McAlder Campus Blog
The Super Six: CCS Seniors Earn Highest Honors
June 10, 2026
At CCS, we believe that a student’s education is about more than just earning good grades: It’s about becoming the person God has called you to be.
This year, the Class of 2026 recognizes six students (or as we like to call them, the “Super Six”) who have earned the distinction of Highest Honors, our most prestigious academic award.
We are proud to recognize Amelia Caldwell, Joeli Kramer, Brandon Ma, Peyton Metcalfe, Caleb Mitton, and Evangeline Zylstra with this award.
Earning Highest Honors is no small accomplishment. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.98 or higher while also completing at least 6.0 credits of Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, or Concurrent Credit coursework, including a minimum of 3.0 AP credits. This achievement represents years of perseverance, discipline, and a commitment to pursuing the most rigorous academic opportunities available.
Yet, what makes these six students especially remarkable is that they did FAR more than excel in the classroom.
Collectively, these students embraced nearly every aspect of the CCS experience. They challenged themselves through dual enrollment coursework, and one student even earned an Associate of Arts degree in STEM through Liberty University. They participated in choir and band performances, cross-country races, soccer games, and cheer competitions. Through it all, they made time to serve on the worship team, lead others as class officers, and contribute to the Senior Mural. They also invested in their community through the National Honor Society (NHS), and one student served as the NHS president this year!
In short, these six students didn’t just attend CCS—they fully experienced it! Their accomplishments remind us of what makes Cascade Christian Schools unique. Students do not have to choose between academics, athletics, arts, leadership, service, and faith development. Here, they can pursue all of those opportunities while being known and valued, challenged, and encouraged along the way.
The accomplishments of these six seniors reflect years of hard work, determination, and dedication to step into opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. They have distinguished themselves not only through their academic achievements but also through their leadership, character, and spiritual growth.
As they prepare for the next chapter, they leave behind a legacy that will inspire future CCS students to dream bigger, work harder, and take full advantage of everything our schools have to offer.
Congratulations to our Super Six—Amelia Caldwell, Joeli Kramer, Brandon Ma, Peyton Metcalfe, Caleb Mitton, and Evangeline Zylstra. Thank you for setting such a strong example for future CCS graduates! We cannot wait to see how God continues to use your gifts and talents as you tackle future goals and aspirations.
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Not Goodbye, Just See You Around
June 03, 2026
As I put hands on my keyboard to write this blog, I do so with a great deal of mixed emotions. This is one more of the “last time” events I am experiencing this spring, since this is the final year-end blog I will write as superintendent. That realization gives a great deal of “weightiness” to the remaining words I will choose, because I want them to be as significant and profound as possible.
When my wife and I think about our time here at Cascade Christian, the words that come to mind quickly are: honored, humbled, and extremely grateful. We are honored and humbled to have been given the opportunity to serve for twelve years (way beyond the national average) at one of the country’s premier Christian schools. And we are extremely grateful for the amazing people God has allowed us the opportunity and privilege to serve with in our time here. To all of those amazing people, which certainly includes current and past parents, we want to say a deep, heartfelt thank-you! It is hard to find the words to adequately express just how truly grateful we are. From my four years as high school principal to the past eight years as superintendent, my wife and I have been made to feel extremely known and valued. It is somewhat ironic to me that what has mattered most to me—making others feel known and valued—is what we have experienced from this community at the highest possible level.
As we transition out of the roles of superintendent and superintendent’s wife to the roles of “Papa” and “Nana” to our two grandchildren who will be in second and third grades at the McAlder Campus next year, we don’t say goodbye: We say see you around. We will still be around, just in a different capacity, which is a much lighter one for us. We also want to leave you with this blessing from Numbers 6:24–26 (NIV): “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Our deep hope and prayer for you is that you will experience God’s richest blessings in the forms of peace, hope, joy, and love. If you have those things, you have everything you need.
With deep gratitude, in His service, and for the last time,
Ken and Karen
A Year of Firsts
May 27, 2026
As I was recently searching for a photo on my phone, I found myself scrolling through memories from this past year. What started as a quick search quickly turned into a walk through so many “firsts”—first moments, first memories, first challenges, and first celebrations. As I reflected, I was filled with gratitude for all that God has done through each one.
This past week marked my first anniversary of saying “yes” to McAlder Elementary and the Cascade Christian Schools family. What an incredible first year it has been! One of my favorite firsts has been getting to know our students and families: praying over you, hearing your stories, and sharing in both joys and challenges together. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly into this community and allowing me the privilege of partnering with you.
Another special first was beginning a school year with our amazing McAlder staff. From our teachers and instructional assistants to our office, kitchen, and maintenance teams, I have had a front-row seat to witness their incredible dedication and love for students. This year gave me a firsthand look at what makes McAlder so special: a staff that serves with excellence, humility, and a genuine love for Jesus. In my 26 years in education, I can honestly say that I cannot imagine serving alongside a more dedicated and Jesus-loving staff (Another first, for sure!).
This year also brought many unexpected firsts. There was our first experience with flooding in December and the creation of “McAlder Lake” on our field. There were first chapel services filled with worship and prayer (something that never happened during my years in public education). There were first opportunities to watch students boldly step into leadership in ways that inspired our entire school.
One of my favorite firsts this year was seeing our sixth-grade girls begin Prayer at the Tree and lead our weekly All School Openings. Their courage and excitement quickly sparked a first in many of our sixth-grade boys as well, who then stepped into leadership alongside the girls. One group of boys even created a first-of-its-kind cougar trophy for our Cougar Paws award using a 3D printer.
There were so many other memorable firsts this year: our first year launching driveline, our first Grandparents Day together, the first kindergarten Q & U Wedding I’ve experienced, and the first time having pies thrown in staff members’ faces for students reaching MAP goals! Each event, big or small, became part of the story that God was writing at McAlder this year.
As we prepare to finish our first school year together, I’m reminded of Philippians 1:6 (NIV):
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
What I love about this verse is that it begins with a first—“He who BEGAN.” God is a God of beginnings. He begins a good work in His people. Every step of faith, every act of kindness, every prayer, and every moment of growth often start with a first.
And perhaps the most important first of all is the first moment someone says “yes” to Jesus. The moment we invite Him into our hearts and place our trust in Him is the moment He begins His good work in us. Maybe for some, today could be that first. The first day of walking with Jesus. The first day of knowing His love, grace, and mercy in a new way. If you have never asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life, then all you have to do is ask Him. And by His grace, He will begin a good work in YOU, making this moment the most important “first” of your life.
As we near the end of the 2025–2026 school year, my prayer is that we would continue to embrace the firsts God gives us. First opportunities to pray and serve, first moments of courage, first steps of faith and forgiveness, and first chances to love others well. Thank you for allowing me to share so many meaningful firsts with you and your children this year. It has truly been a year I will treasure!
Memories
May 20, 2026
Memories are like the best little pieces of life that we get to bring along with us. Some may make you cry, some may make you smile. Some may make you laugh, and some may even make you roll your eyes.
During first grade, I remember Polar Express Day when Mrs. Dilley and Mrs. Estep popped popcorn and made hot chocolate to go with our movie. They also dressed up for the spirit days to show us how much fun it could be. During fifth grade, I look back to how Mrs. Gill let us keep butterflies in the classroom. Then we released them in the field. In sixth grade, we all entered our first day of school knowing that it would be the last year here. We welcomed three new students this year, and now they will leave with us, too.
On my journey to sixth grade, I made lots of fun memories that I can cherish all through life and carry with me. The spiritual theme for our last year in elementary school has been Called for a Purpose. Deep down, I feel that many people this school year have been ready and patiently waiting for God to give them their calling.
I hope that, as we continue to go through life, everyone who has come to our campus will have good memories of chapel and the valuable life lessons we have learned from our speakers.
