DANCES

STUDENT SOCIAL LIFE

ACA holds two dances each academic year for Upper School students: a casual dance in the Fall Semester and a formal dance in the Spring Semester. Remembering that we are made in the image and likeness of a three-personed God, whose “mutual indwelling” (Greek perichoresis) has been characterized as a dance since the early church, we invite students to imitate the divine dance by practicing a courteous, dignified, and festive manner of relating to each other. Dance affords our students an opportunity to celebrate the gifts of music and movement. Parents and staff chaperone the events.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT

RITES OF PASSAGE

In the Fourth Quarter of the academic year, ACA has a rite of passage for graduating 5th graders called “Commencement.” Starting with a breakfast prior to the chapel service, this ceremony recognizes the accomplishment of progressing through the Grammar stage of classical education and the transition to the Logic stage. Students are presented with a diploma and a pin.

ACCOLADES

RITES OF PASSAGE

In the Fourth Quarter of the academic year, ACA has a rite of passage for graduating seniors called “Accolades” (from a French word that literally means “embrace around the neck”), which occurred when knighthood was bestowed by touching a person’s shoulders with a sword. Given our school’s mascot of the knight, this is a fitting name for a ceremony that honors the young scholars who have undergone the rigors of a classical Christian education.

The Knight’s Accolade involves a supper (a light or informal evening meal) with influential men in the student’s life, a blessing read aloud by a male staff person, and a conferred knighthood to the Order of St. Augustine. Similarly, the Dame’s Accolade involves a tea (a light afternoon meal of sandwiches, cakes, and tea) with influential women in the student’s life, a blessing read aloud by a female staff person, and a conferred damehood. Students are presented with an insignia of their new order.   

SUMMIT

AWARDS CEREMONY

See full description of awards under our Academics tab here.

At the end of the academic year, ACA has an evening awards ceremony for the Logic and Rhetoric schools called “Summit,” a word that conveys both the highest level of attainment and the highest point of a mountain. Award medals are given to students for distinguished work in various academic disciplines, all named after prominent figures in the great tradition. In addition, the Elbert Cup is awarded to the House that has earned the most points throughout the academic year.