Students from all grades enjoy getting to spend time together at CCA.
NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla., January 16, 2015 – There’s something different about Classical Christian Academy. It’s more than the school’s unique hybrid program, which blends private, Christian school with homeschooling. What truly makes CCA special is its culture: To students, parents and staff members, CCA is family.
The Mueller family discovered this early in its relationship with CCA. Chris Mueller, a pastor at Gateway Grace Fellowship in Fort Myers, had volunteered to coach the CCA Girls Soccer team, of which his daughter was a member, while his son, Nolan, had joined the Boys Soccer team. It was nearing halftime when Nolan Mueller slid in an attempt to beat an opposing player to the ball. Unlike other times, Nolan did not get up. His dad knew right away something was wrong.
It was the first broken bone in the Mueller family. Chris was flustered and called upon his church family to pray, but he was surprised who showed up first to offer support.
“The families from CCA were the first ones there to help and love on us,” said the grateful pastor, who also teaches Bible classes at CCA. “This school is a very relational school. This is a Christ-like environment that I want my children to grow up in.”
Another parent, Cindy Ward, also was amazed at the difference in the atmosphere her family discovered at CCA versus public school. Her son, Andrew, joined CCA in fourth grade. She recalls a time when she picked up Andrew from school and asked him to tell her “something spectacular” about his day. His response surprised her.
Andrew told his mom the kids were playing basketball at recess, and he missed a shot. Puzzled, his mother asked him to explain how that was wonderful. “None of the kids made fun of me for missing,” he replied.
Ward shared, “CCA is a place where my boys are built up, supported and encouraged. It’s their second home and I’m so glad they get to spend their days with the students and staff here.”
High school student, Emma Rose Ravish also found the CCA atmosphere to be refreshingly different than that of her previous school.
“A lot of kids were really rude at my old school, and they wouldn’t help unless the teacher made them,” said Ravish, who was born without legs and uses a wheelchair. She was offered help on the first day of school at CCA, and no one made fun of her. She made friends quickly and cheerfully reports, “The teachers here are like family.”
When asked about CCA, “family” was a common descriptor used by students, staff members and parents. Upper School student Sarah Roedding said she enjoys having small classes, with the average class size at CCA being 12. Student athlete Chloe Lange said she enjoys the encouragement and support given to the volleyball team as members develop their skills and the team improves.
High School Student Lily Griffith enjoys playing in the CCA Praise Band. When Praise Band members arrive at wherever they are playing, they always pray first, to focus on why they are performing, she said.
Parent Kelly Driskell said she likes the accountability and extra support teachers give, directing work for the two home school days each week.
“My family loves the environment here,” added Driskell, who also is administrator of CCA’s Connections Program, which gives homeschooling families extra support and allows them to take classes on campus.
Parent Dana Tong said she enjoys serving as “parent partner” once each quarter. The parent partner volunteers in the classroom and helps teachers with clerical work and grading. It’s a great way to watch her children discreetly and get a better understanding of their school experience, Tong said.
CCA aide and Receptionist Laura Lott said she likes the way everyone works together, “like a family.”
It’s that special atmosphere which keeps Mueller and other parents energized to share their experiences at CCA.
“This is my school family, and when I walk on the property, I can feel and see evidence of a relational school,” he said.
CCA student journalists Maggie Eckert and Luke Eckert contributed to this story.
About Classical Christian Academy:
Classical Christian Academy is the premier hybrid school in Southwest Florida. CCA offers families an academically rigorous and Christ-centered K-12 education option that blends the best aspects of private and home schooling. Classical Christian Academy is a registered 501c(3) organization. For more information, visit www.discovercca.org and like CCA on www.facebook.com/DiscoverCCA.
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