Westminster Christian Academy (Missouri)

Westminster Christian Academy is an independent coeducational private Christian school in Town and Country, Missouri, serving students in grades 7–12. As of 2023, the school has an enrollment of 946 students.[1] It was founded in 1976 and moved to its present campus in 2011.

Westminster Christian Academy
Main entrance
Address
800 Maryville Centre Drive

Town and Country
,
Missouri
63017

United States
Coordinates38°38′13″N 90°30′13″W
Information
TypePrivate
Religious affiliation(s)Christian
Established1976
Head of SchoolBarrett Mosbacker
Grades7–12
GenderCoeducational
Enrollment946 (2023)
Color(s)Blue and White
MascotWildcat
Websitewww.wcastl.org

History

Founded by a members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church,[2] Westminster Christian Academy opened in 1976 in rented classrooms at Missouri Baptist University, with 72 students.[3][4] It soon moved to a former elementary school in Des Peres, then in 1982, when enrollment had grown to 250, bought the 30-acre former Ladue Middle School campus on Ladue Road in Creve Coeur.[3][4]

The Ladue Road campus, which originally had a capacity of 600, was renovated and expanded in the early 1990s to accommodate 900 students, and enrollment subsequently grew. In 2003, Westminster purchased the 40-acre campus of West County Vocational Technical School in Town and Country, intending to use it to accommodate future growth. An anonymous gift enabled it to purchase the adjacent 30 acres, known as "Centreat", from Central Presbyterian Church.[3][4] Ground was broken in June 2010 on extensive modifications and additions to the technical school building,[4] and when the school reopened on its new campus in August 2011, it had a capacity of 1,200 students and 300,000 sq. ft. of educational space, including a 610-seat theater, plus extensive athletic facilities.[4][5] The former campus, then with 165,000 sq. ft. of space, was sold to the Ladue School District.[3][4] Enrollment was 964 in 2013.[6]

Leadership

The following have served as head of school: Nolan Vander Ark (1976–77); Evelyn Downs (1977–81); Arlen Dykstra (1981–84); Larry Birchler (acting headmaster 1984–85); Jim Marsh (1985–2013);[6] Tom Stoner (2013–2016); Barrett Mosbacker (2017–present).[7]

Programs

Academics

During the 1990–91 school year, Westminster was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education.[8] The school is recognized for combining Christian education with high academic standards.[2]

Arts

The school has been recognized by the St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards multiple times—awards received include Outstanding Production (2017, 2019, 2020, 2022), Outstanding Ensemble (2019), Outstanding Costume Design & Execution (2018), Outstanding Direction (2018), Outstanding Supporting Actress (2017), and Outstanding Lead Actress (2022).[9] During the 2018–19 school year, 15 students were selected to participate in the St. Louis metro district honors choir and orchestra.[10] Two students were also selected to participate in the All-State Choir.

Athletics

Westminster teams are the Wildcats. The school is a member of the Metro League along with John Burroughs, Lutheran North, Lutheran South, MICDS, Principia, Priory, and Villa Duchesne.[11]

Westminster's athletic program has won many state titles. Varsity football started in 2001; Westminster has since won five district championships and two conference championships. The team reached the state final four for the first time in 2015.[12][13] In 2014, the boys' baseball team became the first in Missouri history to win four consecutive state championships.[14] The boys' hockey team won the Wickenheiser Cup in 2017 and 2018.[15] In 2022, the girls' volleyball team won their second straight state championship.[16] In March 2023, the girls' swim team won the state championship for the first time.[17] Margo O'Meara was the first girl and the second student to win four consecutive Missouri state diving championships.[18]

Accreditation and memberships

Accreditation

Westminster has been accredited since 1983 by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States,[19] the first Christian school to achieve that accreditation,[2] and by Cognia.[20]

Memberships

Westminster became a member of the National Union of Christian Schools in its first year.[3] It is now a member of the following organizations: Council on Educational Standards & Accountability,[21] Independent Schools of St. Louis,[22] Christian Schools Association of St. Louis,[23] and Christian Schools International.[24]

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Westminster Christian Academy". Private School Review. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  2. Jessica Bock (August 26, 2011). "Westminster: Christian school, students flourish". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  3. "History". Westminster Christian Academy. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  4. "Westminister breaks ground on new campus". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. June 8, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  5. Mary Shapiro (July 26, 2011). "Westminster Christian Academy ready for August opening". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  6. Mary Shapiro (January 8, 2013). "Westminster Christian Academy's Marsh starts new chapter". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  7. "Westminster Christian Academy Names Barrett Mosbacker as Next Head of School". Patch (news release). February 10, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  8. "Schools Recognized 1982–1983 Through 1999–2002" (PDF). United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon School Program. p. 49.
  9. "SLHSMTA - Home". St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  10. "St. Louis Metro District 8". stlmetro8.org. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  11. "Athletics". Westminster Christian Academy. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  12. "Varsity football". Westminster Christian Academy. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023.
  13. Steve Overbey (November 21, 2015). "Kearney explodes in second half to beat Westminster". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  14. Dave Jobe (June 8, 2014). "Westminster Wins 4th Straight State Baseball Championship". KTVI. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  15. Warren Mayes (October 28, 2018). "2018-19 high school hockey preview". West newsmagazine. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  16. Nate Latsch (November 4, 2022). "Westminster Christian beats Incarnate Word to win Missouri Class 4 girls volleyball title". Sports Illustrated High School News. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  17. Warren Mayes (March 6, 2023). "Westminster Christian Academy girls win first state swimming championship". West newsmagazine. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  18. Warren Mayes (March 25, 2021). "Margo O'Meara ends high school diving career undefeated". West newsmagazine. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  19. "ISACS Directory of Schools". Archived from the original on March 24, 2010.
  20. "Registry". Cognia. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  21. "Schools". Council on Educational Standards & Accountability. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  22. "Westminster Christian Academy". independentschools.org. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  23. "Westminster Christian Academy — CSASLGettysburg-DC Trip--Central Leadership Forum". CSASL. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  24. "Westminster Christian Academy, St Louis". Christian Schools International. Archived from the original on August 25, 2010. Retrieved May 1, 2008.
  25. "The 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America". Time. February 7, 2005. Archived from the original on February 3, 2005.
  26. ChrisAnn Brunsmann (September 20, 2011). "Sandra McCracken Concert". Patch. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  27. "Jacob Turner". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
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