Lower School Girls on the Run, by Jennifer Crocker and Tammy Carr, WCA Parents
This year, our third through fifth grade girls had the opportunity to participate in a dynamic and fun after school program called Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run is an international charitable organization “designed to promote healthy habits and an active lifestyle” that first started in North Carolina and has since spread across … Read more
Adventures in Physics, by Rebekah Hoffman and Erin McGoff, WCA Juniors
Each year, the Upper School Physics Class has a variety of hands-on experiences that enhance their understanding of science. They take the lessons learned inside the classroom and apply them outside of the classroom. From rocket launches on the soccer field to unique and entertaining trips in both Maryland and Virginia, taking Physics at Washington Christian … Read more
An Evening to Remember: Lower School History Night!
People who have never been to WCA’s Lower School History Night might hear the phrase “History Night” and shudder. Why? Perhaps their minds are wandering back to long, sleepy lectures or slow documentaries about indecipherable manuscripts and broken artifacts. Perhaps they see the study of history as simply memorizing a series of names and dates. … Read more
The Next Generation of World Leaders, by Jennifer Meade, WCA Faculty
“I just vetoed Macedonia’s bid for entering NATO!” “Come on, Baku is definitely the best place to host the Olympics.” “Did you know that a fragment the size of gravel can totally devastate our satellites? This is serious.” “I’m not certain that China really understands the ramifications of their proposal to genetically alter grass. It … Read more
Invited to the Party, by Isaac Adams, WCA Alumn
For a school community, the springtime is always a season of questions: “Where should I go to college in the fall? Where will I get a job after graduating from college? What summer plans should I make for my family?” For those of us at WCA, a major question has been, “Where will we be … Read more
Breathing Life into History: Lessons from a Holocaust Survivor, by Karen Zimmerman, WCA Faculty
Even the best written textbook or the most carefully crafted lecture cannot compete with a firsthand account of an historical period. Seventh graders at WCA experienced the truth of this statement last week as they welcomed to their classes Holocaust survivor Mrs. Josiane “Josy” Traum. The students were just beginning to read Corrie Ten Boom’s … Read more
My Life in Japan, by Talia Henderson, WCA Alumn
Talia Henderson is a 2007 graduate of WCA. During her time here, her love of fun, her joyful spirit, and her servant’s heart made her very well-loved by the faculty and students alike. We asked some faculty and staff members to share their favorite memories of Talia, and here’s what they had to say: Jeannine … Read more
Misery Turned to Ministry, by Pat Nordstrom, WCA Faculty
We continue our blog posts about God’s remarkable work in the lives of individuals in our community. Pat Nordstrom is a Middle School math teacher here at WCA, and her testimony of God’s mighty work in the healing of her eating disorder is both brave and moving. We are immensely grateful she was willing to … Read more
Mighty to Save, by Jessica Pankratz, WCA Senior
Last year, Jessica had the opportunity to share this incredible true story with the Middle and Upper School students in one of our weekly chapels. We wanted her to share it with all of you so you can each hear about and rejoice in God’s incredible mercy and protection. As this busy second semester continues and … Read more
From Stage, to Film, to Teaching, by Lauren Minite, WCA Faculty
From Stage, to Film, to Teaching! We’re back after our holiday hiatus! And we think you’ll find our newest post absolutely fascinating. If you’ve read any of our faculty articles, you have probably discovered that the men and women who work at WCA lead pretty fascinating lives. Mission trips, archaeological digs, and radical journeys of faith … Read more
Discovering Leadership in the Lower School
At WCA, we describe the three divisions of our school with these words: Discovering, Becoming, and Leading. In the Lower School, students are in a constant state of discovery as they learn new things about the world around them. In the Middle School, students are continuing discovery, and are also growing in their understanding of … Read more
Thoughts of a Basketball Coach, by David McGlone, WCA Faculty and Coach
Following CHRIST with a basketball in my hands …… THE ZONE I recall shooting baskets recently after class one afternoon and feeling the eyes of a student watching me. After a few moments he walked over to me and asked me the funniest question. He said, “Do you ever miss?” I found this question hilarious … Read more
An Interview with Officers: WCA Alumni in the World of Law Enforcement
Officer Didier N’kodia, Class of 2007 Officer Joshua Austin, Class of 2004 “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s a popular question for kids, and one popular answer is “Police Officer!” Why is that? Because they’re seen as brave protectors and heroes. But what is … Read more
A Teacher’s Testimony: Mrs. Olinca Gardocki
“God answers prayers in unexpected ways.” We’ve all heard the words before, and it’s easy to say them without considering what they really mean. The phrase becomes infinitely more powerful when we have concrete examples to illustrate its truth. Mrs. Gardocki, one of our Upper School Spanish teachers, has a life story filled with extraordinary … Read more
Discovering World Cultures: Second Grade’s Journey to Japan, From Our Office
Photos 1 & 2 are the property of the Japan Information & Culture Center. Used with permission. If you think about your K-12 school days, what would you list as the most interesting and enriching experiences? If you’re like us, you probably have a few field trips on the list. On Friday, October 21st, Mrs. … Read more
God’s Work in India: The Gilbert Family Mission Trip, by Joel Gilbert, WCA Parent
This summer, our family had the privilege of going to India to serve in the state of Andhra Pradesh among students. From getting to see the way that God has gifted the architects and workers of the Taj Mahal, to seeing God work directly in the lives of many people – this trip was a real … Read more
Creating Community: The First Grade Mothers’ Tea
When people ask us what makes WCA such a special community, one of the first things we tend to do is share the stories of our favorite school events or moments. Athletic events, musical performances, picnics, festivals, and more – we love opportunities to catch up with one another and enjoy God’s many gifts together. … Read more
Learning by Serving: My Trip to Toronto, by Dorothy Hartley, WCA Sophomore
The mission trip that I went on to Toronto, Ontario was truly an amazing experience. I worked for one week with a team from my church through an organization called CSM (Center for Student Missions: http://www.csm.org/). I met and spoke to many fantastic and interesting people, and I learned a lot from the worksites. Every … Read more
The Adventurous Life: Living and Working Overseas, by Jane Olson, Jennifer Meade, and Rebecca Blocher, WCA Faculty
Jane Olson, Upper School History & English Teacher I spent last year living in the food capital of Italy: Bologna. It’s the city that gave its name to a lunch meat (though the Bolognese call it “mortadella”), but more importantly, Bologna invented lasagna, tortellini, and my personal favorite, Ragu Bolognese. After a year of eating … Read more
You Only Thought You Knew Them: Random Facts in Random Order about WCA Faculty and Staff!
Pj Fleming, Dean of Students & Family Life I used to have ridiculously long and frizzy hair because I sang in an 80’s style, heavy-metal “hair” band. Jane Olson, Upper School English & History Teacher In high school, I beat the captain of the hockey team in a pie-eating contest. And I would … Read more
