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Draft:Decatur Heritage Christian Academy

Coordinates: 34°32′11″N 86°59′54″W / 34.536460°N 86.998230°W / 34.536460; -86.998230
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Decatur Heritage Christian Academy
The mission of Decatur Heritage Christian Academy is to assist families by providing their children with an education that is excellent and which instills Biblical principles to guide their lives.
Address
Map
3802 Spring Ave SW

,
35601
Coordinates34°32′11″N 86°59′54″W / 34.536460°N 86.998230°W / 34.536460; -86.998230
Information
Other nameDHCA
School typePrivate Christian
Established1995
CEEB code010861
Lower School PrincipalRobin Varwig
Upper School PrincipalJeffrey Myers
HeadmasterSteve Hall
Faculty35.3 (on an FTE basis)[1]
GradesK5–12
Enrollment323[1]
Average class size•Upper School (7 – 12): µ13 •Lower School (K5 – 6): µ14
Student to teacher ratio9:2[1]
Campus size52,000 Sq Ft. – 50 Acres
Color(s)  Purple

  Gray

  White
Athletics conferenceClass 1A

Baseball: 3A

Basketball (girls & boys): 2A
SportsBasketball (Boys & Girls), Baseball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Fishing, Football, Golf, Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field, Softball, Swim, Tennis, Volleyball
MascotEagle
AccreditationCognia
TuitionGrades K-6: $8,833.00

Grades 7-11: $9,584.00

Grade 12: $9,694.00
Websitewww.dhca.org

Decatur Heritage Christian Academy (DHCA) is a private, co-educational, college-preparatory school for grades kindergarten through 12 in Decatur, Alabama. DHCA provides Christian education through a non-denominational Biblical worldview. Decatur Heritage’s campus is on 50 acres.

Academics

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Decatur Heritage enrolls over 375 students grades K5-12. The student to faculty ratio is 8 to 1. The average class size is 13 for Upper School and 14 for Lower School.

Decatur Heritage offers academic, honors, and Advanced Placement (AP) programs, as well as Dual Enrollment classes through the John C. Calhoun Community College System.

Decatur Heritage is characterized by rigorous academics presented from a Christian worldview in a way that accommodates all learning styles. DHCA students are taught a transformational worldview, one that seeks to bring biblical principles to bear on every aspect of life. The school's goal is for students to engage the culture, not run from it or accommodate it.

Organization and administration

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Heads of School
Head of School Years
Gary Peters 1994–1999[2]
David Balik 1999–2004[3]
Scott Mayo 2004–2020[4]
Steve Hall 2020–present[5]

The Head of School and administrative team handle the day-to-day operations of the school, while a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees provides accountability and oversight with respect to the mission and policies of the school.

Under the governance of the board of trustees, Decatur Heritage is led by Head of School, Steve Hall.[5] Hall is the fourth head of school of Decatur Heritage. Robin Varwig and Jeffrey Myers serve as principals of the lower and upper school respectivily.

Teachers and faculty have development days weekly to promote innovation and growth, and prevent static teaching.

Athletics

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DHCA Athletic Logo
DHCA Athletic Logo

Decatur Heritage Christian Academy is a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA). Decatur Heritage competes in AHSAA's 3A classification for Baseball, 2A classification for Basketball, and the 1A classification for other sports. The DHCA athletics program claims 2 State Titles, 7 State Runners Up, and over 55 Section/Area Titles among various sports. Decatur Heritage has sent student/athletes to multiple power five schools including The University of Alabama and Clemson University. Decatur Heritage claims multiple athletic records including the AHSAA all-time state record for total yards in a single game (9th nationally), the AHSAA all-time state record for touchdowns in a single game (both set by Brayden Kyle in 2021),[6][7][8] the AHSAA all-time 1A state record for high jump in 2019 and reset in 2022 (both set by Elizabeth Wilson).[9][10][11] Decatur Heritage offers a wide variety of varsity sports including:

Varsity Sports

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Fall athletic offerings

Winter athletic offerings

Spring athletic offerings

Arts

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Decatur Heritage offers several art classes to both lower and upper school students involving the three main art types. These include: visual arts, performing arts, and literary arts. Lower school student participate in weekly music and visual arts classes while learning language arts daily. Lower school student are given the opportunity to participate in muscials and preformances throughout the year. Upper school students are able to take art classes as electives and AP classes. Grades five through 12 are able to participate in the DHCA marching band, the DHCA concert band, and the DHCA jazz band. The Decatur Heritage drama department hoast an annual, all-grades school musical with 75-100 participants. Additionally, students have the opportunity to display their tallents on stages outside the school. Several notable accomplishments for Decatur Heritage arts include:

  • 2 finalists in River Clay Fine Arts Festival Student Competition
  • Numerous Youth Art Month Finalist, including first place awards consecutively since 2019[12][13][14][15][16]
  • Grant Gill, alumni[17][18]
  • Seven DHCA band students performed in the North Alabama Private School Honor Band

Spiritual life and service

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Inside the classroom and student/faculty led clubs, orginsations, and activities; DHCA students are taught though a biblical worldview. Students are given the opportunity to particiapte in service opportunities several different ways. Some of DHCA's most popular service clubs include Anchor Club, Key Club, and Ambassadors.

Campus

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In the fall of 2009, DHCA moved into new facilities on the current campus located on Spring Avenue in south Decatur, Alabama. In the fall of 2015, DHCA oppened the first addition to the Upper School wing, nearly doubling its size. The campus is a total of 50 acres.[19][20][21][22][23]

Academic facilities

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  • Art Center The spacious art center allows for an expanded curricular offering in art and enhanced music programs.
  • Administration Centrally located administrative and financial offices for both the upper and lower schools help streamline operations and offer convenience to our visitors, students and parents.[20]
  • Cafetorium More than a cafeteria, a cafetorium allows for comfortable student gatherings and presentations.[20] Seats up to 560 comfortably and is complete with a stage with theater lighting.
  • Design Lab In the 2021–22 school year, Decatur Heritage oppened the "Design Lab" to futher students' education by working creatively with technology. This is a creative space for students to be able to learn by hands-on experience with industry standard, high tech film and podcasting equipment and iMac (Apple silicon) computers. The design lab can be found by its classroom number B103.
  • Computer Labs
    • Upper School Computer Lab: Decatur Heritage's upper school computer lab is a space for upper school students to learn with hands-on technology. This lab hosts coding classes at Decatur Heritage. Equipped with high tech Dell OptiPlex desktop computers. Classroom A105.
    • Lower School Computer Lab:
  • Science Labs
    • Chemistry Lab: Decatur Heritage's (upper school) physical science lab, classroom A104, is covered with modern technology to help DHCA students to understand their biblical worldview by studying chemistry, physical science, engineering, earth and space science.
    • Biology Lab: Decatur Heritage's (upper school) life science lab, classroom A106, is covered with modern technology to help DHCA students to understand their biblical worldview by studying biology, forensics, anatomy and physiology.
    • Middle School Science Lab: Classroom A107 is a science lab dedicated to DHCA's middle school students as they study science through a biblical worldview.

Student facilities

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Notable alumni

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Notable faculty

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "School Detail for Decatur Heritage Christian Academy". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  2. ^ Writer, Myra Arnold Staff (7 March 2017). "Peters receives Distinguished Scholar Award". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  3. ^ Tyndale University College (2004). Connection (Summer 2004). Tyndale University College and Seminary. Tyndale University College.
  4. ^ Journal, Deangelo McDaniel For The Hartselle Courier (28 August 2019). "Mayo leaving Decatur Heritage for Cook Museum". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  5. ^ a b Writer, Deangelo McDaniel Staff (7 February 2020). "Decatur Heritage names Hall as new head of school". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  6. ^ "Decatur Heritage Football's Brayden Kyle sets two state records in win against Ragland". rocketcitynow.com. November 16, 2021. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  7. ^ "Decatur Heritage's Brayden Kyle Shatters AHSAA Total Offense and Touchdown Records | PrepsNet". 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  8. ^ "Decatur Heritage QB Brayden Kyle breaks state records in performance for the ages". WHNT.com. 2021-11-15. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  9. ^ "AHSAA > Sports > Outdoor Track & Field > Outdoor Track and Field Records Girls". www.ahsaa.com. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  10. ^ "Elizabeth Wilson - Women's Track and Field". University of Montevallo Athletics. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  11. ^ "Three area athletes bring home state championships". Yahoo Finance. 2022-02-06. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  12. ^ "Youth Art Month winners announced". news.yahoo.com. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  13. ^ "Youth Art Month Under Way At Alabama Center For The Arts - Alabama Center for the Arts". www.alabamacenterforthearts.org. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  14. ^ Writer, Catherine Godbey Staff (13 March 2020). "Youth Art Month winners announced". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  15. ^ Writer, Catherine Godbey Staff (27 March 2019). "Morgan County students recognized with Youth Art Month awards". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  16. ^ Writer, Catherine Godbey Staff (16 March 2018). "Morgan County students receive Youth Art Month awards". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  17. ^ Journal, Catherine Godbey For the Decatur Courier (22 March 2016). "Sculpted by the spirit: Decatur Heritage graduate lands solo show in Nashville". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  18. ^ "Grant Gill: I do not mean ecclesiastical art". NowPlayingNashville.com. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  19. ^ Writer, Evan Belanger Staff (21 May 2008). "Decatur Heritage gets OK for relocation, expansion". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  20. ^ a b c d e Writer, Evan BelangerStaff (8 June 2008). "Groundbreaking set for school". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  21. ^ Writer, Eric Fleischauer Staff (6 November 2008). "Decatur school borrows $7.5M to build facility". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  22. ^ "New Decatur Heritage campus already too small". Decatur Daily. July 2009. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  23. ^ "Fite announces construction projects for schools, churches". Decatur Daily. 5 July 2009. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  24. ^ Writer, R. Sirvell Carter Sports (14 February 2009). "Goodbye to gym, hello to regional". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  25. ^ Writer, Deangelo McDaniel Staff (5 November 2019). "Decatur Heritage says 'thank you' to area veterans". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  26. ^ "Chatterbox: 'God Bless America' program honors veterans". Decatur Daily. 11 November 2018. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  27. ^ Writer, Deangelo McDaniel Staff (6 November 2018). "Decatur Heritage says thank you to area veterans". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  28. ^ Writer, David Elwell Sports (27 February 2020). "Decatur Heritage opening new baseball, softball fields". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  29. ^ Writer, David Elwell Sports (9 January 2019). "Decatur Heritage getting new baseball, softball fields". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  30. ^ Writer, Deangelo McDaniel Staff (3 November 2015). "Decatur Heritage says thank you to area veterans". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  31. ^ preps@al.com, Mike Perrin | (2021-12-01). "Nikita Stover replacing retiring Steve Meek at Decatur Heritage". al. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  32. ^ "Former Alabama WR Nikita Stover named Decatur Heritage coach". WHNT.com. 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  33. ^ "Nikita Stover named new Decatur Heritage Christian Academy head football coach". rocketcitynow.com. December 1, 2021. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  34. ^ Writer, David Elwell Sports (18 August 2022). "Prep blitz: Nikita Stover looks to carry on Decatur Heritage's winning tradition". Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-28.