🌎 Our 2nd graders have been busy exploring the incredible habitats of our world!

As part of their science unit, each student created a model of a habitat—from the tundra to the rainforest, the desert, and more. They even hosted visitors from other classes, giving them the opportunity to share what they had learned and explain the features of their chosen environment.

We’re so proud of their creativity, curiosity, and confidence! 💜👏
5 months ago, UCA
2nd grade students sharing facts about the habitat projects they created
2nd grade students sharing facts about the habitat projects they created
2nd grade students sharing facts about the habitat projects they created
2nd grade students sharing facts about the habitat projects they created
2nd grade students sharing facts about the habitat projects they created
2nd grade students sharing facts about the habitat projects they created
2nd grade students sharing facts about the habitat projects they created
2nd grade students sharing facts about the habitat projects they created
2nd grade students sharing facts about the habitat projects they created
2nd grade students sharing facts about the habitat projects they created
As part of their fundraising efforts for Friday’s Jog-a-Thon, Miss Anderson’s 1st grade class sold donuts during this morning’s drop-off! 🍩

They showed wonderful customer service and math skills while helping their customers. What a fun (and tasty!) way to support their school and practice real-world learning at the same time! 💜👏

#ucathunder #ucaelementary
5 months ago, UCA
students taking money from parents as they sell donuts
students taking money from parents as they sell donuts
class picture of 1st graders
kids holding boxes of donuts
1st grade girl holding a sign she made for selling donuts
girl handing a donut through a car window
students selling donuts to other students and parents
woman helping to hand out donuts to students
woman helping to hand out donuts to students
students selling donuts to other students and parents
Last week in P.E., our Kindergarteners learned the exciting game of Satellite, where you want to be the first team to knock down all the other teams’ satellites. 🪐

Along the way, they practiced overhand throwing, blocking, rolling, teamwork, cooperation, endurance, agility, and spatial awareness. Our little learners worked hard to build their satellites and collaborate as a team—and they had an absolute blast doing it! 🎉👏

#ucathunder #ucaelementary
5 months ago, UCA
kindergarten students playing a game in PE class involving hula hoops and dodgeballs
kindergarten students playing a game in PE class involving hula hoops and dodgeballs
kindergarten students playing a game in PE class involving hula hoops and dodgeballs
kindergarten students playing a game in PE class involving hula hoops and dodgeballs
kindergarten students playing a game in PE class involving hula hoops and dodgeballs
kindergarten students playing a game in PE class involving hula hoops and dodgeballs
kindergarten students playing a game in PE class involving hula hoops and dodgeballs
Our Heroic Literature classes took their reading to the next level last week! ⚖️📚

Students stepped into character roles for a mock trial — forming a defense team, prosecution, and jury to determine the fate of a short story character. The classroom turned into a courtroom, complete with a teacher-turned-judge presiding over the case! 👩‍⚖️ 💜

#ucathunder #ucahighschool
5 months ago, UCA
teacher acting as a judge with a gavel
students acting as a defense team in a mock trial
group of students listening to classmates up front talking
students of the jury in a mock trial deliberating
defense team of students up front speaking to the jury
teacher acting as a judge calling the classroom to order
students on the prosecution team speaking to the jury
teacher acting as a judge with a gavel
students in a mock trial speaking to the jury
students of the jury in a mock trial deliberating
🌋 Our 6th grade science students got hands-on with volcanoes this week by experimenting with what happens inside!

🧪 Using flasks to represent the magma chamber and main vent, they tested different types of eruptions they’ve been learning about: runny lava, thick lava, and even explosive blasts. With baking soda, vinegar, Borax, dish soap, and fabric softener in the mix, each experiment was a little different—one group even managed to create crystals, which they compared to igneous rock! 🪨 ✨

#ucathunder #ucamiddleschool #ucastem
5 months ago, UCA
students doing a science experiment to mimic a volcanic eruption
science experiment to mimic a volcanic eruption
students doing a science experiment to mimic a volcanic eruption
students doing a science experiment to mimic a volcanic eruption
science experiment to mimic a volcanic eruption
students doing a science experiment to mimic a volcanic eruption
students doing a science experiment to mimic a volcanic eruption
students doing a science experiment to mimic a volcanic eruption
students doing a science experiment to mimic a volcanic eruption
🩹💡 Our Anatomy students got hands-on with their study of the Integumentary system by creating their own fake wounds!

This interactive project helped them explore the structures of the system, learn about different types of injuries, and even practice basic first aid treatments. A creative (and a little messy!) way to make learning come alive! 🩸👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

#ucathunder #ucahighschool #ucastem
5 months ago, UCA
students applying make-up to look like and injury
group photo of anatomy students showing their fake injuries
students applying make-up to look like and injury
students applying make-up to look like and injury
students applying make-up to look like and injury
fake injury on a student's hand
fake laceration on a student's leg
fake laceration on a student's arm
fake laceration on a student's arm
The building was bursting with energy at last Friday’s Pepfest! 🎉💜

We celebrated our fall athletes, cheered on the announcement of our Homecoming royalty, and revealed the winners of Spirit Week. The room was filled with excitement, pride, and Thunder spirit from start to finish—what an incredible way to finish off Homecoming week! ⚡🏅👑

#ucathunder
5 months ago, UCA
middle school volleyball players running to the center of the room as they're being introduced at a pep fest
younger students cheering at a pep fest
high school girls at a pep fest
homecoming royalty group photo
group photo of varsity boys soccer team
group photo of varsity girls soccer team
younger students cheering at a pep fest
two photos of cross country athletes
group photo of varsity girls volleyball players
younger students cheering at a pep fest
Our high school Chinese students recently celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival by sampling delicious cultural foods 🌙🥮.

This festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a time to celebrate family, unity, and gratitude. Along with learning the traditions and history behind the holiday, students experienced a taste of the celebration through classic flavors enjoyed around the world. 🇨🇳✨

#ucathunder #ucahighschool
5 months ago, UCA
Chinese teacher showing different cultural foods to her students
chinese teacher taking a group picture of her students
teacher and student trying sushi
two female students holding a piece of fruit and smiling
student eating fried rice with chopsticks
Chinese teacher showing different cultural foods to her students
Chinese teacher showing different cultural foods to her students
student holding a chinese dessert cake on a chopstick
What an amazing day at Super Soccer Saturday! ⚽☀️

It was the perfect mix of soccer, community, good weather, food, and fun. From the exciting games on the field to the kids’ activities, concessions, and food truck treats, the field was filled with energy and school spirit. 💜🎉

Thank you to everyone who came out to cheer, play, and celebrate—this highlight of our athletic year wouldn’t be the same without our incredible community! 🙌

#ucathunder #ucacommunity #ucaathletics
5 months ago, UCA
yard sign welcoming the fans along the sideline at a soccer game
varsity boys soccer players warming up before a game
students ordering at a food truck
middle school boys playing soccer
students ordering at a food truck
varsity girls soccer players applying face paint
table of apparel for sale at a soccer game
kids playing a mini soccer game
fans along the sideline of a soccer game
fans and a concession stand at a soccer game
Our 7th graders turned into bug hunters this fall! 🕵️‍♂️🐜

From creepy crawlers to fluttering wings, each student brought in insects to study—some even mailed in by family members from across the country and overseas! 🌍✈️

The challenge? Track down every bug in their collection and identify its class, order, and more. It was a wild mix of detective work and discovery, and our students had a blast exploring the incredible world of bugs! 🦋🔬🐞

#ucathunder #ucamiddleschool #ucastem
5 months ago, UCA
science teacher looking at a student's bug project
science students working on identifying bug species
science students working on identifying bug species
science teacher looking at a student's bug project
science students working on identifying bug species
box of several different kinds of insects that students will be identifying
science teacher looking at a student's bug project
science students working on identifying bug species
science students working on identifying bug species
science teacher looking at a student's bug project
Every week in Mrs. Troost’s kindergarten classroom, a new “Hero of the Week” gets to shine by sharing about themselves and having a favorite story read. 📚✨

Recently, our students had two extra special guest heroes — Mr. Peters and Dr. Morrison! 👏

The kids loved learning more about them and hearing them read their favorite stories. What a fun way to build connections in our school community! 💜

#ucathunder #ucaelementary
6 months ago, UCA
elementary principal reading to the kindergarten students
head of school reading to the kindergarten students
elementary principal reading to the kindergarten students
head of school reading to the kindergarten students
kindergarten students sitting on their classroom rug listening to someone read a book
elementary principal reading to the kindergarten students
head of school reading to the kindergarten students
elementary principal reading to the kindergarten students
head of school reading to the kindergarten students
head of school reading to the kindergarten students
👏 Congratulations to UCA senior, Elizabeth LaPlante! 👏

She has received a Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for her outstanding performance on last year’s PSAT exam. Her score placed her among the top 50,000 out of 3.5 million students nationwide who took the PSAT/NMSQT exam. That puts her in the top 1.5% in the nation! 📚🧐

Commended Students demonstrate exceptional academic promise and potential for future success—and we are so proud to celebrate this achievement with her. Way to go, Elizabeth! 💜

#ucathunder #ucahighschool
6 months ago, UCA
picture of a student who was awarded a letter of commendation for the national merit scholarship program
🐛 Worm Watchers 🐛

Our 5th graders are diving into the fascinating world of decomposers! As part of their study on the web of life, students observed the behaviors of worms and discovered the important role they play in our ecosystem. 🌱

From breaking down organic matter to fertilizing the soil, worms are small but mighty helpers in keeping God’s creation healthy and thriving. What a fun and hands-on way to see science come to life! 🌍✨

#ucathunder #ucaelementary #ucastem
6 months ago, UCA
5th grade students looking at a worm on a paper plate
5th grade students looking at a worm on a paper plate
teacher handing out worms to her students
5th grade students looking at a worm on a paper plate
5th grade students looking at a worm on a paper plate
5th grade students looking at a worm on a paper plate
5th grade students looking at a worm on a paper plate
5th grade students looking at a worm on a paper plate
5th grade students looking at a worm on a paper plate
5th grade students looking at a worm on a paper plate
This morning our students and parents joined together for the nation-wide See You at the Pole event 🙏🇺🇸.

Before school, we gathered around the flagpole to pray for our school, community, nation, and more—what a powerful way to start the day!

This year’s gathering was especially meaningful as we lifted our prayers beneath a brand-new flag. The flag was recently donated by one of our sweet 3rd graders, who noticed our old one was faded and tattered. She raised money at a garage sale to buy a new one for the school and church—a beautiful reminder that God can use even the smallest acts of love and generosity to make a big impact. 🌟 Thank you Brynley! 💜

#ucathunder #ucarootedinprayer
6 months ago, UCA
students and parents gathered around a flagpole for a time of prayer
students and parents gathered around a flagpole for a time of prayer
students and parents gathered around a flagpole for a time of prayer
students and parents gathered around a flagpole for a time of prayer
head of school standing next to a student holding an american flag
students and parents gathered around a flagpole for a time of prayer
students and parents gathered around a flagpole for a time of prayer
See You at the Pole -- Wednesday at 7:45 AM -- All students are invited!

This is a nationwide, student-led day of prayer. We will gather around the school flagpole (east side of the building, where drop-off traffic exits). Students must stay in the grassy area. Elementary students must be accompanied by an adult.

This year’s theme is “AWE” from Habakkuk 3:2 — “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds...”

Let's stand together in awe of who God is and ask Him to move in our homes, our school, and our country!

#ucathunder
6 months ago, UCA
information about "See you at the pole" event
Our kindergarteners had the joy of experiencing the miracle of the monarch butterfly’s life cycle firsthand! 🦋 From tiny caterpillars to chrysalis to the final transformation, they observed every phase up close.

The highlight came when they released the butterflies into the wild—an unforgettable reminder of God’s amazing design and the wonder of new life. 🌿✨

#ucathunder #ucaelementary
6 months ago, UCA
kindergarten students releasing butterflies
kindergarten students releasing butterflies
kindergarten students releasing butterflies
kindergarten students releasing butterflies
kindergarten students releasing butterflies
kindergarten students releasing butterflies
kindergarten students releasing butterflies
kindergarten students releasing butterflies
kindergarten students releasing butterflies
kindergarten students releasing butterflies
On Constitution Day, Mrs. Ray’s 3rd graders celebrated our nation’s founding document in a fun and memorable way! 🇺🇸

They discovered interesting facts about the Constitution and its signers, listened to the story We the Kids, and worked to simplify the big words of the Preamble into kid-friendly language. To top it off, they sang along with a classic tune from Schoolhouse Rock! 🎶📖

Beyond the fun, students are also learning the importance of civic responsibility and how our nation’s history continues to shape the freedoms we enjoy today. 🌟

#ucathunder #ucaelementary
6 months ago, UCA
3rd grade student working on a coloring sheet
third grade student holding a flag and a book
3rd grade student working on a coloring sheet
3rd grade student working on a coloring sheet
3rd grade student working on a coloring sheet
Our recent 11th & 12th grade retreat was a powerful and memorable experience! Students not only grew in their faith but also built deeper connections with one another. 💜

In addition to spiritual growth, they were stretched through team activities that required trust, perseverance, and problem-solving—pushing them outside their comfort zones while teaching the value of encouragement, teamwork, and leaning on one another.

We were blessed to have Mr. Irwin as our speaker, who reminded us not to place our identity in our circumstances but to root it firmly in Christ. 🙌 Students came back encouraged, challenged, and closer both to each other and to the Lord—it was truly a special time together!

#ucathunder #ucahighschool
6 months ago, UCA
high school girls doing a team-building exercise
two high school boys after paintball
group of high school boys doing a team-building exercise
group of high school girls showing how muddy they got from a team-building exercise
high school students on a giant swing
group of high school boys doing a team-building exercise
group of hi school boys sitting on benches
high school girls doing a team-building exercise
group of high school boys doing a team-building exercise
group of high school girls hanging out around a table
Earlier this week, our high school Spanish students celebrated Independence Day for several Latin American countries that gained their independence from Spain.

In class, students are learning about the history and significance of these important days and how independence was gained. To make it even more meaningful (and fun!), they also enjoyed food connected to the cultures they’re celebrating. 🌮🥟🎶

¡Viva la independencia! 🇲🇽🇸🇻🇨🇷🇬🇹🇭🇳🇳🇮

#ucathunder #ucahighschool
6 months ago, UCA
Spanish teacher and students eating ethnic food as a celebration
students dishing out food
students eating food at a classroom party
student being served a glass of horchata
student being served a glass of horchata
students serving up pieces of cake
students dishing out food
teacher speaking in the front of a classroom to her students
🚓👮‍♂️ Our kindergarteners had some very special visitors yesterday—the local police department! As they are learning about community helpers and everyday heroes, students were able to hear from officers about their important work and ask great questions.

The highlights? Sitting inside a real squad car 🚔 and getting up close with a furry hero, their police dog Dunkin' 🐾

What an exciting and memorable way to learn about courage, service, and community! 💪 💜

#ucathunder #ucaelementary
6 months ago, UCA
police officers speaking to kindergarten students in a classroom
pollice dog sitting on the sidewalk
police officer talking to a girl next to a squad car
kindergarten teacher taking pictures of students sitting in a squad car
kindergarten students lined up to pet the police dog
police officers speaking to kindergarten students in a classroom
students hugging a police officer
kindergarten students sitting inside of a squad car
student giving a high five to a police officer
police officers speaking to kindergarten students in a classroom