Five years ago, Community Christian Academy changed its name and location but the founders’ original vision for the school is still growing celebrating 16 years of educating children in an environment of “Christ-Centered Academic Excellence.” Supporters of the school, parents, teachers, staff and board members have held to their vision and are seeing results not only in fiscal growth but also in the growth of their students both academically and spiritually.
The school mission posted in the entry of the building foyer depicts an eagle soaring above the ocean overlooking a high bluff and a scripture quoted from Habakkuk 2:2-3, “Then the Lord answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.’ ”
Holding fast to this promise and words of encouragement has shown to be rewarding. Mrs. JereAnna Hargett is the administrator of the school and expressed how blessed she has been just being a part of it.
Mrs. Hargett, a former teacher and administrator who served in the Cook County School system for 40 plus years, holding degrees from both the University of Georgia and Valdosta State University said, “ I retired for just a few months before taking this position. It was a wonderful move for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed everything I have done in my career but I can’t think of a better way to end my career, than to be here.” When she talks about the school she just lights up and can’t say enough about how it blesses her to be a part of something so moving. She expressed feelings about her students and staff and is so proud of the older students who are taking their faith and academics into the community helping to make it a better place.
Growing Pains
Community Christian School has experienced some growing pains but those have only proved their resolve. “God is at work in the school, we see needs met continuously,” Mrs. Hargett explained how every time a need arises it seems to be met. One need, that of just trying to keep tuition costs down so that people in the community can send their children has been offset through fundraising projects. The school has 3 or 4 major fundraisers each year, a Reverse Auction and Pork Chop Dinners which are well received. In the Fall the Hallelujah Hoe Down and raffle is a big hit as well. “We couldn’t do it without the support of our board and the community. The board members also contribute and are always there to chip in or find a way to solve problems.” Mrs Hargett said.
“With the addition of the high school, parking was going to be an issue. The house across the road was in disrepair and was purchased, after demolition that area will become the parking lot for teachers, students and parents. Also as of this week the street will become a one way street from Parrish to Gordon which will help with traffic flow and provide an added safety factor for the students,” Hargett reported.
Enrollment is still open for all grades except 2nd and 3rd, as of right now there are 122 students enrolled which is the largest since the school’s inception. With this growth there was a need for a cafeteria and a gathering room that could house the whole student population. After Christmas, CCA will occupy the original school Cafeteria. This will provide an area not only for hot lunches to be served but also for Chapel, Music, and PE during inclement weather. The current lunchroom will once again become a library/media center.
Academic/Spiritual Growth
The school has increased the curriculum to include special areas of education; music, art, physical education, computers and Spanish. These subjects will be taught by volunteers from the community. As the school continues to grow so does the faculty and staff with 10 teachers and four paraprofessionals this year for 3-K through 11th grade.
An area that the school is particularly proud of is that all of their 10th and 11th grade students passed the entrance requirements for Georgia Military College and will be dually enrolled for College Algebra this year.
Spiritual growth of the students is intertwined in the daily education of the students at CCA. You will find every teacher teaching a Bible lesson and scripture memorization but at CCA they are also teaching their students how to apply the lessons they learn. Future Community Christian Leaders is an organization for middle and high school students. These students go into the community each week and visit assisted care facilities and nursing homes. They share their faith and spend time with sick and elderly sharing the love they have learned about in their studies. This group also goes on a mission trip each year which has really opened their eyes about the world and the physical and spiritual needs of people. They have been on missions in New York City, Washington D.C. and Atlanta.
With all of this growth it was only a matter of time before transportation would become an issue. A 16 passenger van was donated to the school and funds were raised for a 50 passenger bus purchase this year, which will come in handy for field trips and also for sports which will be new this year.
GICAA Division II
CCA has joined the Georgia Independent Christian Athletic Association, Division II. This brings many opportunities to participate not only in sports but the fine arts as well. Starting the 2016 school year, CCA Eagles will add girls softball, basketball, hopefully tennis and cross country. The students will also be able to participate and compete in Quiz Bowl, Spelling and Geography Bees and Literary meets.
The founders and leadership of Community Christian Academy are investing in the future. Mrs. Hargett says that, “the school couldn’t do what they do and wouldn’t be where they were if it wasn’t for the support of the teachers, staff and their board members, Tim Fuller, Ken Baldree, Tim Cannington, Mike McCartney, Liz Thomas, and Teresa Moore.” When the school doors open on the new school year listen carefully for Soaring Eagles!
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