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Academic Pathways

Beginning with the Class of 2025, LCA students may choose to pursue an academic pathway in an area of interest. These personalized learning opportunities for our students help ensure that they meet their goals and allow LCA to continue to equip and nurture students to fulfill God’s calling on their lives through Christ-centered education. 

LCA’s Academic Pathways will create: 

A high school level academic area of focus

Special pathway recognition at graduation and an endorsement seal for pathway achievers on their diplomas

A pathway achiever cord or medallion to be worn at graduation

Academic Pathways require completion of specific elective courses which are taken in addition to the student’s core academic curriculum (Bible, English, math, science, social studies and world language). Academic Pathways are open to all students with no requirements for participation in Honors/AP courses in core academic areas. While some pathways offer flexibility on the timing of the electives*, students are strongly encouraged to set out on their Academic Pathway experience during their freshman year. Some pathways include an off-campus internship or capstone project during the senior year. Information regarding LCA’s Academic Pathway options and the required courses for each are detailed below. Click here for a PDF of course information.

As an institution of Christian education, we must answer the call and responsibility to train and prepare young people for roles as servant leaders in areas of ministry where God may call them. This track offers opportunities to students to explore and develop the skills needed to serve God. Courses required for endorsement: 

Freshman Year: Apologetics I*

Sophomore Year: Leadership & Spiritual Formation*

Junior Year: Apologetics II*

Senior Year: Christian Ministry & Leadership Internship

The Business pathway allows students to pursue their interests in areas of accounting, law and finance. Courses required for endorsement: 

Freshman Year: Introduction to Business

Sophomore Year: Accounting I AND Accounting II

Junior Year: Business Law

Senior Year: Personal Finance AND Business Internship 

Students may choose to their passion and develop their God-given talents in either the Visual Arts or Performing Arts pathway.

Courses required for Visual Arts endorsement: 

Freshman Year: 2D Art I; 2D Art II; 3D Art I; 3D Art II (Semester/0.5 credit each)

Students must successfully complete a minimum of four (4) single-semester courses. A combination of 2D Art and 3D Art courses is permitted, but the strongest portfolio will be from a commitment to either a 2D I-IV or 3D I-IV track.

Sophomore Year: 2D Art I; 2D Art II; 2D Art III; 2D Art IV; 3D Art I; 3D Art II; 3D Art III; 3D Art IV (Semester/0.5 credit each)

Junior Year: Choose one (year) - AP Art History+; Advanced Studio Art; AP Studio Art~ OR Choose two (semester): History of the Visual and Performing Arts AND Advanced Studio Art OR Printmaking

Senior Year: Choose one (year) - AP Art History+; Advanced Studio Art; AP Studio Art~ OR Choose two (semester): History of the Visual and Performing Arts AND Advanced Studio Art OR Printmaking

*Students who take AP Art History may take Printmaking in place of Advanced Studio Art, 2D Art IV or 3D Art IV
+AP Art History can only be taken once.
~AP Studio Art may be taken twice for credit (both junior and senior years).

Courses required for Performing Arts endorsement:
Performing Arts Core (4 credits) and Electives (2 credits)

Freshman Year: Ensemble * (Chorus, Treble Choir, Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra)

Sophomore Year: Ensemble * (Chorus, Treble Choir, Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra)

Junior Year: Ensemble * (Chorus, Treble Choir, Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra)
   Electives: History of the Visual and Performing Arts AND Piano OR Guitar

Senior Year: Ensemble * (Chorus, Treble Choir, Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra)
      Elective: AP Music Theory

*Students do not have to enroll in the same ensemble for all four years (i.e. they may take Chorus for two years and Band for two years to fulfill requirement.

Courses required for STEM endorsement:     
 

Freshman Year: PLTW: Introduction to Engineering Design

Sophomore Year: Application Design I: Python AND Application Design II: C++

Junior Year: PLTW: Principles of Engineering    
   Optional: AP Chemistry OR AP Computer Science A

Senior Year: AP Physics AND UK Transition2Engineering AND AP Calculus (AB or BC)    
     Optional: AP Chemistry OR AP Computer Science A