# Westminster Christian Academy (Missouri)

Westminster Christian Academy is an independent coeducational private Christian school in Town and Country, Missouri, serving students in grades 7–12. As of 2023, the school has an enrollment of 946 students. It was founded in 1976 and moved to its present campus in 2011.

## History

Founded by members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Westminster Christian Academy opened in 1976 in rented classrooms at Missouri Baptist University, with 72 students. It soon moved to a former elementary school in Des Peres, then in 1982, when enrollment had grown to 250, bought the 30-acre former Ladue Middle School campus on Ladue Road in Creve Coeur.
The Ladue Road campus, which originally had a capacity of 600, was renovated and expanded in the early 1990s to accommodate 900 students, and enrollment subsequently grew. In 2003, Westminster purchased the 40-acre campus of West County Vocational Technical School in Town and Country, intending to use it to accommodate future growth. An anonymous gift enabled it to purchase the adjacent 30 acres, known as "Centreat", from Central Presbyterian Church. Ground was broken in June 2010 on extensive modifications and additions to the technical school building, and when the school reopened on its new campus in August 2011, it had a capacity of 1,200 students and 300,000 sq. ft. of educational space, including a 610-seat theater, plus extensive athletic facilities. The former campus, then with 165,000 sq. ft. of space, was sold to the Ladue School District. Enrollment was 964 in 2013.

### Leadership

The following have served as head of school: Nolan Vander Ark (1976–77); Evelyn Downs (1977–81); Arlen Dykstra (1981–84); Larry Birchler (acting headmaster 1984–85); Jim Marsh (1985–2013); Tom Stoner (2013–2016); Barrett Mosbacker (2017–present).

## Programs
### Academics

During the 1990–91 school year, Westminster was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education. The school is recognized for combining Christian education with high academic standards.

### Arts

The school has been recognized by the St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards multiple times—awards received include Outstanding Production (2017, 2019, 2020, 2022), Outstanding Ensemble (2019), Outstanding Costume Design & Execution (2018), Outstanding Direction (2018), Outstanding Supporting Actress (2017), and Outstanding Lead Actress (2022). During the 2018–19 school year, 15 students were selected to participate in the St. Louis metro district honors choir and orchestra. Two students were also selected to participate in the All-State Choir.

### Athletics

Westminster teams are the Wildcats. The school is a member of the Metro League along with John Burroughs, Lutheran North, Lutheran South, MICDS, Principia, Priory, and Villa Duchesne.
Westminster's athletic program has won many state titles. Varsity football started in 2001; Westminster has since won five district championships and two conference championships. The team reached the state final four for the first time in 2015. In 2014, the boys' baseball team became the first in Missouri history to win four consecutive state championships. The boys' hockey team won the Wickenheiser Cup in 2017 and 2018. In 2022, the girls' volleyball team won their second straight state championship. In March 2023, the girls' swim team won the state championship for the first time. Margo O'Meara was the first girl and the second student to win four consecutive Missouri state diving championships.

## Accreditation and memberships
### Accreditation

Westminster has been accredited since 1983 by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States, the first Christian school to achieve that accreditation, and by Cognia.

### Memberships

Westminster became a member of the National Union of Christian Schools in its first year. It is now a member of the following organizations: Council on Educational Standards & Accountability, Independent Schools of St. Louis, Christian Schools Association of St. Louis, and Christian Schools International.

## Notable alumni

* Michael Gerson (1982) — former presidential speechwriter for George W. Bush and one of Time magazine's "25 Most Influential Evangelicals In America"
* Sandra McCracken (1995) — singer-songwriter
* Jacob Turner (2009) — former MLB pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and Washington Nationals
* Kirsten Wright (2017) - soccer player for Racing Louisville FC