At Abner Creek Academy, students are immersed in a dynamic educational environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and technological proficiency. Guided by the leadership values from the iLead program our students take ownership of their learning journey and emerge as empowered leaders. iLead teaches leadership skills and values using a common language school-wide.
This year, we launched our ACA Student Ambassador program, selecting six student leaders through an interview process to serve the needs of the school community. These ambassadors represented the voice of our student body and modeled exemplary leadership throughout the year. They provided tours for new families as well as helped develop and implement a new student orientation program.
In alignment with our magnet focus on Communication and Leadership and our district’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) initiative, students continued to develop academic and interpersonal skills through Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading (WICOR) methodologies. Opportunities for collaboration were extended through programs like class buddies, student council, and our new STEM Studio. This newly added Project Lead the Way class provided students with real-world, hands-on experiences in problem-solving and teamwork as they worked collaboratively to find innovative solutions.
To celebrate our students' achievements, we hosted our first Evening of Excellence, where families were invited to experience a showcase of learning across all content areas—including the arts. This event not only highlighted core academics through engaging exhibits but also celebrated student talents in visual art, drama, music, physical education, and multimedia. This evening event served as a culminating celebration of student voice and creativity.
Every grade level invited families into classrooms throughout the year to see learning in action through authentic experiences such as a Farmers Market in kindergarten, a living art museum in fifth grade, and student-designed invention conventions in third grade. The year concluded with our student-led conferences, a schoolwide tradition where every student reflected on personal growth and goals while celebrating accomplishments with their families.
ACA continues to offer a full continuum of support services, including differentiated instruction for students with special needs and those identified as gifted and talented. These students are challenged daily through our integrated academic model and our rich arts program, Creations.
This year, we continued our Unified School partnership with the Special Olympics. This initiative helped us further foster an inclusive environment where leadership and empathy are cultivated. Fourth-grade buddies partnered with our self-contained special needs class during recess and PE, and inclusive literature was integrated into classroom lessons to promote understanding and acceptance.
Our communication-focused magnet program also provides students with performance-based multimedia and literary arts classes that emphasize collaboration and public speaking. Students shared their learning through platforms such as the weekly Morning Show, student-written “Down by the Creek” podcasts, and our spring drama production, Junie B. Jones, which was enjoyed by the entire student body and supported the development of audience etiquette.
Teachers use results from the Panorama Social Emotional Learning Survey to tailor classroom experiences that meet the social and emotional needs of students. This intentional focus on the whole child ensures that academic learning is paired with emotional growth and resilience.
The strong support of our PTO, School Improvement Council (SIC), community mentors, and local partners continues to enhance our school culture. Communication with families remains a top priority, with regular updates shared via Instagram, Facebook, monthly S’more newsletters, the ACA website, email, and text messaging.
Abner Creek Academy is more than a school—it is a vibrant, inclusive community where every student is equipped to lead, succeed, and thrive.
