Our Heritage
Lakewood Christian Schools is a ministry of First Baptist Church of Lakewood. It is located in beautiful Long Beach, California. LCS consists of students from Preschool through 8th grade and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). 100% of our classroom teachers possess current state teaching credentials in addition to their individual degrees, as well as ACSI certification for teaching in a Christian school.
Our emphasis is in teaching reading, writing and arithmetic while accentuating a Christian worldview. LCS students also enjoy participating in many academic events, such as, speech, math, spelling and art competitions. Students are kept up on technology with our Computer Lab. Our Fine Arts Department includes: 5 bands, 4 vocal choirs, and two handbell choirs, and Middle School drama and video. The LCS athletic program includes: football, basketball and volleyball. Athletics is in association with the Christian Athletic League.
LCS Middle School offers a wide variety of electives. While they vary year to year, samples include Art, Spanish, Drama, Video, Apologetics, Woodworking, Crafting, Choir, Band, song writing, and more. Many of our programs have won numerous awards and are integrated together. For example, our students in the Song Writing elective wrote a song, our Middle School choir recorded it, and our Video Club created a music video for it. The song was selected as the theme song for a new TV show and the music video won a national award!
LCS not only integrates God into its entire curriculum, but enjoys teachers and staff that love the Lord and model Christian living in all they do. They are here to teach children by example, and to assist parents in training their children for life long success.
Where we started
LCS, originally named First Baptist Church of Lakewood Elementary School (FBCOLES), started in the fall of 1979 under the ministry of the then-pastor of First Baptist Church of Lakewood, Dr. James A. Borror and the visionary leadership of Larry Price and a talented school board. With 41 students from Kindergarten through 3rd grade and 3 experienced credentialed Christian teachers – Miss Debra Cormier, Mrs. Carol Brown and Mrs. Jaime Grinsell, LCS began. We soon had our first principal, Ron Ralston, followed by our long time principal, Robert Bignell.
God continued to bless the school under Mr. Bignell’s leadership, and within a few years it was a complete elementary school serving students K – 6th grade. In 2003, a middle school was added with a beloved teacher, Mrs. Brenda Barton, moving into the role of Middle School Principal. We gained a new Elementary principal/ School Administrator that year as well, Mr. Patrick W. Major.
In 2013 Mr. Major completed his 10th year at LCS. After 40 faithful years of working in Christian Education he retired. As our school continued to grow we were excited to reorganize our school administration and promote Mrs. Barton to K-8 Principal, and add in Miss Norton, our valuable Middle School Bible teacher, as K-8 Assistant Principal.
Where we are going
God continues to bless us with terrific Christian teachers and wonderful students. As we enjoy over 35 years of Christian Education, we are excited about all that God is doing for our students. Many have accepted Christ as their savior through this ministry. Our alumni tell us how God is using them in the world to reach others for Christ. As our school grows, we are privileged to see our students develop into fine adults, and see many return with their own children as the next generation of LCS students.
As we continue to strive to meet the needs of various families, we are happy to announce the addition of a PSP (Private Satellite Program) Homeschool program “Lakewood Christian Academy”. Our goal is to extend the vision and love of our brick and mortarĀ school to those who choose to school their children at home.
We are excited about the opportunity to continue to lay a foundation in young lives that will encourage and help them to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Please pray with us in this endeavor and consider ways in which you can be involved and share in the blessings with us.