History

The History of Ada Christian School

In 1949, a group of parents dedicated to Christian education in the Ada area began to make plans for a Christian school. The Ada Christian School Society worked diligently to build a two-room school that was ready for use in September 1951 on a site adjacent to Ada Christian Reformed Church. The school opened with sixty two students in grades kindergarten through ninth grade, and two teachers. At the dedication service on August 31, 1951, Dr. John Van Bruggen challenged parents and teachers with their greatest task at Ada Christian School: to maintain a school in which all of the teaching is in accordance with God's Word, and in which God is given all the glory due His name.

God blessed Ada Christian School with growth and continual financial support. The school building was renovated 13 times, and the number of students grew from sixty-two to 400 over the next fifty years. The school also added a preschool program and began to serve over 100 children at Ada Christian Preschool. By the late 1990s the school was no longer large enough for the students and staff. Five portable classrooms had been added, and still more room was needed.

In the year 2000, the school began a momentous venture of faith with a $12.5 million Capital Campaign toward the construction of a new school. After purchasing thirty-seven acres at the corner of Ada Drive and Colner Avenue, and spending two years in the preparation of building and site plans, the School Society could now supervise the construction of the new school. The building process was completed in the summer of 2002, and that September students began school at their new facility at 6206 Ada Drive. By this time, K-8 enrollment had topped 500 students. In addition, God had moved the hearts of people to pledge their monies to this Capital Campaign, so that the pledge goal had been reached.

Ada Christian School may serve more students than in past years, and the methods of education have changed much over time. However, the goal has remained close to that expressed at the original dedication service in 1951: to maintain a school in which all of the teaching is in accordance with God's Word, and in which God is given all the glory due His name.