HISTORY OF FAYETTEVILLE CHRISTIAN

In 1986 the Lord impressed upon three individuals the need to begin a developmental Christian school. These individuals formed a School Board and began making preparations. A building was purchased and moved onto the property of Calvary Chapel. By that fall, Calvary Christian School, Fayetteville's first developmental Christian school, opened its doors to fourteen four and five year olds.

At first the vision was small: maintain a small program that would meet a child's developmental and spiritual needs. But soon it became evident that God's plan was much bigger. First grade was added and then second. The school grew in number, doubling in enrollment each year. In 1988, a group of parents urged the School Board to expand the school to include third through eighth grades all at once and after much prayer, the decision was made to do so. By that fall many new faces forever changed the direction of the school. The school was renamed Fayetteville Christian School and God's calling to minister to the whole Christian community in the Cape Fear region became clear. An expanded School Board was chosen to include members from other churches. A new high school building was constructed in 1989 and by that fall the first high school class was added. However, with continued growth more classroom space was still needed. Over the next three years modular buildings were purchased to accommodate the rapid growth, in addition to the construction of classroom buildings for the first and second grades. Athletic fields were built as the athletic program expanded. By the end of 1991, the school had grown to over 250 students.

In 1994, FCS graduated its first class of seniors. Plans were under way for the construction of a building to house the media center and science lab. In 1998, the new building opened its door to students. The library has grown to include more than 15,000 volumes while containing multiple computers and the lunchroom staff now serves meals to more than 500 students a day.

In 2004, the Lord guided FCS and Calvary Chapel in a new direction. Stepping out in faith, the two ministries separated and FCS became an Independent non-denominational Christian school. The school purchased the church property and Calvary Chapel began construction of a new church home in 2005. Despite the separation, the school vision remains the same, "Training students to think, live, and lead as Christians based upon a Biblical worldview."

In 2005, the Lord revealed another vision to the school administration. Because of the aging buildings and lack of space, we began asking God to provide a plan to meet the financial needs of the future. After much prayer and counsel from teachers and parents, the school board developed a plan to start child care centers around town to help generate a revenue base outside of the school. A development director was hired to help spearhead the plan. In 2008 the first two Building Blocks Early Education Centers were opened and a third opened in the summer of 2010. Also in 2008, the Lord opened the door for us to purchase 47 acres of land in a prime area. We stepped out in faith believing the Lord will use the child care centers to generate the revenues needed to relocate the school and help fund teacher benefits. We are prayerfully hopeful this project can begin by 2013 as the child centers continue to grow and prosper but we are waiting for God's perfect timing. Our new facilities will provide room for more students in our current programs as well as provide us space to expand our program for students with special needs.

Since 1995 we have graduated over 500 students. Of that number most have gone on to earn college degrees but some have entered the work force, are serving our county in the armed services or serving the Lord in missions. We monitor our student's academic progress by administering the Stanford Achievement Test each year. In addition, our 4th and 8h grade students participate in the MAP and Duke Talent Identification Programs each spring. On average one third to one half of our students score high enough to qualify to participate in those programs. We begin preparing our students for the high school Scholastic Aptitude Test their 10th grade year and administer the PSAT test each fall to sophomores and juniors. Since 1998 we have had six students win National Merit Scholarships and several students who have qualified as semi-finalists or commended students. Of the six winners, all of them attended FCS since kindergarten. Each summer the principals and guidance counselor review the standardized test results and look for trends or weaknesses in the curriculum or teaching staff.

Our tradition of providing an academically challenging, Christ-centered program in the upper grades, while maintaining a developmental program in the early grades, has given FCS a strong reputation in the community. Guiding students towards a relationship with the Lord is at the center of all we do. Over the years, each teacher or staff member the Lord has brought to help establish His school has left a mark that has changed many lives in Fayetteville. The Lord has provided for the school's every need along the way. Those who work in this school count it a privilege to serve God by helping children to learn and to know Him.