Elementary at Heritage | Kindergarten-5th Grade

A Place to Grow.
A Place to Belong.

From the excitement of first discoveries to the growing confidence of fifth grade, Heritage Christian Academy helps children build strong academic foundations, meaningful friendships, and a faith that shapes how they live and learn.

Elementary students listening as their teacher reads aloud in the classroom
Known. Loved. Called to Grow.

More Than a Classroom.

At Heritage, elementary school is a time to discover strengths, ask questions, build character, and find belonging. Teachers know their students as individuals, celebrating growth and partnering with families along the way.

Our Christ-centered mission is at the heart of school life, and we welcome families from all backgrounds and faiths who want to be part of our caring community.

One school community, many milestones.

Growing readers. New discoveries. Lasting friendships. Research projects. Fifth-grade adventures. And a pathway into middle and high school.

The Elementary Experience

Strong Foundations. Growing Independence.

Children change so much between kindergarten and fifth grade. Our approach grows with them.

Kindergarten

Joyful first steps into elementary learning, with hands-on discovery, growing confidence, friendships, and foundational reading and math.

Explore Kindergarten →

Grades 1-2

Building fluency, number sense, writing skills, curiosity, and the confidence to tackle new challenges. These are important years for learning to read.

Grades 3-5

Reading to learn, developing independent study habits, tackling deeper research and writing, and preparing for the transition to middle school.

Academics at Heritage

Challenged and Supported.

Our biblically grounded curriculum emphasizes reading, writing, math, science, and social studies while encouraging critical thinking and curiosity. Teachers use classroom assessments, small-group instruction, and personal attention to help students build skills and take their next steps.

In the primary grades, students strengthen decoding, fluency, and comprehension. In the upper grades, novel studies, research projects, reports, and organizational skills help them become more independent learners.

For students who need additional support, our Learning Success Center provides eligible elementary students with individualized services and accommodation planning.

Teacher providing individualized academic guidance to elementary students
Learning in Action

Curiosity Comes to Life.

Students learn through experiments, friendships, and the everyday discoveries that make school memorable.

Second-grade student proudly displaying a habitat model
Second-Grade Habitat Research
Third-grade student dressed as an aviator for the living wax museum biography presentation
Third-Grade Living Wax Museum Biography Reports
Student Projects

Proud of What They Create.

From researching habitats to building models, students put classroom learning into practice and take pride in what they discover.

Faith at the Forefront

Rooted in Christ. Everyone Is Welcome.

Faith is not confined to a single class. Students encounter biblical teaching, prayer, worship, and opportunities to practice kindness, service, and Christlike character throughout the school day.

Weekly chapel, Scripture memory, Bible study, and student-led Share Chapels help children grow in understanding and expressing their faith. Beginning in third grade, students also learn to study Scripture more deeply through observation, interpretation, and application.

Chapel Life in Action

Explore moments from our chapel community.

Fourth-Grade Share Chapel: Bringing Bible Stories to Life

Our fourth graders took the stage to share three Bible stories: the Fiery Furnace, the Battle of Jericho, and David's Mighty Men. Through creative skits, humor, props, and teamwork, students brought Scripture to life for their elementary school community.

More than a performance, Share Chapel gives students an opportunity to grow in confidence, use their God-given gifts, and encourage others through the message of God's Word.

Fourth-grade students performing a Bible story in Share Chapel
Guest speaker: Learning to trust God's promises

HCA alumnus and Young Life leader Jimmy Reed visited chapel to share the story of Jacob's dream in Genesis 28. His message reminded students that God is present and faithful through life's challenges, and that following Jesus begins with trusting Him.

Guest speaker sharing a chapel message
Faith in Action: Adventure Soccer

A guest from Adventure Soccer used a soccer ball to help students connect a familiar game with a message about faith and what fills our lives.

Adventure Soccer guest speaking to students with a soccer ball
Beyond Core Academics

Room to Discover New Gifts.

Beyond the classroom, students have opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills, and build friendships. Daily specialist classes in PE, music, art, library, and STEM/computer lab are built into the school day, along with recess. After-school clubs provide additional opportunities, and students can join Heritage Eagles athletics beginning in fifth grade.

Music & Worship

Building confidence and creativity through instruments, rhythm, singing, and performances.

Elementary students playing xylophones with their music teacher

STEM & Technology

Bringing ideas to life through hands-on experiments, engineering challenges, problem-solving, and technology.

HCA students conducting a hands-on science experiment

Art & Library

Inspiring imagination, artistic expression, and a lifelong love of reading.

Heritage elementary students creating artwork

PE, Teamwork & Athletics

Developing coordination, teamwork, perseverance, and good sportsmanship.

Heritage Eagles volleyball: teamwork and belonging
A Heritage of Memories

Moments They Remember.

Each grade brings its own traditions and milestones-from first-grade themed weeks and second-grade habitat projects to third-grade Live Wax Museum presentations, fourth-grade Washington State Notebooks, and fifth-grade Nation Notebooks and Camp Casey outdoor education.

These experiences give students reasons to look forward to what's next while creating memories with classmates and teachers.

Fifth-grade students together at Camp Casey by the water
Camp Casey - Memories with Classmates
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Known, Loved, Called to Grow

A Family Story Worth Sharing.

Mrs. Gaeta smiling as she gives individual attention to students around a classroom table
Mrs. Gaeta caring for and encouraging students in her classroom.
Mr. Gaeta with Heritage cross-country athletes gathered in prayer before a race
Mr. Gaeta praying with cross-country athletes before a race.

For the Gaeta family, Heritage is a place to invest in children-through personal attention in the classroom, encouragement on the course, and faith woven into everyday relationships.

Read the Gaeta family story

Mrs. Gaeta first joined Heritage as a preschool teacher. After just one week, she knew she wanted her own children to be part of the community. They enrolled the following year, and she went on to teach third grade.

Mr. Gaeta coaches cross-country and track and field, encouraging students in both their athletic pursuits and their faith.

When asked to describe Heritage in one word, Mrs. Gaeta chose "authentic." She values how teachers know each child as an individual and help students grow academically and spiritually.

Partnering with Families

Working Together as Children Grow.

Parents and teachers share a meaningful role in each child's education. We value open communication, family involvement, and the encouragement children receive when home and school work together.

Our Parent Teacher Fellowship and school traditions provide ways for families to build relationships and participate in the life of Heritage.

PTF parent fellowship meeting
PTF Parent Fellowship Meeting
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"This is the best decision we have made in the life of our child, and we believe that God called us to be Heritage parents. Take a tour. Talk to the staff. See for yourself."

- HCA Parent
Supporting Busy Families

Care That Works With Your Day.

Family schedules don't always fit neatly within the school day. Our before- and after-school Extended Care gives elementary families dependable options and students a welcoming place to spend time with friends beyond classroom hours.

After-school programs offer additional opportunities to explore interests, try new activities, and build friendships-all within the Heritage community.

The Journey Continues

From Preschool Through Graduation.

Whether a child begins at Heritage in preschool, elementary school, or later, they become part of a connected school community where they can grow in faith, friendships, and learning all the way through graduation.

Come See Heritage

You Belong Here.

Visit our classrooms, see students learning, and experience the community that makes Heritage a place to grow and belong.