Life at Carden
Uniforms
Uniforms are worn by all students starting from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8. Students must wear the approved Carden Academy of Santa Clara uniform unless it is a Free Dress or Special Dress Day, which are scheduled and outlined by the administration. Uniforms can be purchased from Merry Mart, located at 33 Washington Street in Santa Clara, or through their website at www.merrymartuniforms.com.
Hot Lunch
The hot lunch program at Carden Academy is provided by Choice Lunch, a leading hot lunch provider for a number of schools in the Bay Area. www.choicelunch.com is the online tool where parents can conveniently select lunches from a wide daily selection of delicious meals, both hot and cold. Milk-only service is also available.
After School Activities
Carden Academy offers a wide variety of optional after-school enrichment classes and activities including athletics, language, art, and music enrichment. The cost and grade level availability varies for each activity. All classes take place on site at Carden Academy. Please refer to the After School Activities section of our website for more details.
Library
The on-campus Library is maintained for the use of all students attending Carden Academy, with the purpose of providing reference and recreational reading opportunities for the students. In addition, the library offers classes in proper use of library resources and library science. Several times a year, the library hosts Scholastic Book Fairs where students and their families can purchase best-selling books, arts & crafts, and software.
Field Trips
Throughout the school year, all grade levels take several age-appropriate field trips off-campus via charter bus or parent drivers. Destinations have included the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Sunnyvale Community Theatre productions, Hidden Villa Farm in Los Altos, and Raging Waters in San Jose. Fifth and Sixth Graders participate in a two or three-night outdoor science trip with parent chaperones. Seventh Graders travel on a four-night outdoor science trip to Catalina Island and the Catalina Island Marine Institute. Eighth Graders are invited to travel to Washington D.C. to visit the White House, the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress, and other sites.
National Junior Honor Society
Membership is open to qualified Seventh and Eighth Graders who meet academic and citizenship requirements and reflect excellence in leadership, service, and character.
Music and Drama Performances
Each year, the entire school participates in the annual Holiday program, performing musical numbers in costume for their parents and fellow students. In the spring, Eighth Graders rehearse and perform a play open to the public but requiring ticket purchase. An annual Talent Show and an International Festival offer students of all ages opportunities to share their individual talents with the Carden Family.
Art and Science Exhibits
Each year, students present an annual Art Show on campus with an evening reception featuring artwork from all classes representing a multitude of mediums and themes. The annual Science Fair occurs in the spring, where students exhibit their research findings on thoughtful scientific topics.
Spelling and Geography Bees
Carden students have qualified as local finalists in both the Scripps Spelling Bee and the National Geography Bee which occurs in December.
After School Athletics
Carden Academy participates in competitive athletics played against other schools, including boys and girls basketball, volleyball, boys flag football, and girls softball.
Festivals and Events
Friends of Carden hosts several large festivals and events throughout the school year that are open to all students, staff, and their families. These events take place both on and off campus, and include bouncy houses, food booths, arts & crafts, movies, and general fun. The Annual Crab & Pasta Feed in the spring is the largest fundraising event each year and includes a silent auction funded by parent and student donations.
Safety Patrol
Fifth Graders are required to participate in the Santa Clara City Safety Patrol Program. Students will be required to serve from half an hour before school starts to fifteen minutes after school ends assisting with drop-off and pick-up traffic flow. A faculty member coordinates the program in conjunction with a member of the Santa Clara Police Department.
School Dances
Grades 6 through 8 are invited to several school dances throughout the year on the Carden campus. Parent chaperones are present. Dance guidelines for students are detailed in the Student Handbook.
Student Government
Student Council is an excellent opportunity for students to play an active role in improving their communities, both at school and in the greater community. The Student Council hosts community events such as Second Harvest Food Drives, Pennies for Patients with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Breast Cancer Awareness week with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Elections for Student Council take place towards the beginning of each school year at the Middle School level. Students campaign and hold election speeches, and positions include President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Homeroom Representatives. The council meets once a week with a faculty advisor.
Uniforms
Uniforms are worn by all students starting from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8. Students must wear the approved Carden Academy of Santa Clara uniform unless it is a Free Dress or Special Dress Day, which are scheduled and outlined by the administration. Uniforms can be purchased from Merry Mart, located at 33 Washington Street in Santa Clara, or through their website at www.merrymartuniforms.com.
Hot Lunch
The hot lunch program at Carden Academy is provided by Choice Lunch, a leading hot lunch provider for a number of schools in the Bay Area. www.choicelunch.com is the online tool where parents can conveniently select lunches from a wide daily selection of delicious meals, both hot and cold. Milk-only service is also available.
After School Activities
Carden Academy offers a wide variety of optional after-school enrichment classes and activities including athletics, language, art, and music enrichment. The cost and grade level availability varies for each activity. All classes take place on site at Carden Academy. Please refer to the After School Activities section of our website for more details.
Library
The on-campus Library is maintained for the use of all students attending Carden Academy, with the purpose of providing reference and recreational reading opportunities for the students. In addition, the library offers classes in proper use of library resources and library science. Several times a year, the library hosts Scholastic Book Fairs where students and their families can purchase best-selling books, arts & crafts, and software.
Field Trips
Throughout the school year, all grade levels take several age-appropriate field trips off-campus via charter bus or parent drivers. Destinations have included the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Sunnyvale Community Theatre productions, Hidden Villa Farm in Los Altos, and Raging Waters in San Jose. Fifth and Sixth Graders participate in a two or three-night outdoor science trip with parent chaperones. Seventh Graders travel on a four-night outdoor science trip to Catalina Island and the Catalina Island Marine Institute. Eighth Graders are invited to travel to Washington D.C. to visit the White House, the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress, and other sites.
National Junior Honor Society
Membership is open to qualified Seventh and Eighth Graders who meet academic and citizenship requirements and reflect excellence in leadership, service, and character.
Music and Drama Performances
Each year, the entire school participates in the annual Holiday program, performing musical numbers in costume for their parents and fellow students. In the spring, Eighth Graders rehearse and perform a play open to the public but requiring ticket purchase. An annual Talent Show and an International Festival offer students of all ages opportunities to share their individual talents with the Carden Family.
Art and Science Exhibits
Each year, students present an annual Art Show on campus with an evening reception featuring artwork from all classes representing a multitude of mediums and themes. The annual Science Fair occurs in the spring, where students exhibit their research findings on thoughtful scientific topics.
Spelling and Geography Bees
Carden students have qualified as local finalists in both the Scripps Spelling Bee and the National Geography Bee which occurs in December.
After School Athletics
Carden Academy participates in competitive athletics played against other schools, including boys and girls basketball, volleyball, boys flag football, and girls softball.
Festivals and Events
Friends of Carden hosts several large festivals and events throughout the school year that are open to all students, staff, and their families. These events take place both on and off campus, and include bouncy houses, food booths, arts & crafts, movies, and general fun. The Annual Crab & Pasta Feed in the spring is the largest fundraising event each year and includes a silent auction funded by parent and student donations.
Safety Patrol
Fifth Graders are required to participate in the Santa Clara City Safety Patrol Program. Students will be required to serve from half an hour before school starts to fifteen minutes after school ends assisting with drop-off and pick-up traffic flow. A faculty member coordinates the program in conjunction with a member of the Santa Clara Police Department.
School Dances
Grades 6 through 8 are invited to several school dances throughout the year on the Carden campus. Parent chaperones are present. Dance guidelines for students are detailed in the Student Handbook.
Student Government
Student Council is an excellent opportunity for students to play an active role in improving their communities, both at school and in the greater community. The Student Council hosts community events such as Second Harvest Food Drives, Pennies for Patients with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Breast Cancer Awareness week with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Elections for Student Council take place towards the beginning of each school year at the Middle School level. Students campaign and hold election speeches, and positions include President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Homeroom Representatives. The council meets once a week with a faculty advisor.