Extracurricular

SPORTS

Competing in sports teaches students teamwork, sacrifice, time management, sportsmanship, and a strong work ethic. Our comprehensive sports program provides a variety of opportunities for students to participate from middle school through high school. Our teams are known for doing well on the court and field, as well as in academics, often making it to regional and state competitions.

 

Our sports programs are open to all students at CCA, no matter the level of experience or ability. We believe that every student should have the chance to grow as part of a team.

THE ARTS

One of the aspects of our school program that we are most proud of at CCA is our commitment to the arts.

 

Students discover that practice, focused attention, and listening result in beautiful performances. Every one of our K-12 students has access to arts education, with performance elements woven into all levels of learning.

Group of elementary school students playing marimbas for a concert
Group of elementary school students playing marimbas for a concert
Younger students are introduced to music through matching a pitch, keeping a beat and learning about other cultures’ use of music. They feel proud of their work and carry the emotional and cognitive benefits of music to other parts of their studies and lives.
Many of our students continue to pursue musical excellence and perform at a high level beyond high school. At the annual Lutheran Elementary Schools Tournament (L.E.S.T.), our middle school ensembles, choir, and most soloists receive the highest honors. Our high school musicians competed with large public-school districts in their first-ever jazz festival in the spring of 2018, bringing home a 1st place trophy. We also began a music tour for our high school students in the spring of 2018. They performed at multiple schools in Washington and Oregon, sang on the boardwalk in Seaside, and received master-level instruction from Dr. Bill Kuhn at Concordia University-Portland. Our high school students continue to tour the Washington-Oregon area each year.
Boy dancing on stage with microphone in his hand
Boy dancing on stage with microphone in his hand
Girl singing into a microphone in church
Girl singing into a microphone in church
Our music director places challenges in front of our students that are not scaled down to match our school’s size. Music has a way of leveling the playing field between large and small programs. CCA provides our students with experiences and challenges they would receive in a larger school, while still retaining the unique personal focus and benefit of a smaller environment. As a result, students are encouraged to reach farther than they ever thought possible.

ELEMENTARY MUSIC PROGRAM

Music at Concordia is fundamentally a language to praise and thank God, to express what is deep in our hearts, and to share joy individually and as a community. Beginning with matching pitch and keeping a beat, students progress through the music of different cultures, eras, instruments, folk dances, and creating their own songs. Along the way, students discover that practice, focused attention, and listening result in beautiful performances. They feel proud of their work and carry the emotional and cognitive benefits of music to other parts of their studies and lives. Classes range from general music for K-2nd grade and recorders for 3rd grade. K-8 musicals are performed at Christmas and in the spring.

BAND

Students at CCA join Band in 4th grade as the next step in their musical journey. Both 4th and 5th graders learn basic instrumental concepts in Chamber Band. In middle school, students have the option to join Concert Band, where musicianship and listening are emphasized. In high school, members of Wind Ensemble explore various genres of music and have the opportunity to perform in 3 ensembles: Concert Band, Pep Band & Jazz Band. High schoolers compete in various festivals throughout the year and also participate in the annual Music Tour in the spring.

CHOIR

Singing is an essential part of every student’s life at CCA. From classroom songs to chapel singing, we are always making a joyful noise! Our middle schoolers are invited to join Chamber Choir, where they learn singing mechanics and the basics of harmony. In high school, students join the Vocal Ensemble, where we expand harmonies and explore various vocal styles. Our Vocal Ensemble also performs as a Jazz Ensemble for festivals and performances. They join the Wind Ensemble for our annual Music Tour in the spring.

MARIMBAS (Middle School)

This fun group works hard in rehearsal and brings smiles at every performance, be it a school lunch or a community function, a church potluck, or a retirement facility. Through a simple audition, students show their ability to play a steady beat, listen, and focus carefully. Our five marimbas were built in 2001 by Tom Bourne and are a blessing to our school and the greater community.

DRAMA (Middle School and High School)

Concordia Christian Academy takes great pride in providing a well-rounded and collaborative theater experience. We make theater accessible to students through a variety of classes and co-curricular opportunities beginning in 6th grade and extending through high school. In middle school, drama class provides an opportunity for students to explore creative drama techniques including role-play, pantomime, and improvisation. The class performs for the Concordia student body at least four times each year, including a drama competition for the Lutheran Elementary School Tournament, and a big spring production for families at the end of the school year. This elective is open to 7th and 8th grades only, and class size is limited to 16 students who audition for a place in the class each fall.
In high school, students are trained in a multitude of theater areas—acting, stage management, stage and technical design. In classes, other skills such as playwriting and directing are emphasized. A hallmark of our theater program is the collaborative experience surrounding the preparation and production of each play. Every individual is tasked with a great deal of responsibility and leadership. Students learn about the major aspects of putting on a play and they bond in extraordinary ways as they work, act, and share meals during after-school rehearsals. Theater builds confidence, work ethic, camaraderie, and speaking skills that carry into all aspects of life. This truly becomes a one-of-a-kind lasting memory that serves students well.
Our students begin with foundational music and art study and then choose to move into a variety of expressions including:
  • Band
  • Choir
  • Drama
  • Studio Art
  • Marimbas
  • Photography
  • Drawing
  • And more!
Our students tour at the high school level and are involved in a number of performance opportunities throughout the year. Many of our music and arts groups have received critical acclaim, but all students are encouraged to discover their gifts, regardless of talent or previous experience.

CO-CURRICULAR

Like sports, co-curricular activities are open to all who are interested. We find that these after-hours opportunities provide an outlet for students to develop deep bonds with one another as they participate in leadership opportunities through:
  • Student Council
  • Student Ambassadors
  • National Honor Society
  • Junior Classical League (including the national competition, which encourages an interest in and an appreciation of the language, literature, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome)
  • Education First Tours (to Europe and Central America each spring – These trips create life-changing experiences as students learn about the world around them first-hand)
  • Overnight Retreats
  • Fun Nights
  • Outdoor Adventure Club
  • Women’s Studies
  • Garden Club
  • Chess Club
We also create opportunities for student electives and clubs. Additionally, students may design clubs based on their shared interests.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

  • Yearbook
  • Chess Club
  • Band
  • Choir
  • Marimbas
  • Drama
  • Art
  • Summer Camps

HIGH SCHOOL

  • National Honor Society
  • Outdoor Adventure Club
  • Student Ambassadors
  • Student Council
  • Women’s Studies
  • Garden Club
  • Junior Classical League