Christian Academy of Indiana Kicks Off the School Year with The Event
Ryan Miller for the News and Tribune
Families gathered Friday night at Sam Peden Community Park in New Albany for The Event.
NEW ALBANY – Going back to school can usually be one of a student’s least favorite parts of the year.
Having to navigate a new schedule, meeting new teachers, and waking up early all lead to students dreading late summer. However, when schools make an effort to welcome students back in a fun environment, it can lessen the blow a little.
Students, families and staff converse during Friday’s festivities.
Christian Academy of Indiana’s version of this event is, fittingly, The Event. The annual celebration sees students get ready for the new year at Sam Peden Park. The festivities include a meet and greet with teachers, a bake sale, and games of all kinds. Not only students find themselves looking forward to the event though. “It’s very exciting, I love seeing my former students and it does make me feel like we are a community not just a school,” said fifth grade teacher Shelly Abbott during Friday’s festivities.
These themes of community could be seen echoed throughout the entire event, with students of all grade levels laughing and chatting, parents saying hello to each other after a long summer, and teachers meeting their students for the next year. The students appreciate the fostered sense of togetherness as well.
“Yes, our schools are about community and specifically obviously Christian community because we’re a Christian school, so all the students coming out here and just being able to bond with their grade, playing games, bond with some upper classmen as well; I just think that it’s really important in building friendships and also mentor ships between us,” said senior Claire Trask.
The seniors are especially fond of this event, because all the money goes to the senior class trip. This being their last year, many students and even parents cannot help but feel a little emotional at one of their final CAI events.
“There’s no sweet to it, it is incredibly sad for me thinking that she might leave,” said Mallory Annis, a parent of a senior.
Christian Academy has been growing in enrollment, and is seeing a record high enrollment rate this year (1,258 students). With this amount of growth, many changes are being made to the school. One of these changes is a new building for the middle school, so the high school and junior high will no longer share a space. The two-story building will include 26 classrooms, a room for the choir, art rooms and labs. To add to the changes for middle schoolers in the coming year, CAI is welcoming a new middle school principal: Taylor Jarman. Jarman most recently worked as a principal for an elementary school in Texas, and has worked as a teacher/administrator for 12 years.
“I think one goal is to see all of our students grow and they desire to serve God and their academics and in their relationships and what we do as Christian Academy,” said Jarman. Jarman expressed excitement for this coming school year for myriad reasons, but he like many others are looking forward to the new building being completed. “I am most excited to see us continue to become a solid middle school because this is the first we’re starting a new building it’s going to be Hopefully finish later this year and so we’ll all be coming together for the first time fifth to eighth grade, as one middle school campus, that will be really cool to see,” Jarman said.
With CAI experiencing such a high number of students, it was heartening to the teachers to see such a big turnout to an extra-curricular event.
“It says that we’re all in this together,” said Abbott
CAI Alumni – You’re Invited to a Baseball Game, September 27
We’re excited to invite you to our Christian Academy Alumni Baseball Game on Saturday, September 27, at 11 a.m.! Whether you want to dust off your glove and step back onto the field or simply come out and cheer from the stands, we’d love to see you there.
Last year’s game was an absolute blast – full of laughter, friendly competition and plenty of great memories. This year promises to be just as fun and it’s the perfect opportunity to reconnect with old friends and teammates.
Please RSVP using this link so we can plan for players and spectators.
We can’t wait to see you out at the ballpark for a day of fellowship, fun and baseball!
Go Warriors!
Christian Academy of Indiana Alumni Inaugural Soccer Game, August 1
CAI Soccer Coach Neil Shaw would like to Welcome Back our CAI Alumni Soccer Players and Fans to Participate in an Alumni Soccer Game, August 1, 7:30 p.m. at a Location to Be Determined.
Contact Coach Shaw at (812) 302-2056 for More Information.
CAI Junior Academy, Come for Popsicles on the Playground!
Happy summertime! We are already preparing for your children to enter the 2025-2026 school year as successful little Christian Academy Warriors! One of the ways we want to do that is by allowing you and your child the opportunity to acclimate to the Junior Academy. That means you’re invited to our summertime Popsicles on the Playground! Here’s what you need to know:
Date– Thursday, July 10
Time– 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. (to avoid the heat!)
Place– CAI Junior Academy Playground
The playground is accessed only once inside the building. We’ll be there to welcome you right inside the elementary school entrance. For parking, let’s get some “official” practice on how to enter and exit the campus.
As you arrive on campus, if you are entering off Grant Line Road, simply continue up the drive. You will see the elementary school on your left but do not turn in. You will drive all the way around the entire building, past all the construction for the new middle school on your left, past the back of the school where there is the large “commons” lot, up the drive with the high school entrance on your left and finally arriving at the elementary school. Please pull over to the right into the elementary lot and park. If you are arriving on campus through the “new” entrance, be sure to turn right and drive past the high school entrance on your left and pull over into parking across from the elementary entrance. Please enter the elementary school doors where we will be waiting for you. Once we are through the check-in process, we will have a little fun on the Junior Academy playground!
You will need:
- To RSVP Here
- To bring your Driver’s License. This will be run through our security system and allow you to visit inside the school building all year without needing to submit it again.
- To bring a water bottle for your child (and yourself if you’d like!). There is also a water fountain on the playground.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Aimee Games at [email protected]! We can’t wait to meet you!
Announcing the 2025-2026 Theatre Show Season!
September 25-27 – Elementary Production of Beauty and the Beast, Jr. directed by Mr. Andrew Wieland
Auditions for 1st – 5th grade students will be held on the Back-to-School Day on Tuesday, August 5. More information to come soon!
November 20-22 – All-School Production of The Sound of Music directed by Mrs. Alisa Hancher, Ms. Julia Verdouw and Mr. Andrew Wieland
March 5-7 – High School Production of Pride and Prejudice directed by Ms. Julia Verdouw
May 7-9 – Middle School Production of The Westing Game directed by Mrs. Alisa Hancher
Mark your calendars now! It’s a season you won’t want to miss!
CAI Kindergarten and New Elementary, You’re invited!
Happy summertime! We are already preparing for your children to enter the 2025-2026 school year as successful little Christian Academy Warriors! One of the ways we want to do that is by allowing you and your child the opportunity to acclimate to their new campus. So, if you are brand new to CAI elementary or entering kindergarten, we consider you “NEW!” And that means you’re invited to our summertime Popsicles on the Playground! Here’s what you need to know:
At each of these events, we’ll be there to welcome you right inside the elementary playground gate. For parking, let’s get some “official” practice on how to enter and exit the campus.
As you arrive on campus, if you are entering off Grant Line Road, simply continue up the drive. You will see the elementary school on your left but do not turn in. You will drive all the way around the entire building, past all the construction for the new middle school on your left, past the back of the school where there is the large “commons” lot, up the drive with the high school entrance on your left and finally arriving at the elementary school. Please pull over to the right into the elementary lot and park. If you are arriving on campus through the “new” entrance, be sure to turn right and drive past the high school entrance on your left and pull over into parking across from the elementary entrance. To get to the playground, follow the sidewalk lined with PINWHEELS and you won’t miss us!
We have multiple dates, some in the morning and some in the evening for varying age groups. Please click here to view those dates and RSVP.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Aimee Games at [email protected]!
New to CAI 7th-12th Graders, You’re Invited!
While your kids are soaking up the summer fun, we’re getting excited about welcoming them to the Christian Academy family this fall! To help them feel right at home from day one, we’re hosting a special get-together just for new students to meet current students.
Join Us at The Depot
This is a laid-back, fun event where your student can meet new friends, hang out with current CAI students, play games and grab some tasty snacks from the Depot Café. It’s the perfect way to break the ice before school starts!
Plus, they’ll get to meet two of our awesome teachers, Mr. Barnett and Mr. Conley, who can’t wait to welcome them.
Let’s kick off this new adventure with some fun!
Where: The Depot, 1000 Park Street, Charlestown, IN 47111
When: July 15
What Time: Drop your student off at 6:30 p.m. and Pick Up No Later than 8:30 p.m.
Please RSVP: HERE
Questions? Please reach out to Aimee Games at [email protected]!
CAI 5th and 6th Graders, Join Us for JUMPING Into Middle School!
Yes, it’s TRUE! Your student is getting ready to enter middle school at Christian Academy and that’s a milestone we want to celebrate!
We are preparing for the new school year at Christian Academy and what better way to get things flying than jumping around together at Xtremenasium Trampoline Park! Middle School will be a new experience for you as a parent and for your child too. To connect with friends and get to know each other, please have your 5th or 6th grader join us for some fun, food and jumping on July 24, from 10 a.m. until noon at Xtremenasium in Clarksville. We’ll be providing your ticket for fun “get to know you” time! Please RSVP HERE and be sure to fill out the online waiver HERE for both your child and yourself, PRINT and bring it with you. Please note that a parent is required to stay for this event. Alternatively, your student may attend with another invited student whose parent will be present. Again, though, the parent staying needs a signed waiver just to be in the building.
Who– All 5th and 6th Grade CAI Students (no siblings, please)
What– Jumping Into Middle School Celebration
When– July 24, 10 a,m, until Noon
Where– Xtremenasium, 706 E. Lewis and Clark Parkway, Clarksville, IN
Bring your water bottle and plenty of energy! We can’t wait to see you!
If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Aimee Games at [email protected].
The CAI End of Year Armory Sale is Here!
We’re clearing out the store to make room for our Back-to-School gear — and that means BIG savings for you!
All clearance is 50% off and new markdowns storewide! Look for the blue dot to spot the best deals!
Now’s the perfect time to stock up on Warrior gear, gifts and more. Once it’s gone, it’s gone — so don’t wait!
Come shop, save big and help us make room for an even bigger Back-to-School sale!
Journey to Biblical Unity Summer Field Trip for 2025-2026 Rising High Schoolers
On Wednesday, June 18, I will be leading our inaugural Journey to Biblical Unity Field Trip to Lexington/Louisville, Kentucky. This is a joint CAI and CAL field trip for RISING high schoolers (2025-2026, 9th-12th graders). We are opening up 12 spots from your high school to join us on this approximately 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. field trip. The field trip cost is $15 (paid online). You need to fill out a paper form and return it to your school office, before the end of the school year as well. You will also need to bring money for lunch at Chick-fil-A.
During this trip, CAI and CAL students and employees will go on a journey – observing landmarks that acknowledge some of America’s most divisive eras (barriers to biblical unity that once existed). Then, we will celebrate the fact that God has broken down many barriers and has blessed Christians with the freedom to pursue biblical unity in the present. After visiting and storytelling at various historic statue locations in Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky, I have invited representatives from Portland Christian School (Louisville, Kentucky), other local Christian schools and a few leaders from Highview Baptist Church’s Southside Campus (Louisville, Kentucky) to join us in a powerful united prayer meeting. We are going to pray for God to initiate, empower and sustain an unprecedented movement of Christian unity in America, in our local Christian schools and in our local churches.
Would your rising high school student like to join us? If so, please go to your school office to pick up a field trip form. Ask your parent/guardian to fill out the field trip form and make your $15 online field trip payment (to CAI or CAL). Then, you can turn your completed field trip form into your school office, at your earliest convenience. First come, first served.