West Suburban Christian Academy

West Suburban Christian Academy (WSCA) was a private, independent, non-denominational, evangelical Christian school located in Waukesha, Wisconsin. WSCA served students in preschool through eighth grade. The school operated from 1979 until it closed on June 30, 2010.

History

Phil and Mary Ann Lee founded West Suburban Christian Academy in 1979 as Sonshine Christian School. It began with 33 students and three teachers. Over the years, the school moved several times to locations in Brookfield and Greenfield, and changed its name to West Suburban Christian Academy.

In 1995, West Suburban found a permanent home in Waukesha. The school defeated Walgreens in a bid to purchase Waukesha's former Northview Elementary School campus, which became the first campus owned by the school. With 99 students from kindergarten through eighth grade, WSCA opened its new campus for the 1995-1996 school year. In the summer of 1996, WSCA began remodeling the old Northview school buildings. The school began to grow rapidly, tripling its enrollment over the next decade. In the fall of 1997, the 3- and 4-year-old preschool program was added.

In April 2004, a 22,000-square-foot (2,000 m²) building and 6.5 acres (26,000 m²) were purchased a few blocks from the Northview campus. During the summer of 2004, the building was renovated to include eight classrooms, a science lab, media center, administrative offices, and commons areas. Known as the Silvernail Campus, this building served as WSCA's middle school from 2004-2009. The Silvernail Campus was closed following the 2008-09 school year.

In 2008, WSCA began to experience a large exodus of students, whose parents could no longer afford the private school tuition. Despite multiple attempts to save WSCA, the loss of students, coupled with the multimillion-dollar debt incurred by the purchase of the Silvernail Campus in 2004, led to the board's decision to permanently close the school on June 30, 2010.

Membership

West Suburban Christian Academy was a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), the largest accrediting agency for Christian schools.

Teachers

WSCA teachers had at least a bachelor's degree. Teacher's aides assisted where needed. All teachers had acknowledged an evangelical faith in Jesus Christ.

Educational philosophy

At West Suburban Christian Academy, Christian heritage was reinforced through curriculum and Christian teachers, and through corporate worship with a chapel service on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning. Prayer and music accompanied the staff and area pastors who taught the Scriptures to students and faculty.

WSCA’s curriculum was designed to include parents in their children's academic studies. There were also opportunities for parental involvement in special school functions, such as serving as room parents, office helpers, playground monitors, and hot lunch helpers.

Administration

The Academy’s Board of Directors consisted of 9 to 12 individuals with limited terms. There are four standing committees: Advancement, Education, Business Operations, Students/Families, and Extra-Curricular Activities, where parents are encouraged to volunteer.^[2]

Athletics

Sports offered at WSCA middle school included co-ed cross-country, girls' volleyball, boys' and girls' basketball, and co-ed track and field. The Wildcats competed in the Lake Area Athletic Conference (LAAC).

External links

• West Suburban Christian Academy website

References