PCA Podcasts

Eighth Grade on the Ground: PCA’s Washington, D.C. Journey

In this episode, host Mike Runey talks with Portsmouth Christian Academy U.S. History teacher Mr. Pierre-Luc Rivard and two eighth graders, Lily and Abhi, as the class of 2030 prepares to arrive in Washington, D.C. for their annual educational trip. The conversation explores how months of classroom study come alive when students visit the places where American history was made.
Guests and itinerary highlights include access to the U.S. Senate gallery (arranged with Senator Maggie Hassan), visits to the National Archives to see founding documents, the Capitol, Holocaust Museum, Korean and Vietnam memorials, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Arlington National Cemetery with a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown, the Spy Museum, and the Air and Space Museum.
Key themes are the transition from learning about events in class to encountering them in person, the emotional impact of memorials and museums (especially the Holocaust Museum), and the way physical spaces—monuments, architecture, and artifacts—help students connect more deeply to the Constitution, founding documents, and wartime sacrifice.
Mr. Rivard emphasizes civic formation: history as training for leadership, decision-making, and gratitude. The episode also touches on the upcoming American 250th (semi-quincentennial), reflections on faith and the visible role of God and Christian heritage in U.S. history, and how the trip reinforces the freedoms that allow open religious practice.
Lily and Abhi describe what they most look forward to (the National Archives, seeing Congress in action, and the Holocaust Museum) and what representing PCA means to them—showing respectful, Christ-like behavior and being curious, engaged visitors. The hosts encourage parents to ask students about what they learn and how they see God at work in history.
Overall, listeners can expect a thoughtful preview of a formative middle school experience: a mix of logistics and sneak-peek highlights, heartfelt student reflections, teacher perspectives on learning and leadership, and a call to connect family conversations to students’ on-the-ground discoveries in the nation’s capital.

New Pet Policy & Spring Safety: What PCA Families Need to Know

Join Mike and Steve Howe, PCAs Director of Operations, for a timely spring safety update as campus activity ramps up. This episode covers key policy changes, on-the-ground concerns, and ways families can partner with the school to keep students safe during the busiest season of the year.We explain the updated animals-on-campus policy: unauthorized pets (including dogs) are no longer allowed at PCA events. The episode details how the change will be communicated (signage at fields and entryways), how staff will handle incidents (gentle reminders from school employees), and what parents should do if they spot a pet on campus (notify a school official rather than confronting the owner). Exceptions for service animals and a process for education-focused exceptions are described, with a typical response timeline of about a week.Traffic and parking safety is a major focus: increased spring foot and vehicle traffic from track and baseball activities means a renewed emphasis on obeying speed limits, coming to complete stops, and watching for students. Steve outlines short-term measures already in place (flashing lights and reminder signage) and plans to reinstall speed bumps after spring break to slow traffic in the loop and parking areas.The conversation also covers trails and outdoor use of campus: reminders to stay on school property, respect neighboring property lines, and pick up after yourselves. Steve highlights common outdoor hazards families might encounter on the trails, such as bees and other stinging insects, skunks, and porcupines, and encourages caution in more remote areas that are not actively treated.Learn about Eagle Watch, PCAs volunteer safety team: their role as an extra set of eyes, duties (monitoring campus access, checking doors, following security protocols), training and background screening, and flexible scheduling. Steve invites community members to join (they currently need two to three more volunteers) and explains how to sign up: call the school receptionist to be routed to Steve, find his email on the website, or contact Volunteer Coordinator Summer Heath.Closing the episode, Mike and Steve thank the PCA community for their partnership, encourage everyone to "see something, say something," and remind listeners that these measures are about care and stewardship of students. Expect practical updates, clear next steps, and ways to get involved to help keep PCA safe this spring.

Resurrection & Repair: Teaching Kids to Own Their Mistakes

Good afternoon, PCA families. In this episode a member of PCA leadership (Head of School/Campus Leader) delivers a post‑Easter message that ties the theological truths of Good Friday and the resurrection to the everyday work of parenting and school life. The speaker reflects on how the cross and the empty tomb make honest responsibility and extending grace possible for children and families.The episode covers the realities of living in community: friction, misunderstandings, and real hurt that can show up in hallways, group chats, teams, and friendships. Concrete examples are used to illustrate how conflict often looks and how it can quietly change relationships even after apologies are offered.Key points include the distinction between when a child has hurt someone and when a child has been hurt, and the different kinds of formation each situation requires. The host explains why courage, ownership, and meaningful restitution (not merely an apology) are essential for character formation, and why naming loss and creating healthy boundaries are part of true healing for the wounded.The episode outlines PCA’s approach: teachers, coaches, mentors, and advisors partnering with parents to cultivate character over time rather than merely managing behavior. It emphasizes age‑appropriate expectations, the long arc of formation, and practical help for parents navigating this difficult terrain.Finally, the message roots this work in Christian hope: without the cross and the resurrection, repair and grace would be either too costly or too heavy—but because of Easter, children can come clean, receive forgiveness, and be healed. The leader closes with reassurance of the school’s commitment to families, a benediction, and an invitation to continue this work together in faith.

Beyond the Classroom: PCA Students' Transformative Mission in Puerto Rico

In this episode of Mondays with Mike, three PCA juniors—Alex Child, Brooke Leger, and Riley Tuttle—join the host to reflect on a winter-break missions trip to Puerto Rico. They describe serving local communities, participating in Spanish-language worship, and building cross-cultural relationships that challenged and expanded their understanding of faith and service.
Topics include the power of worship (Alex recalls a moving Spanish service), bold acts of compassion (Brooke and a friend praying for and giving a bracelet to a woman they met), and witnessing young leadership and vulnerability (an underclassman, Aris, leading a powerful reflection). The students discuss practical challenges too: language barriers, navigating fast Puerto Rican Spanish, moments of illness and recovery, and the awkward—but growth-filled—conversations that followed when they pushed past comfort zones.
Key takeaways focus on spiritual growth and everyday application: the trip deepened the students’ sense of mission, made faith more personal and bold, and showed how receiving joy from others can be as impactful as giving it. The conversation highlights how classroom learning (like Spanish study) meets real-world practice and how encounters with real needs shape character, empathy, and leadership.
Listeners will hear honest stories of vulnerability—losing confidence, finding rest, and discovering new courage to speak, pray, and serve—and be invited to carry the lessons home. The episode closes with two family conversation prompts: share an experience that changed how you see other people, and reflect on how faith shapes your response to people in need.

Beyond the Scoreboard: Lessons from PCA’s Winter Athletes

Hello PCA families — Join PCA’s winter student-athletes as they reflect on a season of competition, growth, and faith. In this episode, host interviews four athletes: Emma (sophomore swimmer who qualified for State on her first event), Josie (sophomore swimmer and State competitor), Ava (senior basketball player who broke the school’s all-time scoring record), and Catarina (senior winter track athlete who ran relays at States).The conversation covers season highlights — from team camaraderie and unforgettable moments (like a playoff-team hug on an opposing court and back-to-back relay teamwork at States) to the excitement of qualifying for and competing at State meets. The athletes describe what made their seasons memorable and how teammates from different programs train together in club and high school arrangements.Key themes include discipline, perseverance, leadership, and mindset. The swimmers talk about the relentless focus on times and personal improvement, setting goals, and learning to be intentional in training. Captains discuss leading by example, meeting teammates where they are emotionally, and protecting team culture when negativity arises. The basketball and track perspectives highlight building culture, celebrating progress, and responding to fatigue and long seasons with joy.The episode also addresses practical challenges: heavy time commitments, balancing academics with long practices and tournaments, and navigating pressure and disappointment. The students share strategies for time management, leaning on teammates and family, and grounding identity in faith rather than performance.Listeners will hear faith-centered reflections on competition — how representing Christ shapes conduct on the court and how joy, community, and perspective help athletes through tough days. The episode closes with encouragement for younger students to try a sport, and a call for parents to ask their athletes what they’ve learned when things are hard.Tune in for an honest, uplifting look at how PCA athletes grow through winter competition — in skill, character, and community. Go Eagles!

From Stage to State: PCA Students Shine at the NH Theater Festival

Happy Monday, PCA community. In this episode we sit down with three students who took part in the New Hampshire Educational Theater Guild’s 2026 Festival — Viola (senior actor and set designer), Sarah (9th-grade actor and costume assistant), and Richard (10th-grade lighting designer). Over a tight, competitive weekend their ensemble of about a dozen students prepared, performed, and struck a one-act play under strict five-minute set/strike rules and adjudication across acting, design, and tech.
The conversation walks listeners through the rehearsal timeline, the stress and triumph of a misplaced prop box that almost derailed their performance, and the practical problem-solving that made the show work — from using magnets and fishing line to hang set elements to teaching other schools how to busk lighting at an impromptu dance. Richard describes designing lighting to distinguish three time periods and heighten dramatic beats; Viola discusses her abstract, paper-based set that literalizes the show’s themes of overlapping stories; and Sarah explains costume choices across eras (2001, 2014, and a near-future 2039) and the joy of collaborating on wardrobe.
We hear how the actors built characters they’d never lived — a grieving mother, long-time friends, and intergenerational relationships — by mining the script, creating backstories, and developing ensemble "family groups." They reflect on learning empathy through performance, growing closer as a cast, and the emotional payoff of presenting difficult topics like loss and divorce with care and nuance.
The students also talk about representing a Christian school among largely secular programs: how they aimed to "shine God’s light" through humility and service, how that identity was sometimes felt by others, and how they chose to respond with love, support, and collaboration. Their work earned recognition at the festival — including an adjudicated lighting/tech award and acting honors — and the ensemble advances to the state competition in early April.
Highlights include memorable backstage moments, the camaraderie forged under pressure, practical lessons in lighting and design learned through trial-and-error, and the leadership shown by students helping peers from other schools. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how thoughtful interpretation, technical discipline, and teamwork bring a story to life onstage.
Listeners can expect personal anecdotes from cast and crew, concrete examples of design and tech choices, reflections on faith and representation, and questions to ponder with family or community: What stories have helped you understand people more deeply, and how do your beliefs shape that understanding? We close by celebrating the students’ growth and wishing them well as they head to state.

Read-a-Thon Revelations: PCA Kids Share Their Favorite Books & Tips

Join PCA's read-a-thon recap featuring four enthusiastic students—Xander, Quinn, Timothy, and Sarah—and Mrs. Donna Collins, the lower school librarian. In this episode they celebrate a month-long read-a-thon that engaged students across grades, with hundreds of books read and thousands of minutes logged. Listeners will hear students share favorite series and genres (Dragon Masters, Warriors, Narnia, Greek mythology, mysteries, picture books), personal reading spots (couches, under a Lego shelf, beds, cars), and why they love certain books.Mrs. Collins explains the read-a-thon format and goals: exploring new genres with a reading map and strengthening library skills through the Dewey Decimal System so students can find books by topic. The conversation highlights how the event fosters a culture of reading—building stamina, forming habits, and making books accessible at home and at school. Practical tips from the kids and librarian include setting aside daily reading time, keeping books nearby, trying different genres, and using public and school libraries (including interlibrary loan) to expand options.Expect candid student stories—big reading goals smashed, late-night reading sprints, series binges, and the joy of getting lost in a book—alongside librarian insights about cultivating lifelong readers, the value of nonfiction alongside fiction, and how librarians act as guides to the collection. This episode is a warm, encouraging look at how family routines, school support, and good library stewardship come together to nurture a love of reading.

Teachers at the Heart: How PCA Shapes Students for Life

This episode is a heartfelt address from Mike Runey about the central role teachers play in a Christian school community. There are no external guests — it’s a solo message that reflects on memorable teachers, the daily influence of educators, and why investing in teachers matters for students’ formation.
Topics covered include the personal attention teachers give students, the importance of challenging students to grow, and the five key ingredients of great teaching: deep subject knowledge, clear expectations, thoughtful feedback, real relationships, and a faith that informs classroom life. The episode emphasizes that many pivotal learning moments don’t appear on a transcript but shape who students become.
The episode also explores how Christian education links faith, learning, character, and calling — showing that faith is not an add-on but a shaping perspective for teaching and learning. It highlights teachers as shepherds of classroom communities where each student both receives and contributes, and describes how strong classroom culture helps students learn to think, listen, speak, and serve together.
Practical initiatives are discussed, including PCA’s intentional teacher development and coaching program, efforts to retain and support faculty, and encouraging retention statistics (average teacher tenure rising from about six to just over eight years even as the faculty grew from ~45 to nearly 60). The speaker names several teachers as examples of those beginning, sustaining, and advancing their careers at PCA.
The episode closes with gratitude for teachers and parents, a call to continue building a school where teachers can flourish, and a rallying cry for the next 1,000 graduates — underscoring the conviction that when teachers grow, students flourish in spirit, mind, and body.

Where Our Graduates Go: College, Career & Calling — PCA Outcomes Revealed

Hey, PCA families. This is Mike and it's Monday and you and I should all be on vacation by the time you're hearing this. I'm here with Jordan Heckelmann, our upper school principal. In this episode Mike and Jordan close out a deep dive from the State of the School series and focus on what our recent graduates are doing and how PCA is preparing the next 1,000 grads.
We review data from the classes of 2023–2025: over 100 seniors from the accepted to over 200 colleges and matriculated to over 50 different two‑ and four‑year institutions. Nine of ten of these graduates pursued immediate post‑secondary education — well above the national average — while other alumni have faithfully entered trades, military service, careers, and mission work.
Key themes include discerning the right fit (academic, spiritual, social, athletic, and financial), the difference between selectivity and quality, and how PCA helps students apply intentionally rather than scattershotting. Jordan and Mike discuss selectivity bands and how acceptance rates line up with students' profiles, the growing importance of SAT/ACT preparation (now built into the junior program), and how standardized tests remain influential in admissions decisions.
Faith formation after graduation is a major focus: many alumni continue in Christian settings, others join vibrant ministries on secular campuses, and PCA encourages all graduates to plug into church and small groups as soon as possible. The episode highlights stories of alumni leading Bible studies, serving as RAs, organizing worship events, and staying connected to PCA mentors during difficult seasons.
Practical takeaways for families: begin thinking early about fit and finances; invest in meaningful test and college preparation; partner with PCA's college & career guidance team for discernment; and know that trades, missions, and immediate workforce entry are honored and supported pathways. The school’s mission and vision — to honor God and produce Christ‑centered graduates who impact the world for good — remain central as PCA walks with families through each student's faithful next step.
To wrap up, Mike and Jordan offer encouragement that PCA will continue to support students toward the right next steps for them and their families, celebrating a variety of post‑graduation paths and the ongoing spiritual and relational formation that enables alumni to impact the world for good.

Data as a Flashlight: How PCA Uses Assessments to Guide Growth

In this State of the School follow-up episode recorded around President's Day 2026, the host sits down with Dr. Carrie Booth, Lower School Principal, to explain how Providence Christian Academy uses assessment data to inform instruction without letting numbers define students. They frame data as a “flashlight” — a focused tool that illuminates where learners are at a moment in time and guides next instructional steps.The conversation covers the primary assessment tools PCA relies on: the NWEA MAP (referred to on campus as NEWA) for reading and math and its RIT scoring system, DIBELS for K–2 foundational literacy, and how adaptive testing reveals readiness for specific skills. Dr. Booth and the host give concrete classroom examples — from third-grade small-group planning to shifting the sequence of math curriculum — showing how teachers analyze trends to tailor instruction and support growth.They also describe how data is used across the whole program: benchmark tracking in preschool through Teaching Strategies Gold, participation and programmatic measures in athletics and fine arts, and upper-school indicators like AP exam results, PSAT/SAT scores, online and dual-enrollment performance. The hosts emphasize longitudinal tracking and team conversations at grade, subject, and administrative levels to spot patterns and inform program decisions.Key takeaways for listeners are clear: assessments are snapshots, not labels; the priority is student growth and whole-child formation; and PCA aims to partner with parents in interpreting results. The episode closes with encouragement to view reports as one piece of information, a reminder that each data point represents a child the school is committed to shepherding, and a note that the next episode will feature Mr. Jordan Hackleman discussing recent PCA graduate outcomes.