The purpose of this trip is to give freshmen an opportunity for bonding and shared experiences as they enter their high school career.

Please see special events dress code for guidance on what to wear. This is a "no phones" event.

This year's SoR retreat will be Plains Baptist Assembly near Floydada.

We will leave the afternoon of Sunday, September 13th, and return around lunchtime on Tuesday, September 15th.

See dress code below for guidance on what to wear. This is a "no phones" event.

Wear KPA Student Congress tops or a uniform top and nice jeans or pants.

Please refer to the non-uniform dress code when you are choosing your spirit week attire.

SoR students are allowed to dress up in spirit week gear every day of the week. If they are not in a spirit week outfit, they need to wear the regular uniform for that day.

Upper school teachers are encouraged to dress up according to the spirit week days, as well.

SoL students may dress up for Friday of spirit week OR wear KPA jeans and a t-shirt on that day.

Grammar school students may wear KPA jeans and a t-shirt on the Friday of spirit week.

Houses will also create large posters for the commons, and the winning house will receive house points.

Basketball pep rally at the end of the week

The eighth grade banquet is paid for by the eighth grade class with class account funds. See this link for an estimate of funds needed for this event and what they are used for.

The KPA Student Life Director will plan the following:

• Working with 8th grade room parents to secure a venue

• Working with 8th grade room parents to secure a caterer

• Coordinate with 8th grade discipleship teacher to have students vote on character awards

• Order character awards for students

• Secure speakers for the event (usually one faculty member, and 8th grade discipleship teacher presents character awards)

• Create 8th grade slideshow (10-15 photos of each student plus photos of the class)

• Create digital invitation and program; provide to room mom for printing

• Provide and set up A/V equipment for the banquet if none is available at venue

• Design & order 8th grade shirts

8th grade parent responsibilities:

• Raise enough funds to cover all aspects of the banquet & after-party

• Provide slideshow photos to Student Life Director by deadlines provided

• Plan the after-party

Student ambassadors arrive at 6:00 for dinner

All leaders stay until 8:30ish

The purpose of this event is for Student Congress members to plan with their teams, pray over the year, and cast a vision for the Upper School.

Please click on this link to see the guidelines set forth by the KPA administration for the Senior Retreat.

During the Junior/Senior banquet, the Obduco Lampus (passing of the torch) ceremony takes place, where the seniors pass the torch of leadership to the juniors and give them a charge.

Juniors offer the seniors words of encouragement and a blessing. The junior class gives the seniors a small gift.

One senior is also presented with the Senior Service Award, nominated by KPA faculty.

Junior parents set up and decorate for the banquet. The junior/senior after party is planned by the junior class and their parents as a gift to the seniors.

KPA covers the cost of the venue, food, photographer, and $500 towards decor.

The junior class pays for the after party and gifts for the seniors.

Student Congress members will also be honored for their service, and the new Student Congress members for the following year are announced during the ceremony.

Then we will come back to school to assist Mr. Larry in giving the school a good spring cleaning.

Submit your service hours here.

Servant, Visionary, Self-Motivated, Encouraging

The Head of House has a heart for bringing people together. He/she is an includer at heart, with excellent planning and communication skills. 

-Sets an example of Christian character for his/her House in both word and deed.
-Leads the House in the vision and implementation of the House’s mission goal.
-Encourages and empowers House leadership and House Membership to serve the KPA community to the greatest of their gifting.

Responsibilities:
Responsibilities of the House Head include, but are not limited to:

• Provide a welcome gift to new house members at house induction (a small goodie bag with items that are the house color)

• Conduct house meetings during lunch (once a month) 

• Meet with Student Life Director at least 1-2 times a month to ensure goals are being met/troubleshoot any issues

• Communicate with all house members on a regular basis, keeping everyone apprised of upcoming events

• Design house apparel for house members to order

• Plan one house game for School of Rhetoric retreat + one house game during the school year

House Tenant (one per house): 

Helpful, organized, accommodating

The House Tenant plays an integral role in assisting the House Head in every area associated with house leadership.
-Aid and advise the House Head in both vision and implementation of mission goals.
-Work closely with the House Membership to ensure House unity. Therefore, the House Tenant exists as a liaison between the House Leadership and the House Membership
-Take responsibilities of the House Head if /when they are unable, for whatever reason, to fulfill their duties

Responsibilities:
See House Head responsibilities. The House Head and tenant work closely together to ensure all goals for their house are met. 

2025-2026 house members

Ella Bridges

Garner Canada  

Blakely Farmer

Hunter Gutierrez

Brasher Henry

Max Humphreys

Kallie Lampe  

Aubrey Ridenour

Aiden Sheets

Avery West 

Jacob Farmer

Jude Crutchfield

Camden Smith

Austin Massey

Jaylen Dutkowsky-Cross

Selah Wilcox

Lauren Mitchell

Ella Young

2025-2026 house members

Lily Baier

Kalen Clark 

Max Crews

David Dowell 

Mattea Edwards

Jaten Hataway

Savannah Hoover 

Greenli Horton 

Regan Jordan 

Amelia Oliver

Kate Poe

Anastasia Redmond

Lincoln Riddle

Lilly Vazquez 

Olivia Vazquez

TJ Williams

Hogan Riddle

2025-2026 house members:

Brody Barcheers

Lahna Gabel 

William Graves  

Garrett Holtzman

Michael Jonas 

Autumn Lovett

Ezra Montandon

Libby Nicholson 

Reese Ramsey

Lily Scarborough 

Jax Shepherd

Cooper Solberg 

Braxton Van Wettering

Brylee Van Wettering

Adalynn Graves

Blake Ramsey

Ellie Brown

Laurel Groomer

2025-2026 house members:

Carrigan Crockett 

Tinsley Drake

Libby Franklin

Isaac Martens 

Ava Minne

David Pendergrass

Mikayla Reno

Trevyn Sheppard

Abi Towell

Lydia Towell

Ava Grace Wright

Ethan Brooks

Kuyper Hirmas

Jude Brown

Landree Hall

Mason Rogers

Hutch Overton

• Winter Party

• Spirit Weeks

• work with athletic booster club to help with Homecoming events

• work with Spirit Squad coach to help with pep rallies and work around pep rally themes when planning dress-up days

• Powder puff football game

• Etc.

Submit your service hour forms here.

Thomas Chalmers was a versatile man, brilliant student, and lauded mathematician who brought vital change to impoverished Scotland in the 1800s. He journeyed the path from self-sufficiency to Christ-sufficiency. This visionary man understood the importance of Christ-like virtue and sought to edify the Church in his native Scotland.

Motto: PROCEDITE REGNUM (Advance the Kingdom)

Verse: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

Traits: Versatile. Virtuous. Vital. Visionary.

Meaning behind the House Shield:

Horizon – represents the need to have a Kingdom vision.

Trinity symbol – represent the versatility that Chalmers’ life displayed due to the holistic work of the gospel in his life.

Scottish St. Andrew’s Cross – honors his native land of Scotland.

Green, the color of life – represents versatility that Chalmers displayed as a lauded mathematician and an eloquent pastor.

Yellow, the color of joy – represents the bright vision of those who follow Christ.

White, the color of purity – signifies that Chalmers sought to be virtuous in all areas of life.

William Wilberforce may be considered one of the most powerful men in England during the 19th century. Addressing the horrors of slavery, this passionate man persisted until his purpose was accomplished. Ultimately, his efforts led to the abolition of slave trade in his country. Christians can learn from his example to passionately war against the strongholds of sin today.

Motto: LIBERTAS (Liberty)

Verse: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

Traits: Purposeful.  Powerful.  Persistent.  Passionate.

House Shield Symbols:

Quill–represents the winsome nature of Wilberforce’s passionate rhetoric.

Shackles–represent the purposeful persistence it took to break the sinful patterns of slavery.

Crown–represents the God given power of Wilberforce’s position.

Red, white and blue–the colors of the Union Jack which honor the United Kingdom, his native country

Red–the color of blood, reminds us that blood was spent over slavery and of the great persistent passion of Wilberforce as he continued to fight against slavery until his death

White–the color of purity, represents the purpose of Wilberforce.  Not fame, nor glory, but for human life to be honored as sacred because of the Creator’s value of life.

Blue–the color of sadness, reminds us of the despair that Wilberforce went through in his fight against slavery.

Eric Liddell was born in China, the same place he would humbly die after returning as a missionary later in life. This hard-working Scotsman was a national hero, winning the 400-meter race during the 1924 Olympics. However, this was not the most incredible act of heroism.  Because all non-nationals were considered enemies, he was placed in a Chinese internment camp. He continued to faithfully serve others in the camp until his death, even giving up his opportunity to leave prison to another woman and her unborn child.

Motto: AUDIUMENTO DEI (With God’s Help)

Verse: Psalm 60:12 “With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.”

Traits: Hard-working.  Honorable.  Humble.  Heroic.

House Shield Symbols:

The Great Wall of China- represents the hard-work that is part of a Kingdom focused life.  Many of the choices that Liddell made were not easy ones when pride is involved. However, for Liddell, these were easy decisions.  He valued honoring God more than perceived success.

Thistle–represents Liddell’s humility.  While he was an incredible athlete, Liddell’s greatest determination was to be a true hero.  His humility was evident as he chose not to run his best event in the 1924 Olympics, due to the preliminary heat for the race taking place on a Sunday.  This lifestyle continued as he died in an internment camp in China after giving up the chance to be released so that a pregnant woman would be released instead.

Laurels–Traditionally, these are awarded as the victor’s crown.  This was a prestigious honor bestowed upon both athletic and poetic competitors in ancient times.  Liddell not only received the victor’s crown in the 1924 Olympics but the way in which he finished his life, for the sake of the gospel, reminds us that the truest honor is found in faithfulness to Christ.

Red and white–colors of the flag of China, Liddell’s country of birth and death.

Red–the color of might, reminds us of the heroic manner in which Liddell sacrificed his own glory and ultimately his life for others.

Green–the color of  honor in the Highlands of Scotland, reminds us not only of the value of earthly honor but also of the ultimate eternal honor of “…well done my good and faithful servant”. (Mt. 25:23)

White–the color of authenticity, represents the heroism that Liddell displayed throughout hardships.

Corrie ten Boom and her family sympathetically shouldered an incredible responsibility during the Second World War. Seeing the despicable rule of Nazi Germany, this family would not stand by idly. They were steadfast in their resolve to honor God and preserve life. Hiding Jews led to the whole ten Boom family being sent to a concentration camp. Four of the five members of the ten Boom family did not survive the war. Corrie, the sole survivor, showed the true character of her family in her life after the war by teaching others about forgiveness.

Motto: CHRISTUM FACIAM LUCRUM (Gain Christ)

Verse: “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8

Traits: Steadfast.  Selfless.  Sympathetic.  Spirited.

House Shield Symbols:

Giving hands–represent Corrie’s sacrificial offering of herself to others.  She exemplified this as her family hid Jews during the early years of the war, then in the concentration camps, caring for others who came out of the war and finally as she forgave those who had been part of her persecution.

Tulip–represents Corrie ten Boom’s native country, Holland.  It is also reminiscent of the vision that Corrie’s sister, Betsie, had before she died of a safe place for people who had endured the concentration camps of Nazi Germany to be restored after the war.  In the vision she saw a place with window boxes full of flowers.  Even in the deep darkness of a concentration camp these women were sympathetic towards others who had faced hardships of the war.

Needlepoint–represents one of Corrie’s famous thoughts that God is the “Master Weaver” who sees the beautiful side of the tapestry that He is weaving while we often just see the messy underside.  This steadfast trust in God is characteristic of Corrie’s life.

Orange–the color of royalty for the Dutch, reminds us of the Kingdom heritage that God’s children possess. It also honor the Dutch heritage of the ten Boom family.

Green–the color of life, reminds us of the tenacity of the ten Boom spirit.

White–the color of peace, represents the opposition that Corrie faced. There were times of peace and times of war.  Yet, Corrie and her family, remained steadfast because they were found in Christ.

At house induction, incoming freshmen and anyone new to the KPA School of Rhetoric is inducted into one of four houses: Liddell, Ten Boom, Chalmers, or Wilberforce.

Once the eldest sibling in a family is inducted into a house, every subsequent sibling is considered a "legacy" and will be inducted into the same house when they enter SoR.

All Student Congress members (ambassadors & house leaders) are recognized and commissioned during this ceremony.

A cake & punch reception follows the ceremony.

Please see special events dress code below for guidance on what to wear.

• Girls will be expected to be in a modest dress (formal dresses are not required) or  pant suit. For these events, please do not wear jeans, sweats, tennis shoes, sandals,  etc. Let’s keep them special. 

• All banquet dresses must be approved in person by upper school administration  no less than three weeks before the event to give time for alterations, etc.

• No backless dresses (the back must be high enough to at least cover bra strap) or  plunging fronts (no cleavage). 

• Dresses should not be cropped (exposing midriff) or have “cut outs” or  transparent fabric. 

• While strapless dresses are not allowed, dresses that have off-shoulder, one shoulder, or “cold shoulder” sleeves are acceptable as long as no cleavage is  showing, and the off-shoulder sleeves and/or one-shoulder strap are at least 3  inches. Neckline of an off-shoulder dress should be no more than 2 inches below  collarbone. There is no strap measurement requirement for dresses with two  straps, provided the dress meets all other requirements. 

• Slits on dresses with a full “ballgown” type skirt must be at least fingertip length.  If a dress skirt is more fitted and has a slit, the slit can be no more than 3 inches above the knee. 

• Minimum expectations for boys is that they will be in slacks, an oxford shirt, tie  (bow ties are welcome!), and dress shoes (sport coats, suits, or tuxedos are  optional). 

• School leaders, or anyone designated to act in their stead, retains the authority to  determine the appropriateness of a given student's attire and may remove the  student from the banquet or special event.

• Students and their families are encouraged to consult Upper School  Administration prior to the event if they have a question about whether their attire  fits the stated guidelines.