West Side expands virtual academy
West Side Christian School boasts of an eight-to-one teacher/ student ratio, expanding “virtual academy” and plenty of opportunities to excel in athletics or student leadership.
The school’s enrollment averages around 165 students each year and 10 student per class, WSCS administrator Robin Colley said.
“Our small student to teacher ratio proves to be a benefit to both the teacher and the student when learning new concepts and conducting experiments. Students of today are our future and our teachers are training them for our future well, preparing them for today, tomorrow and eternity,” she said. “Vincent Dawson is our guidance and academic counselor and is available during school hours. He is a tremendous asset to our Warrior family with over 30 years experience with not only guidance counseling, but also academic counseling in preparing students for college or vocational programs.”
All of the teachers have “a love of teaching and learning” and accreditation through the Arkansas Department of Education or the Association of Christian Schools International. The school administrator said that she’s excited about the school’s new programs as well as expanding its virtual academy.
“We continue to have an academically strong curriculum, utilizing the Abeka program exclusively K4 through third grade, then adding Bob Jones and Saxon curricula beginning in the fourth grade,” she said. “In addition, this year we are adding a music program for K4 through 12th grade, as well as a Spanish enrichment program for fourth through eighth grade. Our strudents also have the opportunity to take classes through SouthArk through our concurrent enrollment.”
Students in grades 7-12 can participate in the school’s leadership program and serve others in the community.
“This past spring … WSCS partnered with local schools and the Agape House reading to students, building gardens, cleaning, painting, helping teachers and other service-oriented projects,” she said. “For several years, WSCS has had students participate in Student Leadership University. This summer, a group traveled to Washington, D.C. SLU strives to develop and equip strudent leaders to dream, think and lead as they instill future-tense thinking commitment to influence through service.”
Under the leadership of several coaches, students can participate in “an excellent athletic program,” she said. High school students can join the golf, volleyball, basketball, archery and track teams. There’s also an elementary basketball program for fourth through sixth graders.
Above all, the school prides itself on cultivating “certain core values that emulate the kind of character we see in Jesus Christ, that foster wisdom and that nurture a lifelong passion for learning,” the school administrator said.
“We call it The Warrior Way and believe it makes the difference. Each year, our school has a “theme” to use as our goal or focus for the year. For the 201718 year, our theme is “Get Real” based from the scripture found in Romans 12:19,” she said. “Our goal is to model that genuine love to all of our students, so they will go out into the world and show, live it and love those around them.”
Open house for current parents and students will be held at 5 p.m., followed by orientation at 6 p.m. at West Side Christian School. For more information about WSCS, visit westsidechristianschool.org or call 870-863-5636.