High school should be more than a checklist of required classes. It’s why we talk so much about the LuHi Student Experience. High school acts as a launchpad for purpose. A version of the question, “What are you going to do after high school?” is often a dreaded one for high schoolers across the country.
If students don’t have a chance to pursue their passions, explore their interests, understand their God-given purpose and talents, that question can feel impossible to answer.
That’s why we created The Academies. Our Academies are designed for students who desire the opportunity to pursue their passions in a focused area of study. Each Academy helps students explore their God-given gifts while preparing them for college, career, and a life of service.
What Makes the Academies Unique
We offer 5 Academy options:
- Art
- Business
- Lights
- Mission & Ministry
- Music
- STEM
Some Academies have dedicated class time, while others are all before or after schoolwork. But every Academy at LuHi follows the same guiding framework called the 4 C’s.
- Coursework: Foundational classes tied to a student’s chosen field.
- Collaborative Community Experience: Mentorship and networking opportunities with professionals in that area.
- Cross-Academy Curriculum: Opportunities to collaborate and see how disciplines overlap.
- Capstone Project: A senior-year deep dive into an area of personal interest, culminating in a professional-level presentation or project.
Whether work takes place inside or outside the classroom, the Academies are designed to help students grow in independence, creativity, and self-motivation.
Here is a quick synopsis of each Academy and who is a good fit for the program.
Art Academy
The Art Academy is designed for students who are serious about pursuing art as a career. With extended studio time and access to high-quality materials, students refine their craft while developing a personal style. An emphasis is placed on peer art critiques. Individualized mentorship with a LuHi Art Teacher or local art professional is also a primary benefit of the program.
Creativity and process are celebrated above perfection, allowing students to explore new mediums and take artistic risks. The experience culminates in the Junior and Senior Capstone Art Show, where students exhibit their work. Art Academy students graduate with a top-tier portfolio crafted for college admissions and a deeper understanding of how art reflects the Creator.
Highlights:
- Extended studio time and individualized mentoring
- College-ready portfolio development
- Regular practice of formal art critiques
- Creativity and process over product
Business Academy
The Business Academy equips students with both the professional skills and the Christian character needed to lead in today’s business world.
Students take core classes in Public Speaking, Leadership, and Business Studies, followed by electives such as Personal Finance, Accounting, Sales & Marketing, Finance, and Entrepreneurship. Monthly meetings feature guest speakers and networking opportunities that help students discover their strengths and potential career paths.
This Academy is a great fit for students interested in economics, finance, accounting, marketing, or entrepreneurship. Business Academy students network with professionals, learn leadership rooted in faith, and gain real-world experience before college.
BA Mission Statement:
“To equip and empower students with the knowledge, skills, and values to become ethical and effective leaders in the business world, grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ.”
Highlights:
- Real-world experience managing money and making decisions
- Guest speakers and mentorship from local business leaders
- Capstone projects focused on personal passions
- Faith-based leadership and life skills
Lights Academy
Lights Academy is a personalized, project-based learning experience where students pursue their God-given passions through deep research and hands-on exploration.
Students learn how to ask meaningful questions and seek answers through projects they design themselves. Along the way, they develop valuable soft skills like organization, communication, and leadership. Lights is an excellent fit for students with either a variety of interests or one specific passion they’d like to explore outside a traditional classroom.
Highlights:
- Personalized, project-based learning
- Research, public speaking, and good questioning skills
- Christian leadership development
- Freedom to explore multiple interests or one focused pursuit
Mission & Ministry Academy
The Mission & Ministry Academy is for students with a heart for service and a desire to grow as Christian leaders. Students gain hands-on experience sharing the love of Jesus through leadership, discipleship, and service. Adults in ministry roles mentor students. This could be a theology teacher, pastor, or worship leader. Participation in the Academy includes Worship Class, Refuge, and additional service hours throughout the year.
This Academy is for students navigating whether they want to pursue a career in ministry work and what those possibilities look like.
Highlights:
- Mentorship in faith leadership
- Opportunities to lead worship and service projects
- Faith-based community and accountability
- Preparation for lifelong discipleship and service
Music Academy
Through coursework, lessons, and track-specific projects, the Music Academy gives students a real-world understanding of what it means to major in music at the collegiate level.
The Music Academy is for students passionate about music who want to grow their gifts of performance and composition. They will connect with professionals and use their talents to bring joy to others.
Highlights:
- Access to practice and recording booth
- Mentorship from music professionals
- Preparation for college auditions and careers in music
- Emphasis on using musical gifts to serve others
STEM Academy
The STEM Academy is designed for students eager to challenge themselves through advanced science, technology, engineering, and math coursework.
Students take four years of math and four and a half years of science, with access to classes like Organic Chemistry, Principles of Engineering, Anatomy & Physiology, and CNA certification. Mentorship and professional networking are key components as students explore careers in engineering, medicine, computer science, and more.
During their junior year, students shadow professionals and begin independent projects. As seniors, they create capstone projects such as prototypes, research papers, or real-world case studies.
Highlights:
- College-level rigor and research opportunities
- Mentorship and shadow experiences
- Hands-on capstone projects that solve real problems
- Preparation for college and career in STEM fields
Why the Academies Matter
“What are you going to do after high school?” is a tough question to answer. Even the most academically-minded students can hesitate to respond confidently. Going through an Academy has a two-fold purpose:
- Clarity through exploration. The more time and energy a student spends in an area of interest, the better equipped they are to determine whether it is their future path. Knowing the no’s can be just as helpful as knowing the yes’s.
- Mastery of skills and subject area knowledge. Students independently develop expertise and confidence in both content and application. They gain hands-on experience doing meaningful work while deepening their understanding of what it looks like to work in their area of passion.
With all things at LuHi, the Academies are approached from a Christian worldview. As one Academy director put it: “Our goal is to prepare and shape students to not only excel in their careers, but also to be salt and light in the world as leaders who exemplify Christ’s teachings in their professional and personal lives.”
Ready to Learn More?
To explore how the Academies at LuHi can help your student thrive, visit our website or schedule a shadow day to see these programs in action.
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