Columbia Academy strives to meet the needs of the spiritual, physical, and social development of its students. Each faculty member is a Christian. Administrators, faculty and staff members reinforce on a daily basis the school’s mission statement:

The Lower School course of study includes Bible, reading, English, spelling, mathematics, social studies, handwriting, art, computer, library, music and physical education. Fifth and sixth grade students may elect to be involved in beginning band. Some of the extracurricular activities for elementary students include Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H.

The Stanford Achievement test is used to assess student progress in grades one through six. Columbia Academy students consistently score above the national average on these tests.

Lower School chapel is conducted at 8:15 A.M. on Wednesday in the multipurpose room. “Circle of Friends” singing time is on Monday and Friday at 8:10 A.M. in the rotunda of Vest Hall.

Lower School hours are 8:00 A.M.-2:50 P.M. Early morning care is provided at no charge to students beginning at 7:00 A.M. each school day.

Lower School:
Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H

Upper School:

Student Council, National Honor Society         

Yearbook Staff, Jr. Civitan, Volunteer Civitan,

Mock Trial Team.  Drama Club, Science Club

Spiritual Emphasis Council, Newspaper Staff,

Athletics:

Columbia Academy competes athletically in Class A Division of the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA). Teams compete actively on high school and junior high level. Over 60% of the upper school students participate in one or more sports.

Junior High Sports:

Baseball (B)                 Soccer (B, G)                          Cheerleading (G)

Basketball (B, G)          Golf (B, G)                               Softball (G)

Trap shooting (B, G)

High School Sports:

Baseball (B)                 Track and Cross Country         Volleyball (G)

Basketball (B, G)          Cheering (G)                            Tennis (B, G)

Bowling (B, G) Golf (B, G)                               Softball (G)

Football (B)                  Soccer (B, G)                           Track (B, G)

Skeet (B, G)                 Trap Shooting (B, G)

Band: 

The band program began in 1994. Students have participated in Mid-State Band and Honors Band. Concerts are given at Christmas and in the spring.  The band plays at home football games.

Art:

Art basics are taught in the K-2 classroom. Third through sixth graders are instructed by the art teacher weekly.

Art I meets the fine arts credit required for high school graduation. Additional art classes are taken as electives. The high school program is a discipline based education of esthetics, art history, and art production.

Library: 

Students in kindergarten through sixth grade are scheduled for a weekly class library visit. The students study library skills, do research, are introduced to note taking skills, also they study authors and illustrators of books during the class library time. Books are often read to the classes, and there is time for silent reading during most library class visits. The Lower School library offers a large selection of books both fiction and non-fiction that are on the Accelerated Reader program.  These books are labeled by reading level and point value to help the students with their classroom requirements. Books on video are offered several times during the year. All students may exchange their completed library book between 7:45 -8:00 A.M. and 2:30-3:00 P.M each day.

Seventh and eighth grade English classes come to the library once every two weeks. Their focus is to study books by assigned authors or certain assigned class books and participate in the Accelerated Reader program.  All upper school classes by subject areas may reserve a class period time for library research.  The upper school library offers a large selection of books both fiction and non-fiction that are on the Accelerated Reader program.  These books are labeled by reading level and point value to help the students with their classroom requirements.

All Upper School students use the library to check out books, for research, and to work on class presentations. All students may exchange books between the hours of 8:00-3:00 daily.

Computer Labs

Both the Lower School and Upper School have computer labs.

Lower School students begin computer literacy in kindergarten. Students in grades kindergarten through sixth grades complete projects coordinated with the classroom or library curriculum.  Students learn to keyboard, to conduct internet research, and to use Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Publisher.

A computer course is offered for credit at the Upper School level. Computers are located in each classroom and all are internet active. Some computers are also available in the high school library for student use

Music:

Kindergarten through sixth grade students go to music class twice a week. In the fall, the children prepare for a Grandparent’s Day program in October and for a holiday show in December. In February, grades 3-6 can participate in a talent show. In the spring, the students practice for various programs such as Mother’s Day Tea, Kindergarten Graduation, Sixth Grade Graduation and D.A.R.E. Graduation.

Other activities during the year include learning music theory, studying the history of music, listening to classical pieces, and playing instruments.

A piano lab is also an integral part of the instruction for grades two through six.

Chorus is offered to high school students and may be used as the fine arts credit.  Additional years of chorus may be taken and counted as an elective. The chorus gives various performances through the year.  They are a major part of the talent show day held in the spring.

Physical Education:

Lower School students participate in P.E. three times a week. They play educational games, discuss nutrition, and learn basic skills in a variety of sports.

In grades nine through twelve students are required to take one semester of wellness and one of health. Team sports, physical fitness activities and strength conditioning are all part of the wellness program. Seventh and eighth grade students take one semester of physical education per year unless they participate in band.

Extended Day Care:

This service is offered to parents with children in the Lower School. Vest Hall is used and qualified personnel supervise the activities from 3:15-5:30 P.M. We are currently evaluating the need for extended day care for non-driving Upper School students.  Fall and Spring Break care is also offered for grades

K-6 from 7:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. for a weekly fee.

Summer Enrichment:

Summer Enrichment is held in Vest Hall during the summer break for children that have completed kindergarten through sixth grade. This program is directed and taught by Columbia Academy personnel. Activities include weekly field trips and various fun filled camps to enhance the child’s intellectual and /or athletic abilities.