News and Events

FLOWER MOUND SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Temporary facility headed to Flower Mound campus / New hours for fall

Modular buildings are enroute to Coram Deo Academy's Flower Mound campus from Nevada via six semi-trucks; they are scheduled to arrive early next week. The preparatory site work has been done and the ground has been leveled and graded, and the footings poured. Once the installation is complete, cosmetic work will be done to enhance the exterior. The finished temporary building will be slightly more than 8,000 square feet. The target completion date is mid-August.

Kindergarten through eighth-grade students will begin school at the Flower Mound campus; students in grades nine through 12 are scheduled to begin school at the Highland Village facility, but will move to the new building at the Flower Mound campus on Wichita Trail as quickly as possible. Parents will be kept informed about the completion status of the new facility and the target dates for high school students to relocate.

Schools distinguished / Administrative faculty changes

Designations of Lower and Upper School will change this fall to Grammar School, Logic School and High School. Students in kindergarten through grade 12 will attend the Wichita Trail campus, creating an opportunity to distinguish the school levels and focus attention to an environment appropriate for the varying developmental needs of students.

Polly Dwyer will direct the Logic school, with grades five through eight, and teach math and science part-time; Bill Rector will direct the High school, with grades nine through 12, and teach math part-time. Charlotte Campbell will continue to serve kindergarten through fourth-grade students as Grammar school director.

Parents and students are familiar with Mrs. Dwyer's passion for developing logic-level students, as she has taught at Coram Deo Academy for the past four years. "This is a remarkable educational leader with a high level of energy to develop young people for Christ," said Marshall.

Mrs. Dwyer received her bachelor's degree in education and her master's degree in educational administration from the University of Oklahoma; she has a master's degree with a major in Life/Earth Science from the University of Texas at Dallas.

School attendance hours announced

Grammar School students in grades kindergarten through four will start school at 8:30 a.m.
Logic School students in grades five through eight will start school at 8 a.m.
High School students in grades nine through 12 will start school at 8 a.m.

Dear Concerned Father

Thank you for taking time to express your thoughts [about the tuition increase and property purchase]. Although we could not consult everyone effectively, we did consult with many parents and families over the last few years as we approached several opportunities to purchase various properties. I can hardly count how many times I had a dad jump in my car to go look at a possible campus while discussing the location and the potential for cost increases. Most parents also could not be aware of the remarkable amount of time spent each year securing leased facilities and cooperating with the landlords with whom we share those facilities. We are grateful for the new property and will develop it as the Lord provides in order to assure permanence.

Before raising tuition we agonized over how to assure that those who would be placed in a hardship would be provided for through our existing tuition assistance program. We chose to double the percentage devoted to this program and announced this along with the tuition increase. I encourage you to apply with the sincere desire to be able to provide for you and other families that would enjoy continuing in the classical-Christian program of CDA but could not do so with the tuition increase. Please click here to read about how to apply. We would welcome the application. http://coramdeoacademy.org/content/admission/tuitionassistletter.php

Jehovah Jireh (the Lord will see and provide),

Rodney J. Marshall

Inclement Weather Procedures

The decision to close schools based on inclement weather will be made by 6:30 am. Information regarding school closing or adjusted starting times will be posted on our website. This information will also be announced on 94.9 (KLTY) and CBS 11 (KTVT). Please be sure to check the website as any news concerning the school being closed will be posted as soon as possible.

Cancellation of any after school and/or evening programs will be made by 1pm and posted on our website.

PLEASE NOTE: Media outlets only inform viewers and listeners of those school districts that are either starting late or canceling school. If no information is given, CDA will be starting at the regular time, on a regular schedule.

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President George Washington’s Proclamation of a day for General Thanksgiving
By the PRESIDENT of the United States of America

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

Source: The Massachusetts Centinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1789

 

Local Educator Attends Air Force Academy Educator Orientaion Program

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colorado - Rodney Marshall from Coram Deo Academy, Highland Village, TX, was among the 100 educators from across the United States invited to attend the United States Air Force Academy Educator Orientation program for 2005.

This program, hosted each year by the United States Air Force Academy Directorate, familiarized the educators with the recruiting and selection process for high school students. The educators also learn about the Air Force Academy's world-class facilities, academic opportunities, excellent staff, and military training required by cadets.

Upon completion of the program, the educators are appointed as Honorary Liaison Officers for the Air Force Academy, trained to counsel young men and women on scholarship opportunities available at the Air Force Academy.

The United States Air Force Academy, located near Colorado Springs, Colorado, was established in 1959. It provides a balanced program of military training, academics, athletics and spiritual/ethical development for over 4,000 cadets. Recognized as one of the finest colleges in the nation, the academy's core curriculum allows cadets to acquire a broad education in the basic and engineering sciences, social sciences and the humanities, and a choice from among 32 academic majors. Following graduation, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants and begin their careers as military officers.

Defense Bolsters Coram Deo Lions to Six Man Championship

The old adage that defense wins championships was never more evident than on Saturday afternoon when the 14th ranked Lions of Coram Deo Academy posted their first ever state championship, in only their second year of existence playing six-man football, as they beat the 18th ranked Eagles from Life Christian Academy of Houston by a score of 46 - 41 at Maverick Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington. The last time these two teams met, four weeks ago, the Lions and the Eagles combined for 138 offensive points as CDA came away with an 83 - 56 victory.

This time things would be the same and they would be different.

Junior running back Josh Hicks took the opening kickoff at the Lions 2 yard line and aided by a superior block from freshman Taylor Sharp, found a crease in the defense, zigzagged to the left side and ran the ball back for a 78 yard touchdown. Junior Danny Powell had his kick blocked from the right side and the score was 6 - 0. The Lions were off to their usual fast start. Only 14 seconds had elapsed from the clock.

The Eagles came back soaring with their own answer - a 7 play, 48 yard scoring drive that was accentuated by an inopportune holding penalty called against junior Cory Sadler. The Eagles' extra points were good and they led by 2 points by the time 4 minutes had elapsed on the field clock.

The ensuing kickoff was caught by Hicks, 2 yards deep in his own end zone. This time he needed only the help of his blockers to create a forward wall which he got behind, accelerated, and ran for an 88 yard return for touchdown. Then the defense stiffened up.

After junior Caleb Geer was called for a personal foul which put the Eagles in Coram Deo territory, the Eagles threatened to score again by taking the ball to the Lions' 4 yard line. Geer would avenge himself as he combined with juniors Nathan Kurth and Jeff Coleman to hurry the Eagle quarterback, causing him to throw sooner than he wanted, on third down. On fourth down, Kurth again stepped up to blanket the Eagle receiver as he attempted to slant into the end zone causing the ball to sail in and out of his out stretched hands and turn the ball over on downs. This would be the first of many critical defensive stops that would help to seal the victory for Coram Deo.

The Lions ran their first offensive play from their own 3 yard line with less than five minutes remaining in the first quarter. They would eventually cap a 7 play, 77 yard drive when Hicks again scampered for a 41 yard score. The drive was kept alive by a spectacular 21 yard post pattern route caught by Coleman as he found a seam in the Eagles defensive zone coverage.

The Lion defense stopped the Eagles on their next possession, limiting them to a four down and out scenario. This series was highlighted on the third down when the Eagle's QB attempted to drop back and pass. Coleman and Geer met at the quarterback simultaneously, Coleman at his front and Geer at his back. But the 6'7", 265 lbs. Eagle player would not go down. He knew he was being pressured, however, and failed at dumping the ball to his outlet receiver.

Now it was the Eagles turn to play defense. When Hicks was pressured on a rollout to the left, he hastily threw the ball towards senior Brian Wakefield. An Eagle defender jumped in front of the errant pass and intercepted the ball giving Life Christian Academy a new opportunity. This time, senior John Mays led the defensive charge by making three very critical tackles, two of them unassisted. On third down he blasted through the right side of the offensive line and pressured the Eagles QB to hurry his pass. Junior James Grizzle had the receiver covered in the end zone and the ball fell to the ground. On fourth down and 5, Mays again blasted the QB. This time he draped himself around the collar of the Eagles QB, restricting his movement. Again the pass was hurried and Kurth knocked the ball down and away from the receiver thus preventing yet another scoring opportunity for the Eagles and placing the ball in the hands of the Lion's offense. Critical defensive stop number 3!

The Eagles showed their defensive might when they forced a 10 play Lions' drive to stall at their 28 yard line. They actually showed a back and front double team on Grizzle while playing man to man on the other receivers, attempting to eliminate the Lion's biggest threat. Grizzle would eventually catch for 104 yards receiving and account for 3 TDs for the day. The Eagles scored when the Lion's failed to account for a receiver split wide to the left side and the pass was caught for a touchdown.

James Grizzle returned the next kickoff to the 40 yard line. Pass interference was called on the Eagles as their defender grabbed sophomore Gill Gibson on a deep post pattern. The Lion offense sputtered, or better, the Eagle defense stiffened, and almost stalled another drive. On fourth down and 8 from the Eagle 17, Wakefield took the snap and pitched the ball to Hicks who shot a near perfect dart to the left corner which Grizzle grabbed out of mid air and ran in for a score. The score was amazing because Hicks threw into triple coverage which Grizzle outfought to make the reception.

With 42 seconds left before the half the Eagles attempted to score again. Just like previously, Mays was the aggressor as he teamed with Hicks to hurry the QB. Again, on fourth down the Mays / Hicks combination caused an errant pass to fall short as Kurth batted away the ball for the fourth critical defensive stop. The Lions went into the locker room with a 24 - 14 half time lead.

Since the Eagles would get the ball at the beginning of the second half the Lions' defense would have to again play big and stop them. This time the Eagle's got the better end running off a 6 play, 39 yard scoring drive. The CDA defense would again prove pivotal as the coaches called an all out blitz on the extra point attempt. The gamble worked as five CDA defensive players attacked the QB and he failed to get the pass off to his receivers.

The Eagles did not attempt an onside kick but rather recovered the kick off when a grounder bounded off of Wakefield at the Eagles' 35 yard line. Once again the Lion defense would be tested. This time they proved true as they held the Eagles to a four down and out series preventing a scoring opportunity on a turnover. On the very next Lion offensive play, Wakefield mishandled the snap, and the Eagles recovered the fumble at the CDA 33 yard line. The challenge for theLion defense was evident and they had to go back to work. For the seventh time, the Lion defense played not big but huge as a combination of senior Russell Hildebrand, Mays and Geer all mixed up their blitzing packages to force hurried passes by the Eagles QB. It was actually a fourth down pass broken up by Grizzle that sealed the fate of this missed scoring opportunity.

The next offensive series for the Lions included a spectacular catch by Grizzle over the middle and was culminated in a 25 yard run by Hicks for the score. On the run, Wakefield blocked one oncoming rusher as Hildebrand kicked out the other. Wakefield pealed back to the offside and sprang Hicks loose. Downfield, right before Hicks was to cross the goal line, Grizzle blindsided an Eagle defender and opened a small door for Hicks to run through. This made the score 32 - 20 with 1:42 left in the third quarter.

LCA would score two plays later as their offense showed a scheme that the Lions defense had not prepared for previously. On the first play from scrimmage after the kick off, the Eagles lined up with three receivers left and a single back in the I formation. The Eagles pitched to the I - back who scampered around right end for a 17 yard gain. On the next play very little pressure was put on the QB and he passed for a 21 yard touchdown in the left corner. The extra point attempt was no good and the score was 32 - 26 with 1:14 left in the third quarter.

In their first meeting LCA ran freely on the Lions with student body sweeps that were too difficult for Coram Deo to handle with their smaller personnel. On Saturday, the CDA coaching staff adjusted the defense so that bigger players were inserted to stop the sweep. Effective it was since the Eagles never gained more than 7 yards on a sweep play. Mays and Geer were moved to the ends on the outside. Hildebrand and Sadler were the bigger inside men who would be responsible for stopping the inside run. Grizzle and Kurth would be the run enforcers. This would come to be known as the jumbo defense and it stopped the Eagles from sweeping on the usually smaller Lions. However, the Eagles recognized this going into the fourth quarter and decided to stretch the defense and the bigger, less mobile men by putting in speedier receivers and backs. The Lions countered by replacing Hildebrand and Sadler with Coleman and Hicks giving them more speed and strength.

The Eagles also had their own critical defensive stops as they stalled an 8 play 45 yard drive that the Lions took into the fourth quarter. When they took over on downs at their own 12 yard line they were keenly aware that a score and an extra point would give them the lead and maybe swing the momentum in their direction. They did just that as they scored in three plays on a pass play down the left sideline. Score 33 - 32, Eagles.

CDA's offense showed some real spark with the next series. A combination of Hicks running, Wakefield's blocking, and Gibson and Grizzle receiving would recapture the score that was previously lost. After Grizzle returned the ball to the CDA 38, Hicks went to work moving the ball down the field. Six plays later he passed into the right corner of the end zone among three LCA defenders. Fortunately Gibson and Grizzle were there as well since the ball bounded off of Gibson's hands, off the shoulder of an LCA defender, and into the hands of Grizzle who happened to be in the end zone for a touchdown. Powell's kick was good for a 40 -33 lead for the Lions.

The Eagles and the Lions traded scores on the next two series with Hicks scoring from 42 yards out when Grizzle turned back around from his decoy position and sprang Hicks loose with a massive block on the closest defender. Lions back on top 46 - 41.

In the final offensive series for LCA, CDA decided to send maximum blitzes at their QB with Kurth taking the role of lead intimidator. On the second play, Mays appeared to have recovered a fumble caused by the enormous pressure Kurth, Hicks, Mays and Geer was placing on the offense. The recovery was nullified when the Lions were called for an offside violation and the ball was awarded back to the Eagles. On the final attempt the Eagles sent their receiver down the left sideline as the QB escaped the out reach of Mays and Geer. He heaved his pass just beyond Kurth and the Eagle receiver as the ball floundered towards the ground incomplete. The Lions only needed to run out the clock. Three plays later they did just that and became the champions of the Texas Christian Schools Athletic Fellowship by completing an 11 - 1 season, bettering their inaugural season by two additional wins.

In the final analysis, the Lion defense posted ten critical stops, including an extra point attempt to steal the victory from LCA. These critical stops, besides preventing additional scoring, turned the ball over to the offense for more opportunities. Hicks would complete the game with 143 yards rushing, 104 yards passing, 209 return yards including one 82 yards, 4 rushing TD's and 3 passing for 456 all purpose total yards.

Coach Donnie Brake would later acknowledge that the win came with perseverance, determination, desire and a tremendous defensive effort.

 

Coram Deo Academy to Play for State Championship

In only their second year of six man football existence, Coram Deo Academy (10 – 1) will compete next Saturday afternoon for the Texas Christian Schools Athletic Fellowship (TCSAF) football state championship when they meet the Eagles from Houston Life Academy (6 -2) at Maverick Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington.

The #14 ranked Lions earned the right to host the championship game with their 54 – 8 win Friday night over the Knights of Ft. Worth Christian Life Prep. The game was terminated in the third quarter with 8:05 remaining by virtue of the 45 point mercy rule when CDA’s prolific junior running back Josh Hicks threw a strike in the end zone to sophomore receiver Gill Gibson on a 45 yard pass and catch. Danny Powell, who scored 12 points on 6 of 7 attempts, kicked the two point conversion to seal the victory and the 45 point differential.

Coram Deo’s victory was never in doubt as they amassed a 30 point lead going into the second quarter. Hicks started the offensive juggernaut by scampering for a 50 yard run on the first play from scrimmage. Before the night was over he would contribute to the victory by rushing for 113 yards on 5 carries (22.6 yds/carry) and completing 5 of 6 passes for 198 yards for a combined 311 yards of offense. He scored 3 TDs on his own and combined with receivers Gibson, Caleb Geer, and James Grizzel for the others. Grizzel has 37 touchdowns this year with combined rushing and receiving yardage of over 6,000 yards.

Grizzel also scored defensively by stripping the ball from a Knight player and running 45 yards into the end zone. He shouldered much of the defensive load by making 8 unassisted tackles. In fact, the Lions defense would have accounted for a shut out had Christian Life Prep not scored on a CDA fumble miscue that was run back for a touchdown. Junior safety Nathan Kurth and senior lineman John Mays each had 5 tackles. Kurth also intercepted a pass and returned it for 38 yards before being run down from behind.

In their inaugural year, Coram Deo registered a respectful 9 – 3 season and is in possession of a 19 – 4 combined record going into the playoff for the state championship.

The Lions are currently enjoying an eight game win streak since their loss to Denton Calvary which is currently ranked number 2 in the state among six man private schools. CDA’s defense has limited their opponent to just over 15.5 points per game over the last four games while the offense has amassed over 64 points during the same time spread. Every one of the last four games has been terminated by the 45 point mercy rule.

Coram Deo’s offense is powered by senior quarterback Brian Wakefield and lineman Russell Hildebrand, junior running backs Josh Hicks and James Grizzle, center Caleb Geer and lineman Cory Sadler. Hicks and Grizzle are capable of scoring from anywhere on the field and are explosive with their speed and athleticism.

The defense lost two key starters to injuries at the beginning of the year when sophomore cornerback D.L. Brake broke his leg and junior middle linebacker Nathan Paulus broke his collar bone. Fortunately for the Lions, many of the reserve players stepped in to pull up the slack. Taylor Follis, a junior, for example, has become an exceptional special teams player while junior Jeff Coleman and sophomore Cooper Newlan contributed to the injury plagued defense. Newlan is also a stand out on the JV team.

Athletic Director Donnie Brake is in his second year as head coach of the six man football team. Rudy Flores, defensive coordinator, and assistant coaches David Goodwin and Marc Dingler round out the coaching staff.

United States Air Force Academy to Host Rodney and Robi Marshall

The Admissions office of the United States Air Force Academy invited Rodney and Robi Marshall to attend special briefings and tours designed to help school administrators understand the unique quality of education available at this outstanding service academy. Harry Downing, Coram Deo Academy’s Air Force Liaison Officer, and a graduate of the USAFA, recommended Rodney to the Admissions office. Just three hundred educators per year enjoy this unique opportunity. We thank God for Harry and for the privilege of visiting the Academy the week of November 6.

Coram Deo Opens New Student Admissions for 2006

We invite you to attend one of our three New Family Information Meetings scheduled for the month of November. School Headmaster and Curriculum Director Rodney and Robi Marshall and the Director of each school will provide a live 60 minute presentation of the Academy followed by time for questions and answers. A faculty member and admissions representative will also be present.

Rodney Marshall___Robi Marshall

Please join us: Tuesday November 1 at our Carrollton location (click on image for map)

Scott Davis

Monday November 14 at our Dallas location (click on image for map)

Joseph Fox

Tuesday November 29 at our new Flower Mound campus

Bill Rector ___________________________________________..Charlotte Campbell

We look forward to meeting you.

What's happening with accreditation?

Since last spring, our Flower Mound campuses have been working toward accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Though our efforts may go unnoticed, still the process moves forward. We are busy adjusting to SACS standards, ensuring quality, and constantly looking for ways to improve. These three ideals: standards, quality, and improvement, form the core of the accreditation process.

We have just this month entered a more public phase of accreditation as we poll every major stakeholder group at the school. In order to improve CDA, we need to know our strengths and weaknesses. For this reason, we are asking students, parents, faculty and staff to evaluate our program. By sharing your opinions and suggestions, we intend to follow through on our commitment to continuous improvement. When asked to participate in the online surveys, please respond with your honest assessment and helpful council. We value your opinions.

The data we gather through these surveys will compliment our ongoing efforts at qualitative improvement. With God's favor, we hope to gain accreditation by fall of next year.

Please pray for our success,

Bob Schaefer
Accreditation Coordinator

 

Andrew Ahles of Coram Deo Takes Top Honors in National Forensic League Event

The Coram Deo Speech and Debate team competed in the Shepton High School Speech Tournament in Plano the weekend of October 14 and 15, marking the team's first participation in speech competition. The team had a successful showing!

Competing in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking were Anna Accomazzo and Andrew Ahles. Anna was one of the semi-finalists in that event out of 48 competitors.

Competing in Original Oratory were Haven Cauble, Ian Early, Andrew Hendrix, and Sam McKinnon. Andrew Hendrix was a semi-finalist in that event out of 21 competitors.

Competing in the 28-member Student Congress sessions were Anna Accomazzo, Andrew Ahles, Hannah Chupp, Kelly Hanson, Michael Sobolik, and Brittany Zeto. Anna, Andrew, Kelly, Michael, and Brittany were 5 of the 11 finalists in the Super Congress finals round. Congratulations to Anna, who placed 6th and Michael, who placed 4th. A special congratulations to Andrew Ahles, who took 1st place in Super Congress, garnering him a slot in the Texas Forensic Association State Tournament, which will be held in South Texas during March of 2006.

Much thanks as well to Mrs. Gerri Colvin, Coram Deo Interscholastic Speech and Debate Coach for a terrific showing in this first ever CDA experience. Any of you CDA high school students desiring a life of public influence we encourage to participate.

The team's next tournament will be January 7 at Creekview High School in Carrollton.

Flower Mound Campus Architect Provides Master Plan Concept

This week Trent Clark, architect and principal of CrownRich Companies, reviewed his master plan concept with the Coram Deo Flower Mound Campus Design Team. Initially, we need to construct a classroom building for the upper school and main academy administration, but we want to work toward a vision of what can be: a beautiful campus atmosphere, perimeter drive and pedestrian interior, preservation of trees and existing topography, a central lawn with recreation and athletic fields and water features at the entrance and interior. The concept prepared by Mr. Clark shows separate classroom buildings to house grammar, logic and rhetoric-level student bodies respectively, a competition quality gymnasium, a commons and theatre building and administrative facilities. Please enjoy perusing this drawing. Soon a revised color master plan and illustrative building elevation will be available for viewing as well. The development of the property and timing will depend in part on the success of a capital campaign.

Coram Deo Academy Debate Becomes Member of National Forensic League

To facilitate interscholastic competition in speech and debate, Coram Deo Academy recently applied for and has received Affiliate Status with the National Forensic League. The National Forensic League (NFL) is a non-partisan, not for profit educational honor society founded in 1925 by Bruno E. Jacob at Ripon College in Wisconsin. Its purpose is to encourage and motivate high school students to participate in and become proficient in the forensic arts: debate, public speaking, and interpretation. Since its founding, the NFL has enrolled over 1,150,474 members in all fifty states, U. S. possessions and several foreign countries. Currently over 93,000 high school students and over 3500 high school teachers are active members.

The NFL is proud of its 80 year tradition and provides educational opportunities, honors, and over $130,000 in college scholarships that recognize students at local, regional, and national levels. Prominent NFL alumni include President Lyndon Johnson, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Senators Richard Lugar and William Frist, media visionary Ted Turner, Academy Award winners Patricia Neal and Don Ameche, Emmy award winners Kelsey Grammar and Shelly Long, television host Oprah Winfrey, news anchor Jane Pauley, CSPAN founder Brian Lamb, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, University President David Boren, and Federal National Mortgage CEO Franklin Delano Raines.

Contests are held in Policy Debate, Lincoln Douglas Debate, Legislative Debate, Public Forum (Ted Turner) Debate, United States Extemporaneous Speaking, International Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Commentary, Impromptu Speaking, Prose Reading, Poetry Reading, Expository Speaking and Storytelling.

Qualifying for the National Tournament takes place at the District level. There are 104 NFL districts across the country that hold qualifying tournaments in the spring of each year. Coram Deo Academy speakers and debaters are competing at local tournaments during the year and will be competing in the district tournament this spring.

Flower Mound Lower School Receives Certificate of Occupancy

Praise the Lord! We have received a Certificate of Occupancy! The classrooms will be open to receive students beginning on Wednesday, September 21 for the Monday/Wednesday students; Thursday, September 22 for the Tuesday/Thursday students; and Friday, September 23 for the Friday Program.

LOWER SCHOOL HOURS

MORNING DROP OFF OF STUDENTS – Enter at Skillern, Exit at Wichita Trail
Enter the parking lot from Skillern and proceed to the circular driveway (flag entrance). Children exit the car on the curb side of the circular driveway area. As you leave the circular driveway, turn south and exit the parking lot onto Wichita Trail.

AFTER SCHOOL CAR LINE – Enter at Skillern, Exit at Wichita Trail
Enter the parking lot from Skillern and proceed to the circular driveway (flag entrance). Place a placard, naming the children you are picking up, in the passenger side car window. Drive to designated area of driveway (Cone 1, 2, or 3). We will assist children as they board your vehicle. As you leave the circular driveway, turn south and exit the parking lot onto Wichita Trail.

You are welcome to escort your child to class in the mornings. Please refer to the packet of information given at the Parent Orientation for more complete details of entering and exiting the parking lot.

Thank you for your patience during phase one of the building process. The teachers are enjoying preparing their beautiful classrooms and are eager to receive the children into our new building this week. We look forward to celebrating this first week in our new classroom facility.

 

Alumni Message from Morocco

Hello Mr. and Mrs. Marshall,

I am so glad that we were able to get together for lunch on Friday. Thank you for meeting my Dad and I on such a short notice.

My summer was filled with all sorts of adventures. As you know I have studied Arabic at the Academy for four semesters. This summer the Air Force Academy selected me to participate in a month long language immersion program at Al Akawayne University in Ifran, Morocco. For four weeks, I avoided using any English from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. At first it was frustrating but after one week your ability to communicate in Arabic increased exponentially.

During the evenings we would often take our homework into town and study at cafes where the waiters were anxious to tutor us in Arabic so long as we would help them with their English. On the weekends we would put our studies aside and travel throughout Morocco. We visited Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Marrakech, and countless other villages. Bartering was one of the best ways to practice conversational Arabic and I absolutely love the sport. By the end of the trip people would have me make all their purchases for them and I acquired the nickname of "blond Berber." It is just like trying to get a few extra points on a "Success With Words" test.

After returning from Morocco I spent three weeks at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs working on staff as the Wing Superintendent. To wrap up the summer the Air Force again sent me traveling but this time to Honolulu, Hawaii. This was rough duty. My job was to shadow an intelligence officer during the week and surf, kayak, and scuba dive on weekends. Now I am in Annapolis, Maryland spending a semester at the Naval Academy. It is a great opportunity to make friends with future naval officers and to visit cities along the East Coast.

I can't tell you how grateful I am for the foundation you provided me at Coram Deo. So many times over the last two years I have had a distinct advantage in my classes because of the caliber of education that you provided at CDA. Especially as I start interviewing for graduate scholarships I am often reminded of the unique lessons I learned from my
teachers at Coram Deo.

Thank you for your continual support. I look forward to seeing you again,
perhaps over Christmas.

All the best,
C2C Hunter P Grunden
USAFA Exchange Cadet
6th Company

CDA Hurricane Relief

In response to the devestating events on the Gulf Coast, Coram Deo Academy will host fundraising events on its campuses to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Carrollton campus will have a carwash, bake sale, hot lunches and a money jar. The Upper School will host a "No Uniform" day where students can pay to wear the dress-casual clothing of their choice for the day. CDA will donate the proceeds from these events to Partners in Hope. Partners in Hope is a non-profit Christian organization whose primary focus is working with groups who minister to fatherless children. They are partnering with Irving Bible Church by providing funds and volunteers in the hurricane relief effort.
For more information about Partners in Hope, or to make a donation online, visit their website at www.partnersonline.org.

Karen Straus Teaches Violin at CDA Carrollton Campus

Seventh and eighth grade students enjoy the privilege of violin instruction from concert violinist and teacher Karen Straus. These students have taken to this first year program with relish and learn quickly. Future plans include a string orchestra, concerts and interscholastic music competition.

Coram Deo Academy retains development consultant

Anticipating new campus construction, Coram Deo Academy has retained L&R Henry, Inc. of McKinney, Tex. to assist CDA with strategic planning and fundraising. Louise Henry comes to CDA experienced in development, public relations and marketing. She has served as a speaker, advisor and consultant to education foundations, and was the founding executive director of an education foundation. She is a certified fundraising professional and is a member of the Association of Fund Raising Professionals. Louise is accredited in public relations and has 15 years experience working with schools, in communications, community relations and fund raising.

Coram Deo Academy recently purchased a facility on 15 acres in Flower Mound, at the site of The Church at Wichita Creek Flower Mound, which will house the Lower School this fall. Parent orientations will be held on August 30 and 31; classes begin Sept. 12 after renovations are completed. The Upper School will move to the campus next summer, after the addition of temporary classroom buildings. A capital campaign and bond program will begin in 2006 to support construction of the master plan for the site, which includes additional classroom buildings for occupancy no later than 2008.

“Purchasing the Flower Mound property and now hiring counsel for the capital campaign help implement the strategic plan we developed last year.” said Rodney J. Marshall, president and headmaster, Coram Deo Academy. “We are blessed to have these resources.”

 

To: Faculty, Staff and Parents of the Flower Mound Lower School
From: Rodney Marshall, Headmaster
About: Flower Mound Lower School Campus Update
Date: August 15, 2005

Summary
July 22, 2005 Coram Deo Academy closed on the purchase of a handsome fifteen acre campus in Flower Mound with the intent of opening for lower school classes as soon as possible. Although it is still possible classes will begin September 7 this date now seems optimistic due to the lateness of closing and unanticipated permitting requirements. No one has done anything wrong to cause this delay. The process simply has taken longer than we hoped for it to take. The students will still receive the same education; school will just begin a little later than expected and end a little later in May than expected. As soon as we obtain an occupancy permit we will move in and begin classes. In the overall scheme of things this is nothing more than an inconvenience from which we can all learn patience. We ask for your prayers and patience as we work through each step toward the joyful occupancy of the buildings as soon as we meet all requirements. Until then, Mrs. Campbell has set up a meet and greet and plans for parent orientation to help everyone start at home until classes become available at school.

Elaboration
March 2005 CDA began research and negotiations for acquisition of The Church at Wichita Creek campus hoping to close a transaction by early June to allow for necessary renovations to make the buildings and property work for classes beginning August 15, 2005. I suppose it was optimistic to think we could close so quickly when one considers the complexity of a commercial real estate transaction and the change in use of the property from a church to a day school. The process progressed deliberately through closing and continues to progress deliberately toward occupancy. For those of you interested in further details the process is described below. As the closing date slipped into the summer, we realized difficulty meeting other deadlines could follow. We thought about extending the contract on Lantana Community Fellowship for the first semester but the cost of leasing, buying and operating two campuses and renovating one would have been prohibitive. We have never and did not want to come to you and ask for emergency funds to pay for this kind of budget overage. Instead we decided to ready the new facility and then begin school as soon as possible. I hope you can understand our reasoning and will peacefully cooperate with Providence.

The Process of Purchase and Renovation

Coram Deo Academy selects architect and design-build firm for development of the Flower Mound campus.

Trent Clark, Registered Architect and owner of Plano based CrownRich Design-Build has agreed to take the design lead on development of the academy’s new fifteen-acre campus in Flower Mound. With forty years of experience in design-build and specific experience in school design Mr. Clark and CrownRich, offer a valuable package to CDA. Trent is a family man, believes in the value of Christian education and attends Crossroads Bible Church in Double Oak.

The firm has begun with as-built and renovation plans and has approached the Town about obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy to use the existing buildings for educational purposes. Upon completion CrownRich will begin campus planning and illustrative site plans and building elevations.

Coram Deo Academy comes to Flower Mound
by Eric Williams - Staff Writer

A thriving Christian School has secured a location for a permanent campus in Flower Mound. The Coram Deo Academy, which has been using shared facilities in Highland Village, Carrollton, and Bartonville, is going to situate a permanent campus in Flower Mound. The school is purchasing the location of the Church at Wichita Creek, which will share the facility while the Church conducts a capital campaign to secure a more visible location.
“We are thrilled to have a campus on which to develop our Flower Mound Schools” said Rodney Marshall, Coram Deo president and headmaster. “We expect to build a really beautiful campus in keeping with the architecture in that part of the community,” he added. Marshall said the location will allow construction of a campus with handsome buildings appropriate for the high quality classical Christian education the school is determined to provide. Started in 1999 with 57 students, Coram Deo Academy now has 750 students on three campuses in Carrollton, Bartonville and Highland Village in grades k-12. There were 20 graduates in the class of 2005, most with plans for higher education, including one who will enroll this fall in the United States Air Force Academy and another who will attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Christ and the Bible – Forming a foundation

Students are schooled in classical knowledge including logic, rhetoric, arts and science with Christ and the Bible forming a foundation of knowledge. The school uses an innovative model to keep costs down, providing half-time instruction on campus with students also learning at home under parental supervision. Tuition for students in grades K-8 is about $3,000 per year and for students in grades 9-12 it’s approximately $4,000 per year.
Currently, the Coram Deo Academy has classes in facilities leased from Lantana Community Church on FM 407 near Bartonville and in the Unity Building, just off FM 407 in Highland Village. Marshall said students in the Coram Deo Academy get a classical liberal arts education, but from a strongly Christian perspective. “Coram Deo” translated from Latin means in the presence of God, he explained. Students will read the epics of Homer and study Virgil and the founding of Rome, he said. The school has a Shakespearian theater group as well as athletics teams.

Church and school to jointly use the facility

“The Church at Wichita Creek is very excited about the sale of our property to the Coram Deo Academy and about joint usage of the facility for both the church and school in the future,” Senior Pastor David Sylvester said in a prepared statement. “We are preparing for the eventual relocation of our church in Flower Mound and we pray great blessings on the church as well as on Coram Deo Academy which we consider to be our partner in ministry.” “I think it’s the most wonderful thing to happen to both of us. It has been a real treat doing business with a fine Christian organization like Coram Deo Academy,” added Ken Hodge, a local real estate developer and member of the church’s board of trustees. The purchase has the support of former Dallas Cowboy Chad Hennings, a noted Christian author and speaker who has both his children in the school. “I am excited for the opportunity for further growth and improvement of programs for the students at the school,” he said.

The above story is reproduced with the kind permission of The News Connection.

Coram Deo Academy Purchases Campus

Representatives from Coram Deo Academy and The Church at Wichita Creek signed a contract of sale Monday, June 13, for Coram Deo's purchase of the church's 15 acre campus in Flower Mound. Both the church and the school are hopeful to close by the first week of July. After closing the sale, remodeling of the existing building will begin to ready it for occupancy.

“I think it's the most wonderful thing to happen to both of us. It has been a real treat doing business with a fine Christian organization like Coram Deo Academy.” said Ken Hodge a local real estate developer and member of the church's board of trustees. Senior Pastor David Sylvester added that “The Church at Wichita Creek is very excited about the sale of our property to Coram Deo Academy and about the joint usage of the facility for both the church and the school in the future. We are preparing for the eventual relocation of our church in Flower Mound and we pray great blessings on the church as well as on Coram Deo Academy who we consider to be our partner in ministry.”

Coram Deo Academy had its beginnings in Flower Mound six years ago at Christ Presbyterian Church. To accommodate Coram Deo's continued growth the school moved to larger facilities in Highland Village and Bartonville. “We are thrilled to have a campus on which to develop our Flower Mound Schools” said Coram Deo President and Headmaster Rodney J. Marshall.

Former Dallas Cowboy and current Coram Deo parent Chad Hennings said "I am excited for the opportunity for further growth and improvement of the programs for the students at the school."

Coram Deo Academy will open its new facility when classes resume in August for the 2005-2006 academic year. The Academy plans to conduct its Kindergarten through 6th grade program at their new location the first year, with plans to move its 7th through 12th grade program after the first semester or next summer.

The school will keep it's constituents informed every step of the way. Please rejoice with us in God's great provision.

Parental Praise for a Fine Administrator

Mr. Fox,

Thank you for a wonderful first year at Coram Deo Academy! [____] has LOVED school this year and has really blossomed under the strong classical Christian curriculum. I credit you for making him feel so welcomed and loved! From the moment he met you at our parent interview he knew he wanted to go to Coram Deo! You have always been so encouraging and welcoming to him. Thank you for always greeting him with a big smile and a "Good morning" Thank you also for the day when you noticed that he had too many things to carry into school and you offered to carry in his "beloved" football--you have such a wonderful heart!

… He is a different child this year! He is so happy to go to school and he is excited about what he is learning. He told me today (as he has told me many times before) that he loves his new school…and his friends like him for who God made him. I just wanted you to know that YOU have made a big difference in his life and Coram Deo is an answer to our prayers. We thank God for you and we will continue to pray for the school, the staff, and you as you seek God's direction for the Carrollton school.

With much gratitude,

[Mr. and Mrs. ____]

Tenth Grade Blue Wins Alfred Cup

A standing room-only crowd thrilled to a dramatic Alfred Cup Debate Championship showdown in the Coram Deo Auditorium Wednesday afternoon, April 20th. So closely-contested was the event that judges announced the 11th Grade team the winner, only to reverse their decision when a scoring miscalculation was discovered that evening. Thus, the 10th Grade Blue team reigns as champions of the first annual Alfred Cup school debate championship.

The sophomores, who defeated both the junior and senior All-Star teams in the tournament, included Matt Minich (captain and closing), Andrew Ahles (rebuttal), Melissa McDaniel (opening), Dan Powell (cross examination), and James Frank (alternate). Abbie Marshall captained and cross-examined for the juniors, Haley Purdy delivered the opening, Hannah Spalding, rebuttal, and Kaitlyn Posey, closing. Caleb McKinnon was the 11th Grade alternate.

The All-Tournament team selected by those judges who witnessed all the debates, included Anna Accomazzo (10th Grade Gold), Andrew Ahles (10th Grade Blue), Abbie Marshall (11th Grade), Melissa McDaniel (10th Grade Blue), and Michael Sobolik (10th Grade Gold).

North Dallas Children Reach Out to Southeast Asia Children

Students at the North Dallas campus of Coram Deo Christian Academy raised almost $1,300 for children orphaned by the Tsunami. The fund raising effort was a response to the grief students were expressing as they saw children in Southeast Asia who literally lost everything in the Tsunami. The students were struck by the contrast between the abundance they experienced in the week between Christmas and New Years, and the complete devastation those families endured.

Coram Deo families participated in three separate activities to raise funds from Valentines day through the first of March. The parents gave donations on behalf of the students, in the form of a Valentines Gram that was delivered to the classrooms on Valentines Day, raising $535. Families participated in pizza lunches with proceeds of about $400. And the children earned extra money to drop in a donation jug, totaling $349.59.

The funds are being present by Ian Wallis, to Gospel For Asia, a non-profit organization sending 100% of the proceeds to be used in the region. Ian launched the fund raising efforts, telling his mother that he had prayed for the children, now he needed to send his Christmas money. Ian, along with his mother, Margie, proposed the fund raising efforts to give the children a practical way to practice the character-based values of demonstrating love to others in tangible ways and ministering to those in need.

CDA Six Man Football press release

Coram Deo Academy Finishes 9 - 2 in Inaugural Season

Coram Deo Academy (9 - 2) completed their inaugural season of Six Man football Friday night with a win over Glenview Christian by a score of 52 - 6 in Keller, Texas. The game was terminated early in the third quarter by virtue of the 45 point mercy rule when CDA's substitute running back Adam Drennan scored on a 45 yard run.

The score gave Coram Deo their 9th win against 2 losses and sets up a show down against Austin, Texas, NYOS Charter School (6 - 5) this Saturday at Josey Ranch in Carrollton where the CDA Lions are hosting their first ever Invitational Post Season Bowl. Game time is at 6:00PM.

The Lions are currently enjoying a seven game win streak since their last loss to Denton Calvary which is currently ranked number 4 in the state among Six Man private schools. CDA's defense has limited their opponent to just over 15.5 points per game over the last four games while the offense has amassed over 64 points during the same time spread. Every one of the last four games has been terminated by the 45 point mercy rule.

Coram Deo's offense is powered by junior quarterback Brian Wakefield, sophomore running backs Josh Hicks and D. L. Brake, ends James Grizzle, sophomore, and Jaryd Vera, junior, and center Caleb Geer, sophomore. Hicks, Brake and Grizzle are all capable of scoring from anywhere on the field and are explosive with their speed and athleticism.

The defensive linemen are Jaryd Vera and Ted Good, CDA's only senior. Linebackers are Nathan Kurth, Nathan Paulus and Greg Flores with Ben Lancaster playing the safety. They are all sophomores. Vera, Good and Flores have all scored on defense while Paulus and Flores lead the team in sacks.

Athletic Director Donnie Brake is in his first year as head coach of the Six Man football team.

Dr. Fredrick is Leaving CDA - 7/22/04

Please see the Upper School SPECIAL EDITION that was sent separately on July 16 for more details.  We congratulate Dan on his professorship in Bulgaria and Northern Greece and wish him well although it will be a sad thing to bid him goodbye.  We are pleased to report CDA has provided excellent replacement instructors for students previously scheduled for classes with Dr. Fredrick.  The following table shows the shifts made to enable all affected students to continue to make progress with qualified and experienced teachers.

M/W Period	Course	Teacher	Comments
1	G8 Logic	Davis, Scott	M.Ed. Previously a science professor and track coach at Hastings University
2	G8 Logic	“	“
4	G10 English	Heitschmidt, Traci	Ph.D. Previously a history professor at University of California, Santa Barbara, and UNLV.
T/TH Period
1	G8 Logic	Loe, Deborah	M.A. Experienced CDA teacher of Latin, logic, speech and other subjects
2	G12 English	Marshall, Robi	CDA Curriculum Director and experienced teacher.  Developed and taught this course the first year it was offered at CDA.
3	Rhetoric Apologetics	Terry, Robert	M.A. Experienced CDA teacher and course developer.  G11 students will take Apologetics, a course required for graduation anyway although normally taught in G12.  In 2005-6 these same students will take Rhetoric.  The approach will give CDA time to assure quality instruction for this course.
4	Rhetoric Apologetics	“	“
5	Latin 3	Loe, Deborah	See above.  Moved schedule of this class to Friday at 10:30 am
6	Advanced Latin	Loe, Deborah	See above.  We are presently unable to schedule this class during the regular day.  Since only 4 students are enrolled it will probably be cancelled.  Please feel free to call the school to discuss alternatives.
	Other Changes		Necessary changes to free the above teachers to make such class shifts
T/Th	G7 Speech	McDaniel, Alice for Deb Loe	Experienced CDA teacher of fine arts
T/Th	G7 Latin	Gaskamp, Patty for Deb Loe	Experienced CDA Latin teacher
T/Th	G9 History	Loe, Deborah in for Robert Terry	See above.  Experienced CDA teacher
F	Classical Guitar	Houser, Paul	Bachelor of Music with classical guitar as the principal instrument.

Letter from CDA Graduate - 3/7/04

Please enjoy this encouraging note from Hunter Grunden. He is a 2003 graduate of CDA attending the USAF Academy and now training on its Flying Team. - Rodney J. Marshall, Headmaster

Hello Mr. Marshall,

How are you doing? Ricky tells me you and Coram Deo are both doing great! I can't tell you how grateful I am for the education that you and Mrs. Marshall helped me attain. Not just a conglomeration of facts - but critical thinking to go along with each subject that we undertook. It is fairly easy to make up for a lack of knowledge in areas that I am weaker in, but it is much more difficult to debate/discuss a controversial issue with classmates or teachers.

I am so excited about being here. The opportunities are overwhelming. Within the last month I have attended evening lectures by the U.S. Ambassador to Jordan, former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, and former U.S. Ambassador and now Assistant Secretary of NATO, John Pelletier. However, one of the most interesting lectures I have attended was given yesterday by Professor David Hendrickson and Mr. Yossi Halevi. They were debating the Arab-Israeli conflict. It was very interesting to hear both sides of the argument from people who were so well acquainted with the topic.

In less intellectual areas I am also improving. Yesterday I had my first graded boxing match - it went very well, perhaps too well because the coach will pair me up with someone far more experienced for my next graded fight.

Thanks again for the time and effort you invested in preparing me for the Academy.

Very Respectfully,
Cadet 4th Class Hunter Grunden
Cadet Sqaudron - 09 "Vikings"
United States Air Force Academy
USAFA Flying Team

Upper School Math Curriculum Change - 2/11/04

For the upcoming school year, Coram Deo will be changing its Upper School Math curriculum. Click here to read more.

Announcements are deleted when they become irrelevent.