What is a House System?

The House System originated in medieval British boarding schools, which later spread to the Commonwealth and United States. ACA carries this classical Christian legacy forward by dividing the student body (grades 6-12) into four houses for the sake of Christlikeness, camaraderie, competition, and culture. 

What is the purpose of a House System? 

The purpose of the House System at ACA is to form the Christ-life in community through an ethic of service and stewardship (Phil. 2:3-8; Col. 3:23-24; 1 Pet. 4:10). By “Christ-life,” we mean the way of life that characterizes the Messiah’s people, so that what is true of the incarnate God is also true of us (cf. Rom. 6-8 for the repeated use of the phrase “in Christ”). 

What are the benefits of a House System?

A House System benefits maturing students by giving them opportunities to fulfill the call of leadership, exercise responsibility, and practice virtues.


What are the four houses at ACA?

The houses are named after 14ers that belong to the Front Range of Colorado:

Why are the four houses named after the Front Range peaks of Colorado?

Just as a hiker from Denver first encounters the Front Range peaks before traversing the Rocky Mountains, a student from ACA, who undergoes training, is sent out into the world, equipped to ascend not only the initial mountaintop, but hike the entire mountain range of life with faithful and joyful endurance. Mentioned more than 500 times in the Bible, mountains are holy ground for Jews and Christians because they symbolize nearness to God, who dwells in heaven. 


What are the four icons on the crests of each house?  

Each Front Range peak is associated with a biblical mountain and corresponding icon:

Evans House (Mount Moriah → icon: a ram). Mount Moriah is where Abraham nearly sacrificed his son Isaac, and thus was counted righteous for his belief in the promises and provisions of God (Gen. 22:1-19). The icon is the ram that Abraham gave as “a burnt offering instead of his son” (Gen. 22:13).   

Grays House (Mount Hermon → icon: three tents). Mount Hermon is where Jesus, accompanied by his disciples, undergoes a glorious transfiguration, thus establishing his fulfillment of the law and prophets, which are represented by Moses and Elijah (Matt. 17:1-13). The icon is the three tents that Peter wished to pitch at the summit for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus.

Torreys House (Mount Sinai → icon: a burning bush). Mount Sinai (also called Mount Horeb) is where an angel of the Lord appears to Moses in a burning bush, appointing him to lead the exodus of Hebrews from their Egyptian captivity (Ex. 3), and where the Lord gives Moses his law inscribed on stone tablets (Ex. 19-24). The icon is “a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush” (Ex. 3:2).  

Pikes House (Mount Zion → icon: a city). Mount Zion is the abode of God, where his people worship him, both the historical and eschatological Jerusalem (Ps. 135:21, Mic. 4:2, Rev. 14:1, Rev. 21). The icon is “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. 21:2). 


What is the motto of the House System?  

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber” (Psalm 121:1-3). This motto belongs fittingly to “a song of ascents.”

How is the House System implemented?

Every student in grades 6-12 will be assigned to one of four houses at an annual sorting ceremony in August, which is attended by the whole school. The student will remain in that house throughout their career in the Logic and Rhetoric schools. Siblings are kept together in the same house.

How is the House System organized?

  • The House Director will oversee the entire House System, mentoring the House Prefects.

  • Four House Prefects, typically upperclassmen in the Rhetoric School, will be nominated by staff and then appointed by administration according to a threefold criteria of leadership:

    • Intellect: The candidate should exhibit a zeal for learning with a minimum GPA average of 3.0. 

    • Character: The candidate should exhibit the four cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice, which are foundational to leadership. 

    • Spirituality: The candidate should exhibit obedience to the double command of love (Matt. 22:37-39), both devotion to God and service to neighbor. 

  • Under the House Prefects, there will be offices of student leadership, specifically chaplain (who leads prayers and community service), herald (who leads cheers and brings news), scribe (who takes notes and keeps records), treasurer (who manages finances and fundraising), and ensign (who bears the standard or flag at house competitions).  

  • Faculty in the Logic and Rhetoric Schools will serve as House Advisors, offering guidance and encouragement during the weekly house meetings and monthly competitions.   

  • Faculty in the Grammar School will support the House System by attending some competitions or other events with their students.  

  • Parents will serve as liaisons to the houses of their children. 

What occurs in the House System?

  • Basecamp (house meetings): Houses will meet weekly on Thursday afternoons for a time of discipleship, culture-making, and planning of competitions and service. The House Prefect runs the meeting with support from House Advisors.  

  • Expeditions (house competitions): Houses will compete monthly on Thursday afternoons until 4:30 PM. Competitions may be academic, athletic, or artistic. 

  • House service: Houses will serve the community of ACA or beyond.  

  • House points: Administered by staff in the Logic and Rhetoric Schools, house points are used as a motivational tool, where students earn or lose points through individual and collective actions. 

  • House cup: Houses will engage in competition for the Elbert Cup, which is awarded each year to the house with the most points at Summit, an awards ceremony. Mount Elbert is the highest summit of the Rocky Mountains, the highest point in Colorado, and second-highest summit in the contiguous United States. The Elbert Cup will be proudly displayed in the school with the annual house winner’s name and year engraved to keep a record for posterity.