The Woodward News

Local News

September 5, 2012

Christian Academy continues to grow

Brandi Thomas Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — Woodward Christian Academy's enrollment has shown significant growth in recent years.

Head Master Michael Wilcox said the private school is up to 107 students in pre k-12th grade for the 2012-2013 school year.

"When we opened our doors in the early 80's we stayed right around 31 students up till the 2006-2007 school year," Wilcox said.

The school grew to  68 in 2010-2011 and the 107 for this year, Wilcox said.

"Since we were able to obtain our new  building more people seem to have more interest in our school," he said.

Until this year, the school relied on the use of several churches in the area for their  classrooms.

The Woodward Christian Academy now calls the old Westwood Elementary building home.

"We have remodeled most of the "old" school and brought it up to date," Tony Ways, director of development, said.

They are currently adding on with more classroom space, locker rooms, bathrooms,  science lab, gym and auditorium.

"The auditorium will hold about 300 on the floor and another 100 in the balcony," Wilcox said.

The new gym also includes a state of the art rock climbing wall and a racket ball court that over looks the gymnasium.

"As Christians we want to be able to provide services to our community as well as our school, so we will be letting the people of the community use these facilities," Wilcox said.

The students at Woodward Christian Academy receive one on one attention from their teachers and learn at their own pace, according to Wilcox.

"Our students work hard and some even work ahead of their grade level," Wilcox said.

"Last year we even had a student that was taking college courses while still here," Ways said.

The school doesn't have any sports teams but students do compete in other events.

Students in grades 7th and up are able to compete in their science and art fairs and then go on to compete in the Regional Christian School Convention.

"Last year there were 42 schools that participated in the convention and we had kids that medaled in all the events," Wilcox said.

Those kids were eligible to compete in a national convention, but couldn't attend due to scheduling conflicts, he added.

The school takes great pride in academics and last year placed 3rd overall in the academic contest and was 1st the year before at the regional contest.

To attend the Woodward Christian Academy, like any private school, there is a tuition.

"We have one of the lowest tuition rates in the state and we try to keep it that way with fundraisers. We want our school to be accessible to those that wish to have their children attend a private school," Wilcox said.

For more information on the Woodward Christian Academy you may contact the school at 580-256-1877.

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