Academies

The Heritage Christian Academies program provides insight into God’s calling on students’ lives and exposes them to professional fields through curricular enhancements and experiential learning.

Our unique academy structure serves as a key academic distinctive of our program. HCS Academies provide our students with an innovative opportunity to get a head start exploring areas of interest. It is a curriculum path designed to expose our students to professional fields and potential majors. This program is an addition to our already rigorous college-prep curriculum.

The means through which we accomplish the goal of Heritage Academies are:

Curricular Enhancements (extra classes in a specific field of choice)
Experiential Learning (internships, shadowing, competitions, guest lecturers, projects, etc.)

The basic requirements for each program are:

5-10 semesters of required courses, depending on the program
Completion of one Advanced Placement course or the highest level course available
Participation in a related Internship Experience
Participation in related extracurricular activities, competitions, or projects when available

Below are the current academies and required courses for each. Other academies may be added in the future.

Academy Offerings

Academy of Biomedicine

The Academy of Biomedicine seeks to expose students to medical fields through curricular enhancement, internships, and educational experiences to assist in providing insight into God's calling on their lives. This academy is designed to groom high school students to be successful, impactful Christians in a quickly advancing field. The curriculum includes advanced study to prepare students for the rigor of pre-med courses and to provide opportunities to expand understanding through internships.

Bioethics
Honors Physiology
Honors Chemistry
AP Biology or AP Chemistry

Academy of Engineering

The Academy of Engineering seeks to expose students to engineering fields through curricular enhancement, extra-curricular activities, internships, and educational experiences to provide insight into God's calling on their lives. This academy is designed to groom high school students to be successful, impactful Christians in an undergraduate engineering program. The curriculum touches on all major engineering disciplines and allows students to dive deeper into areas of interest through individualized projects, guest lectures, interterm week and/or internship experiences, and field trips to area universities and companies.

Intro to Engineering Design
Principles of Engineering
Honors Chemistry
Honors Physics or AP Chemistry
AP Calculus AB

Academy of Finance

The Academy of Finance seeks to expose students to finance and business fields through curricular enhancement, mentoring relationships, and educational experiences and to provide insight into God's calling on their lives. This academy is designed to groom high school students to be successful, impactful Christians in undergraduate business or finance programs. The curriculum touches on major business disciplines through advanced classes and allows students to dive deeper into areas of interest through individualized projects and internships with area companies.

Accounting
Personal Finance - 1 semester
AP Macroeconomics - 1 semester
AP Microeconomics - 1 semester

Academy of Fine Arts - Music Performance

The Academy of Fine Arts seeks to expose students to artistic fields through curricular enhancement, internships, and educational experiences to assist in providing insight into God's gifting and calling on their lives. The academy is designed to prepare students for expanded art-related study and production at the collegiate and/or professional level. Academy teachers work with students to develop a biblical worldview and ethical standards to utilize artistic expressions to positively impact our culture.

Music Theory and/or Music History - 2 semesters (AP Music Theory is optional but strongly recommended)
4 years participation (6 semesters minimum) in one of the following areas:
- Orchestra/Advanced Orchestra
- Band/Jazz Band
- Choir/Colla Voce
- Chapel Worship Band

Academy of Fine Arts - Visual Arts

At least 1 of the following semester courses:
- Intro to 2D
- Intro to 3D
- Photography
At least 3 of the following semester courses:
- Advanced 2D Art
- Drawing
- Painting
- Advanced 3D
- Ceramics
- Advanced Photography
- Studio Art Portfolio
AP Studio Art - 2 semesters

Academy of Ministry & Leadership

The Academy of Ministry & Leadership seeks to expose students to ministry fields and leadership experiences through curricular enhancement, co-curricular and extracurricular activities, internship relationships, and educational experiences, providing insight into God's calling on their lives. Students will understand basic principles of leadership, explore personal strengths and build a biblical perspective of leading.

Bible - 8 semesters (a minimum of 6 semesters for transfer students)
Leadership Training through the HCS Interterm Week class or an approved alternative
Participation in at least one week-long mission trip or ministry-related internship
Sustained ministry or service of at least 100 hours through a church, non-profit, or approved alternative

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a formal application process?
No, you just need to inform your guidance counselor of your desire to attain an academy recognition and they will assist you in building the necessary schedule.

What are the advantages of being in a academy?
It allows you to explore a field of study before investing college dollars. Students will gain valuable knowledge and understand to a greater degree a potential gift set or calling on their lives. We also believe colleges will begin to notice students who have invested extra effort into a particular field.

Do I have to apply for an academy as a freshman?
No. While it certainly makes planning easier, any student can talk to their counselor about seeking academy recognition at any time.

Is there any fee for joining an academy?
No, there are no fees involved in earning these awards.

Can I be a part of more than one academy?
Yes, you may join multiple academies if your schedule allows.

Can I get college credit for this?
No, there is no college credit for academy recognition; however, the AP classes required to gain the recognition may result in college credit.

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