Lion's Roar December

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our parent nights in March. It was wonderful to connect and share the vision for our students' futures. As we look toward the next couple of years, our primary focus is to “Educate with Excellence and Consistency.” To stay true to this mission, we are targeting six key areas of growth:

• Investing in Teachers

• Quality Curriculum & Programming

• Intentional Instruction

• Effective Systems

• A Culture of Unity & Pride

• Prayer & Serving
  

In pursuit of these goals, we are implementing a few necessary changes for the upcoming school year. First, to better serve the developmental needs of our students, we are adjusting our classroom models:

• Elementary: 5th and 6th grades will return to a traditional elementary classroom model.

• Junior Academy: A dedicated team of teachers will lead our 7th–9th grade students.

• Senior Academy: A specialized team will support our 10th–12th grade students.

The Benefit: Adding a few more teachers to our staff allows us to offer more electives, providing students with more ways to explore their passions and gifts. We are also designing fun activities and experiences specific to each academy so that students build a strong sense of community and "school spirit" with their immediate peers.

Our new school calendar will reflect 180 days of instruction, meeting the expectations set by the state of Indiana. A significant addition is Late Start Wednesdays. This time is a direct investment in our teachers. Every Wednesday morning, our staff will engage in a prescribed agenda targeting: professional development and data analysis, cross-content collaboration, and creating innovative projects for student learning.

Logistics for Families: Before-school care will still be offered at 7:00 AM. However, at 7:45 AM, all students (those in BSC and for parents whose work schedule requires a drop-off after 7:40 AM) will participate in active, structured centers run by our classroom assistants at NO CHARGE for our families.

Lastly, we are moving away from full block scheduling to a Hybrid Model for Middle and High School. This change ensures students see their teachers more frequently and

prevents "learning gaps" caused by snow days or holidays.

Mon, Tue, Fri

Traditional

Classes meet for 47 min. each

Wednesday

Block

70 minute classes (Chapel+ 3 blocks)

Thursday

Block

70 minute classes (4 blocks)

This new schedule allows every class to meet four times a week. We have also created a dedicated Advisory/SRT time where all students and teachers are available simultaneously for tutoring, assignments, or making up tests.

Our staff is energized by these changes. They are the result of deep reflection, prayer, and a commitment to our core values. We believe this path is the best way to ensure VCA remains a place of academic and spiritual excellence.

Happy Easter, VCA Families! We have the incredible privilege of sharing the news of Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection every single day. I pray your celebration of what Christ has done for us is sweet and filled with joy this weekend.

He is Risen!

If you've been following the CHOICE Scholarship program for the state of Indiana over the last year, you know that Universal CHOICE was approved for the 2026-2027 school year. Universal CHOICE allows all Indiana families to participate in the CHOICE Scholarship program, regardless of family size or income.

Prior to the 26-27 school year, families had to submit a copy of the 1040 form from their previous year tax return or other documentation showing their adjusted gross income. The state has done away with that requirement for 2026-2027 and will only require proof of residency in Indiana. They will accept a copy of an Indiana driver's license, 3 months of bank statements, utility bill for 3 months, lease/mortgage statement or a copy of the 1040 from the previous two years tax returns.

VCA will begin processing CHOICE Scholarship applications for the 2026-2027 school year the first week of May. To process your child's application, please submit a copy of one parent's Indiana driver's license, or another form of proof of residency listed above if a driver's license is not available, to the VCA business office at vcabusinessoffice@vcacademy.info, at your convenience. Once your application has been approved by the state, the business office will email you with confirmation along with your tuition balance for the 2026-2027 school year.

Good Friday

No School

Snow make up day

On campus learning

Board Town Hall Meeting

North Campus Gym, 6:00pm

Read-A-Thon

PreK-8th

VCA Prayer Moms

South Campus, 8:00am

PTF Meeting

South Campus, 3:30pm

National Honor Society Ceremony

High School

North Campus, 6:30pm

Music Booster Club Meeting

North Campus, 3:30pm

Music Room

Spring Play

"The Final Shot"

6:30pm

Gate Sponsors:

Athletic costs can add up throughout the school year. A new opportunity to help alleviate the financial burden on families, the VCA Athletic Department is looking for businesses or families that would be willing to cover the referee fees for our home competition. That business or family would be the "sponsor" of the game(s) and receive recognition at the game and via the VCA Athletic Social Media.

Athletic Sponsors:

Other ways to help: As our teams, school and programs continue to grow and expand the Athletic Department is also looking to partner with local businesses to help sponsor the department or specific teams. Provided is a link to our sponsorship form with more information on how to get involved. There are opportunities every year to help our teams out. If you are interested, please contact the Athletic Department. https://static.eventlink.com/public/952cd235-b98f-4567-9bb2-aadc386e4a4e/ae436f5b-0f73-4df0-87cb-9489e792333b/VCA%20Athletics%20Sponsorship%20Form%20%286%29.pdf

Right Approach Opportunity:

Athletics and Right Approach Performance are pleased to announce and offer training opportunities for our students and athletes. Whether your child is new to athletics or looking to take a step forward, visit the VCA Athletic Website for more information.

***UPDATE*** Right Approach will now be expanding these class offerings to elementary-aged students. Here is the new Schedule:

Students (2nd-6th) will have Mondays and Thursdays 4:00-5:00pm Students (7th-12th) will have Tuesdays and Fridays 4:00-5:00pm

Call-Out Meeting Dates:

Middle School and High School Boys and Girls XC - (Details to come)

5TH-7TH GRADE

REGISTRATION DUE BY APRIL 8TH

APRIL 20-23, 2026

3:30PM TO 5PM

NORTH CAMPUS GYM

$40 REGISTRATION

K-5TH GRADE

JUNE 15-18, 2026

9AM TO 11:30AM

NORTH CAMPUS GYM

$60 REGISTRATION

Follow the link below to register:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1L246HpQXtzgissR84FVzmQm49Doyi0gQOdSw6778FhE/edit?ts=69b43671

Check out our website for all of our upcoming games! GO LIONS!

https://vcaathletics.com/

Spring Play

"The Final Shot"

April 16-Dress Rehearsal (details to come)

April 17-Performance located at Portage High School West Auditorium (Door G)

Doors open at 6:10pm

Show starts at 6:30pm

This is for HS Theatre students, ALL 5th and 6th grade and for 7th and 8th..ONLY those in choir and band.

*Details were sent home with each student and an email was sent as well*

Contact Mrs. Mocabee if you have any questions

If you would to purchase a Spring play t-shirt, follow the link

April 30

This is for 2nd-4th grade

*Information was emailed*

Contact Mrs. Schaap if you have any questions

Spring Festival

May 22

3:30pm-6:30pm

Congratulations to Benji Mathweson (3rd grade), Asa Otero (3rd Grade), Leah Belsha (5th Grade), and Elliot Klein (6th Grade) for advancing to Level 3 in the ACSI Math Olympics competition!!

On behalf of everyone who went on the Puerto Rico mission trip—and those who were impacted—I want to offer a heartfelt thank you for your prayers and generosity. Because of you, we saw God move in powerful ways, with prayer at the center of it all, as our students didn’t just talk about their faith—they lived it. We’d love for you to join us as we share video and testimonies on Wednesday, April 8th from 8:10–8:50 AM at the North Campus, or you can watch live on Facebook.

We are in need of Kleenex and Clorox wipes at our North Campus and South Campus. If you would like to donate, you can drop them off at the office or send them with your child.

Congratulations to our newest inductees to the National Honor Society. The following students will be inducted on Tuesday, April 7th at 6:30pm: David Conn, Kenneth Schaap, Phoenix Crider, Josephine Pals, Lauren Reeder, Lia Hattabaugh, Ella Goetz, Riley Herrold, and Lillyana Goodman.

The ninth grade class will be taking the PSAT 9 on Thursday, April 9th at 8am. The PSAT 9 is the first step in the College Board's SAT Suite of Assessments, designed for 9th graders to establish a college readiness baseline, focus on fundamental skills, and build familiarity with the digital SAT format. It consists of Reading/Writing and Math sections, usually taken in fall or spring.

The guidance office will start student scheduling for the 2026-2027 school year next week, beginning with current Juniors. Juniors will receive an email to schedule a 15-minute meeting to start their course selection process. Parents are invited to attend, though their presence is not required. If a parent is unable to attend, a summary of the meeting will be sent via email afterward.

Scholarship opportunities are being sent out bi-weekly to Seniors and their parents. Please make sure to check your emails. Please make sure to check out the Rotary Scholarships that were just emailed this week. The main platform our students have had success with is Scholarships. Happy applying!

The FAFSA is open and ALL seniors will needs to complete it before April 15th. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a free online application used to determine a student's eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid for college or career school. It provides information on a student's financial situation to calculate eligibility for financial aid, which can include grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and federal student loans. Completing the FAFSA is crucial for accessing the largest source of financial aid and is required by many states and colleges to award their own financial aid packages. The state of Indiana requires all graduating seniors to complete the FAFSA or complete a waiver. Please contact the guidance office for a waiver.

GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

Michelle Thomae

Zac Bauer

Phase 1 Building Project:

Includes: upgrading the North Campus Septic System and Constructing an 8-classroom, 2-story addition to the existing facility.

- All documents have been submitted as required to the Board of Zoning Appeals for approval at its next meeting.

- We have received State approval to release the foundation permit and are finalizing construction bid documents and working on getting formal bids for the project.

- The septic expansion is moving through the State Health Department for approval and permits. We are working on formal bids for this as well.

If you would like to speak with us directly about the project or discuss ways you can help, contact the office to schedule an appointment.

Board Town Hall:

Please join the Board on Monday, April 6, 2026 at 6:00 pm in the North Campus Gymnasium for the Board Town Hall. This is an opportunity for the board to share the strategic plans for VCA and answer any questions from our VCA Family. We look forward to sharing this time with you.

Next Board Meeting:

The next board meeting will be held on April 16, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Science Lab at the North Campus

📚Ready, Set, Read! Our Annual Read-a-thon

It’s time to turn the pages and spark those imaginations! Our Prek - 8th Grade Read-a-thon officially kicks off on April 4 and runs through April 17. This is one of our favorite times of the year where we celebrate the joy of literacy while supporting our school.

• The Goal: We encourage every student to set a personal reading goal. Whether it’s picture books or chapter books, every minute counts!

• How it Works: Keep an eye out for the reading logs and donation logs sent home in your student’s folder.

• Prizes: We have some exciting individual and classroom rewards lined up for our top readers and fundraisers.

Let’s see how many miles of stories we can cover together!

📝Spring Testing Update

As we enter the month of April, our students will be participating in our Standardized Spring Testing. While we know "testing" can sound intimidating, we view this as an opportunity for our students to shine and show how much they have grown academically this year.

Testing Tips for Home:

• Rest: Ensure your child gets a full night’s sleep.

• Protein: A healthy breakfast goes a long way in maintaining focus.

• Encouragement: Remind them that they are more than a score—they are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Please check your classroom teacher’s specific schedule for exact testing days to ensure your student arrives on time and ready to go.

🏁Finishing the Year Strong

With the flowers blooming and the weather warming up, it’s easy to catch "summer fever." However, we are encouraging all our students to finish the race strong! We still have plenty of exciting curriculum to cover and memories to make. Let’s keep our focus on our school motto: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education and spiritual journey. We are looking forward to a fantastic final stretch!