students learned the art of working together as a team to brainstorm ideas, build prototypes, and refine their plans. Along the way, they discovered that sometimes, what didn't work was just as valuable as what did. 🤝🗺️🚧
#ucathunder #ucastem #ucaelementary







Our Chinese students recently embarked on an enriching real-world adventure as they stepped out of the classroom and into the Chinese Garden at the MN Landscape Arboretum. 🌿🇨🇳
This captivating field trip was not just about beautiful scenery but also an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture. As they strolled through the garden's lush pathways and admired the intricate architecture, they were surrounded by symbols of tradition and history. 🏯🌸
They also put their skills in character recognition to the test as they deciphered the ancient Chinese calligraphy adorning the garden. Their enthusiasm and curiosity were truly remarkable as they connected their language learning to the real world. 📜🧠🔍
#ucathunder #ucaupperschool








This week Miss Anderson’s first graders had an egg-citing experience while one of her students brought in his adorable pet chickens for show and tell! 📢👦🐣
As he introduced his fine feathered companions, you could see the curiosity rising. They learned all about chicken breeds, their care, and even got to pet and hold these delightful birds. 🐔🌟
Moments like these, where you can take learning outside the classroom, are precious and memorable. We are grateful for this family for sharing this adventure with us. 🏫🐓❤️
#ucathunder #ucaelementary











Our talented fourth graders took to the front of the room to showcase their creativity and linguistic prowess through acrostic poetry presentations. 🎤📝🌟
Each student carefully selected a word or phrase that held a special meaning to them and crafted beautiful verses using the letters of their chosen word. From "clarinet" to "Legos" and "freedom," they shared their unique perspectives and emotions with grace.
🗣️👏 The classmates in the audience listened intently, applauding the poetic prowess of their peers.
We're proud of our fourth graders for their bravery and creativity. These presentations are a testament to their growing skills. Keep shining, young poets! 📜✨
#ucathunder #ucaelementary










🏐🎉Congratulations to our Girls Volleyball team!! This program has made it to the Section Semi-Finals for the first time in school history. 🎉🏐
👍Wish them luck, cheer them on, Roll Thunder!
Thursday, November 2, 6:00 pm @ West Lutheran
Ticket link: https://mshslr4a.hometownticketing.com/embed/event/129
#ucathunder #ucaathletics


🇲🇽 Our upper elementary learners embarked on a journey in their Spanish classes as they explored the vibrant world of colors and the awe-inspiring migration of monarch butterflies. They marveled at how these tiny creatures travel thousands of miles.🦋🌎
🎨 In the classroom, our students delved into a spectrum of colors, learning their names in Spanish and getting creative with a beautiful “mariposa” art project.🖌️🌟
#ucathunder #ucaelementary











💜“Moments like this are the heartbeat of UCA” -Dr. Morrison, Elementary Principal
🎃✂️🍞Mrs. Brown’s and Troost’s students spent time together recently celebrating all things pumpkin, working on crafts and eating homemade bread. But more importantly, they are able to build relationships with students from different grade levels. We value placing students in mentor/mentee relationships from the beginning of each school year. Watching them grow throughout the year is amazing!
#ucathunder #ucaelementary









🏐 Next Girls Volleyball Match:
Thursday, 11/2, 6:00 PM at West Lutheran High School
Ticket link: https://mshslr4a.hometownticketing.com/embed/event/129
🏀 Girls Basketball Meeting:
Thursday, 11/2, 8:30 PM
All levels via Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84254846829?pwd=d7HueDS8l8Nbl6S6pxaVGJZE0H6tpN.1
Meeting ID: 842 5484 6829
Passcode: 1A48CF
🏀 Boys Basketball Meeting:
Monday, 11/6, 6:00 PM
All levels
At the Upper School


Putting skills to the test in the real world! 📸🍁🌎
Our photography students have left the classroom to explore nature and put their newly acquired knowledge into action. Mrs. Taylor and her students recently visited Minnehaha Falls with their cameras in hand. 🌄📷
The Photography 1 students are venturing into shooting in full manual mode, and the Photo Editing students are tapping into their creativity and mastering their photo correction techniques. 🎨💻📷🔧
#ucathunder #ucafinearts






#tuesdaytestimonial - New Family Edition
💜 We love to hear from our families about their experiences at our school. This week, we feature a family that is new to UCA this year. Please help us welcome the Gilchrist family!
"This is our first year attending UCA. We started looking at schools a year ago when one of our kids was having a hard time academically and started asking to go to a smaller school with less distractions. We started our search and we’re drawn to UCA’s Christ centered mission. We knew immediately after touring the school that it was the right fit. During the tour, our daughter, who we weren’t originally intending on enrolling, fell in love with the school as well and we ended up enrolling two of our kids. They are loving the smaller class size, chapel and calmer class environment. They have made great friends already and look forward to school each day, which rarely happened before.
We live in Farmington so the distance was a factor for us when making our decision with schools. However, seeing how happy and settled our kids are makes us happy with our decision and would make UCA our choice again and again."
UCA is so blessed to have the Gilchrist family as part of our community!
#ucathunder #tuesdaytestimonial


🦛 Hungry, Hungry Hippo - Middle School style!
🏆 Last Friday's Middle School house competition was a life-sized version of a childhood favorite. Each house team competed against each other for some coveted house points.
😂The laughter and team spirit were contagious, and the memories will last forever!
💙 Contratulations to Gratia for pulling out a win!
#ucathunder #ucahousesystem








