Principal’s Newsletter • Jan. 2026
Dear CA Families,
Happy New Year and God’s richest blessings to all! As we celebrated the birth of our Lord and Savior, I pray you were able to enjoy a joyful and meaningful time with family and friends over Christmas Break.
Last semester was such a blessing for CA, and the video below showcases what our students said were highlights of first semester. To God be the glory for all that He is doing within our students and community.
Each day brings new blessings as we witness our students growing in their faith, embracing new challenges, developing essential life skills, and becoming positive change-makers in a world that needs the Lord’s love and light more than ever.
As we continue to reflect on all that our students are accomplishing this year, I’m excited to share a few highlights of what’s been happening lately and what’s coming up at CA.
Academics Updates
Concordia Academy has adopted IXL as a platform to help support our students to fill any academic gaps and to challenge students in academic skills in core subjects of both math and English. IXL also provides students with platforms to use for ACT, PSAT, and SAT prep at no cost to families. Students will be trained over the next several weeks to use this to address academic gaps, challenge them to grow their skills, and prepare them for college admissions tests to help them gain admission and scholarships for their post-high school plans.
This new semester is filled with anticipation and excitement as we watch our students engage deeply in their learning. They are working diligently on applying their prior knowledge that reflects both their growth and their ability to synthesize their learning across disciplines. It is inspiring to see them apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in meaningful ways, make connections across content areas, and confidently step into new challenges. These experiences not only showcase their academic progress but also prepare them for continued growth, perseverance, and success in the months ahead.
Fine Arts Updates
Our annual Christmas Concert was such a beautiful blessing of instrumental and choral music. The Lord was glorified through our students’ incredible gifts and talents. Thank you for supporting our Fine Arts students as they pursue their passion in music and the arts.
Rehearsals for our spring musical, Frozen, are in full swing, and our cast can’t wait to entertain you when the show premieres on March 13. Tickets will go on sale on February 9.
Athletics Updates
The Beacons are having a fabulous winter season, sharing their love for the Lord through teamwork and competition.
Over Christmas break, the boys and girls basketball teams competed in the St. Cloud Cathedral tournament. The following players received the all-tournament team award: Jade Schutte, Sydney Taylor, Langston Huffman, and Dejon Scott. The boys team was also invited to play in the Rochester Hoops Classic by Breakdown Sports, which took place on Saturday, January 3, and Langston Huffman was named player of the game.
For a complete list of upcoming winter season game times and locations, please visit our calendar here.
Beacon Block Updates
Beacon Breakouts – This much-loved Beacon Block offering returned this month, continuing to support student belonging and connection. Click below to watch a brief video that highlights our students and teachers having a blast in the many activities that take place during this time.
Assemblies – On January 22, Mrs. Kathleen von Kampen (LMFT, LMHP, DCE) will lead an all-school assembly for our students focusing on managing stress. Kathleen graduated from Concordia University, Nebraska with a BA in Theology and a Director of Christian Education certification. She then completed her M.A. in Clinical Psychology (Marriage and Family Therapy) from Azusa Pacific University. She has worked with clients of all ages through individual, couples, and family therapy, addressing a wide range of topics and concerns. Kathleen serves as a therapist for GracePoint Institute for Relational Health (Lincoln, NE) and as Program Director and AAMFT Approved Supervisor Candidate for the M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy and M.S. in Family Life Education at Concordia, Nebraska. Kathleen values the intersection of theology and psychology, relying on Christ’s gifts of grace, forgiveness, and faith to offer hope and comfort to those in need. Kathleen currently lives in St. Paul, MN, with her husband and two children.
On January 29, our Foundations of Leadership class, in partnership with the World Culture Club, will host a special celebration of cultures that highlights and honors the rich diversity within our CA community. This event will recognize the many cultures, traditions, and backgrounds that are represented among our students and families, and the unique ways they enrich and strengthen our school. We are grateful for the opportunity to come together in learning, appreciation, and celebration, and we look forward to a meaningful time that reflects the beauty of God’s diverse creation and the blessings it brings to CA.
Counseling & College Planning Updates
The guidance staff will conduct their annual freshman interviews to reflect on the transition to high school and identify ways to continue supporting all of our students in goal-setting and in achieving success in high school.
Guidance staff will meet with sophomore students 1:1 to discuss their halfway point in high school. They will discuss goals in the areas of academics, careers, volunteering and service, and other skills that will help them set goals.
Next Year’s Calendar
Our calendar draft for the 2026-2027 school year is available here. Please note that while the start and end of school and days off have been solidified, there may be some changes to other events listed in this draft. Once the finalized calendar is ready, we will share that updated version.
Next Year’s Tuition
We remain committed to providing a high-quality Christian educational experience for our students while being fiscally responsible with the funding of our ministry. As a result, we make every effort to maximize effectiveness and efficiency at CA. For the 2026-2027 school year, the Executive Council has approved a tuition rate of $15,140. Effective for the new academic year, this tuition rate includes the $450 annual student fee, which was previously charged as a separate line item. (This school year, tuition and the annual student fee totaled $14,600). For the upcoming school year we are excited to be increasing the number of hours that our new counselor (Mrs. Steivang) is able to provide in our Guidance office. She loves the Lord and is passionate about supporting students throughout their teenage years. We also continue to focus on campus safety and security, and remain committed to implementing the necessary improvements and changes for the safety of our school community.
I am profoundly grateful for our families, faculty, staff, and community members whose faithful partnership, constant encouragement, and committed prayers sustain and strengthen our school. Each of you plays an essential role in supporting our students, not only academically but also spiritually, as they are nurtured and guided in their walk with Christ. The time, energy, and love you generously pour into our students do not go unnoticed and have a lasting impact on their lives.
The CA community is truly exceptional—a place where faith, learning, and genuine care for one another are woven together each day. It is a privilege to serve alongside such a dedicated and Christ-centered community, and I am deeply thankful for your continued support, trust, and commitment to our shared mission.
I pray that the peace of the Lord, which surpasses all understanding, fills your hearts and strengthens you with hope as we do life together in this new year. Even as the world around us faces challenges, we can rest in the assurance that the Lord is present, faithful, and constant in His love. May we continue to lean on Him with confidence, rejoice in His goodness, and seek His light and guidance each day.
In Christ’s Love,
Mrs. Jasmine Anderson, M.Ed, ATC
Principal
Back Issues
Click here to view the December Principal’s Newsletter.
Click here to view the November Principal’s Newsletter.
Click here to view the October Principal’s Newsletter.