Spiritual growth embedded in daily learning through Bible stories, prayer, and conversations about Christian values; teachers modeling how faith shapes everyday choices and interactions; Teaching for Transformation supporting faith integration across subjects.

Weekly chapel and daily devotions establish rhythms of worship and prayer; consistent practices help students experience God’s presence in familiar, age-appropriate ways.

Art, music, and play-based learning frequently incorporate Christian themes; creative expression supports joyful, early faith development.

Clearer understanding of God’s presence in daily life; emerging awareness of living out faith through kindness, obedience, and love toward others.

Bible curriculum and daily devotions shaping classroom rhythms; ACTS prayer model guiding how to pray; faith woven across subjects through a Creation–Fall–Redemption–Restoration lens; teachers helping students recognize God’s character in science, literature, and history.

Regular chapel services with opportunities to worship and lead; FLEX service experiences such as A Precious Child, Platt Park Church outreach, Nepal orphanage partnership, and Feed My Starving Children; classroom practices encouraging reconciliation, empathy, and shalom.

FLEX rotations and Faith Families building service and community; student-led devotions offering leadership in worship and Scripture; music and art performances centered on worship and the beauty of God’s creation.

Growth as God worshipers, shalom restorers, and servant leaders; increasing awareness of faith reflected in everyday decisions; deeper familiarity with Scripture, prayer, and Christlike character.

Bible class is a core course throughout middle school, with a three-year scope moving from the Old Testament and Jesus’ ministry (6th) through the Prophets and Prayer (7th) to the Early Church and Church History (8th). TfT integrates biblical principles into every subject area. Chaplain Frankie Jones mentors students through one-on-one meetings, small groups, and classroom partnerships. Grow Groups meet weekly throughout the year for discipleship and spiritual formation.

Chapel meets every Thursday, gathering middle school students for worship, teaching, student testimonies, and community prayer. Students participate in regular service projects that put faith into action. The 7th grade retreat at Camp IdRaHaJe creates intentional space for spiritual reflection and community formation. The 8th grade Black Hills trip invites students to reflect on their faith journey before entering high school.

The Praise & Worship team gives students the opportunity to lead their peers in worship during weekly chapel. Faith Families — monthly cross-grade gatherings led by high school students — connect middle schoolers to a wider community of faith. Students take on leadership roles in chapel, service projects, and Faith Families, developing the posture of a servant leader. Connection to home churches is actively encouraged as an extension of the faith formed at DC.

Students develop a personal, owned faith — not just knowledge about God but a living relationship with Jesus that shapes how they think, relate, and act. They graduate 8th grade with a stronger spiritual identity, a vocabulary for talking about their faith, and the habits of worship and service that sustain them through high school and into adult life.

Bible classes, chapel teaching, and daily discussion connecting Scripture to real decisions; English, science, and tech courses intentionally integrating worldview reflection through reading, research, and journaling; emphasis on students as image bearers whose learning and gifts are acts of worship and stewardship.

Chapel designed for real-time application of Scripture; DC Disciples gives students a voice in spiritual focus and community care; corporate prayer for peers in need; retreats, Service Days, and formative learning experiences such as Unbroken, connecting faith with perseverance, compassion, and calling.

DC Disciples serve as a spiritual leadership pathway; FLEX service tied explicitly to faith formation; Senior Synthesis supporting vocational reflection and spiritual identity; co-curricular spaces reinforcing worship, leadership, and encouragement.

Deeper integration of faith with academics, relationships, vocation, and daily choices; greater ownership of spiritual habits beyond chapel; clearer identity as image bearers called to steward all of creation; increasing maturity in applying a Christian worldview to complex, real-world contexts.

Balanced curriculum emphasizing literacy and problem-solving; faith integration woven naturally into everyday learning and classroom interactions.

Programs such as FLEX, 100’s Day, Zero the Hero, Butterfly Pavilion, and Reading Buddies foster peer learning and cognitive growth within a faith-centered community.

Specialized classes in art, STEM, physical education, and music; after-school programs allowing students to explore creativity and talents as God-given gifts.

Strong academic foundation in literacy and problem-solving; growing confidence and readiness for the next stage of learning.

Strong literacy, math, science, and Bible curriculum shape daily learning; structured reading support through Orton-Gillingham; inquiry-based science encourages observation and discovery; Number Talks build reasoning; small groups create safety for mistakes and growth; teachers integrate a biblical lens across subjects and guide students in setting meaningful learning goals.

Hands-on investigations like Crayfishing and Glove Gardens; deeper learning through Ameritowne and Southwest Adopt-a-Pilot; field trips including Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Skate City; culture fairs, Wax Museum, and Unsung Heroes connecting research and presentation; library experiences such as Triple Crown reading.

Specials in art, music, PE, library, STEM, and Bible; leadership opportunities through class roles and ThunderNews; clubs and camps, including 3D design, running clubs, and Landsharks.

Increasing confidence in literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving; struggling learners receiving targeted support that builds resilience; growing ability to apply learning through FLEX and service; executive-functioning skills developing in preparation for middle school.

Core courses in Math, Science, English, Social Studies, Bible, and Spanish challenge students across disciplines. Science follows a three-year sequence: Earth Science (6th), Life Science (7th), and Physical Science (8th). Social Studies moves from Ancient Civilizations and Medieval Europe (6th) to World Geography (7th) to U.S. History (8th). Math is differentiated by readiness, with options ranging from grade-level math through Geometry.

Biblical worldview integration — guided by Teaching for Transformation (TfT) — develops students as curious, courageous, and gracious thinkers. 6th graders participate in Bridge Class during Quarter 1 to build executive functioning, organization, and self-advocacy skills.

Students engage in hands-on, cross-curricular learning experiences that connect academic content to the real world. 7th grade geography students use literature, GIS mapping, and a biblical framework to explore local and global neighbors. Speech and Debate gives students structured practice in public speaking and argumentation, with 8th graders competing through the National Junior Speech & Debate Association.

Elective courses meet twice a week each quarter and include offerings such as Creative Writing, STEM Challenges, Coding, Chess, Drama, Sculpture Art, and Digital Scrapbooking. Advanced math tracks and Speech & Debate provide additional academic depth. The rotating elective model gives students broad exposure across disciplines throughout the year.

Students graduate 8th grade with a strong academic foundation, the organizational skills to manage a demanding course load, and a growing capacity to analyze problems, synthesize information, and articulate reasoned conclusions. They are prepared for the rigor of high school with the independence and self-advocacy needed to thrive in advanced coursework.

College-preparatory curriculum strengthens reasoning, writing, and analysis; tech courses move from guided practice to independent work; assessments prompt ethical reflection on how skills impact God’s world; project-based learning, guest speakers, and growing CTE, entrepreneurial, and internship pathways connect knowledge with calling.

English projects such as the Civil War Letter Project and Unbroken; tech experiences, including ethical hacking simulations, digital design, electronics builds, and iterative engineering work; Discovery Week and career-focused trips expand exposure to real-world contexts.

Film club, orchestra club, and other co-curriculars extend learning; student government and leadership roles; entrepreneurial and internship opportunities supported by Maia Learning, the Career & Tech Director, and Senior Synthesis.

High-quality revised work in writing and tech; growing confidence applying cognitive skills to complex tasks; clearer understanding of strengths, interests, and post-graduation pathways; readiness to engage the world as image bearers who think critically and act wisely.

Regular physical activity integrated into the daily schedule; play, exercise, and learning about balanced nutrition; physical development framed within a biblical understanding of stewardship of the body.

Daily recess and physical education classes help students build strength, coordination, and a love for active play, while also teaching them that caring for their bodies honors God.

Structured games, team-building activities, and play-based PE emphasizing cooperation and physical growth in a joyful, Christian environment.

Growing understanding of physical health, exercise, and nutrition as ways to serve God and others.

Regular PE classes develop coordination, teamwork, and foundational skills; brain breaks, unstructured play, and outdoor time support regulation and wellbeing; lunch and recess rhythms encourage healthy habits; food service and snack routines reinforce thoughtful choices and care for the body God designed.

Field Day celebrates movement and teamwork; multiple recess periods promote activity and stamina; body-awareness learned through Bones–Body Challenges and skeletal system activities; guest speakers introduce health-related fields.

Landsharks Running Club, karate club, and sports camps build confidence and endurance; additional movement through extra recess, track laps, and classroom-based activity breaks.

Increasing strength, coordination, and endurance; recognition that movement supports focus and learning; appreciation for caring for the body as part of honoring God’s design; readiness for more advanced physical challenges.

PE is offered one semester for all middle school students, meeting twice per week, and is framed around the biblical call to love God with all our strength. Cooperative games, team sports, and individual fitness activities develop discipline, teamwork, and healthy habits. The Strength and Performance elective gives students a deeper look at fitness, conditioning, and physical stewardship.

Students participate in team sports and grade-level outdoor trips that integrate physical challenge with community building — including hiking, swimming, and paddleboarding at Chatfield Reservoir. Interscholastic competition reinforces Christian values of cooperation, humility, and self-discipline in a competitive context.

DC’s middle school athletic program fields teams in soccer, basketball, volleyball, baseball, track, cross country, golf, tennis, cheer, and football (flag for 6th grade; tackle for 7th and 8th). The Strength and Performance elective provides structured fitness training. Grade-level travel experiences — Buena Vista, Silver Cliff Ranch (6th), Camp IdRaHaJe (7th), and the Black Hills (8th) — include sustained outdoor physical activity in meaningful community settings.

Students leave middle school with a growing understanding of their bodies as gifts to be stewarded well. They develop consistent habits around physical activity, build resilience through athletic competition, and internalize the connection between physical discipline and honoring God — habits and character that carry into high school and life.

Structured athletic programs building strength, skill, discipline, and teamwork; growing emphasis on whole-person stewardship through rest, rhythm, and balance; tech courses increasingly addressing ergonomics, posture, screen-time habits, and the physical impact of digital work.

Daily athletic practices and competitive sports provide a sustained physical challenge; hands-on tech projects involve building, testing, and safe tool use, which supports body awareness beyond athletics.

Wide range of sports teams provides meaningful physical development; co-curricular engagement centered on athletics rather than unclear or nonexistent offerings such as “personal fitness programs” or “outdoor leadership challenges.”

Strength, stamina, and skill developing through athletics; healthier habits around movement, rest, and digital ergonomics; ongoing need to support balance between athletics, academics, and home life as part of mature physical stewardship.

Uses a creative curriculum that integrates storytelling, drawing, and imaginative play, encouraging students to explore original ideas while grounding their creativity in biblical stories and themes.

Activities such as collaborative art projects and interactive storytelling help students understand the role of creativity in God’s world, allowing them to express their ideas and thoughts freely.

Provides structured time for music, art, and STEM exploration, emphasizing creativity in both artistic and technical expressions, while guiding students to see creativity as a reflection of God’s nature.

Students develop the ability to generate new ideas and express themselves confidently, understanding creativity as a gift from God meant to be nurtured and shared.

Students create original work in music, social studies, science, and art; rhythmic patterns and group drumming encourage improvisation; cultural projects, symbol writing, and creative writing expand expression; diagrams, mobiles, 3D designs, floats, and STEM builds foster craftsmanship and imagination; teachers set clear expectations for neatness, quality, and thoughtful presentation.

Veterans Day performances and chapel contributions; Wax Museum and Unsung Heroes blend research and creative storytelling; classroom projects such as state float designs, sled building for the float parade, God’s Creation mobiles, posters, and themed displays; opportunities to engage with beauty through books, illustrations, and visual arts.

Specials in art and music broaden creative practice; theater opportunities, 3D design clubs and camps, Fish Tank projects, and other performance-based or maker-centered activities that allow students to explore God-given gifts.

Growing confidence as expressive creators in visual, musical, and written forms; deepening appreciation for beauty, craftsmanship, and purposeful creativity; increasing ability to produce thoughtful, well-crafted work that reflects God’s design and prepares them for more advanced creative opportunities in middle school.

Enrichment courses in Art, Music (general music, band, or choir), and Spanish are part of every middle schooler’s schedule. Drama, visual arts, and audio-visual production weave creative exploration throughout the year. Students are encouraged to see their creative potential as part of their identity in Christ — using the TfT framework to understand imagination and craft as expressions of God’s character.

School performances, the annual Art Show, dramatic productions, and music concerts give students regular opportunities to present original work to a live audience. Community service projects allow students to channel creativity in service of others. The Praise & Worship team brings student-led creativity into weekly chapel. Electives like Drama, Sculpture Art, and Creative Writing extend artistic expression into new formats each quarter.

Drama and music auditions are open to all middle school students, with productions performed for the school community. The audio-visual and lighting team supports school events and performances. Elective classes rotate quarterly, offering fresh creative challenges throughout the year. Students in band or choir may participate in ensembles that perform at community events, bringing beauty to shared spaces beyond campus.

Students develop a creative identity rooted in faith — understanding their artistic gifts as God-given tools to serve and bless others. They gain confidence presenting original work publicly, practice iterative creative processes, and leave middle school prepared to take on more ambitious creative challenges in high school and beyond.

Creativity nurtured across disciplines—art, music, English, math, and tech; students practice design thinking, sustainable material choices, and balance beauty with utility in product design; writing and project work offer meaningful choice and original expression; math encourages creative reasoning in proofs and problem solving.

Art shows, independent mural projects, and service-learning through art; tech experiences include game creation, product design, electronics builds, and iterative engineering; open-ended, project-based learning across subjects where students create unique work shaped by faith, calling, and craftsmanship.

Fine arts, drama, orchestra, and film clubs expand creative pathways; opportunities for deeper exploration through independent study in tech or advanced projects; CTE-related programs and entrepreneurial experiences offer real contexts for creative problem-solving.

Students growing as beauty creators and appreciators—able to make, refine, and value meaningful work; gaining experience moving from no prior skill to functional designs or performances; increasing ownership of talents as God-given gifts for innovation, service, and contribution; readiness to pursue creative interests with confidence beyond high school.

Exploration of talents and abilities through diverse classroom activities; reinforcement of the biblical truth that each child is fearfully and wonderfully made.

Classroom leadership moments, such as “teacher for a day” or leading group activities; experiences building confidence, voice, and self-awareness.

Art, music, and physical education provide creative expression; opportunities to discover interests and talents within a Christian community.

Clearer sense of identity and God-given abilities; growing understanding of how personal gifts contribute to community life and ongoing growth.

Emphasis on productive struggle, responsibility, and intentional learning; personal feedback and goal-setting conversations; reflection guiding students to recognize strengths, growth areas, and how God has uniquely wired them.

Leadership moments in chapel, Morning Meetings, and classroom roles; presentations and project responsibilities, including Ameritowne interviews and job applications; celebration of individual uniqueness through culture projects, birthday boards, and conversations about God’s design.

Leadership through ThunderNews, class jobs, Buddies, and Faith Families; clubs and service opportunities through FLEX foster initiative, communication, and responsibility.

Increased self-awareness and confidence in God-given strengths; greater ownership of learning, communication, and responsibilities; developing language and habits that support God-honoring priorities and relationships.

Middle school is designed to be a season of discovery — not just a transition to survive. Teachers and staff act as mentors, helping students navigate questions about identity, purpose, and calling. TfT-shaped classroom practices invite students to reflect on their God-given gifts and connect their strengths to a larger sense of purpose. The counselor provides individual support for students exploring who they are and who God is calling them to become.

Grade-level trips create unique personal growth opportunities: 6th graders build new friendships and confidence at Buena Vista, Silver Cliff Ranch, 7th graders set personal and communal intentions at Camp IdRaHaJe, and 8th graders reflect on their growth and prepare for high school during the Black Hills trip. Leadership roles in chapel, clubs, and sports give students concrete experience living out their gifts in community.

The broad range of sports, electives, arts programs, and clubs at DC is intentionally designed to help students discover where they flourish. From Speech & Debate to Drama, band to baseball, Creative Writing to Forensic Science — students are encouraged to try new things and pursue what lights them up. These experiences, framed by a Christian understanding of calling and stewardship, help students build self-awareness and the confidence to own their identities.

Students leave 8th grade with a clearer sense of who they are, what they love, and how God might be calling them to serve. They bring increasing emotional maturity, self-awareness, and resilience into high school — and a deepening conviction that they are, as Ephesians 2:10 declares, God’s masterpiece, created for a purpose.

Respect for the learning environment—noise, order, cleanliness, property, and personal space; tech courses celebrate growth from first attempts to functioning projects; career exploration supported by Maia Learning, college counseling, and the Career & Tech Director; progress framed as stewardship of gifts as image bearers.

Senior Synthesis as a capstone for reflection and direction; Discovery Week, retreats, and community events cultivate maturity and responsibility; HS students model leadership and presence when the whole school gathers, shaping culture for younger students.

Student government, DC Disciples, club and team leadership, art and tech projects, and CTE pathways; internships, field trips, and career programming broaden vision and ownership of next steps.

Growth in self-awareness, responsibility, and resilience; discovery of strengths through complex work; stepping into leadership within the DC community; clearer sense of calling in preparation for life beyond high school.

Group work, collaborative play, and classroom discussions foster social skills and emotional awareness, with an emphasis on biblical concepts such as forgiveness, kindness, and respect.

Classroom centers, projects, and performances build community; weekly chapel introduces healthy relationships and the practice of bringing healing to others.

Art, music, and play-based learning provide space to explore emotions and social interactions; guided practice in resolving conflict through Christlike principles.

Stronger social skills and emotional resilience; understanding that interactions with others are opportunities to reflect God’s love and build Christian community.

Sanford & Harmony SEL and monthly lessons guide emotional regulation and empathy; Morning Meetings, greetings, devotions, and prayer shape community rhythms; restorative conversations, conflict support, think sheets, and consistent expectations teach respect, responsibility, and Christlike care.

FLEX service experiences such as A Precious Child, Platt Park Church outreach, and Feed My Starving Children; chapel participation and leadership shaping spiritual and relational awareness; library discussions foster active listening, respect for differing opinions, and thoughtful sharing.

Buddies programs connect older and younger students; Faith Families mix grades for service, prayer, and community; small groups and counseling-based social groups offer additional relational support.

Growing empathy, communication, and self-awareness; increasing ability to navigate conflict with patience and restoration; students becoming shalom restorers who contribute to a positive, supportive learning environment.

Social and emotional skills — self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, conflict resolution, and effective communication — are developed alongside academic content. The TfT Habits of Learning (curious thinking, courageous designing, gracious communicating, and joy-filled collaboration) shape classroom culture. The school counselor partners with teachers and families to support students through adolescence. Monthly Faith Families gatherings bring together students from every grade level in intergenerational worship and service.

Service projects, community events (Dodgeball and Pizza nights, Seasonal Tailgates, Ice Skating, Lake Days, and the 8th grade dance), and grade-level trips build deep relational bonds. The 7th grade retreat at Camp IdRaHaJe — whose name stands for “I’d Rather Have Jesus” — is designed around relationship-building and setting community intentions for the school year. Chapel, held every Thursday, creates a regular rhythm of shared worship and belonging.

Leadership opportunities in clubs, sports, the Praise & Worship team, and student-led chapel elements give students structured practice in social responsibility and servant leadership. Faith Families — monthly cross-grade gatherings led by high school students — connect middle schoolers to a wider community of faith. The school counselor provides individual and small-group support as needed.

Students develop emotional resilience, conflict resolution skills, and the social intelligence to navigate complex relational dynamics with humility and grace. They leave 8th grade equipped to contribute to high school’s social landscape as peacemakers and community builders — grounded in the conviction that God calls them to restore shalom.

Class discussions, partner work, reading circles, and personal conferences build empathy and communication; teacher–parent collaboration strengthens relationships; tech courses connecting mental wellbeing to confidence, safety, and responsibility in digital environments.

Discovery Week, retreats, and major community events such as Homecoming, Mr. Thunder, and Service Days; FLEX projects broaden perspective; chapel and follow-up conversations connect faith, relationships, and emotional maturity; HS students serve as role models for younger peers across the K–12 community.

Student government, DC Disciples, and clubs during Enrichment Time offer belonging, leadership, and connection; structured opportunities for participation in community life across grade levels.

Healthier classroom environments where relationships are intentionally cultivated; growth in conflict resolution, empathy, and community awareness; continued need for support in building emotional resilience and balancing academic, athletic, and life pressures wisely.