Winter Term is the two-week period each January when our high school students break away from the traditional classroom and enjoy in-depth, experiential learning in a particular area of interest. Students in grades 9-12 choose from experiences and trips that take place both on and off CHCA’s campus. This format allows students to take advantage of resources beyond the school setting, to experiment with different styles of learning, grow as leaders, reach out to others and appreciate other cultures and places.

Winter Term is a graduation requirement that appears on a student’s transcript and is calculated in their GPA with a numerical grade, carrying a .25 credit. Teachers design courses, announced in mid April, that cover a wide range of interests, from mission projects and cultural/curricular extensions to leadership development and career exploration. CHCA is committed to providing a range of costs and experiences for students: almost 50% of all 2010-11 Winter Term offerings are $500 or less with 28% costing less than $100. Winter Term Scholarships are available for one of the four years to students who meet the criteria. (Note:  All funds for Winter Term 2011 are disbursed.) Online registration should be submitted within two weeks of the course announcements; once student enrollment is complete, some courses with low numbers may be cancelled.

Winter Term is a distinctive program at CHCA High School that encourages students to engage in God’s world. The experience may influence a career choice, college major, or interest in further mission work, and it always enables students to mix with new friends who might not be in their classes, sports, clubs or grade level. It both creates community and takes our community out into the world.

• Check out this video about our unique Winter Term. All of the photos were taken by CHCA students and teachers on previous winter term trips, and the music ("One Big Holiday", by My Morning Jacket) was produced under the Creative Commons license and distributed on The Wired CD
• Read Dr. Nicholas’ thoughts on Winter Term in his February 2010 blog entry
• Explore student reflections on their Winter Term '10 experiences
• Winter Term ’11 Parent Letter
• Investigate Winter Term ‘11 in depth with this slideshow
   
• FYI:  Cycle of January / May Terms
  School year 2010-2011 -- January 2011
  School year 2011-2012 -- May 2012
  School year 2012-2012 -- January 2013
  Thereafter to be determined

 Winter Term 2011 dates

• April 14 - Course Options Announced to students in Grades 8-11 and on website
• April 22 - May 3 - Online Registration
• April 28 - Scholarship Applications due to HS office
• May 3 - Scholarships awards announced to receipients prior to close of registration
• May 3 (3:00 p.m.) - Deadline to submit printed confirmation email with the required parent signature (Gr 8 to MS Office; Gr 9-11 to HS Office)
• May 14 - Deposits Due
• June 15 - Second payments due
• September 1 - Third payments due
• October 1 - Final payments due