Electives

Physical Education – Taught by Coach Eli McLean

P.E./Health – This class combines recess and structured play with fitness classes. All students participate in P.E. as part of their day. 

Advanced P.E. – Students are given the opportunity to elect to take the Advanced P.E. course which will take a deeper dive into physical fitness and health.

Music Education – Taught by Crystal Ralph

Taking a dive into vocal exercises and musical enrichment students not only learn music history and technique they also prepare programs that are presented in the school and community.

Chapel – Led by campus pastor, Marchael Bullard

Chapel offers students the opportunity to deepen their walk with Christ through exploration of the Bible, prayer, and ministry in the community.

Fine Arts: Taught by Fine arts director, Amanda Smelser.

Creative Movement- At FCA creative movement begins in kindergarten and goes through third grade. Children are physical by nature; their instinct is to move and to use movement to learn. In using kinesthetic learning, students can process information in a way that comes more naturally to them. Add music into this equation and their brains become more focused and engaged. By incorporating creative movement into their daily lives, we are giving the students an outlet for their energy, and creativity and improving their physical health. Dance has been shown to improve memory, concentration, fine and gross motor skills as well as vestibular development. It can also contribute to emotional intelligence and social skills through working in groups and partnerships while allowing children to explore their own natural talents.

Dance Elective – FCA students who are in fourth through twelfth grade can choose dance as an elective. Dancers will take class three days a week and will receive a solid foundation in ballet, modern, and jazz with an introduction to some folk, ballroom, and commercial dance. Students will learn French ballet vocabulary as well as a selection of dance history. They will be able to explore their own artistic vision through guided improvisation classes as well as the opportunities to develop their own choreography. Dancers will be required to perform at Christmas and in the Spring performances as well in the local parades and as opportunities arise for further outreach.

Dance gives students an alternative outlet to maintain a healthy lifestyle in a fun and creative way. Students will develop more confidence, and improve social interactions through working together in groups or in partnerships as well as a shared common interest. The dance program teaches body positivity by focusing on strength and the development of character as artists. A dancer’s body is their instrument, their paintbrush so the focus stops being about looks and becomes about being creative and powerful.

Dancers who reach an intermediate to advanced level could be invited by the FCA dance program director to attend the UNC School of the Arts annual dance festival. This three-day event allows the students to take classes in a variety of dance styles with professional instructors from all over the world. Dancers will also attend the UNCSA winter performance giving them the experience to see many classical as well as brand new works of choreography in person. While at the dance festival students could have the opportunity to audition for the School of the Arts summer intensive program opening doors to future opportunities in the arts.