Extra-Curricular Activities
The staff at Cross Creek Charter Academy firmly believes that learning is a lifelong process that does not end when the student leaves the physical structure of the classroom. The world is a classroom and the students at Cross Creek are exposed to that world in many different ways:
Sports:
The Cross Creek Sports program has been in existence since the fall of 1998. We have grown tremendously in size and offerings since then. Starting with athletic camps for elementary students, Cross Creek invites students to participate through our no-cut program. Core principals such as team work, hard work and discipline are taught while the students participate in the NHA Athletic league, which is comprised of other area academies. We intentionally build this educational recreation experience on the principles of good sportsmanship, moral focus and parent involvement. Most sports teams are open to 7th-8th grade students, but we often pull 6th graders onto teams that have space available on their rosters.
Fall Sports:
Girls Basketball - Cross Creek offers both grades 7 and 8 girls basketball teams. Practice begins after school in September.
Boys Soccer - Cross Creek offers a combined grades 7 and 8 team. Practice begins in mid August.
Winter Sports:
Boys Basketball - Cross Creek offers both grades 7 and 8 boys teams. Practice begins in November.
Girls Volleyball - Cross Creek offers both grades 7 and 8 girls teams. Practice begins in mid January.
Spring Sports:
Girls Soccer - Cross Creek offers a combined, grades 7 and 8 soccer team. Practice begins in mid March.
Cross Country - Cross Creeks cross country team is open to all middle school students in grades 6 -8. Practices start in April. Cross Creek has built a reputation as a “power house” with multiple NHA conference and state champion runners.
Cross Creek Charter Academy is also proud to have established a Ski Club for children in grades 5 -8.
National Junior Honor Society:
According to the Official Site of the National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), these nation's premier organizations were established to recognize outstanding high school and middle school level students. More than just an honor roll, NHS and NJHS serve to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character (and Citizenship for NJHS). These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since their beginnings in 1921 and 1929.
The NJHS website also states that today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in activities of the NHS and NJHS. NHS and NJHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. Territories, and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.
Membership into the NJHS at Cross Creek is encouraged among all middle school students. Invitations and applications are sent to all students who meet high standards and practice those standards in school, at home and in the community. Cross Creek's NJHS meets regularly to promote community service and provide leadership for the school.
The Cross Creek chapter of the NJHS has positively impacted the school and the community since its inception. A few examples:
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Leading a collection campaign for local charities.
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Helping to host school new parent/student events
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Serving as cleaners and bakers for Gilda's Club
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Running the school talent show; raising over $1000 for P.O.S.T. a Pediatric Oncology Support Team founded by one of our students who is a cancer survivor.
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Hosting the school VIP day.
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Hosting the school spelling bee.
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Raising money for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society.
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Raising money for the Konetzka memorial fund for 2 of our students.
Field Trips:
Cross Creek strongly believes that learning takes place in more places than just the classroom. For this reason, our teachers are encouraged to teach lessons outside of the building. Below are some of the field trips our students benefit from.
Fantastic Fives-4th Grade: Our younger students take numerous day trips to various museums, science centers and natural preserves close to school. All field trips are closely tied to the curriculum and offer a memorable learning experience for the students.
5th Grade: 5th graders take their social studies curriculum a step further when they visit The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village near Detroit, Michigan. They experience 300 years of history as the sights and sounds by visiting historic Main Street, working farms, Liberty Craftworks and Railroad Junction.
6th Grade: Our 6th graders build on their social studies and science curriculum by taking in the sights and museums of Chicago, Illinois. They visit the Sears Tower, The Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry and take a boat tour. This one day trip offers a unique learning experience to our students through "big-city" culture and world class museums.
7th Grade: Cross Creek 7th graders learn about ecosystems, living organisms and hydrosphere. Therefore, they take a Canoe Trip through Spring Hill Camp in Evart, Michigan. This full day adventure places our students inside the very environment they are studying in their science classroom.
8th Grade: 8th grade students spend their year learning about American History and government. They take that learning to a new level when they visit Washington, D.C. The 4-day trip on chartered buses takes our students to the United States Capital with visits to the Lincoln, FDR and Jefferson Memorial. They tour Arlington National Cemetery on the "Tourmobile." They also explore the largest museum complex in the world, the Smithsonian. The National Holocaust Museum, the Capitol Building, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, the war memorials and Union Station are also a few more stops on the trip. Overall, this is an amazing learning experience for our students which they will not soon forget.
Cross Creek Charter Academy offers many other opportunities for students to connect and grow such as Odyssey of the Mind and Boy and Girl Scout programs.
To learn how your elementary or middle school child can benefit from a superb Byron Center area school, visit Cross Creek Charter Academy today.
