2 0 2 6 – 2 7 C O U R S E C ATA L O G
E D U C AT I N G A N D D E V E L O P I N G T H E W H O L E P E R S O N F O R T H E G L O R Y O F G O D
TCA Discover Week provides students with creative, hands-on experiences both on and off campus, enriching their academic development and extending learning beyond the traditional classroom. Through a wide range of opportunities — including on-campus courses, service projects, professional internships and travel experiences — students explore new passions, interests and skills that support their personal and academic growth. Discover Week creates space for deeper, more applied learning. Instead of being passive recipients of content, students get to be active creators, problem-solvers and collaborators. They engage complex questions, pursue emerging interests and participate in interdisciplinary experiences that connect knowledge to real-world contexts. In doing so, they grow as active learners — developing curiosity, creativity, adaptability and resilience. At TCA, we believe that “all truth is God’s truth,” and that exploration, creativity and stewardship are part of our calling. Discover Week encourages students to see innovation not merely as invention, but as faithful engagement with God’s world, equipping them to reflect His goodness in all they do. Upper School Discover Week for the 2026-27 academic year will be February 1-4, 2027. Discover Week is part of the academic year at TCA; it counts as a class credit and is required for graduation. All Upper School students will take part in either classes, internships or travel experiences during that week.
ON-CAMPUS COURSES During Discover Week, Upper School students taking on-campus courses will participate in three sessions each day. Students will take one course from each of three different categories: Explore, Launch and Thrive.
Explore: Discovering gifts, interests and creativity as part of God’s design. These classes focus on enrichment, hobbies and joyful discovery.
Launch: Preparing to pursue God’s calling through college, career and service. These classes focus on career opportunities, professional skills and planning for the future. Thrive: Growing in wisdom, character and a Christ-centered life. These classes focus on personal growth, leadership, wellness and life skills.
EXPLORE Discovering Gifts, Interests and Creativity as Part of God’s Design TNT Is Dynamite!
What do Superman’s opening credits, a 1983 AI that nearly started World War III and a grid of blinking cells that can theoretically run any program ever written have in common? They all inspired real, working apps built at Tech Novice Tools (TNT) — and this week you’re going to explore them, run them, break them and maybe even build one yourself. TNT is a student-and-teacher lab where movie clips inspire coding ideas, where the S.P.A.R.K. method turns wild creative questions into interactive web experiences and where every “Danger, Will Robinson!” moment becomes a lesson worth remembering. No prior knowledge of TNT or computer science required — just curiosity, a browser and the courage to click things and see what happens. This is an introductory course, not intended for any current or past computer science students.
Ye Olde Playlist: Early Europe Unplugged
What was music like during the Renaissance? What was popular at the courts of Elizabeth I and Louis XIV? What is a sackbut, and were strings really made of gut? We’ll take a whirlwind tour of Europe from the 15th through the 18th centuries to discover the music heard in churches, royal courts and theater productions, plus much-loved dance and pop tunes.
Valentines and Chocolate
Discover the art of chocolate making in this hands-on, creative class! Students will learn how to work with several types of melting chocolate while exploring essential candy-making techniques. Participants will create a variety of festive Valentine’s treats and beautifully crafted gift boxes perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Visual Art Competition Preparation
This class is for all current art students who would like extra time to refine, matte and prepare artwork for upcoming spring art competitions that are outside the normal curriculum timeframe. Demonstrations on matting and critiques for elevating a student’s artwork to competition-worthy work will be the emphasis of the course.
Game On: Think, Plan, Play Ready to challenge your mind, work with teammates and have some fun? In this course, students will explore a variety of tabletop games that encourage strategic thinking, communication, creativity and friendly competition. Through a mix of team-based, strategy and party-style games, students will practice problem-solving, decision-making and collaboration while discovering what makes different types of games engaging and enjoyable. No previous board game experience is required. Just come ready to think, plan, play and have fun!
Master the Art of Mahjong
Come sharpen your skills in American mahjong! Mahjong is a tile game that requires both skill and luck to win, and it is best played with three of your friends. Students will get a brief refresher on the basic rules of the game and then progress to learning offensive and defensive strategies. We will end the week playing in a mahjong tournament with prizes! Note: Enrolled students must already have a basic understanding of how the game is played and how to interpret the 2026 National Mah Jongg League card.
The Winning Hand
Learn to play classic card games like Spades and Hearts while building strategy, teamwork and quick thinking. Whether you’re new to cards or already know a few games, you’ll practice the rules, try new tactics and enjoy some friendly competition.
Conquer the Cube
Unlock the secrets of the world’s most famous puzzle! Conquer the Cube is an interactive course designed specifically for absolute beginners who want to transition from scrambling to solving. In these sessions, you will demystify the 3x3 Rubik’s Cube using the intuitive layer-by-layer beginner’s method. Through live demonstrations, muscle-memory drills and a structured breakdown of essential algorithms, you will build the confidence to solve the entire cube on your own. No prior experience is required — just bring a scrambled 3x3 cube and your determination!
Spots Before Your Eyes: Dominoes!
Get ready to see spots in Spots Before Your Eyes: Dominoes! You’ll learn and play standard dominoes and the trick-taking game “42,” building strategy and friendly competition through games with one another and online opponents. Whether you’re new to dominoes or ready for your next challenge, there’s a place for you at the table.
Knitting 101 Learn the basics of knitting and come away with some little finished projects to keep or share. We’ll start with slipknots and casting on, practice basic stitches and learn to bind off and weave in ends.
Plein Air Painting
The Plein Air Painting class gives students the opportunity to paint outdoors while closely observing the beauty and complexity of God’s creation. Students will come away with a deeper understanding of color, light and the extraordinary details found in the natural world. Throughout the week, students will work in a variety of outdoor locations and learn techniques for composition, color mixing, capturing changing light and painting from direct observation. Students will conclude with finished paintings, student reflections and a chance to share their art — celebrating their growth and their unique responses to the world God has made.
Books, Bites and Brews
Books, Bites and Brews is a unique and engaging class designed for those who share a love of reading, great food and high-quality coffee. This course will foster a welcoming community of book lovers who also appreciate delicious snacks and craft coffee. Each session will revolve around the simple pleasures of reading and sharing. Attendees are invited to bring their own book of choice, a homemade or store-bought snack to share with the group and their favorite brew to sip on while chatting about literature and life. Whether you’re a casual reader or an avid bookworm, this class offers the perfect blend of stories, flavors and conversation.
Sew You Can Quilt?
Ever wondered how quilts are made? Come discover the art of quilting. We will learn traditional patterns and the history behind quilting among different people groups. You will choose a design of your own and learn how to piece, stitch and quilt your creation. No experience necessary — just bring your creativity!
Finding Beauty in Brokenness: An Introduction to Kintsugi
Discover kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery while highlighting its cracks. Learn about the tradition, then practice the technique by restoring your own piece. As we bring the broken pieces together, we will also reflect on the gospel’s promise that God creates beauty and restoration out of our own brokenness because of Christ.
Spill the Tea: Sip, Sort & Chart
Come learn the basics of Excel while you taste different teas and pick your favorites! Students will sample a variety of teas, rate them on flavor and aroma, and use the class data to master Excel essentials — organizing information, writing formulas, formatting tables and creating charts that actually mean something. Knowing your way around a spreadsheet is a quiet superpower that can set you apart, but most high schoolers graduate without knowing the basics. Whether you’re building your resume, looking for a practical edge or just want to enjoy a great cup of tea while learning something useful, this class has you covered.
Radiant Rhythm
Did you know that Joe Ira Dassin, the singer of “Les Champs-Élysées,” was American? And that you can dance to that song? As Scripture says, “Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp” (Psalm 149:3). Bring your dance skills or just come share fun rhythmic moments! This class’s main goal is to offer opportunities to display God’s light through joyful dancing and improve physical and emotional well-being. It’s designed to explore the “why,” the meaning behind some steps like those in the cha-cha (Cuban), bourrée (French) or two-step.
From Concept to Camera: Create a Dance Video
What does it take to turn an idea into a finished performance? In this hands-on course, students will work together as a creative production team to develop, stage and film an original short performance piece. Students will explore the creative process from beginning to end — including concept development, music selection, choreography, movement, staging, formations, creative direction and filming. Students do not need to be experienced dancers to participate. This course is designed for dancers and performers as well as students interested in theater, media, content creation, directing, choreography or behind-the-scenes production. Throughout the week, students will have opportunities to contribute according to their individual strengths and interests — whether that’s performing in front of the camera, developing movement, directing the creative concept or helping bring the final production to life behind the scenes. By the end of the course, the group will have taken one creative idea from concept to camera and produced a finished shortform performance piece together.
Cozy Crafts
This is a course meant to explore creative activities with cozy vibes. Crafts may include wreath-making, journaling, card making, bead bracelets and key chains. We will focus on one area each day. Students will create in a cozy environment of craft tables, pillows, blankets, soft music and yummy goodies — a nice escape from the hectic busyness of our day-to-day lives.
Intro to Audio Mixing
Want to help your church or youth group as an A/V tech? Interested in recording audio for a personal music project or podcast? Come learn some basics of audio recording and mixing and find out how you might use these skills in new creative outlets and to serve others.
LAUNCH Preparing to Pursue God’s Calling Through College, Career and Service The Case Is Yours: Can You Think Like a Lawyer?
Students in this course will experience how lawyers analyze facts, evaluate evidence, communicate persuasively and solve problems. They will also explore the range of careers available within the legal profession and consider whether their abilities and interests might align with a future in law.
AI Detective: Using AI Ethically & Effectively
Learn how to use generative AI as a tool, not a shortcut. Students will explore what AI can (and can’t) do, practice writing prompts that get better results and discuss the line between smart use and academic dishonesty. We’ll investigate AIgenerated content for bias and misinformation, test prompts that might lead you astray and develop strategies for using AI responsibly in school and beyond. This class will sharpen your critical thinking and help you become a smarter, more ethical AI user.
From Interview to Espresso
Ready to give your job skills a shot — of espresso? Practice interviewing for a job, then step behind the counter at Grounded Coffee Co. for a firsthand look at working in a real coffee shop. Learn about the mission of Grounded, how to make a latte and how to serve customers, and experience the shop from the customer’s side, too! The perks? Sample everything on the menu and help develop a new drink — or two — for the Grounded Coffee Co. menu.
Advanced Music Composition Lab
Take your composition skills to the next level in Advanced Music Composition Lab, a hands-on, project-driven course designed for emerging composers ready to develop their voice and refine their craft. Building on foundational concepts of melody, harmony, rhythm, form and orchestration, you’ll explore more advanced approaches to composition, arrangement and musical storytelling across genres. Through intensive writing projects, workshops, listening sessions and collaborative critiques, you’ll experiment with your own creative ideas while developing the skills needed to bring complex musical concepts to life. The course also emphasizes the professional application of your work, including developing a portfolio, preparing compositions for real-world settings and exploring pathways for sharing and monetizing your music. By the end of the course, you’ll have a stronger artistic identity, a portfolio of original work and the creative and practical tools to move your compositions toward professional opportunities.
Making College Home
Preparing for college can bring excitement, questions and uncertainty. This discussion-based class is designed for junior and senior girls who want to talk through the practical, social and spiritual aspects of the college experience before arriving on campus. Through open conversation and guidance, students will explore topics such as dorm living, roommate relationships, campus involvement, sororities, finding a local church, connecting with campus ministries, managing schedules and utilizing campus resources.
Science Olympiad
Join our Science Olympiad workshop for an intensive practice session designed to sharpen your skills in a variety of events, from building and engineering to lab-based challenges. We’ll provide hands-on activities, expert guidance and opportunities to collaborate with your teammates. You’ll leave feeling confident and prepared for our competition! Open only to current team members.
Money Moves: Real Skills for Real Life
Your first paycheck, your first car, your future — learn how to make your money work for you! Through hands-on challenges and real-world scenarios, explore budgeting, managing a checking account, compound interest and the true cost of borrowing. Discover how interest rates affect everything from car loans to mortgages, and practice making smart financial decisions. Build confidence and learn to be a wise steward of the resources God has entrusted to you.
Intro to Music Composition & the Business of Music
Whether you dream of scoring the next blockbuster, writing chart-topping hits or simply want to create music that moves people, this course is your launchpad. Intro to Music Composition & the Business of Music blends creative expression with real-world industry insight. You’ll dive into the fundamentals of music composition across genres (exploring melody, harmony, rhythm and orchestration) while also gaining practical knowledge about the music business: publishing, royalties, contracts, licensing and more. Expect hands-on composition projects, listening sessions and guest speakers from the industry. By the end of the course, you’ll not only have the foundational tools to write your own original works but also a clear understanding of what it takes to turn your music into a career.
What Comes Next? Faith, Work and Real Life
Life after high school brings exciting possibilities — and questions nobody hands you an answer key for. How do you make wise decisions, manage money, build healthy relationships and keep your faith central? Through honest conversation, real-life scenarios and biblical wisdom, this course will help you think about God’s calling and prepare for college, career, service and everyday adult life. You don’t need your whole future figured out to begin living with purpose.
THRIVE Growing in Wisdom, Character and a Christ-Centered Life The Heart of a Worshipper
Whether you desire to lead others in praising God or would never want to be onstage but want to grow in your experience of engaging personally and joyfully with God, come learn about the heart of worship. This class is for non-musicians and musicians alike — anyone who wants to grow in worshipping God in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
Be Still
In the busyness of school, sports, relationships, responsibilities and everyday life, it can be difficult to slow down and truly listen. The Be Still course is designed to help students create physical and mental space to connect more intentionally with God through prayer. Together, we will explore how our God-given senses crave stillness, nature, Scripture and honest conversation with God, and we will learn how focusing on these facets of our lives can bring peace, direction and renewed strength.
Authentic Manhood
What is God’s design for a young man? While we live in a world that promotes lies and confusion, God’s Word offers clear direction for us as men. Jesus’ life and Paul’s instruction to Timothy and Titus give us the template and a way to lead in today’s culture.
Spiritual Disciplines
What does it look like to grow closer to Jesus in our daily lives? In this class, students will explore several spiritual disciplines, or intentional practices, that help believers deepen their relationship with God and become more like Christ. Through discussion, reflection and practical application, students will learn how spiritual disciplines shape our hearts, strengthen our faith and help us live out a biblical worldview.
Early Christianity
In this course, we will explore the world of early Christians in the period immediately following the New Testament by reading some of their letters and martyrdom accounts, discussing their significance and seeking to understand some of their distinguishing features. The goal of this class is to gain a greater familiarity with the history of the church as well as to deepen the faith and perspective of students by introducing them to Christians in places and times very different from our own.
H3 Leadership
H3 Leadership is an application-driven, practical leadership playbook and road map that provides a proven process for not only running but also finishing well in the leadership race. Breaking down the “what” and “how” of daily leadership habits and routines that will awaken and transform the way you lead, H3 Leadership uncovers the 20 key habits that will build your core leadership framework and establish a clear path to long-term, sustainable influence. Leadership is hard work, so leadership must be habitual work. Great leadership habits take time, so it’s time to get started.
The Stress Relief Experiment: Discovering What Works for You
What helps you recharge when life gets busy? In this course, students will explore the science behind different approaches to stress management and well-being. Through puzzles, creative challenges, mindful movement, breathing exercises, opportunities for productive silence and reflective journaling, students will experience a variety of stressmanagement strategies firsthand. By the end of the course, students will evaluate what worked best for them and develop a personalized toolkit for maintaining balance and well-being.
Tell It Slant: The Parables of Jesus
This course will explore the structure, motivation and effect of the parables of Jesus while comparing them to the poem “Tell all the truth but tell it slant” by Emily Dickinson.
Navigating Political Discussions: Current Events
How do we engage with a complex, rapidly changing world while staying rooted in our faith? This course challenges students to develop skills needed to bridge divides, handle disagreement with grace and remain emotionally and biblically grounded in a polarized society by analyzing various media sources and contrasting viewpoints.
Wellness 101
Wellness 101 explores key psychological concepts to help you build mental resilience, manage stress and understand how your mind works. Through actionable self-care strategies and practical tools, you will learn to navigate daily challenges with balance, clarity and confidence.