Cumberland Christian Academy

Cumberland Christian Academy
Location
Austell, Georgia, United States
Information
Type	K3-12th Grade
Religious affiliation(s)	Christian
Established	1989
Headmaster	Larry F. Kendrick
Enrollment	350
Student to teacher ratio	15:1
Color(s)	Red, White and Blue
Athletics	Volleyball, Basketball, Football, Soccer, Tennis, Golf, Cross Country
Athletics conference	ICSGA
Mascot	Patriots
Website	[1]

Cumberland Christian Academy is a Christian school located in Austell, Georgia. It is presided over by headmaster Larry F. Kendrick and Assistant Administrator Mark Ohliger. The school was founded in 1989 and has served ever since as an alternative to the public schools in the area.

Administration

• Dr. Larry F. Kendrick, Headmaster/High School Principal
• Mark Ohliger, Assistant Administrator
• Renee Oxendine, High School Assistant Principal
• Carol Thaxton, Middle School Principal
• Gloria Howard, Elementary and Preschool Principal

Elementary School/Preschool

With a motto of "Education that Transforms Heart, Soul, and Mind," Cumberland Christian is known for affordable tuition and excellent Christian education. The elementary school, preschool, and central offices are located at 2356 Clay Road in Austell, Georgia. The facility was originally built as a hardware store and then leased to Winkenhofer Funeral Homes. Cumberland purchased the Clay Road property in 1999 and converted it to a school. Principal Gloria Howard presides over this branch of the school as well as the preschool. Past principals include JoAnn Watson (retired in 2000), Brenda Henderson-Mocsiran, and Dr. Davida Grant. The elementary school uses A Beka Book, Bob Jones University Press and ACSI Purposeful Design as its curriculum for instruction.

Until 2003, there were two elementary campuses, one located where the middle school is presently housed and one located at Hurt Road Baptist Church in Smyrna. There have also been Preschool campuses at several other churches in the area. Currently the elementary and preschool are unified on the Clay Road campus.

Middle school

The middle school is located in Mableton. Cumberland built a classroom building on the property of Westside Baptist Church. Principal Carol Thaxton, who was formerly principal during the late 1990s, returned in 2006 to lead the middle school campus. Past principals include Mark Ohliger, Billy Wilkins, Carol Werner, and Wayne Gaines. The middle school also uses A Beka Book and Saxon Math for lessons.

The middle school campus was formerly located on Clay Road where the elementary campus is housed now, but was moved in the summer of 2003. Prior to that it was located at Orange Hill Baptist Church.

High school

The High School is in Marietta and meets at Trinity Fellowship. Dr. Larry Kendrick serves as the high school principal in addition to his job of Headmaster. Past principals include Billy Wilkins (served 1992-1996), Edith Holt (served 1996-2000), and Brenda Henderson-Mocsiran (served 2000-2001). Both college preparatory programs and technical preparatory programs are offered, though Cumberland strives to prepare each child for a four-year college plan of study.

Administrative Office

The administrative office of CCA is maintained in a former house next to the elementary campus, where the business duties of the school are carried out. There are several staff members who work in this office to help with the many administrative duties involved in the operation of a large Christian school. Principals, however, maintain their offices at their campus locations.

The Cumberland community

CCA is active in the community of south Cobb County, frequently having volunteer days and other events in order to help other less fortunate people. The elementary choir, Patriot Voices, and high school mission teams visit many churches, nursing homes, and area businesses spreading God's message through word and deed.

Cumberland students are also active in the global Christian community; junior and senior high school trips are not strictly for leisure or fun (though having fun is not prohibited), they are mission trips. The juniors travel to a major U.S. city for an "inner-city" experience. Seniors travel to a Caribbean island to share dramas and puppets in an evangelistic program. Cumberland also helps sponsor the Good Shepherd Christian School, a Christian school in Haiti. This includes paying the teacher's salaries and "tithing" a portion of our Walk-a-thon donations to help the school grow.

Each year, a fundraiser called the Wall-Ka-Thon is held to raise money for the school. The Wall-Ka-Thon is generally held in the first part of November and consists of a walk and other fun activities to celebrate the gathering of funds for the furthering of God's work at Cumberland.

Notable staff and alumni

Billy Wilkins, a founding member of the popular Christian band Third Day, was a principal and teacher at the school from 1991 to 1999.

Alex Kendrick, member of graduating class of 1989, and Stephen Kendrick, member of graduating class of 1992 (both of whom are sons of Headmaster Larry Kendrick) are the creators and producers of the movie Facing the Giants. The character of Larry Childers in that film was based upon their father. Upon the movie's release in theaters, the entire student body of CCA took a special field trip to see the movie at Regal Cinemas' Austell branch.

During the 2007 High School Graduation ceremony, Dr. Garth Runion, PhD from Liberty University awarded Cumberland Headmaster Larry Kendrick with a Doctorate of Divinity degree because of his 378 earned degree hours and 24 years of service in education.

HomeLife Magazine also honored Dr. Kendrick and his sons on the cover of the June, 2007 Father's Day issue and featured an article about his impact and legacy.

External links

• Cumberland Christian Academy