What a beautiful way to begin a new school year! 🙏💜

On the first day of school, members of our parent community gathered to cover United Christian Academy in prayer. After dropping off their kids, they lifted up our students, families, teachers, staff, and the year ahead.

We are so incredibly blessed by a community that loves UCA and faithfully brings our school before the Lord. We are grateful for you and excited for all that God has in store for this school year!

#ucathunder #ucacommunity
2 days ago, UCA
a group of parents gathered outside to pray for our school
a group of parents gathered outside to pray for our school
a group of parents gathered outside to pray for our school
a group of parents gathered outside to pray for our school
a group of parents gathered outside to pray for our school
a group of parents gathered outside to pray for our school
Their Last First Day! 🎓

This morning, our senior class kicked off their last first day of school with a special breakfast together! Before heading into their final year at UCA, students enjoyed time connecting with one another, hearing a few encouraging words from our Head of School, taking plenty of pictures, and decorating their cars to celebrate the occasion. 🚗 🎉

It’s hard to believe their final year is officially underway! We are excited to see all that God has in store for the Class of 2027 as they make the most of this special year. 💜 ⚡️

#ucathunder #ucahighschool #ucaclassof2027
2 days ago, UCA
group of senior boys by a photo backdrop
group picture of senior girls
car window decorated for senior class of 2027
head of school speaking to the senior class
group of boys eating breakfast
head of school speaking to the senior class
senior girls decorating their car
senior girls decorating their car
head of school speaking to the senior class

Tech Upgrades at UCA! 💻

Our staff and many volunteers have been working throughout the summer to keep UCA equipped with current, reliable technology.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our UCA community during last year’s Jog-a-thon, we were able to purchase a new intercom and bell system! This upgrade will improve communication throughout our school and provide a more reliable system for years to come. 🔔

Our Aviation Program has a brand-new set of three uniform flight simulators! These updated simulators give our students a more consistent, hands-on experience as they learn the skills and concepts behind aviation. ✈️

We also welcomed a batch of 150 new Chromebooks over the summer to keep students connected, learning, creating, and exploring. 💻

We’re excited to see these upgrades in action as we begin a new school year! Thank you to everyone who helped make these improvements possible! 💜⚡️

#ucathunder

8 days ago, UCA
teacher standing next to a table with a row of new technology devices
flight simulators in a classroom
teacher on a ladder installing a new intercom system
teacher and student looking at flight simulators
flight simulator
teacher kneeling on the ground working on wiring of a new intercom system
boxes and components for new flight simulators
teacher and student looking at boxes for the new flight simulators
🎉 ONE WEEK! 🎉

🤯 Is your mind blown as much as ours?? We are so blessed to welcome our students back next Tuesday and start off a new school year!

How are you feeling about the first day? Excited, nervous, ready to go? Drop an emoji in the comments and let us know! 👇

#ucathunder

10 days ago, UCA
photos of students at various school activities
📚 Training, learning & getting ready for a great year! 💜

Today was an exciting milestone as our new staff members came together at UCA for the first time as a group! We’re grateful for the opportunity to welcome them, build connections, and begin preparing for the year ahead.

Our Pre-K teachers and substitute teachers have also been back this week, completing licensure review and CPR training to make sure they’re equipped and ready to serve our youngest students well. ❤️‍🔥

We’re thankful for the people God has brought to UCA and excited to see how He will use each of them to know, love, and disciple our students in the year ahead!

Welcome to the UCA family! 👋 💜

#ucathunder #ucastaff
13 days ago, UCA
teachers sitting at round tables talking
group of teachers sitting at a table
group of teachers talking to each other
group of teachers talking to each other
group of teachers talking to each other
group of teachers talking to each other
group of teachers talking to each other
Crack the code. Follow the clues. Save the day. 🔎

Our summer camps wrapped up this week with some middle school students stepping into the world of June 1945 for an immersive puzzle adventure! 🕵️‍♀️ 🗝️

With a rogue Nazi element known as “The Fifth Column” on the loose, campers were challenged to track down the group and stop their plans before it was too late. Along the way, they worked through hands-on puzzles, digital challenges, and decoded messages. These campers were all in! 🔐 👏

#ucathunder #ucasummercamp
14 days ago, UCA
students sitting at a table trying to solve puzzles with a teacher looking over their shoulder
students using black lights to solve puzzles
student looking at a map
students using black lights to solve puzzles
students using black lights to solve puzzles
student trying to decipher a code
teacher at a whiteboard in the front of a classroom
students using black lights to solve puzzles
students using black lights to solve puzzles
💜 Meet one of the newest families joining the UCA community! ⚡

We're excited to welcome the Carney family as Sawyer enters Kindergarten this fall!

“We very much wanted Sawyer to be in a Christ centered school, where he can build sweet friendships, learn and grow academically but most importantly grow in his walk with Jesus:) We are so excited to see what God is going to do in Sawyer’s life as he starts his Kindergarten year here at UCA!! We are mostly looking forward to the community!”

To the Carney family, we're excited to partner with you and we're thankful God has led your family to UCA. We look forward to seeing how He works in your lives this year. 💜📚

#ucathunder
15 days ago, UCA
family photo of parents and three young kids

🏆 We’re Hiring: Athletic Director! ⚡

United Christian Academy is seeking an energetic, mission-driven Athletic Director to lead our interscholastic athletic programs. Working closely with the Head of School and leadership team, this role provides oversight for middle and high school athletics while cultivating a Christ-centered culture of excellence, character, leadership, and faith. ✝️

Key Responsibilities:
• 📅 Scheduling, operations, and facilities
• 💰 Budget management
• 📋 Conference & MSHSL compliance
• 🤝 Build positive relationships with students, families, officials, and the broader school community

📩 Learn more and apply at https://www.ucathunder.org/page/career-opportunities

#ucathunder #ucastaff

16 days ago, UCA
"now hiring" information

⏰ The countdown is on... just 2 weeks until the first day of school!

What you 're doing to make the most of the final weeks of summer? Share in the comments!👇☀️⛱️

#ucathunder

17 days ago, UCA
photos of students at various school activities
Summer break doesn't mean the work stops! Even though it’s quieter around the building, there's plenty happening behind the scenes! Our staff is hard at work getting everything ready to welcome students back for another incredible school year. ☀️

Sometimes summer prep happens in the most unexpected places! Three of our elementary teachers happened to run into each other at a church sale—and naturally, they all found their way to the children’s book section. Each teacher left with a big haul of books to bring back to their classroom libraries. 📚 😂

Even when they're technically off for the summer, they're always on the lookout for ways to make their classrooms full of opportunities for students to learn. 💜 📖

#ucathunder #ucastaff #ucaelementary
18 days ago, UCA
three teachers at a book sale
We're excited to introduce the newest members of the UCA team! 💜

Join us as we welcome the talented educators and staff God has brought to our community for the upcoming school year. New faces, new gifts, and the same mission of equipping students to impact the world for Christ.

Please welcome, Jenn Weinstein, Elementary Art Teacher: 🎨 🖌️
“I was drawn to the opportunity to blend my passion for teaching with my passion for creating art in a Christ-centered community. My family also has many connections to UCA that go way back, and it is so fun to be a part of this community again in a new way!”
“Something fun or unique about me is that, once upon a time, Dr. Morrison was my 6th grade teacher.”
“I am so excited to see all the creative art pieces the students at UCA will make!”

#ucathunder #ucastaff
22 days ago, UCA
woman holding paintbrushes
⏰ The countdown is on... just 3 weeks until the first day of school!

We can't wait to see our hallways filled with students, reconnect with familiar faces, and welcome new families into the UCA community. 💜

What's one thing you're looking forward to this school year? Share it in the comments! 👇📚

#ucathunder
24 days ago, UCA
images of kids at school hidden in the text
Summer break doesn't mean the work stops! Even though it’s quieter around the building, there's plenty happening behind the scenes! Our staff is hard at work getting everything ready to welcome students back for another incredible school year. ☀️💜

Mrs. Troost, our kindergarten teacher, has been busy transforming her classroom one imaginative space at a time! This dramatic play area she's preparing is a market, where students can pretend to shop, explore, and learn through hands-on play. 🛒 🍎

One of Mrs. Troost's greatest gifts is her creativity. She has a knack for turning everyday lessons into exciting experiences that encourage problem-solving, and make learning fun and memorable. 📚

#ucathunder #ucastaff #ucaelementary
28 days ago, UCA
woman setting up a hands-on play area of a kindergarten classroom
Summer break doesn't mean the work stops! Even though it’s quieter around the building, there's plenty happening behind the scenes! Our staff is hard at work getting everything ready to welcome students back for another incredible school year. ☀️💜

While many are enjoying summer, Mrs. Larson, our high school math teacher, has been spending long hours studying to complete her final graduate-level math course. Her dedication will earn her the credentials to teach any college-level math course right here at UCA, creating even more opportunities for our students.

Mrs. Larson's commitment is a great reminder that preparing for a new school year often means continuing to learn ourselves. We are grateful for teachers who invest in their own growth so they can better serve and challenge the students God has entrusted to them. Way to go, Mrs. Larson! 📚➗🎉

#ucathunder #ucastaff #ucahighschool
28 days ago, UCA
woman sitting at her desk with a laptop and notebook
This week, students are making the most of summer at our Summer Games Camp! Led by Mr. Peterson, our Athletic Director, campers are enjoying some of the tried-and-true PE favorites that keep students laughing, moving, and making memories.

From friendly competition to strong teamwork, it's been a great week of staying active and proving that the classic games never go out of style! 🏒 🏀 💪

#ucathunder #ucasummercamp
29 days ago, UCA
kids playing basketball in a gym
kids playing floor hockey in a gym
two boys sitting at a score table during a basketball game
kids playing floor hockey in a gym
kids playing basketball in a gym
kids playing floor hockey in a gym
kids playing basketball in a gym
kids playing floor hockey in a gym
kids playing basketball in a gym
kids playing floor hockey in a gym
We're excited to introduce the newest members of the UCA team! 💜

Join us as we welcome the talented educators and staff God has brought to our community for the upcoming school year. New faces, new gifts, and the same mission of equipping students to impact the world for Christ.

Please welcome, Libby Stapf, Pre-K Teacher: 🍎 📚
“I am specifically drawn to UCA for the school's leadership, values and daily focus on building all students and teachers faith to grow stronger in Christ.”
“Something fun or unique is that I go deer hunting with my family every fall at our family cabin in park rapids! We were featured on the show MN bound. A story about a dad, his daughters and deer hunting.”
“I am looking forward to being part of the UCA family, meeting all the preschool kiddos and excited to see which house family I will be joining!”

#ucathunder #ucastaff
29 days ago, UCA
head shot of a woman
family standing on a beach by the ocean
Summer break doesn't mean the work stops! Even though it’s quieter around the building, there's plenty happening behind the scenes! Our staff is hard at work getting everything ready to welcome students back for another incredible school year. ☀️

Mr. Geselle has been a beloved elementary classroom teacher, and this year he's expanding his role and switching to elementary PE teacher and Assistant Elementary Principal. 🏃 📚

Part of his preparations include moving into a new office, and he recruited the help of his daughter for this task.

We appreciate Mr. G’s willingness to step in wherever he's needed. His adaptability and commitment to our mission help make UCA stronger, and we're excited to see the impact he'll have in these new roles this year! 💜

#ucathunder #ucastaff
30 days ago, UCA
man and his daughter moving furniture
man and his daughter moving furniture
Summer break doesn't mean the work stops! Even though it’s quieter around the building, there's plenty happening behind the scenes! Our staff is hard at work getting everything ready to welcome students back for another incredible school year. ☀️💜

Mrs. Mi, our Chinese teacher, is currently spending part of her summer in China. She isn't simply preparing lesson plans, she’s preparing her heart, intentionally equipping herself for the opportunities and challenges that come with teaching. As she put it, she's "fighting against the evil inside and outside of myself to prepare for the difficult times of the future."

Preparing for a new school year means more than organizing classrooms and planning lessons. It also means seeking the Lord and asking Him to equip us to faithfully serve the students He has entrusted to our care.

We are grateful for teachers like Mrs. Mi who understand that the most important preparation begins with Christ. ✝️

#ucathunder #ucastaff
about 1 month ago, UCA
woman reading a Chinese Bible
At United Christian Academy, we believe every role contributes to our mission of providing transformational Christ-centered education to the glory of God.

The Accounting Manager is more than someone who manages numbers. This person serves families, supports our staff, and helps steward the resources God has entrusted to our school. 💰 📊

If you know someone who would thrive in this kind of ministry, we'd love to hear from them. 💜

Contact: careers@ucathunder.org for more information

#ucathunder #ucastaff
about 1 month ago, UCA
school logo with hiring notice
💜 Meet one of the newest families joining the UCA community! ⚡

We're excited to welcome the Winters family as Leonardo enters Kindergarten this fall!
“We chose UCA because it has the best available blend of positive learning environment, character development, comprehensive academic curriculum, and sport opportunities.”

“Based on everything we've seen through the application process, we believe UCA works to put together a great community of parents and families who care - who value education, but also value character.”

“With a last name like Winters, it's "snow" wonder our family loves to get on the ice for some hockey. Whether it's at the rink, in our backyard, or mini-hockey in the basement, we embrace the State of Hockey tradition while having fun as a family.”

To the Winters family, we're excited to partner with you and we're thankful God has led your family to UCA. We look forward to seeing how He works in your lives this year. 💜📚

#ucathunder
about 1 month ago, UCA
dad holding a young boy standing next to mom
two parents and a young boy standing next to a lake