Arnold Christian Academy Marks 50 Years Of Faith, Family And Learning

At Arnold Christian Academy (ACA), being a small school is part of the point.

With 54 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, classes are small enough that teachers know not only their students, but also their families - and sometimes, even their pets. Older students read with younger students, parents deliver school lunches and fill in as substitutes, and former students and parents often return to volunteer.

That close-knit community has become a defining feature of ACA, which is marking its 50th anniversary this school year.

“We are honestly a big family here,” Principal Kelly Hurd said. “It really is this culture of love, support, family and, of course, education happens, but when there’s a relationship, you can really teach.”

Five Decades of Faith and Education

ACA was founded in 1977 through what was then New Covenant Church, when church members sought a place where their children could receive an education rooted in Christian values. The school, now a mission of CrossPointe Church, moved from its original location to its current home on College Parkway roughly 30 years ago.

“How faithful God has been these 50 years! In partnership with so many other pastors and churches in our area, we consider it a tremendous honor that ACA has been able to be a blessing to our community,” said Scott Crook, lead pastor of CrossPointe Church. “I believe our greatest impact is not only prioritizing a quality academic education but also focusing on the spiritual growth of our students by keeping the gospel of Jesus Christ central.”

The church and school work together on Vacation Bible School and service projects, including a food drive benefiting My Brother’s Pantry.

Small Classes, Strong Relationships

For teachers and families, ACA’s size is one of its greatest strengths.

ACA’s middle school has about 30 students total, giving teachers the opportunity to work with the same students over several years.

“I know these kids,” said Hurd, who also teaches English language arts to students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades. “I know what’s going on in their lives. I know how I can pray for them, and they know that if they need that, they can ask me for that.”

Those relationships extend to parents, she said.

“We talk to their parents during dismissal. I know their dogs,” she said. “The environment is what it’s all about here.”

Before coming to ACA, Hurd taught in Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Her daughter initially remained in public school, but she transferred to ACA during Hurd’s first year teaching at ACA.

“I pulled her out midway through the year because what we were doing here was so amazing,” she said. “I was like, she needs to be here.”

Hurd later became principal, her daughter continued at ACA through eighth grade, and today both her daughter and son teach at the school.

Teacher Leyfameh Rogers had a similar path. Her family was searching for a school that prioritized learning with a Christian foundation when they happened upon a church Easter event.

“We were looking for Christian faith and also a strong academic background,” Rogers said. “We found it at ACA.”

Her family has remained connected to ACA for 11 years, and Rogers went from parent to volunteer to teacher.

“As a parent, I love the close-knit environment,” she said. “We have a strong foundation and a rigorous curriculum. It is a small school, but when we teach, we teach.”

A Community Beyond the Classroom

ACA’s traditions reinforce connections across grade levels. Through Reading Buddies, older students pair with younger children once a month. Students attend chapel three Wednesdays each month, sometimes hearing from pastors from other churches in the Broadneck area.

Although ACA is a Christian school and biblical instruction is part of its curriculum, Hurd said enrollment is not limited to Christian families.

“We’ve had a Muslim family come through. We had a Jewish family. We’ve had atheists come through,” she said. “Anyone is welcome to come. They need to understand who we are and that we’re going to teach the Bible. … But if they’re comfortable with that, everybody’s welcome.”

The school’s size also gives teachers flexibility to respond to students’ interests and needs. Students can receive individualized reading or math intervention, while middle schoolers can meet with teachers for extra help.

Students also take ownership of school activities like morning announcement videos, talent shows and clubs.

Celebrating 50 Years

ACA plans to incorporate its milestone anniversary into existing traditions, including its annual fall bazaar and chili cookoff. Students help organize and participate in the event, even making their own chili.

Teacher Shannon Phillips said the bazaar helps students learn how to give back. “We want the community to come in and see what the kids are doing,” she said. “Kids should be a part of what we’re doing in the community. They should learn how to give back. A lot of kids want to (give back) but just don’t know how.”

The school is also discussing a special 50th anniversary event, a commemorative yearbook spread and a possible student musical performance at its spring bazaar.

For those who have spent years at ACA, the anniversary is about more than longevity. It’s a chance to recognize the generations of families, teachers, church members and students who have sustained the school.

And while students eventually have to leave ACA after eighth grade, teachers say they remain part of its community.

“They do ask us to fail them,” Hurd joked of eighth graders who don’t want to leave. “They ask us to start a high school.”

Rogers said she sends graduates off confident they are prepared academically, emotionally, spiritually and socially.

“They’re strong leaders,” she said. “They’re very much ready in every aspect.”

To learn more about Arnold Christian Academy, visit www.arnoldchristianacademy.org.