About LCA
Who we are, what we do, and what matters to us...
First and foremost, we are Christians who love Jesus and seek to serve Him. Everything else falls into place under that calling. God led us specifically to teach children and minister to their families. Lighthouse Christian Academy is a product of that leading.
A Bit of History: Lighthouse Christian Academy opened in the fall of 1987 in an effort to provide a loving Christian environment and challenging curriculum for gifted students. Our founder, Colleen Fouché, believed that children learn more effectively with creative hands-on curriculum and small class sizes. Today, we teach students in the Pre-K through 8th grades using curriculum, gathered from many sources, specifically chosen to integrate faith with education and offer challenging, cross-discipline learning. Additionally, we limit the number of students in a classroom to 18.
Lighthouse has a homeschooling heritage, having been originally formed by a small group of homeschooling families who felt they could work better together than alone. This heritage is evident today in the family-friendly atmosphere, the creative can-do attitude of the faculty and staff, and the expectation of active parent involvement at Lighthouse.
Together is better: Most of our classrooms are made up of combined grades (1st/2nd, 3rd/4th, 5th/6th, and 7th/8th), the exception being the Pre-K class and the Kindergarten class. In combined classes, our curriculum alternates in a two-year cycle, with adjustments made where needed to accommodate the differences in abilities within one classroom. Combined classrooms are advantageous in several aspects: students who are advanced for their grade benefit from exposure to the thinking processes of older children; likewise, children who are young for their grade find playmates who accept them readily. The fluctuation in social groups every other year helps students overcome social challenges; the continuity of faculty over the course of two years helps students feel secure and deeply known.
Shorter is sweeter: School is in session 8:15am to 3:15pm, Monday - Thursday. We follow the yearly calendar set by the local school district, Coeur d'Alene District 271. Our small class sizes allow us to cover material quickly, leaving Fridays free for field trips, family time, and outside interests: private lessons, sports, homework, laying on your back looking at the clouds...
Teaching more than the 3Rs: We believe in developing the "whole" child; this includes helping children grow in emotional and spiritual maturity. Each day, students are actively taught from the Bible and scriptural principles are woven throughout our curriculum. Lighthouse teachers, staff, and volunteers are expected to "live out" their Christian faith for the benefit of our students and their families. We enjoy seeing the fruits of God's Spirit in their lives! Our discipline model is based on the "Love and Logic" series (www.loveandlogic.com), with an emphasis on applying loving but logical consequences for actions, teaching students the value of self-discipline and respect for authority, and rewarding appropriate and others-focused behavior. We also place a high value on teaching students to take responsibility for their own deadlines and assignments; to that end, our students learn a unique organizational binder system which we believe better prepares them for high school, college and adult life.
We offer daily scripture classes, core classes in math, science, language arts, history, and social studies, physical education classes, and artistic activities integrated into many units.
You can read our Mission and Vision Statement here.
You can read about our Tuition Policy here.
For more information regarding Lighthouse Christian Academy, its policies and procedures, please take a look at our Handbook, or feel free to call our office and speak with our director.