Summit Christian Academy possesses a legacy of stellar education.
It was born in 1989 at the kitchen table of two caring moms with a dream of a community Christian school welcoming to all families from Christian denominations. That year, they started an independent, non-denominational Christian school in a local church. Each year, families looking for stellar biblically-integrated academics, enrolled at SCA. In 1993, Summit Christian Academy split into two campuses to house a growing student body.
“The founders envisioned a future where all students could attend classes together on one campus and on property owned by the school,” notes Linda Harrelson, head of school. “God blessed that dream and in 1999, SCA took that first step and opened at 1450 SW Jefferson with 330 students. The second phase included the completion of the building at 1450 SW Jefferson in 2000.”
Harrelson explains that in 2002, the school board decided to add the first ninth grade class, which marked the beginning of another exciting leg of the journey, with the goal of adding one high school grade per year.
“In the spring of 2004, the charter graduating class of 13 students ventured beyond the halls of SCA, stepping onto the next path God paved for them,” she says.
In 2005, the school broke ground for the first phase of a 137,000 square foot state-of-the-art junior/senior high school. The initial phase included additional classrooms, state-of-the-art science laboratories, media center, and a large multi-purpose room, as well as a preschool wing. Since 2012, the school has been named one of the top five private schools in the Kansas City area and currently sits on a 38-acre campus and includes two large buildings and fields for football/soccer, baseball, and track. Last year, 62 seniors graduated.
The mission statement of SCA is to inspire students to achieve their God-given potential through excellent academics and Christian training in a compassionate environment. SCA students continue to score 15 to 20 percent higher than the state and national average on college entrance exams and 30 percent higher on standardized tests. With a smaller classroom environment and an intentional design for academics, students are encouraged and challenged by the faculty.
Each student participates in community service projects throughout the year, and this year, the senior class traveled to Beckley, West Virginia, to work with homeless families in Appalachia.
“Service is truly part of the DNA of SCA. Whether it is our football team helping an elderly couple with yard work, or our kindergarten students sharing cards and music with John Knox Village, students feel that in order to be the hands of feet of Christ, they need to impact the community for His purpose and glory,” shares Sarah Coats, director of development.
SCA Academic Dean Kimberlee Gill says, “We have some incredible goals set for the 2018-19 school year and for the future of our school. Our theme for the year is ‘Revival: Renewed in Mind. Transformed in Mission.’ With a record enrollment of 800 students, including 83 in our freshman class, we are looking forward to seeing the Lord at work in the hearts and minds of our student body, faculty, and staff.”
Gill says they are excited to begin work on the addition of 10 classrooms to help with the growing population of students. They completed their track and field and have made many partnerships (including Summit Technology, St. Louis University, and Boost Fitness) so students have access to other high-quality programming.
Head of School Linda Harrelson reiterates, “Each of our teachers are difference-makers, one student at a time, and the ripple effect is large and effective."
For more information, and to see a list of the school’s core values, visit Summit-Christian-Academy.org.
