2023-24 State of the School

WELCOMEFROMTHE HEADOFSCHOOL

Thank You for 35 yearsof Christian education! Weappreciateall thewaysyour family hassupported Lexington Christian Academy through your time, talents, and treasure. Wecould not advanceour mission of equippingand nurturing students tofulfill God’scallingontheirlivesthroughChrist-centerededucation without you.

Weareexcited toprovideyou with a “StateoftheSchool.” Wehavemuch information toshareincluding an updateon theschool’sstrategic plan. This year, our Board of Directorsand ExecutiveLeadership Team launched a comprehensivestrategic planning process. Our strategic plan wasdeveloped to providea long-rangeview of futureschool priorities. Our effort included market data, stakeholder surveys, competitiveand educational analysis, and demographic trends.

In addition toour StrategicPlan, enclosed, you will find highlightsfrom the 2023-2024 school year.

Thisisan exciting timefor Lexington Christian Academy. God hasblessed our school abundantly. Asstewardsof theblessingsand resourcesGod has provided, wearecalled tomaximizeour impact on our communities, invest in thenext generation of disciples, and prioritizefinancial sustainability for our futuregenerationsof LCA Eagles.

I pray your family isasexcited asour team isregarding theschool’sfutureand theopportunitiesGod hasprovided tous. Join usaswepursueeach of these endeavors!

Dr.ScottWells HeadofSchool

STRATEGICPLAN 2023-2026

OVERVIEW

Strategic planning is a process that helps an organization fulfill its mission, vision, and core values.

Key elements of the strategic planning process include identifying objectives, establishing plans of action, and adopting new or refined approaches and tactics.

The traditional timeline for a strategic plan is three to five years.

Since the core of strategic planning is fulfilling the school’s mission, vision, and values, let us take a moment and review them.

MISSION

Is to equip and nurture students to fulfill God's calling on their lives through Christcentered education.

COREVALUES VISION

Is to pursue a world-class, Christ-centered education.

True education must be built on, centered in, and continually judged by Christ and the Scriptures.

Biblical instruction is integrated with every aspect of the student’s educational experience.

Parents are the first and most important teachers.

There is a commitment to excellence and innovation throughout our educational program offerings that maximally prepares our students for college and life. Students should have a wide range of educational opportunities available to them.

COMPONENTSOFSTRATEGICPLAN

The components of Lexington Christian Academy’s plan include:

Curriculum

Student & Spiritual Life

Enrollment

Facilities

Let us now highlight each component.

CURRICULUM

In the area of Curriculum, we wish to inspire excellence through Christcentered education. Components of our strategic plan include:

Foster student discovery by offering unique academic pathways, including programs such as vocational tracks, to help students discern God’s calling on their lives.

Build learning environments that nurture students' talents and passions, and develop spaces designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and community.

Integrate Christ-centered worldview into every area through innovative teaching and modeling.

SPIRITUALLIFE

For Spiritual & Student Life, our team is committed to continuing the integration of a Christ-centered worldview into every area of student life. Some of the highlights of our efforts include:

Embedding biblical teaching throughout spiritual and student life activities to equip our students with attributes that encourage living a life transformed by the Gospel.

Fostering student discovery through mentoring, service, and biblical leadership programs.

Engaging with and contributing value through service to the greater Lexington community.

ENROLLMENT

In the area of Enrollment, our goal is to maximize enrollment in a manner that strengthens the LCA community. We will focus on:

Targeting enrollment strategies to meet the school’s budgetary goals. Developing partnerships with our families to depend on the understanding of the intertwined roles of home, school, and church as they relate to the school’s mission. This includes the launch of our “Parenting with Purpose” education program.

Entrenching the “LCA story” throughout the school, on social media, and in our digital content to promote the mission of our school.

FACILITIES&TECHNOLOGY

In the areas of Facilities & Technology, we want to transform our campuses for maximum opportunities. This will include:

Creating a Campus Master Plan. Establishing a Risk Management Team and school-wide Safety Coordinator. Developing a long-term plan for rental opportunities. Developing equipment cycle upgrades.

Exploring additional security enhancements such as AI software and related items.

HUMANRESOURCES

In the area of Human Resources, our team is focused on attracting, rewarding and retaining those God has called to help us fulfill our mission. Our efforts will include:

Collecting, analyzing, and applying data from market analyses on employee compensation, benefits, and performance management.

Formalizing a process for training new staff that includes induction, mentoring, and coaching.

Identifying a staffing plan to increase the funnel to support future growth.

FINANCE

For Finance, our goal is to ensure financial sustainability for our school system. Our team will:

Develop a multi-year financial plan to attain tuition stability to work toward eliminating the gap and providing a more accurate costs for families. Explore and expand additional revenue streams to support our school system.

ADVANCEMENT

In the area of Advancement, with our new Development team, we plan to:

Create a Capital Campaign that establishes goals and fundraising opportunities including naming rights.

Explore ways to market and increase our endowments and planned giving efforts.

Grow engagement with LCA alumni to strengthen their involvement and support.

2023-2024 HIGHLIGHTS

OVERVIEW

We are pleased to share the accomplishments of our students, teachers, and staff. This year we saw expanded resources in the student support services areas, a new afterschool program for our elementary campus, a new service emphasis week, increased student leadership programs, success on the field of play and performance stage, the introduction of a new parent education program, a refurbished cross tower, successful fundraising campaigns, and investments in our facilities. These are just a few examples of the efforts of our team.

We hope you enjoy learning more about the progress that has been made in all areas of our school.

ACADEMICS

LCA administered the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) for grades K-8. These assessments provided essential information about our students' learning and growth trajectories. Students take the assessment three different times through the year (fall, winter, and spring). MAP testing is not timed, and questions are adjusted to challenge students at each of their individual learning levels. MAP uses data from more than 10.2 million students, which allows us to compare our students to national norms.

Teachers use the MAP assessment to set goals with students, discuss relative areas of growth and strength, and plan lessons to meet the students’ individual needs. Individual opportunities to assist students can include intervention support in the areas of reading or math, as well as enrichment opportunities for students who are scoring at or above the 80th percentile. We are proud of the high level of achievement of so many of our Elementary students, and we continue to target how we can help each student grow academically. MAP is one of the many tools we utilize as we seek to equip and nurture students to fulfill God's calling on their lives through Christ-centered education.

In this report, you will find the percent of students at or above the national average on our Spring MAP assessment. These students are on track with their grade level peers in their performance on grade level specific standards. Additionally, you will see those students who are in the top 20% of the nation. We continue to develop new ways, both inside the classroom and out, to challenge our students to excel as they advance from one grade to the next.

K-5TH GRADE MAP ASSESSMENTS

% OF STUDENTS AT OR ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGE

% OF STUDENTS AT 80TH PERCENTILE OR HIGHER

6TH-8TH GRADE MAP ASSESSMENTS

% OF STUDENTS AT OR ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGE

% OF STUDENTS AT 80TH PERCENTILE OR HIGHER

HIGH SCHOOL ASSESSMENTS

As students transition to high school, their academic programs and paths may vary considerably. Students have the ability to select different electives as well as courses at varying levels of challenge (regular, college prep, Honors, or Advanced Placement.) Academic achievement at our high school is evaluated by means of various nationally standardized tests. This includes the American College Test (ACT) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams. The ACT measures students’ skills in English, reading, mathematics, and science reasoning. Students are scored on each subtest; scores range from one (1) to thirty-six (36.) An average is then taken to arrive at a composite score. Although sophomores can take the ACT, it is typically taken by juniors and seniors. Our students continue to perform above both state and national averages.

COMPOSITEACT

National - 19.5 Kentucky - 18.7

ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS

EXPANDEDSTUDENTSUPPORTSERVICES

The 2023-2024 school year saw the expansion of our student support services team. Now, each division has at least one dedicated interventionist on staff. In addition, the elementary campus implemented Tier 2 reading interventions.

EXPODAY

In May, our 6th Grade Academy and Junior High students hosted an expo day where they could showcase individual or group projects from the last year. Exhibits included science fair submissions, class projects, and research.

LIFESKILLSCLASS

Our high school launched a new course, Life Skills, which introduced students to important skills each student should have such as goal setting, time management, home economics, nutrition, food preparation, career assistance, and how to effectively read the Bible.

SPIRITUALLIFE

Lexington Christian Academy’s mission is to equip and nurture students to fulfill God’s calling on their lives through Christ-centered education. To accomplish this goal, we must prepare our students in ways they can impact the culture for Christ. Biblical truth is at the heart of who we are and what we do every day. Throughout the year, we try to provide our students with meaningful opportunities to help them grow in their walk with Christ, develop a biblical worldview, and learn how to serve our communities. In 2023-2024, some of the highlights of our efforts included a fall Spiritual Emphasis Week, spring Service Emphasis week, vibrant chapel programs, and many opportunities to serve organizations in Lexington and beyond.

SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS WEEK

During Spiritual Emphasis Week, at our IBC Campus, preschool-5th grade students enjoyed a series

entitled, “Treasure Hunters” where they learned about all the treasure we have in Jesus. At our Rose Campus, 6th-12th grades students experienced daily chapels where they learned about “The Haves and Have Nots.”

SERVICE EMPHASIS WEEK

During Service Emphasis Week, our students:

Packed more than 10,000 shoes for Master’s Provision,

Packed school supplies, cards, and hygiene bags for Psalm 82:3 Mission

Collected over 700 Bibles and made cards for Military Missions, and Made lunch and brownies for Natalie’s Sisters.

STUDENTLEADERSHIP

Our students honed and shared their leadership skills in a variety of ways including teaching at chapel, serving as student ambassadors, leading service projects such as Dance Blue, and attending leadership trips abroad.

IGNITE PROGRAM

OVERVIEW

This year, we launched Ignite, a new, revamped program of co-curricular activities for our elementary students. Our inspiration for this program comes from 2 Timothy 1:6-7, "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and selfdiscipline." We believe in order to help our students understand their calling, we must give them opportunities to "fan into flame" their gifts, talents, and interests.

Knowing that God wired each student uniquely, we developed offerings to serve the many interests of our students. Those offerings are divided into six categories: Academic Enrichments, Athletic Programs, Extended Care, Fine Arts Programs, Spiritual Life, and Tutoring Programs. Some highlights include Academic Team, Chess Club, Girls On The Run, Holy Yoga, Robotics Team, and Soccer Shots.

FINEARTS

Our fine arts program is thriving. In our elementary school, our students now have opportunities to learn how to play a variety of instruments including the violin. Our elementary choir continues to grow and perform around Lexington. We also saw continued growth in our 6th-12th grade instrumental and choral programs. Students showcased their talents in the fall Cabaret and the spring musical, The Little Mermaid. Our choirs achieved success in local and national competitions including the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The future for our fine arts program is very bright.

ATHLETICS

In Colossians 3:23, we are called to perform “with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." The Athletics department, our staff, and coaches work diligently every day to create the best possible atmosphere for our student-athletes so that when we are competing, we do so with all our hearts in a way that glorifies Him. Some of our successes include:

Girls KHSAA Indoor Track State Champions, Three new “1,000-Point Scorers” in basketball, Boys basketball made it to the region tournament for only the 5th time in school history, Girls basketball had their best record since 2010, Two new programs -- Girls Lacrosse and Wrestling, and 22 Senior Signings for Collegiate Sports.

CAMPUSOPERATIONS

2023-2024 was a busy year for our Campus Operations Team. Below are just a few highlights of the projects our facilities, operations, and technology teams tackled:

Implemented HVAC Replacement Schedule, Continued the migration to Cloud-Based Email System, Implemented Multi-Factor Identification, Installed security upgrades at both campuses, Refurbished the Rose Campus Cross Tower,

Created a new nurse station and renovated restrooms at the Rose Campus

Created new classrooms and teacher workspaces at the Immanuel Baptist Church Campus, and Updated the Rose Campus chapel sound system and installed paging speakers at the Immanuel Baptist Church Campus.

In addition to their many projects, our team works hard to keep our campuses clean, safe, and functional for all school activities.

FINANCE&HUMANRESOURCES

Strong, increased enrollment has enabled us to meet and exceed our anticipated yearto-date budget. We concluded the year with a budget surplus. Throughout the year, the school invested in both campuses and provided numerous upgrades. The Finance and Human Resource team was pleased to continue its efforts to increase employee wages while keeping tuition increases to a minimum. As mentioned in our Strategic Plan, our team is committed to developing a multi-year financial plan to attain tuition stability to work toward eliminating the gap and providing a more accurate costs for families.

DEVELOPMENT

When a family gives to LCA, no matter the size of the gift, it has an impact. This was evident in two of the school’s big fundraising efforts - Celebrate Teachers & Staff and our Eagle Gala. Both campaigns enabled us to bless our teachers and staff as well as make investments in both of our campuses. In addition, we saw parents, guardians, and grandparents spend countless hours volunteering in our lunchrooms, classrooms, and special events. We are so thankful for the many ways our families donate their time, talents, and treasure to our school.

10%INCREASEFOR CELEBRATETEACHERS

25%

INCREASEFOR EAGLEGALA

ADMISSIONS&MARKETING

LCA continued to experience a strong demand for our programs. A few highlights from our year include:

94% Retention Rate, Wait Pools for all programs,

Enrollment of families from 15 Central Kentucky Counties, Increased enrollment of children of alumni by 29%,

Grade level gatherings for preschool-8th grade students and their families, An expanded student ambassador program, The launch of “Parenting with Purpose,” a parent education program, and New surveys of our families and students.

FALL2023FALLSURVEY

In the Fall of 2023, we asked our families to provide us feedback on our school, its leadership, and our programming. Here is what you shared with us:

STRENGTHS

Christ-centered School

Teachers & Staff

Small Class Sizes

Sense of Community

Safe Environment

Quality of Education

CONCERNS

Cost of tuition

Inconsistent progressive discipline practices

Lunch options

Lack of diversity

Governance

Having two campuses

Our Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team are committed to addressing the concerns voiced, many of which are already identified as initiatives in the school’s Strategic Plan. We look forward to providing further updates in the 20242025 school year.

STUDENTSPIRITUALLIFESURVEY

Our Student Spiritual Life Survey helped us understand the frequency our families attend church, where they attend church, and how they would like to serve their communities.

CHURCHES

FREQUENCY OF CHURCH ATTENDANCE

We are pleased to see that 74% of our families are attending church at least three times a month. As believers, it is important to continue to worship, pray, and learn in the body of Christ, the church. Although LCA hopes to play an important role in your family’s faith walk, the school and its programs are not intended to replace the church. We hope to see our church involvement percentage increase next year.

AREAS OF INTEREST FOR SERVICE

Make-A-Wish

Lifeline Ministry

Christian Appalachian Project

Dance Blue

Salvation Army

Ronald McDonald House

Military Missions

Toyota Miracle League

Our Spiritual Life Survey confirmed what we already knew, our students love to serve. The list to the left highlights where our students would like to serve next year. We look forward to continuing our partnerships with each of these organizations and providing them with the resources and support they need.

CONGRATULATIONS!

As we head into the summer, we wish to congratulate all of our students who completed a milestone year -- kindergarten, fifth grade, eighth grade, and twelfth grade. We wish you the very best as you prepare for first grade, 6th Grade Academy, high school, and college or career. May God continue to bless our students as they follow God’s calling on their lives.

2023-24

Donotconformtothe patternofthisworld,butbe transformedbythe renewingofyourmind.Then youwillbeabletotestand approvewhatGod’swillisHisgood,pleasingand perfectwill.

VERSE OF THE YEAR