History

Westminster opened its doors in 1978 with 24 students in kindergarten and 1st grades.  Adding one grade level each year, the school filled its previous building provided by the Westminster Presbyterian Church, added 2 modular classrooms, and temporarily split the campus to obtain additional needed space until it relocated to its present location on 22 acres of land within a newly constructed 36,000 sq. ft. facility.  Within the first 5 years in the new facility, the school remodeled various areas to allow for 2 additional classrooms and library space, all of which was paid for in cash by the school with no incidence of debt.  In 1993, the school began leasing additional space from the First Baptist Church of Elgin to house its expanding upper school enrollment through the 12th grade until the completion of the current building in 1999 that housed K-6 and 9-12.   In February of 2004, construction was completed on an additional classroom and gymnasium facility that allowed the 7th and 8th grade students to move into so that everyone is now on one campus.

The church membership of our students has changed from 1978 when 50% of the students served were from churches other than the host church.  Currently, over 90%  of the student body comes from other evangelical churches in the greater Fox Valley Area with over 80 churches represented in the student body.  During the past 30 years, Westminster Christian School has served an estimated 800 different students.

Program

The educational program at Westminster is designed to be a college preparatory program with emphasis being placed on reading, writing, and communication skills at the elementary level and additional emphases at the high school level being placed on the sciences, mathematics, literature, and humanities. Completing a liberal arts perspective,  WCS offers both fine and practical arts and a fluency of foreign language and computer technology.  The school program received full accreditation from ACSI in 1999 and Recognition status from the Illinois State Board of Education in 2000.  In the spring of 2006, WCS earned a full 7 year reaccreditation from ACSI.

Organizational Structure

As a ministry of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Elgin, Westminster Christian School is under the control and direction of the elders of the church.  To enable the most efficient directing of the school, the elders organized the school's affairs to be overseen by a School Board of Trustees.  This board consists of 12 seats, one of which is appointed by the elders as their direct liaison to the School Board.  The remaining seats are elected from those nominated by and from the Westminster Christian School Parent Association.

Current Status

In the 2008-09 school year 501 students study under the direction of  an administrator, a 7 person administrative team, 32 full time and 3 part time teachers.  The cost of tuition remains challenging yet competitively affordable.   Discounts are afforded to families of multiple students.  Some financial assistance is available for qualifying families demonstrating need through the completion of appropriate financial assistance application forms. 

The high school wing provides 4 special use classrooms (science lab, computer lab, music room, art room); 6 general use classrooms; generous storage spaces; offices and bathrooms providing 15,600 sq. ft. of additional school space.  The Athletic and Classroom facility has 6 middle school classrooms, a high school classroom, lockerrooms, and a large mezzanine area for concessions and lunch. 

Conclusion

For 28 years, the vision for providing high quality, Christian education has remained clear at Westminster Christian School.  The greatest test of its effectiveness has been demonstrated in the continually increasing interest, demand, enrollment growth, and subsequent financial sacrifice of more and more families in the area.  This vision, when aligned with the significantly increased population projections of the Fox Valley Area, the desire of parents for education that presents the same values of the home, and the continued demand in the community for young people committed to excellence of both intellect and integrity, can soon be realized as individuals throughout the area invest in the future of the school.