Pacific Bay Christian School
| Alma Heights Christian Academy | |
|---|---|
| File:AHCA Seal.png | |
| Location | |
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Grades K-4, 1295 Seville Dr. Grades 5-8, 1030 Linda Mar Blvd. , 94044 United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Motto | Fides Scientia Virtus ("Faith, Knowledge, Virtue") |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Christian |
| Established | 1955 |
| Director | David Welling |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Enrollment | 165 |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Color(s) | Blue and Silver |
| Athletics conference | CPSAL |
| Mascot | Eagles |
| Website | almaheights.org/k8 |
| Alma Heights Christian High School | |
|---|---|
| File:AHC-Shiny-Icon.png | |
| Location | |
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Grades 9-12, 1030 Linda Mar Blvd. , 94044 United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Motto | Fides Scientia Virtus ("Faith, Knowledge, Virtue") |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Christian |
| Established | 1990 |
| Director | David Welling |
| Headmaster | David Gross |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Enrollment | 135 |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Color(s) | Blue, Gold and Silver |
| Athletics conference | CPSAL |
| Mascot | Eagles |
| Website | almaheights.org/hs |
Alma Heights Christian Academy is a private Christian elementary, middle and high school located in Pacifica, California with approximately 300 enrolled students.
History
Alma Heights Academy was founded in the 1950s as a boarding school in a rural, unincorporated part of San Mateo, CA, known as Pedro Valley. Property for the establishment of a Christian school was purchased in 1949-1951. In the following decade, it transitioned into an elementary and day school. Pedro Valley was later developed as part of a newly incorporated suburb of San Francisco named Pacifica, and many families moved into the area. The school was renamed Alma Heights Christian Academy — “Christian” was added to reflect the distinction between Alma Heights and Catholic schools in the area, as well as to identify it with other Christian schools in the emerging California Association of Christian Schools. Although the school was originally named after Bishop Alma White, the founder of the Pillar of Fire Church, the school today does not endorse her ideas or actions.
Alma Heights’ enrollment gradually grew and the school became a charter member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The boarding school was closed in the spring of 1965 because the population of Pacifica had increased so that a greater demand for day students had materialized. By the mid 1970s, a second campus across the street from the original boarding school was developed. Additional classrooms and campus housing for teachers were added during the 1980s and 1990s, and the high school was developed.
In this past decade Alma Heights achieved accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and a major building program was completed, adding the gymnasium, library, science wing, computer lab, music room, shops, and several classrooms.
In 2009, the high school merged with Highlands Christian College Preparatory. By working together, the enrollment increased by almost 40%, and three additional Advanced Placement courses were added, in addition to the Arts and Athletics programs being doubled.
Enrollment and graduates
Alma Heights students range from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The 2005-2006 enrollment of the school was approximately 350 students, of which over one-hundred twenty were high school students. The high school subscribes to the University of California prescribed curriculum, and graduates are accepted by many schools, including the University of California system.
Facilities
The campus is located on approximately 40 acres (160,000 m2) along San Pedro Creek with hills and a view of Montara Mountain. The school property now provides buildings on two campuses, one campus on each side of Linda Mar Boulevard. The Seville Campus includes the first completed building, and houses the kindergarten through fourth grade. The White Field Campus, also named after Bishop Alma White, includes fifth through twelfth grade in separate buildings. The last two buildings to be added to the campus were fully occupied during the 2005-2006 school year. These comprise (1) an official-sized gymnasium which also includes classrooms, a commercial-sized kitchen, men's and women's shower/restrooms, a conference room, and workshops; and (2) a library, which also includes a computer lab, science lab and lecture rooms, and offices.
Accreditation
Alma Heights maintained membership with CACS throughout its early history, which then developed into the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Alma Heights achieved accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in early 2003, and the school is seeking dual accreditation with WASC and ACSI within the next five years.
Admissions requirements
The school requires both prospective students and their parents to complete a 14-page application form in addition to numerous other references, student performance data, tests and interviews. In the application, both parents and the prospective student are asked detailed questions about their religious beliefs, practices, and affiliations. As an example, the prospective student is asked: Who is Jesus Christ and describe your relationship with Him? Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? If yes, when did this occur? Do you go to church regularly? Are you active in a church youth group? Are you willing to stand up for what is right?
Both parents and the student(s) are required to sign the following as a precondition of admission: “I understand that Christian teachers are in partnership with my parents. I will strive to obey them also as they seek to train me according to God’s Word. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I will seek to live a godly life in and out of school in order that Jesus Christ will be glorified. I understand that failure to uphold these principles and guidelines of the Family-School Handbook may result in my dismissal from Alma Heights Christian Academy.”
Parents and the prospective student(s) are required to sign a declaration that they agree with the Alma Height Christian Academy seven-point Christian’s statement of faith.
Parents are furthered required to sign the following consent agreement: “I hereby give permission for my child’s teacher, and/or other members of the school staff and administration to enforce all classroom regulations and school policies in a manner consistent with Christian principles of discipline.” AHCA literature does not make clear the specific limits of this enforcement authorization or whether or not such enforcement includes physical corporal punishment.[1]
Merger
In 2009 Alma Heights Christian Academy and Highlands Christian College Preparatory in San Bruno combined their high school programs beginning in the fall of 2009. The newly combined high school program is located on the Alma Heights campus in Pacifica, California and is now called Alma Heights Christian High School.[2]
Images
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References
- ^ "Alma Heights Christian Academy Admissions Application" (PDF). Alma Heights Christian Academy. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ "Alma Heights Christian Academy and Highlands Christian College Preparatory Join Forces". Press Release. March 3, 2009. Retrieved September 16, 2009.
High school programs combine to provide students greatly enhanced educational experience.
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