About Ankeny Christian Academy

At the heart of Ankeny Christian Academy is academic excellence, Christ-centered discipleship, and authentic relationships. It is a great privilege to partner with parents, guardians, and churches as we strive to live out these distinctive values at ACA in the classroom and through co-curricular and extracurricular activities like athletics, fine arts, community service, and other leadership activities.

ACA is an independent, non-denominational Christian school, accredited by the State of Iowa and Christian Schools International. ACA is a diverse body of believers representing more than 85 churches. Our Statement of Faith is steeped in biblical truth and represents the doctrinal distinctives that unify our families, administration, faculty and staff.

ACA provides a college-preparatory education integrated with a biblically grounded worldview. ACA offers preschool, begindergarten (transitional kindergarten), and kindergarten through 12th grade. 

Our School

ACA is located in Ankeny, Iowa. We are a Preschool through 12th grade independent non-denominational Christian school accredited by the Iowa Department of Education and Christian Schools International.

ACA is unique in having one building for all students, begindergarten through 12th grade. This encourages relationships between students of different ages and students with their teachers throughout their time at ACA.
In addition to an Elementary, Middle and High School, ACA offers a 3 and 4 year old preschool located at Faith Baptist Bible College. 
School hours are Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. Early dismissals on Fridays allow faculty to time for Professional Development weekly.

Our History

Ankeny Christian Academy began in February of 1992 when a small group of faithful Christian parents started praying about their children’s education. ACA opened in 1993 with 27 students and three teachers and has now grown to over 520 students.  ACA is grateful for the legacy of those who gave tirelessly of their time and resources. Families are continuing to partner with ACA to help prepare their children spiritually and academically to engage the gospel with the world.o our mission of equipping our students to engage the gospel with the world.

The ACA Advantage

ACA’s Three Partnership Pillars of a Holistic Christian Education:

  • Academic Excellence (HEAD)
  • Christ-centered Discipleship (HEART)
  • Authentic Relationships (HOME)

At ACA, if one partnership pillar is missing, the student’s development becomes fragmented. Excellence without Christ is pride; discipleship without community is isolation; and relationships without academic rigor is a social club.

Here is how these three partnership pillars—Head, Heart, and Home—integrate our specific core values.

1. The Head: Academic Excellence
Focus: We believe a rigorous environment provides a foundation for intellectual growth.

In this model, the "Head" isn't just about high-test scores; it is about Intellectual Stewardship. We teach students that their minds are a gift from God, and developing them is an act of worship.

  • Critical Thinking as Discernment: We don't just teach students what to think, but how to evaluate information through the lens of Biblical truth.
  • The Pursuit of Beauty and Order: Whether in a complex algebraic equation or a masterpiece of literature, we point students toward the Creator of all logic and creativity.
  • Skill Acquisition: We equip them with the "tools of learning" so they can be effective communicators and problem-solvers in any life calling or vocation.

2. The Heart: Christ-Centered Discipleship
Focus: Nurturing students to grow into compassionate individuals who obey Jesus.

The "Heart" is the Transformative Center. Education that only informs the mind but doesn't transform the heart is dangerous. At ACA, the heart is where the "why" lives.

  • Inward Transformation: It begins with the Gospel—recognizing the need for a Savior.
  • Outward Obedience: Discipleship is "faith with feet." We move beyond head knowledge to "active obedience," teaching students to model the character of Christ in the hallways, on the court, and in their private lives.
  • Biblical Worldview Integration: We help students "re-order their loves," teaching them to love what God loves and value what He values.

3. The Home: Authentic Relationships
Focus: Emphasizing the partnership between church, home, and school.

The "Home" represents the Covenant Community. This is the "soil" in which the Head and Heart grow. Without a safe, authentic environment, students will not take the risks necessary for deep learning or spiritual vulnerability.

  • The Partnership Triad: We recognize that parents are the primary educators. The school exists to reinforce—not replace—the values taught at home and in the church.
  • Belonging Before Believing: By creating an atmosphere of grace and "small class sizes," we ensure every student is known by name and need. When a student feels seen and known by their teacher, they are more likely to hear what that teacher says about Christ.
  • Mentorship: Relationships move from "teacher/student" to "mentor/disciple."

The ACA Philosophy of Education: The Holistic Formation of a Student

At ACA, we believe that education is not merely the transmission of information (content transfer), but the formation of a person. We recognize that every student is an image-bearer of God, possessing a mind to be sharpened, a heart to be transformed, and a need for community. Our philosophy is rooted in a holistic model that integrates the Head, the Heart, and the Home.

I. The Head: Academic Excellence as Stewardship

We believe that the pursuit of knowledge is a form of worship. Because God is the author of all truth, we challenge our students toward intellectual rigor and critical thinking across all disciplines. Our goal is to develop intellectual stewardship: equipping students with the skills and wisdom to discern truth, appreciate beauty, and solve complex problems with excellence. We do not just teach students what to learn; we teach them how to learn, ensuring they are prepared to lead and influence the world with confidence.

II. The Heart: Christ-Centered Discipleship as Transformation

Education that informs the mind but ignores the heart is incomplete. At the center of our philosophy is the belief that true wisdom begins with a right relationship with Jesus Christ. We are committed to intentional discipleship, where every lesson is filtered through a Biblical worldview (Biblical integration). We strive to nurture the "heart" by fostering spiritual maturity, encouraging a personal love for God’s Word, and modeling Christ-like character. Our aim is to graduate students who are not only academically capable but are deeply rooted in their identity in Christ.

III. The Home: Authentic Relationships as Foundation

We believe that the best environment for learning is a covenant community. Education is a collaborative effort between the school, the church, and the home. We prioritize the cultivation of authentic relationships where every student is known by name and need, valued, and mentored. By maintaining a strong partnership with parents—the primary educators of their children—we create a secure and nurturing "home" within the school. This foundation of grace and belonging allows students to take the risks necessary for transformative growth.

  • The ACA Portrait of a Graduate

    The Head: The Discerning Learner
    Driven by Academic Excellence
    An ACA graduate possesses a mind trained to seek truth and a voice prepared to articulate it.

    • Biblical Worldview: They can analyze art, science, history, and culture through the lens of Scripture.
    • Intellectual Stewardship: They view their intellect as a gift to be developed for God’s glory and the good of others.
    • Critical Thinking: They do not merely consume information; they evaluate it with wisdom and discernment.
    • Effective Communication: They speak and write with clarity, grace, and conviction.

    The Heart: The Devoted Disciple
    Driven by Christ-Centered Discipleship
    An ACA graduate is not just a student of the Bible, but a follower of the Person of Jesus Christ.
    Identity in Christ: Their worth is rooted in their standing as a child of God, not in their performance or social status.

    • Spiritual Maturity: They practice spiritual disciplines (prayer, personal bible study, worship) that sustain a lifelong walk with God.
    • Gospel Fluency: They can clearly articulate the Gospel and are prepared to share their faith with courage and humility.
    • Servant Leadership: They lead by serving, modeling the sacrificial love of Christ in their spheres of influence.

    The Home: The Relational Leader
    Driven by Authentic Relationships
    An ACA graduate understands that they were created for their community and is equipped to build it.

    • Relational Integrity: They act with honesty and kindness, valuing the "Image of God" in every person they encounter.
    • Collaborative Spirit: They work effectively with others, bridging differences and seeking the peace of the community.
    • Covenant Loyalty: They understand the importance of the local church and the family as the primary units of God’s kingdom.
    • Global Engagement: They are prepared to "engage the world" by being a redemptive presence in their future workplaces and neighborhoods.