Making the most of God-given abilities and opportunities

The fine arts program identifies and develops our students’ abilities and provides them with many opportunities to use them for worship and service to Christ.  Students may use their gifts during extracurricular events throughout the school year, enter competitions with other schools around the state, and even earn the opportunity to compete on a national level.

Academy students have won multiple individual and group state and national titles in music, speech, and art. Our debate team is the two-time defending AACS national champion.

Speech

One of the greatest fears a person may face is the fear of public speaking. Yet public speech is an essential part of his Christian duty. He is commanded to communicate his faith to others: “How shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).

Genuine Christian education trains leadership for the future, so it must address this basic need of the student. Leadership is a communicative process, and speech communication is the primary means by which most believers will make their impact on the world. This tool is sharpened and made ready for the Master’s use through thorough speech training in the Academy.

• Dramatic Interpretation
• Oral Interpretation of Poetry
• Religious Reading
• Declamation
• Humorous Interpretation
• Original Persuasive Oratory
• Extemporaneous Speaking
• Oral Interpretation of Scripture
• Acting
• Readers Theatre
• Choric Speaking
• Debate

Art

Few things influence us more powerfully than visual stimuli, especially in the form of pictures. Since the source of most pictures is usually secular publications, movies, and television, Christians are being visually influenced by the world. The study of good art and the creative production of artwork should be part of a genuine Christian education that will give students an alternative to the invasively sensual imagery that is surrounds them.

Training in basic art skills and the development of creative imagination is helpful to those entering any area of work. Art meets basic human needs and develops human capacities implanted in man by God that reflect His nature. But most importantly, students should be taught to care about all things that are truly beautiful and of value to God.

• Calligraphy
• Monochromatic Drawing
• Polychromatic Drawing
• Watercolor
• Oil Painting
• Acrylic Painting
• Sculpture
• Garment Construction
• Textiles
• Crafts
• Printmaking
• Digital Media
• Woodworking
• Mixed Media
• Still Life and Macro Photography
• Landscapes and Architecture Photography
• People and Animal Photography

Music

Music is an essential part of a genuinely Christian education. There is perhaps no single extra-biblical influence as powerful as music and as responsible for shaping attitude and action in our churches, schools and society. Yet, no other element has been treated more casually, been more misunderstood, misused, and separated from biblical foundations among God’s own people than has music. We must not ignore the standards that God’s Word sets forth for every aspect of the Christian life. Our music must glorify God, who is holy. Consequently our music must achieves a pleasing balance of the elements that reflect the image of God.

We seek to guide students to a greater understanding of the mind of God through a study of good music, both secular and sacred, that reflects His divine attributes. We want to teach our students to seek what is best and most beautiful, not as an end in itself but to the end that they may be “throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:17).

• Female Vocal Solo, Male Vocal Solo
• Brass Solo, Woodwind Solo
• String Solo
• Percussion Solo
• Sacred Piano Solo, Classical Piano Solo
• Small Vocal Ensemble, Large Vocal Ensemble
• Choral Group
• Small Instrumental Ensemble, Large Instrumental Ensemble, Handbell/Handchime Ensemble
• Orchestra/Band
• Handbell/Handchime Choir
• Sacred Piano Duet, Classical Piano Duet