Date of Award

Fall 2026

Document Type

Abstract

Degree Name

Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)

Department

Organizational Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. Jolene Erlacher

Second Advisor

Dr. Debra Dean

Abstract

Project Type: Business Proposal Capstone

Project Overview: CTA Academy - Christian Technology and Athletics Academy - is a proposed private Christian school designed to provide 6-12 grade students with an alternative educational pathway that integrates academic achievement, Christian formation, career preparation, athletics, wellness, and leadership development. The project responds to concerns surrounding student engagement, motivation, academic performance, limited access to affordable private education, and the separation of academic, vocational, spiritual, and athletic development within traditional educational models. CTA Academy proposes a diversified funding model, including scholarship-supported funds, college and business partnerships, donors, sponsors, and fundraisers. This model seeks to make the private holistic education accessible to families without requiring traditional tuition as the primary barrier to enrollment. The academy's educational framework consists of five integrated components: Faith  Formation, AI-Supported Mastery-Based Learning, Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Life Skills, Athletics and Wellness, and Leadership Development. The academic model incorporates personalized learning and AI-mastery-based 2-hour learning to help students progress academically while allowing educators to function as guides, mentors, tutors, and relationship-centered leaders. The CTE component provides career exploration and preparation through technology, entrepreneurship, health and wellness, skilled trades, and other potential pathways. Athletics and wellness provide opportunities for competitive sports as well as physical education, strength training, nutrition, mental wellness, and mind-body-soul development.

Project Themes: The main themes for this project include an alternative Christian holistic education, AI-mastery-based 2-hour learning, career and technical education, life skills, athletics, wellness, and leadership development.

Contributions to the Field of Leadership: CTA Academy contributes to the field of leadership by presenting an integrated leadership model in which educational leaders function as visionaries, servants, mentors, stewards, and change agents. The project demonstrates how leadership can align organizational strategy with a clearly defined mission while balancing innovation, financial sustainability, stakeholder needs, and student development. Leadership development is intentionally incorporated into the student experience so that students are prepared not only to achieve academically and professionally but also to serve others and lead with character in everyday life.

Real-world Implications: CTA Academy provides a potential model for a private Christian school that combines scholarship-supported accessibility with innovative instruction, career preparation, athletics, wellness, and faith formation. The phased implementation strategy begins with grades 6–8 and expands into grades 9–12 as enrollment, financial capacity, staffing, facilities, and student outcomes demonstrate readiness. The model provides a framework that could be adapted by educational leaders seeking to create financially sustainable, missiondriven schools responsive to the student as a whole.

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