The Elementary (4th-5th grade) and Middle School (6th-8th grade) Academic Teams compete in ten weekly "quiz bowl" matches with other public and private schools in Fayette County during the fall. Questions in the matches cover all academic areas: math, science, language arts, social studies, and the arts. Matches are on Mondays after school from early October to early December. A Varsity tournament is held at the end of the season.
7th - 8th Grade
KYA is a three-day, hands-on experience of Kentucky's state government. KYA is a student-led conference in which teens experience first-hand what it's like to debate a bill in the capitol chambers and what it would be like to run for state office. To prepare for the conference, students study how bills are written and passed to become laws. Students work in teams to prepare a bill which they will present to committees at the beginning of the conference. The bills that pass in the committees then move to the Senate or House.
Bills are usually based on student-created and researched solutions to issues that students see in Kentucky. At the conference, each student is encouraged to participate by speaking about his/her bill or giving a pro or con speech regarding another bill. Students can also run for office so they can take part in the leadership of the next KYA conference.
Participation in KYA helps students learn how bills are made into laws, the importance of involvement in one’s government, and communication skills. KYA is a great way to meet other students from around the state! The group meets once a week from September until the conference in Louisville/ Frankfort at the end of November.
7th - 8th Grade
The Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA) is an experiential-learning conference in which students participate directly in simulated international diplomacy. KUNA offers students the opportunity to experience the richness of cultures from around the world, develop empathy, and hone their critical thinking skills while engaging with various perspectives and global issues.
Students work in teams to prepare a resolution which they will present to committees at the beginning of the conference. Resolutions are debated from the perspectives of the countries represented at each KUNA conference.
At the conference, each student is encouraged to participate by speaking about his/her resolution or giving a pro or con speech regarding another resolution. Students also have the option to be a part of the Security Council and make a resolution on the spot, working with a very small group. KUNA is a great way to meet other students from around the state! The group meets once a week from January until the conference in Louisville at the end of March.
8th Grade
In eighth-grade, students can go on the Washington DC trip in April. The students partake in a four-day trip to the nation's capital, where they can see many sights in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. Some of the highlights of the trip include a guided tour of Washington DC, a self-guided tour of Smithsonian Institute museums, a guided tour of the US Capitol Building, visits to the Lincoln, Korea, Vietnam, Jefferson, MLK, and WWII Memorials, Mt. Vernon, Monticello, Mass and a tour of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the Arlington Cemetery, and the National Holocaust Memorial and Museum. This trip is a highlight for students and a capstone to their career at Christ the King.
Each year, the Middle School faculty nominates students to enter this premier academic event which the Kentucky Association sponsors for Academic Competition.
Students may be chosen to take multiple-choice tests in various subject areas, to write compositions, or to participate on a Quick Recall (quiz bowl) team and Future Problem Solving. Top-finishing individuals and teams win awards and advance from the district to regional to the state competition.
2nd - 8th Grade
Battle of the Books is a voluntary reading incentive program for students in grades 2-8. Christ the King School hosts the annual competition each May. Schools participating are Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary, Seton, Sts. Peter & Paul and St. Leo. Students love this spirited competition between the area parochial schools.
From the MATHCOUNTS website:
MATHCOUNTS is a national enrichment, club, and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement through grassroots involvement in every U.S. state and territory.
The MATHCOUNTS Competition Program provides the extra incentive and the perfect atmosphere for students to push themselves to achieve more in mathematics. Consisting of fun and creative problems that promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the MATHCOUNTS competitions have written and oral rounds and individual and team components.
Though challenging and non-routine, the competition problems focus on the 6th through 8th grade standards of the National Council of Teachers in Mathematics. Often referred to as the MCP, the MATHCOUNTS Club Program was introduced in 2007 for our 25th anniversary. The MCP is a fun, challenging, and free program that engages a wide spectrum of students. The MATHCOUNTS Club Program provides schools with the structure and activities to hold regular math club meetings. Depending on student and teacher involvement, a school may receive a recognition plaque or banner and be entered into drawings for prizes.
4th - 8th Grade
Students may audition to be a school mass cantor, beginning in fourth grade. For the audition, students demonstrate rhythmic and melodic sight reading skills and prepare a song from the mass.
Cantors are trained that singing for mass is two-fold: vocal leadership and spiritual leadership. Auditions are held each year for our Middle School musical. The performance is Students are involved not only as performers but also as stage crew and production crew. During rehearsals, students work with the directors on all areas of producing a musical: vocal/music, drama, and choreography. After-school rehearsals are held three times a week and conclude with performances open to the general public.
Past productions include Beauty and the Beast Jr., Seussical Jr., and Alice in Wonderland Jr.
