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What Sets ICA Apart? Ask the People
Ask a Defender what makes ICA different, and the answer is almost always about people.
When we asked students and parents how they felt the school year had been going, we got some amazing responses. One student said: “I love the rhythm of this year and the chance to talk with freshmen, juniors, and seniors instead of only their own grade.” Another put it in seven words:
“I feel like I am heard here.”
None of that happens by accident. We stay small on purpose, so every teacher knows every student’s name and what they’re carrying that day. Faith runs through the whole week, from Monday on Mission to Friday chapel. Our students are known well enough to be challenged, and our parents are noticing!
One wrote to us this fall: “The school is wonderful and a safe space for my children, always with God at the forefront. Thank you for the opportunities you have given them.”-ICA Parent.
Another recently told us, “I love how ICA uses their resources to encourage scholars to be the best version of themselves even when it is scary, or it might show room for growth”- ICA Parent.
And another: “ICA has been great for our son; he was floundering at his previous school. Now he is thriving!” - ICA parent of a transfer student.
“What we have enjoyed most about ICA so far is the Christ-centered focus and the opportunity for our daughter to grow both spiritually and academically.”- ICA Parent.
“You and your ICA team are doing great things...We are proud to be a Defender family.”-ICA Parent.
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Those opportunities came from donors like you. Every gift, prayer, and partnership over the past year shows up in the pages that follow: open labs, a growing freshman class, and a chapel full of student voices.
Thank you for building this with us!
( A note left near our front office by a student.)
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Last year, sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders from partnering Christian schools spent a day at ICA for our first-ever Futures Day. This fall, 13 of those 37 eighth graders walked back through our doors as ICA freshmen.
This year, on October 2, Futures' Day drew 113 middle school students from two different schools. Our students led the way with chapel, activities, and fellowship with new and familiar faces. Bellies were filled, hearts were overflowing with laughter and joy, and most importantly, the Lord was glorified in this space. Our students are our best recruiters, and your support gives them the stage. We cannot wait to see who joins us in the fall as our new class of Defenders!
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Academics - Our Labs are Open!
Last spring, ICA students studied biology and chemistry from desks and Chromebooks. This fall, they have fully constructed laboratory spaces.
Thank you to the Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation and the Hovde Foundation for turning empty rooms into spaces where future nurses, engineers, and scientists get to work.
| | Above: students working in the science lab, building solar buddies to send to children in other countries who lack electricity for studying at night. | | Above: The new STEM lab at ICA. | | | | |
Community Event
Join us on October 22nd for a Community Movie night at ICA, doors open at 5:30.
Popcorn will be provided.
Bring your air mattress & friends!
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Spiritual Formation - A week built around God’s word
Faith at ICA is part of the whole week. Each week begins with Monday on Mission- an intentional focus on the Scripture and biblical principle to be studied that week. Students take bible courses throughout the week, including Biblical Foundations, Old Testament and New Testament Survey. On Fridays, the whole school gathers for chapel, where students lead worship and a guest pastor or missionary speaks. Following chapel, they break into reflection groups, small groups that dig deeper into the message through discussion and activities.
Our goal is for every student to learn the Bible and know where to go when life gets hard. We want every graduate to return to God’s Word for direction, wisdom, and guidance for the rest of their lives.
| | Jose Soto sharing his 9/11 testimony, Pastor Jeremy from Memorial Baptist preaching the Word to students and staff and students reading scripture and praying at chapel, | | |
Service - Faith with Work Gloves On
On Friday, September 25, our Defenders spent the day at Oakwood Village, touring their Nature Preserve and putting some service learning into action. Students and staff worked alongside residents to clear brush, pull weeds, and care for their beautiful facility.
Serving others is part of an ICA education because we want students to see a need and step up. Ready to be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever life takes them.
Over the next few months, service will look like more time at Oakwood, reading and writing with elementary and middle school buddies, pie-making for a community Thanksgiving Dinner, caroling, and more.
| | Students working in the Oakwood Village Nature Preserve & finding a few fun critters along the way. | | | |
Fall Athletics - Two volleyball teams. One growing program.
This fall, ICA had boys' and girls' volleyball teams for the first time. The boys worked hard, practicing and getting their first season underway. The Lady Defenders were just starting to find their groove, with year two now under their belt. Both teams will finish their season in late October, with our girls’ team hosting their first-ever home games and Senior Night in the coming weeks.
ICA now fields five teams across all sport seasons, and after the 2027-28 school year, we will officially join the WIAA conference. We’re building a program that will outlast us all.
Thank you to Madison Area Sports Commission and The Aaron Bartz Family Foundation for their generous support in making this season possible and for helping more Defenders get on the court.
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Clubs - Robots, Rescues, and a New Class Pet
ICA Clubs kicked off a few weeks ago. Students are involved in debate, chess, esports, animal welfare, chapel worship, student government, crochet, and robotics.
Our Debate Club is attending the Coolidge Illinois Open debate tournament on Oct. 17th (with one student participating). Our crochet club is busy making individual projects, including helping make additional hearts for the Little Heart Project of Wisconsin, and our Animal Welfare Club is preparing to welcome ICA’s newest addition: a bearded dragon named Stormfly.
| | The debate club discusses the death penalty. | | Animal Welfare Club student leader putting together a heat lamp for the school pet’s future home. | | Students playing esports in our new STEM lab. | Robotics club is underway! | | Staff Spotlight - Assistant Principal - Stephanie Formo | | | | |
Teacher in the morning, assistant principal in the afternoon, and awake at 4:30 am answering emails to make it all work.
This year, Stephanie Formo accepted a second job at ICA. She still teaches two AP courses, but she spends the rest of the day as our new assistant principal. We asked her about the change.
| | | Mrs. Formo teaching in the morning. | | Mrs. Formo planning the second-semester course schedule in the afternoon. | | |
-----Coming November 10th-----
Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall in 52 days. with every family taking a section. This November, we’re inviting 52 families, churches and businesses to each take one day as we build ICA’s future together.
Want first pick of your day?
Newsletter readers can claim a day before the public launch.
Contact Alexandra at acoss@icahs.org or (608) 235-1453.
Giving Tuesday, December 1, will be Double Day, with every gift matched up to $20,000. This is exactly halfway through our 52 Days to Build end-of-year campaign. Double your impact and commit to building God’s kingdom, on Earth as it is in heaven.
| | | Impact Christian Academy | 411 Prairie Heights Dr STE 200 | Verona, WI 53593 US | | | | |
