At Westlake, we desire to disciple our students and to train them to make disciples, as our Lord commands. One significant aspect of this effort is a week-long senior mission trip each spring, conducted in partnership with SCORE International. Our students and their sponsors are housed in SCORE facilities on the Southern coast of the Dominican Republic. While on the mission’s trip, students participate in a variety of work projects and outreach activities which expose them to the challenges of life in a less-developed culture. The senior trip provides a unique opportunity for students to deepen their relationship with Christ, perhaps find new directions from Him, and bond with their classmates.

The Senior High Retreat occurs at the beginning of the school year. It is a great opportunity for students to reconnect with friends and faculty and form new relationships. The two day-one night trip provides a wonderful atmosphere for students to grow spiritually. A dynamic youth speaker encourages the students to grow in their walk with the Lord and Westlake students lead the praise and worship time. The two days are also filled with various games, sports and activities. Students agree that the retreat is one of the highlights of the school year.

Junior high students love going on this yearly one day retreat held at a local park. Students enjoy reconnecting with friends and faculty and getting to know new students. The retreat provides an opportunity to participate in a variety of organized sports and games as well as informal “hang out” time. Plenty of food keeps their fuel tanks full and running in high gear for the day. A local youth speaker encourages the students in their spiritual walk and a time of worship is enjoyed as well. Westlake students agree that the retreat is the perfect way to start the new school year.

The student council allows students to be involved in service to their peers and the school. Officer roles and class representative positions provide an organizational setting by which students hone their leadership skills through activities which incorporate our students to minister to the community. Those on student council learn procedural policy and appropriate financial practices. Student council leadership activities include Senior and Junior High retreats, Homecoming and Spirit week, Halloween and Easter outreaches, Talent show, Fall leaf Raking, Spring Fling, and student council chapels.

The fall & spring outreaches are ministries where Westlake connects with its local community. These student council outreaches take place during Halloween and Easter. In the fall, Westlake Christian Academy’s students and staff minister to the surrounding neighbors by going door-to-door to present gifts (candy and/or flowers) and ask if they have any prayer requests. In the spring, the student council sponsors a time of crafts, an Easter egg hunt and shares a presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The neighbors love the idea that someone cares about them and their needs. It’s also a great way to let them see the vision of Westlake in practice…every student a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Secondary students meet once a week to study math as a community. Special speakers demonstrate practical applications of math in their professions and daily lives. At the end of the year, Math Club enjoys a field trip where they apply the math they learned. Math Club focuses on God’s general revelation through the medium of mathematics.

The American Scholastic Mathematics Association sponsors six challenging math tests to be taken by students once a month during the school year. These seven problem tests challenge students to grow in their critical thinking and problem solving abilities. At the end of the year the highest ranking student is honored with a special math award.

This is a spring event for students in grades 9 through 12. This is a time when the school year is winding down. Students are thinking about next year and all the seniors who will be missed; lunch, games and a relaxed time to encourage each other is our focus. Lots of fun and down time!

The high school biology class goes to the National University of Health Sciences to increase their understanding of human anatomy and complement prior classroom instruction. National University exposes our students to various kinds of medical practices and their benefits. The instructor of the class proceeds to use a cadaver to show what the various muscle groups are and how they work in the human body. Further instruction involves a close look at the various organs of the body and a discussion of how disease affects the organ. Students have a chance to personally handle various body parts after the class lecture. Students come away with a deep appreciation of the human body and the marvel of its design.

At the end of each year, the 8th grade class takes a field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry. The museum offers a large range of exhibits that flow into the 8th grade Earth Science curriculum. The other areas of the museum are filled with technology and inventions that have changed our world. The Omni-max show is always an adventure. The day ends at local restaurant and time spent in Grant Park and the Magnificent Mile.

The 7th grade class takes a field trip to the Shedd Aquarium to enhance Life Science studied during the year. The students spend a large part of the day looking at life in the various environments throughout the world. A dolphin show is a major attraction but the Wild Reef exhibit is a rare chance to walk through an ocean environment without getting wet. The day ends with supper at local restaurant and some time spend in Grant Park.

Even though spirituality is a part of every day and all that we do here at WCA, we devote an entire week every winter to focusing on our individual relationships with God. A prayerfully chosen theme is emphasized in each the elementary and secondary divisions of the school and special speakers are invited for daily chapels. In past years, God has moved in mighty and powerful ways and has demonstrated his faithfulness again and again. As our students and teachers learn to trust God day-by-day and in every area of our lives, Spiritual Emphasis Week is an opportunity to be refreshed and encouraged along the way.

Spirit week is a time for our students to show their school spirit through daily friendly class competition. Each day of the week has its own theme. Students dress up according to that days theme and earn points for their class through participation and best dressed. A pep rally run by the student council and cheerleaders takes place before the exciting homecoming basketball games are played. Homecoming court includes Princes, Princesses and class representatives. The King and Queen are crowned after the completion of the games. A reception recognizing the King, Queen and court concludes the evening for students, alumni, staff and parents.

Robotics is an extra-curricular program for students in grade 4 through the age of 14. Annually students from around the world face a new challenge that relates robotics every day life; like assisting people with disabilities, meeting energy needs, or making new scientific discoveries. As a team, Westlake students do research in the prescribed area, suggest solutions, prepare a presentation, and design, build, program, and test their own robot. Westlake’s team enters a fun-filled competition with other teams locally, state-wide and nationally, where gracious professionalism is encouraged. Robotics is truly sports for the mind.

It's an entire day of science activity. Grades 1-12 get together to compete in science games, everything from writing a song about science and God to building the best race car that will keep a raw egg intact when it hits a wall. 1st-12th graders also prepare science projects and experiments and share them with the entire school. One or two speakers are invited to give a presentation on God and science. A highlight of the afternoon is “1 vs Westlake” where one student is chosen to compete against the rest of the school body by answering science questions correctly. Ending the day is our awards ceremony. Awards are given out at each grade level for the best science day project per class.

In honor of our grandparents and acknowledgement of the positive influence they have in our lives, we celebrate Grandparents Day each fall. Beginning the morning with coffee and breakfast treats gets us off to a wonderful start. Our grandparents join us in our classrooms to take a spelling test, read along in a book, and find out what a typical school day is like at WCA. Our students share their love of learning and their grandparents get to see firsthand the blessing that a Christian education is to their grandchildren. This special morning is brought to a conclusion with an all-school chapel inclusive of prayer, a special student speaker, musical performances, subject area demonstrations, and a precious time of worshipping God together. Grandparent’s Day is looked forward to year after year and is a highlight for all!

Local pastors are invited to attend our all school Pastors’ Chapel. The day begins for the pastors with a complimentary breakfast with our Principal and board members. Following this, the principal shares with the pastors Westlake’s vision and mission regarding Christian education. After this, the PreKindergarten -12th grade students take part in presenting songs, skits, scriptures, and a devotional message.

A show that brings out the best in our students; skits, comedy, solos, ensemble, instrumentals, videos are all a part of this great night. It is fun for the whole family to enjoy. Sponsored by student council “Westlake’s Got Talent” develops confidence and public performance skills. The whole student body from early elementary through high school is encouraged to participate and show off their talents.

The Association of Christian Schools International offers math challenges to 6th through 8th graders in two fields. The computation tests are designed to hone students’ abilities to quickly use math facts to solve problems without a calculator. The problem solving tests improve students’ critical thinking and application of mathematical concepts.

Westlake holds summer sports camps in Volleyball and Basketball for upper elementary and junior high students. Our goal is to provide student athletes with an opportunity to learn new skills or improve on the skills that they currently have. This is done by: teaching skills, running drills, playing scrimmages and plain just having fun in a safe environment. Our camps are run by experienced coaches who are CPR/AED trained and assisted by High School student athletes.

Students in grades 4-12 (and their parents) are invited to participate in Strategy Game Days. A few games days are held throughout the winter and spring. All sorts of games are played including old favorites like Chess and Risk and new games like Settlers of Canaan and Cathedral. Games are played one-on-one, in small groups, or large groups with a dozen or more players and literally thousands of pieces. Of course, good sportsmanship and sharp thinking are emphasized and the fun is guaranteed!

X…Y…Z…Zip out of school. Every school year the elementary counts down the last 26 days of school with the ABC’s. We have days like Animal Day – bring your favorite stuffed animal to class. Pajama Day – wear your P.J.’s to class. Movie Day – watch a movie with your class…and so much more. The elementary students excitement these last days is nearly uncontainable.

Field Day is a great opportunity for our elementary students to exercise their bodies through friendly games like dodge ball, kickball, softball, flag football, four-square, and exciting relays. Our junior high students often help and are provided a fantastic opportunity to hone their leadership skills as they guide the elementary students through the day. This day gives everyone the opportunity to interact with students from other grades and build relationships with each other. Happening the last week of school, Field day is a wonderful day to celebrate the end of another great school year.

In the fall, the 3rd graders present to their parents a special drama “The Path of Harriet Hamburger through the Digestive System” as a conclusion to their study of the body. We also perform “Daniel in the Lion’s Den” and the “Centipede Play” for our animal unit. In the spring is our second parent performance. After studying our space unit, we act out “The First Annual Meeting of the Solar System” and Paul’s First Missionary Journey. These two programs provide fellowship for the 3rd grade families and give the children an opportunity to show how much they’ve learned.

Each fall the early education students visit an apple orchard. They learn about the life cycle of an apple tree, pick their own apples, and have a delicious snack. This is a hands on way to study God’s creation and celebrate the beauty of autumn.