SMLCA House System

The House System at Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy is built upon these five pillars:

heart, soul, mind, strength, and love.

Our pillars come together to create faith-filled young people striving towards a common purpose. These goals are influenced by the school verse:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31).

With these pillars in mind, the House System exists to further the missions and ministry of the school by working to:

  • Integrate faith more fully into community life

  • Enable students to grow academically, spiritually, and socially

  • Provide greater pastoral care by integrating students into a support system

  • Equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for them to provide effective leadership

  • Promote unity among students and growth of relationships between grade levels

  • Inspire academic excellence and development of each individual’s gifts and talents

  • Nurture a vibrant school spirit

  • George W. Carver

    Scientist / Inventor

  • Elisabeth Elliot

    Author / Missionary

  • C. S. Lewis

    Author / Theologian

  • Noah Webster

    Author / Lexicographer

How are points awarded?

  • Service - Heart

    Serving at Church

    Serving at Community Events

    Serving at School-sponsored Events

    Road Project

  • Competitions - Soul

    Spirit Competitions

    Lunch Competitions

    Fall Olympics

    Spring Olympics

  • Academics - Mind

    Attendance

    Grades

    Mr. & Ms. SMLCA

    Ring of Honor

  • Athletics & Arts - Strength

    Athletic Participation

    Arts Participation

    Event Attendance

Cup winners

Combined

2019 — Webster House

2020 — Webster House

2021 — Lewis House

2022 — Lewis House

2023 — Carver House

Junior High

2024 — Lewis House (JH)

High School

2024 — Lewis House (HS)

House FAQ

  • Utilized by Elementary Junior and high schools across the United States in addition to having been established in 1930 at Harvard University and at other institutions of higher learning such as CalTech, Yale, University of Notre Dame, University of Chicago, Oxford, and Cambridge Universities. The house system cultivates a familial atmosphere across grade levels, thus contributing to an overall more positive school culture.

  • Administration places each incoming 6th-12th grade student into a house at the time of their enrollment. Students will remain in their designated house until graduation.

    You may not choose your house.

  • Each house can design and sell its own merchandise. Contact your house dean to find out more.

  • While it may happen in some cases, you will not necessarily be in the same house as a family member.

  • There will be no awards per quarter. The overall annual winner will receive an award to be announced later in the year.

  • No, the junior high and high school houses, while connected in name, compete and obtain points independently of each other. JH and HS are not connected.

  • To learn more, view the official SMLCA house handbook here