Upper School
Upper school studies at Charlotte Christian represent the next level of personal exploration through a rigorous academic program. Students learn to be ambassadors for Christ through a well-balanced mix of academics, chapel, small groups, athletics and fine arts. Individuals are challenged on a daily basis to understand how to answer God’s call on their life. After years of growing, learning and being nurtured by a Christ-honoring faculty, upper school students begin to reflect growing intellectual maturity.
Grades 9-12
As a college-preparatory school, high value is placed on providing each student with a strong foundation for college using a sequence of solid core courses preparing each individual to enter life after Charlotte Christian. Adding to this solid core, more than 45 Advanced Placement and honors classes are offered with students routinely earning AP scholar awards and earning college credit. Graduates have opportunities to attend highly competitive colleges and universities across the nation.
To balance personal growth and commitment to academics, students are provided opportunities for leadership and community service. By participating in service projects for numerous organizations, students give their time and talents as an integral part of a whole education.
The senior class of 2022 was awarded more than $4.1 million in scholarships and awards. Access a list of college acceptances on the Celebrating the Class of 2022 page that showcases the many accomplishments of our most recent graduating class.
Distinctives
Academic Conservatory Program
Charlotte Christian School recognizes that students are gifted in a variety of areas, including academics, athletics, fine arts, or spiritual life. Just as interscholastic athletics offer special opportunities for athletically gifted students to be challenged, the Academic Conservatory Program provides a special opportunity for students in academics, fine arts or ministry. Click here to read more. Students may graduate with distinction in:
- Bible, Philosophy and Religion
- English
- Fine Arts
- Math/Science
- Social Studies
- World Languages
Prefect Leadership System
Upper school students participate in a prefect system for their student government. In this system, eight student leaders are mentored by a faculty member, with whom they meet regularly, and are charged with creating and leading a committee of student volunteers to help guide their specific area of oversight. Prefects are expected to function as servant leaders, humbly seeking to build up others and leading by example. The eight positions are: Head Prefect, Academic Prefect, Admissions Prefect, Athletic Prefect, Global Awareness Prefect, Fine Arts Prefect, Spiritual Life Prefect and Student Life Prefect.
Knights Knews
Knights Knews is a student-produced broadcast that airs weekly to all upper school students. The broadcast is full of weekly announcements in the form of both news and comedy sketches. In addition to the Friday sketch broadcast, the group also provides daily video announcements. Click here to view the Knights Knews YouTube channel.
JUNIOR SEMINAR
In this discussion-based class, students consider the importance of finding a college that will be a good fit and the skills necessary to succeed at that college. These skills include wise money management and budgeting, effective time management and healthy friendship and dating relationships. Special attention is paid to teaching students to navigate the college years while continuing to grow spiritually.
FINE ARTS OPPORTUNITIES
Students in grades 9-12 perform a co-curricular mainstage musical each winter. Previous shows include High School Musical, Shrek, Footloose, Beauty and the Beast, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and this year’s production of Into the Woods. Students also have the opportunity to audition for the competition ACT 1 drama team.
Honor Societies
- International Thespian Society
- National Art Honor Society
- National Honor Society
- Spanish National Honor Society
- Tri-M Music Honor Society
Winterim
Winterim 2023
Winterim gives upper school students an opportunity for new educational experiences the first week of the second semester. Through a Winterim experience, students interact and build relationships with fellow students and faculty in a less structured format while participating in a variety of common interest educational opportunities that provide for:
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Mission/service trips and cultural/educational trips and internship opportunities.
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Non-traditional approaches to teaching and learning including outdoor activities and real world experiences.
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Elective choices organized along "specialized interests."
Winterim 2023 will take place the week of Feb. 27 - March 3, 2023 and there will be multiple on-campus, in-town, domestic and international opportunities and classes for students. Because of the need to book travel in advance, registration for out-of-town trips will begin at 8 p.m. on the following dates:
- Rising Seniors - register on Monday, May 2 at 8 p.m.
- Rising Juniors - register on Tuesday, May 3 at 8 p.m.
- Rising Sophomores - register on Wednesday, May 4 at 8 p.m.
- Rising Freshmen - register on Wednesday, May 5 at 8 p.m.
- Registration is due by midnight on Friday, May 6.
Please click here to review all information regarding registration, individual trip options and policies and procedures. A complete list of on-campus and in-town Winterim offerings will be available in the fall of 2022 when the second round of registrations will take place.
Please review the trip details below prior to filling out the application. All students are required to complete an application (no essays required) along with submitting a $500 deposit in order to be considered for a trip. Based on completed applications by the students, deposits, and time of submission, tentative trip rosters will be emailed to parents. Parents will then sign a financial contract in order to secure their student's spot on the final trip roster. We will also maintain waitlists for each trip.
Out-of-town Trip Details
- Disney World
- Explore Puerto Rico
- South Florida Fishing
- Yosemite & San Francisco
- Dominican Republic
- Dominican Republic: Varsity Baseball
- Italy & Greece
- London & Paris
- Mexico: Samaritan's Feet
- Panama
Disney World
Dates: Feb. 26 - March 3
Trip Leaders: Mrs. Stewart Emery and Mrs. Brooke Webber
Approx. Cost: $1,300
Requirements: Grades 11-12; coed
Max. # of students: 50
Goals: Adventure, Educational, Leadership Development
This is a magical educational trip as students enjoy a week-long trip to Walt Disney World. On this trip, students will bus to Orlando and spend the nights at Pop Century Resort on Walt Disney World Property. The group will start out the trip serving at Give Kids the World, a 79-acre nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides a week-long, cost-free vacation to children with life threatening illnesses and their families. In addition to serving, the group will spend time in each theme park and enjoy an educational class that teaches students behind the scenes of rides, cast members and the everyday operations of Walt Disney World. Cost includes transportation, hotel, educational class, four-day hopper park ticket, $200 meal card, fanny pack, T-shirt, breakfast on travel days and one pizza dinner.
Explore Puerto Rico
Dates: Feb. 27 - March 4
Trip Leader: Ms. Sarah Nixon
Approx. Cost: $2,300
Requirements: Grades 10-11; coed
Max. # of students: 40
Goal: Adventure
This Winterim trip will take students on a physical adventure exploring the natural and historical wonders of Puerto Rico. This adventure will begin as students explore waterfalls, streams, and hiking trails in El Yunque Rainforest, the only tropical rainforest in U.S. territory, before taking a kayak tour of mangrove lagoons. That is just the beginning - we will be spelunking, ziplining, boating, snorkeling and swimming our way through all of Puerto Rico! The group will spend a half day serving with local ministries, as well as exploring the history of Old San Juan. Every evening we will spend time in devotions to get to know more about the God we see reflected in creation!
South Florida Fishing
Dates: Feb. 26 - March 3
Trip Leader: Mr. Grayson Bedenbaugh
Approx. Cost: $2,750
Requirements: Grades 9-12; male only
Max. # of students: 10
Goal: Adventure
This Winterim is designed to get students out on the water for a memorable fishing experience. We will be fishing for a variety of fish in the Gulf of Mexico and in the backwaters of the 10,000 islands area of south Florida. Students will fish in groups of six, five boys and one chaperone, to provide more fishing opportunities. We will be exploring Marco Island and Naples while also looking to serve the community during our stay.
Yosemite & San Francisco
Dates: Feb. 27 - March 3
Trip Leaders: Mrs. Susan Jones and Mrs. Jodi Foxx
Approx. Cost: $2,600
Requirements: Grades 10-12; female only
Max. # of students: 30
Goal: Adventure
Students are invited to come visit one of the most iconic national parks in the country - Yosemite National Park! We will enjoy the winter wonderland of Yosemite as we hike, snowshoe, walk among the largest trees on earth in the Tuolumne Grove, and go snow tubing. We will stay at the Yosemite Valley Lodge, located at the base of the famous Yosemite Falls. Our trip will conclude with time in San Francisco, including a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, a visit to Alcatraz and time at Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown.
Dominican Republic
Dates: Feb. 26 - March 4
Trip Leader: Ms. Olivia McCarrick
Approx. Cost: $2,500
Requirements: Grades 10-12; coed
Max. # of students: 40
Goal: Service & Mission, Leadership Development
The Dominican Republic trip aspires to make a difference in the lives of children through the projects and ministries of SCORE International, a Christ-centered ministry that shares the gospel with families of the Dominican Republic through sports, orphan care, construction, medical teams and women’s ministries. Charlotte Christian upperclassmen will assist SCORE missionaries throughout the week with ongoing projects. We will travel to sugar cane villages daily, where we will have a chance to share the hope of Christ with others by building intentional relationships. We always leave having received more than we could ever give! Our itinerary includes travel, a day of worship, five ministry days in villages and one excursion to Catalina Island. This is a service learning trip. Students should be willing to be flexible, cross-cultural and ready to share the love of Christ with others in a variety of ways. Students are expected to attend team meetings leading up to the trip, and students will be asked to sign a behavioral contract which includes limitations on cell phone use.
Dominican Republic: Varsity Baseball
Dates: Feb. 25 - March 1
Trip Leader: Mr. Greg Simmons
Approx. Cost: $2,000
Requirements: Grades 9-12; male only
Max. # of students: 22
Goal: Service & Mission
The Charlotte Christian varsity baseball team will partner with SCORE International to serve the local community through a variety of projects. The team will also participate in two exhibition games during the week and return home on Wednesday, March 1 in preparation for the first baseball game of the season on March 3.
Italy & Greece
Dates: Feb. 24 - March 4
Trip Leaders: Mrs. Claire Bishop and Mr. Bryn Gillette
Approx. Cost: $5,200
Requirements: Grades 9-12; coed
Max. # of students: 36
Goal: Educational
Art, history and faith come alive on this tour of Italy and Greece. Starting in Athens, students will visit the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Mars Hill, where the Apostle Paul gave one of his most important sermons. Students will explore the archaeological site of Delphi and visit the beach. After an overnight ferry to Italy, students will stay in the town of Sorrento on the Bay of Naples with a boat tour of the Isle of Capri. Students will wander through Pompeii, the town preserved by the volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79. We will end our trip in Rome with tours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, and Vatican City, along with a service project.
London & Paris
Dates: Feb. 26 - March 4
Trip Leader: Ms. Kayla Cochran
Approx. Cost: $3,300
Requirements: Grades 9-12; coed
Max. # of students: 30
Goal: Educational, Adventure
Students will travel to London, England and experience the birthplaces and inspiration of legendary literary giants like William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, JRR Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, Charles Dickens, and C.S. Lewis! Visit Poet’s Corner at Westminster Abbey, wave to the queen at Buckingham Palace, stroll through the magnificent British Museum, tour the gardens of Windsor Castle, take a “Muggle” walking tour of London, and catch a Shakespearean play after a private tour of The Globe Theatre. We will then travel to Stratford-Upon-Avon for a guided tour through the birthplace of William Shakespeare, touring Oxford College (Did Gatsby really attend?) before the coach heads back to London. We will then, fly to Paris, France, and experience the charm that the “Lost Generation” writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway indulged in Paris as they spent time between America and France after World War I. Learn about the construction of the Eiffel Tower, view the works of Pablo Picasso, visit the cafes where Fitzgerald socialized, be awed by the Louvre Museum, climb to the top of the Notre-Dame cathedral, and shop amongst the fashion icons of the world before flying back to the United States.
Mexico: Samaritan's Feet
Dates: Feb. 25 - March 4
Trip Leaders: Ms. Jessica Simmons and Mr. Rob Mina
Approx. Cost: $3,000
Requirements: Grades 10-12; coed
Max. # of students: 15
Goal: Mission/Service
Come serve in the villages of La Mision, Mexico in Baja California. We will work with vulnerable children and adults in impoverished areas of Mexico by washing their feet, distributing new shoes, praying with them, and sharing the hope of Christ. We will spend time with local orphanages, former US veterans at the border, and building relationships with the ministry children playing soccer in the evenings. We will spend the last day back in San Diego, California where we will serve at a local homeless shelter. The team will also have the opportunity to spend a day visiting the coastal cities of Mexico and other inland valley attractions. Cost covers all transportation, meals, accommodations, excursions, shoes, supplies, etc.
Panama
Dates: Feb. 26 - March 3
Trip Leaders: Mr. Barry Giller and Mrs. Lisa Giller
Approx. Cost: $1,600
Requirements: Grades 9-12; coed
Max. # of students: 20
Goal: Mission/Service
Students will lead a Vacation Bible School program for lower school students at an inner-city Christian School on several mornings. We will also partner with Crossroads Christian Academy to lead a day of prayer on their campus. We will visit the Panama Canal visiting center and have the opportunity to visit Panama Viejo, the first settlement in Panama. On our final day students will travel up the Chagres River to enjoy lunch at Embera People Indigenous Village after lunch students will participate in a cultural presentation and have the opportunity to purchase handmade crafts.
Activities & Clubs
Athletic Team Opportunities
The following JV sports allow students to try out with a limited number of team members accepted:
- Baseball (Grades 9-10)
- Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball (Grades 9-10)
- Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse (Grades 9-10)
- Boys’ & Girls’ Soccer (Grades 9-10)
- Girls’ Volleyball (Grades 9-10)
The following JV and varsity sports accept maximum participation and do not require tryouts:
- Cross Country (Grades 9-12)
- JV Football (Grades 9-10)
- Varsity Football (Grades 9-12)
- Boys’ and Girls’ Swimming (Grades 9-12)
- Boys’ and Girls’ Track (Grades 9-12)
- Wrestling (Grades 9-12)
The following varsity sports allow students to try out with a limited number of team members accepted:
- Baseball (Grades 9-12)
- Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball (Grades 9-12)
- Cheerleading (Grades 9-12)
- Girls’ Dance (Grades 9-12)
- Golf (Grades 9-12)
- Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse (Grades 9-12)
- Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer (Grades 9-12)
- Softball (Grades 9-12)
- Boys’ and Girls’ Tennis (Grades 9-12)
- Girls’ Volleyball (Grades 9-12)
Clubs
A variety of student-led clubs are available to upper school students.
- Athletes in Action
- Best Buddies
- Debate
- DECA
- Environmental Club
- Girl’s Leadership
- Healthy Lifestyle Club
- Letters of Light
- Movie Club
- Spikeball Club
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Latin Club
- Model UN
- Robotics
At A glance
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Knights in College
