Westminster Christian Academy (Missouri)

Westminster Christian Academy

Main Entrance, Town and Country campus
Address
800 Maryville Centre Drive
Town and Country, Missouri, St. Louis County 63017
United States
Coordinates 38°38′13″N 90°30′13″W / 38.63694°N 90.50361°W / 38.63694; -90.50361Coordinates: 38°38′13″N 90°30′13″W / 38.63694°N 90.50361°W / 38.63694; -90.50361
Information
Type Private
Established 1976
Faculty 80 Full Time / 14 Part Time

Dave Schall and Susie Brown, Deans of Students
Todd Zell, Athletic Director
Enrollment approx. 988
Color(s) Blue and white
Mascot Wildcat
Website http://www.wcastl.org

Westminster Christian Academy (WCA) is a private, Christian school in St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. It is a 7th–12th grade secondary school, with its campus in Town and Country, Missouri since 2011.

As of 2016, the school has an enrollment of approximately 1,010 students in grades 7 through 12. It is further divided into an Upper School (9-12) of approximately 750 students and a Middle School (7-8) of approximately 260 students.[1] Tuition for the 2016-2017 school year is 15,900 USD regardless of grade.[2]

History

Westminster Christian Academy opened on September 7, 1976 to 72 students. In the first two years, Westminster operated out of rented classrooms from Missouri Baptist University. For the first two years, Nolan Vander Ark was headmaster of the school. Before joining Westminster, Mr. Vander Ark served as a Christian Reformed Missionary in Africa.[3][4] After two years of renting space, the administration purchased a campus known as the "Des Peres School" in Kirkwood, Missouri. Once Westminster moved to the new campus, Evelyn Downs stepped up as headmistress. She remained headmistress until 1981. Four years after changing locations, the student body quadrupled. The necessity of finding space for the rapidly growing school was unavoidable. So in 1982, Westminster purchased a campus in Creve Coeur. During this tumultuous time, Arlen Dykstra became headmaster and oversaw the relocation of the school. Under his guidance, the school was accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States. (ISACS).[5] In 1984, the school found itself to be without a headmaster once more. Larry Birchler, the registrar for the school, acted in the role of Headmaster until a suitable replacement could be found. In 1985, Jim Marsh became headmaster of the school.[6]

Creve Coeur Campus (1984-2011)

Purchased in 1984, the 30-acre (120,000 m2) Creve Coeur Campus served as the primary campus for the school until 2011.

In 1999, the school started an $11 million construction and renovation project. With the money, the school added a new gymnasium, new student commons, new senior and 8th grade hallway wings, a new weightlifting facility and locker rooms, a new bookstore, and new offices. Dubbed the "Creve Coeur Campus", the building has over 150,000 square feet (14,000 m2), a 25-yard (23 m) indoor pool, library, two gymnasiums, cafeteria, academic and administrative rooms, and outdoor sports facilities. The campus was sold to the Ladue School District for 18 million dollars. The 2010 school marked the last of its use by the school. It will be turned into an early child care facility.

Town and Country Campus ( 2011-present)

In 2002, Westminster purchased the campus of the West County Vocational Technical School in Town and Country with plans to renovate the space to serve for future growth of the school. Additionally, an adjacent parcel of land was purchased from Central Presbyterian Church. The purchase was made possible by a donation to Westminster by an anonymous supporter.[7] The campus finished construction in early August 2011. The current site has made the addition of a multitude of fields for both practicing on and hosting games including 12 tennis courts, 3 gymnasiums, 1 theater that seats 610, a black box theater, a football stadium, soccer field, 2-4 practice fields, swimming pool, and many storage facilities and lockers. Each class has their own common areas including meeting spaces for student organizations.

In early May 2012, Jim Marsh announced his retirement at the end of the 2012-2013 school year. Dr. Tom Stoner was selected to replace him. In April 2016, It was announced that Dr. Tom Stoner, the head master, and Noah Brink, the head of upper school, will be stepping down starting from 2016-17 school year.

Academics

Westminster was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education during the 1990-1991 school year.[8] 60% of the faculty have advanced degrees, including 7 doctorates.[9] 98% of the 2008 graduates went on to college. The school also offers a special services program to address the educational needs of those families who have students with diagnosed disabilities for extra fees.[10] Westminster was the first Christian school to be accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS),[11] an accreditation which the school maintains to this day.[12] The school is also accredited by Christian Schools International.[13]

In 2005, the Academic Competition team (coached by Bob Vass) won the MSHSAA state championship.[14] In 2009, the Wildcats won their district in Varsity Football.

Community Service

The student organizations and each class often participate in community service projects. The seniors, however, are required to participate in “Faith in Action,” a program in which they serve in various help agencies throughout the St. Louis community for two hours each Thursday morning of the school year.[15]

Athletics

The Westminster boys' baseball team placed first in state in the spring of 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. They are the first school in Missouri history to win 4 straight baseball championships. In addition to the following sports, Westminster Christian Academy also offers Cheerleading and Dance at the Middle School and Upper School levels, as well as Hockey, Varsity and JV Dance, and Cheerleading at the Upper School level. Westminster is a member of the Metro League (Missouri) along with John Burroughs, Lutheran North, Lutheran South, MICDS, Principia, Priory, and Villa Duchesne.[16]

Upper School

Fall

Winter

Spring

Middle School

Fall

Winter

Spring

Memberships

Westminster is a member of the following organizations:

Notable people

Alumni

Government, law, and politics

Sports and entertainment

Arts and sciences

Faculty and staff

References

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