UCA: A Place for Spiritual and Academic Growth
Upper Columbia Academy (UCA) is more than just a school—it's a place where young minds and hearts are nurtured in an environment rooted in Christian faith. As a private, co-educational Christian academy, UCA provides a unique educational experience where students can grow spiritually, academically, and physically, all while forming meaningful relationships with Christ and others.
Church leadership assigned Pastor F. A. Mote the task of finding a new property for no more than $100,000. Pastor Mote discovered that the old farm in Spangle, known as Broadacres, was up for auction. While the minimum opening bid exceeded $100,000, Pastor Mote informed the auctioneer of the situation, prompting the bid to be lowered to the desired amount. To his surprise, Pastor Mote was the only bidder, and the property was purchased, along with 15 hogs, which were sold for $1,500 to help fund the school’s first year of operation.
At that time, the property included a bakery, laundry, woodshop, barn, and a herd of dairy cows that provided milk for the cafeteria in the girls' dormitory. However, there was no boys' dormitory, gymnasium, or faculty housing. Still, Upper Columbia Academy had found its new home. Within three years, a boys' dorm, a gymnasium, and six faculty homes were built, along with a third floor added to the girls' dormitory.
Over the past eight decades, more than 6,000 students have graduated from the school campus in Spangle, WA. While all the original buildings, except the Olin Peach Powerhouse, have been replaced or remodeled over time, the school's spirit and vision remain strong. It is important to note that the hogs and cows are no longer part of the campus community!
