United Christian Academy

🎒🚌 📚 ✏️School starts August 22nd, just two short weeks away! Make the decision to enroll today. Reach out to our Admissions department at: admissions@ucathunder.org #ucathunder #backtoschool

🙌🏼 UCA is blessed to welcome new staff members to our team for this coming school year! We would like to introduce you to Mr. Kirk Pugsley, Middle School Math and Science. Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way they should go….” I have taught and coached in public and private schools for over 22 years. I am thankful that the Lord has allowed me to join with parents to accomplish this challenge of Proverbs 22:6. Christian Education should be teaching and training young people to be successful in whatever the Lord calls them to be. J.C. Watts said: “Character is doing the right thing when nobody’s looking. Too many people think that the only thing that’s right is to get by, and the only thing that’s wrong is to get caught.” UCA and I have a shared passion for the love of Christ and Christian education. A vision that creates an environment of quality education blended with an enthusiasm for learning. We asked Mr. Pugsley some "This or That" questions, and here are his responses: 🍦❄️Ice cream or snow cone? - "I scream for ice cream.” It's my go-to medicine. 🎲 🎮 Board or video games? - "Board & card games are great, video games are ok, but golf is my game of choice." 📚🎞️ Book or movie? - "I am a book guy, but any movie that “boldly goes” or is in a “galaxy far, far away” I will grab some popcorn and soda pop and be totally entertained." Welcome to the community Mr. Pugsley! #ucathunder #ucastaff

🏈 UCA's first Youth Football Camp is in the books! 🏈 Coach Jake Wynia worked with a group of ten boys today, laying the groundwork for the future of UCA's football program. Can't wait to see what the future holds! #ucathunder #ucaathletics

🥎 Our recent softball scrimmage, hosted by the varsity softball team, brought together many different members of our community. Softball players, baseball players, parents and siblings, staff, alumni, and more! 🌞It was a perfect day to PLAY BALL! Thank you to everyone who joined, both as a player or a fan! #ucathunder #ucaathletics

🙌🏼 UCA is blessed to welcome new staff members to our team for this coming school year! We would like to introduce you to Miss Ciri Meyen, Upper School Administrative Assistant. "Before working at UCA, I worked as a Special Education Paraprofessional at a Classical Education Charter School. I'm excited about the career change and the new opportunities at UCA!" We asked Miss Meyen some "This or That" questions, and here are her responses: 🍦❄️Ice cream or snow cone? - "I love ice cream! I wish it were a food group." 🌅🌃Early bird or night owl? - "Definitely a night owl! I don't like early mornings!" Welcome to the community Miss Meyen! #ucathunder #ucastaff

💜 We love to hear from our parents about what they are experiencing here at UCA. This is from one of our elementary families, with students entering Kindergarten and 5th grade. This will be their fourth year with UCA. 💬 "We are super excited for this year at UCA and feel very blessed to have the school support we have received with our children. Please feel free to reach out if anything is ever needed, as we will always do our best to help. We have found a great foundation at UCA and firmly believe it was one of the best decisions we have ever made to enroll. We constantly tell people where our kids go to school and why, and we wouldn’t change it for the world!" It is a great blessing to partner with your family! #ucathunder #ucaelementary

🙌🏼 UCA is blessed to welcome new staff members to our team for this coming school year! We would like to introduce you to Mrs. Alejandra Llerena-Peterson, First Grade teacher. "I truly believe in the power of the classroom. In the classroom, students are able to explore what the real world will be like, the good and the bad. In the classroom they navigate their emotions, they navigate critical thinking, working with peers, problem-solving, freedom, and limits. This sets them up to be kind, intelligent human beings that not only contribute to society but make this world a little better than it was before. I am the most excited about joining the UCA community-including staff and families as well as being able to talk about Jesus-that is so special!" We asked Mrs. Llerena-Peterson some "This or That" questions, and here are her responses: ☕🍵Coffee or Tea? - "Coffee, for sure!" 🧂 🍬 Sweet or Salty? - "Sweet" Welcome to the community Mrs. LP! #ucathunder #ucastaff

🙌🏼 UCA is blessed to welcome new staff members to our team for this coming school year! We would like to introduce you to Miss Naomi Caron, High School Math and Science teacher. "I’ve taught in public schools for 6 years, in 3 schools, in two states. I am excited to make the transition into a Christian school. I attended a Private Christian high school and I am looking forward to the faith-based community that is there." We asked Miss Caron some "This or That" questions, and here are her responses: ☕🍵Coffee or Tea? - "Coffee! But I drink it with just a little milk so you don’t lose the flavor of it." 🎲🎮Board or video games? - "Board games. My family has always done game nights and playing games together always comes with lots of laughs." 📖 🎞️Book or movie? - "I have always loved to read and do so a lot in my free time. I read about 8 books in the first few weeks of Summer." 🏍️ Fun fact...she rides a motorcycle! Welcome to the community Miss Caron! #ucathunder #ucastaff

🙌🏼 UCA is blessed to welcome new staff members to our team for this coming school year! We would like to introduce you to Dr. Tim Morrison, Elementary Principal. "I am blessed to be married to Wendy for 37 years. We have one daughter and a son-in-law. My experience includes 11 years teaching in elementary public schools (Las Vegas and Minnesota) and 10 years teaching/principal in Christian schools (Bethany Academy and Christian Life). My previous position was at Crown College as Associate Professor of Teacher Education (11 years). My Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota is in Mathematics Education. As the new Elementary Principal, I look forward to using my teaching and administrative experience to serve and mentor our staff and students. I love to read and enjoy learning about Christian Apologetics. I am convinced that operational science is compatible with the Word of God. I enjoy speaking with agnostics, atheists, and 'religious' people that their questions have answers in Jesus Christ." Welcome to the community Dr. Morrison! #ucathunder #ucastaff

Calling all UCA students and family (7th grade and older)! 🥎 The Varsity Softball team invites you to a friendly scrimmage: Monday, July 31st, at 4:00 pm Dred Scott Playfield #3. Whether or not you are on the softball or baseball team, if you've played or never picked up a glove. Join the fun! #ucathunder #ucaathletics

🗓️ We are less than four weeks away from Day One of the 2023-2024 school year! ⏱️There is still time to work through the enrollment process, but act now so that you don't miss a single day! We are looking forward to welcoming all of our new families into the UCA community and hope that you will join us! ❓Reach out to our admissions department to get your questions answered or to schedule a tour: admissions@ucathunder.org #ucathunder #backtoschool

☀️🔥 The temps were high, and the competition was heated this week for Multi-sport camp! Mr. Peters led these campers through games they played in phy ed class during the school year. Flag Football, Whiffle Ball, Pin Guard, and more! They worked on the fundamentals of throwing and catching, ran through some conditioning drills, and had fun playing their favorite games! #ucathunder #ucasummercamps

The Upper School is coming together! Classrooms are being stocked, furniture is being assembled, walls are being painted in UCA colors, and logistics are being finalized! Join us for the Open House to see it all for yourself! August 3rd at 6:00 pm. #ucathunder #ucaupperschool

♟️ Chess Camp has been a fantastic opportunity for kids to dive into the captivating world of chess, where strategic thinking, problem-solving, and creativity come together in a thrilling battle of wits! 🧠 Mr. Hawkinson has been guiding our students through interactive lessons, from the basics to advanced tactics. They've learned how to plan ahead, foresee moves, and outmaneuver their opponents on the chessboard! #ucathunder #ucasummercamp

🔬 🔄Science room SWAP! 🪄 In the blink of an eye, the high school science classroom has now become the middle school science classroom! We're one step closer to having our Lower School ready for students. Thank you to all of our helpers! #ucathunder #ucalowerschool

🎄🎅🏽 Christmas in July! 🥳 Leave it to our wonderful elementary teachers to throw a themed party! This team gathered to build relationships, welcome new staff members, and enjoy the food and fellowship. Exciting things are in store for our elementary students and staff this year! #ucathunder #ucaelementary #ucalowerschool

Join our UCA families for some fun at the park! All ages welcome. We know our Pre-K and elementary kids love the playground, but how about we get some older kids to start a game of kickball? This is a summer favorite tradition, and we hope to see you there. Look for the UCA tent for a cold treat and wear your UCA gear! Address: 10320 Morgan Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431 #ucathunder

🧩The puzzle pieces continue to move! Now that the High School classrooms have been cleared out at the Lower School campus, the Middle School and Elementary teachers are moving in! 😃 Changes are happening every day, and the excitement continues to build for this upcoming school year. #ucathunder #ucalowerschool #ucaupperschool

🎺🎵This week's Band Camp students took their talents beyond the walls of UCA and blessed the residents of the Martin Luther Campus senior living and care facility. 🎼🎷They practiced all week to prepare three songs for this performance, and the smiles on the resident's faces were priceless. #ucathunder #ucasummercamp #ucafinearts

🎶 🎤 Our students are SINGing! This week, some Kindergarten-2nd graders worked with Mr. Eliason in Theater camp to put together a medley of songs from the movie SING! They even critiqued themselves on video. 🕺🏼💃 Give them a microphone and some fun dance moves; they are happy campers! #ucathunder #ucasummercamp #ucafinearts