Vista Charter Academy middle school students enrolled in sixth, seventh and eighth grade are eligible to participate in the following sports:
- Girls and Boys Basketball
- Girls and Boys Soccer
- Girls Cheerleading
- Cross Country
- Girls Volleyball
2008-09 Sportswoman of the Year
Other activities
Field Trips
The staff at Vista firmly believes that learning is a lifelong process that does not end when the student leaves the physical structure of the classroom. The world is a classroom and the students at Vista are exposed to that world in many different ways:
Vista Charter Academy promotes learning by adding thematic, enriching field trips to the student's experience. Students will visit things like a Dairy Farm, The Children's Museum, The Weather experience at Wood TV 8, Hillcroft Park, The Air Zoo, Devos Hall, The Grand Rapids Symphony, A Lollipops Concert, and the Aeronautics lab at the airport, among other venues. The field trips not only help the students to more visually integrate what they are learning, but also provide valuable practice for the students regarding their moral focus virtues as they learn to be polite, quiet, share, obey teachers and guides, be thankful, and other ways they represent Vista to the community. Our parents provide the chaperoning necessary for these fun events, as they partner with us in the education of the whole child.
Vista students getting ready for a field trip!
National Junior Honor Society
According to the Official Site of the National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), these national premier organizations were established to recognize outstanding high school and middle school level students. More than just an honor roll, NHS and NJHS serve to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character (and Citizenship for NJHS). These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since their beginnings in 1921 and 1929.
The NJHS website also states that today it is estimated that more than one million students participate in activities of the NHS and NJHS. NHS and NJHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. Territories, and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.
Membership into the NJHS at Vista is encouraged among all middle school students. Invitations and applications are sent to all students who meet high standards and practice those standards in school, at home and in the community. Vista's NJHS meets regularly to promote community service and provide leadership for the school.
H.A.T.T.s Program
High Achiever's Think Tank (H.A.T.T.'s) is a program where students can come together as a small community to explore various subjects, such as environmental issues and important historical figures. Students are nominated by their homeroom teachers and are expected to be leaders in their classroom. This program is available for students in the 1st to 8th grades.
H.A.T.T.'s 1-2 and 3-4 grades worked on rain forest projects this year. They researched the climate/environments of the rainforest and also the animals that live there. Both groups built their own rainforests, focusing on the correct strata.
H.A.T.T.'s 5-6 grade worked on a career project where the had to take personality tests. Then, they determined what career they would like to pursue and found appropriate information about it. Later, they presented it to their class. Students relied on technology to get their information. They also focused on one environmental issue that was relevant to them and their peers. They taught the class about their information through Power Point Presentations.
H.A.T.T.'s 7-8 grade gave college presentations. They created power points, brochures, and posters on the college of their choice. Not only did they research the colleges, but also how to get scholarships, what career path they wanted to travel, and what classes they would need to take. The colleges researched ranged from Harvard Law School, to Julliard. They also participated in a debate this year which not only honed their research skills but also their presentation skills.
To learn more about this wonderful Grand Rapids charter school, visit Vista today!
