ACA Junior wins Colonial Dames Essay Contest

Lucy Respess, an ACA junior, was selected as a winner of the Colonial Dames national essay contest. She was tasked with writing on the following topic:

“The Electoral College was established in the U.S. Constitution as the election process for the President and Vice President. Support retaining the Electoral College, or propose and support another system to operate in its place.”

As a winner, she will get to spend a fully funded week in DC next summer at American University touring the Capitol and engaging in citizen education.

“Over the years, the history department at ACA has significantly shaped my understanding of the world around me,” Lucy said. “As a hopeful political science major, I thought that entering the NSCDA national essay contest would be a wonderful way to directly expose myself to politics and policy. The question prompted me to write a concise essay either supporting the Electoral College or suggesting another system in its place. I chose to support the college, drawing upon the Federalist Papers, which we had recently studied in my American Government class. The structured discussions within both my government and American History classes greatly aided me in composing this essay. I am so thankful for the history department and the many ways in which it has inspired me to pursue a future in this discipline!”

Cavaliers Serve hosts inaugural Week of Service

Members of Atlanta Classical’s Key Club assist with donations during Sunday’s drive-through event.

Parent and student volunteers pack boxes of groceries in partnership with Atlanta Public School’s Operation Feed ATL.

Atlanta Classical Academy hosted our inaugural Week of Service last week, October 18-24. Organized by Student Government, Key Club, and PTCA volunteers together as a “Cavaliers Serve” group effort, the Week of Service featured a one-word “theme” each day informed by that day’s designated service project, which ranged from book donations to letter-writing. 

The PTCA, along with the Student Government and the Key Club, challenge each student to commit to 2 hours of service during this week-long event. We have outlined a theme for each day with suggested projects. The week kicked off on Sunday, October 18 as student and parent volunteers packed boxes full of groceries given by other school families in a drive-through donation event benefitting Operation Feed ATL earlier that day. 

Though Atlanta Classical remains completely virtual during this time, students and their families were able to feel connected to one another and to their community by taking part in the same acts of service across the city of Atlanta.

Students assisted with taking donations and packing boxes for Operation Feed ATL.

Atlanta Classical Rocketry Students Take it “Two the Limit”

Story and photos by Mr. Richter

This past Saturday, members of ACA’s Airplane and Model Rocketry Club attended a high power launch hosted by the Southern Area Rocketry Association.  Eight students ranging from fourth grade to twelfth grade attended, accompanied by several parents, grandparents, and Mr. Richter and Ms. Arrington.  Students launched “Two the Limit” model rockets they built last semester.   Students were delighted to see their rockets surpass club sponsor Miss Ham in height!

Younger students launched in a two-stage configuration using low-powered “E” motors, and flew to approximately 1500 feet.  Older students who have obtained their Jr. Level 1 certifications were able to launch using mid-powered “H” motors reaching heights of approximately 3500 feet!  Check out the H-motor launch here!

A new member of the club, 4th-grader Zelia Stewart (pictured below with her father and grandfather), constructed a rocket with fellow rookie Hayden Hardy.  Although Hayden was unable to attend the launch, he can be proud of the beautiful launch of their well-constructed rocket!  Here’s a short video of the launch.