“We’ve always been quiet, but we’re at the point where we’re established,” Mike Dixon said. “People need to know what we are, who we are and what we do.”
Classes are held in the Waynesburg Pentecostal Church off of U.S. 27. In accordance with the fire marshal, LCA accepts only 49 students, who range from kindergarten to 12th grade. Mike Dixon said the school is governed by the Kentucky Non-Public School Commission.
The commission was developed by the Kentucky Board of Education, the Kentucky Department of Education and non-public schools. According to their website, it was “created to address the common concerns of those privately-operated schools that desired to be in voluntary compliance with state standards, and thus become ‘certified’ non-public schools.”
The school operates on the Accelerated Christian Education, or ACE curriculum.
“In this curriculum, the child is allowed to go through school at their own pace. In order to pass, students must achieve an 80 percent on their test scores,” Mike Dixon said. “If they want to speed through it, as long as they meet the academic standards, they can do so.”
Students can advance to the next grade level at the parent’s discretion and students that finish school early can then enter the workforce. Asbury University and the University of Kentucky accept the school’s credits, as well as other institutions across the state.
Mike Dixon said he believes his students are held to a higher standard than any school in the county, and the same goes for the school staff.
“Any immoral conduct and they will be fired on the spot. I am very strict and I will stay that way,” Mike Dixon said.
As a Christian Academy, Mike Dixon said that the school’s purpose is not to push religion or Pentecostalism on the students.
“I do not want to step in the way of any child as they find their own way to God,” he said.
Isaacs thanked his teachers and everyone for their support as he accepted his diploma. Isaacs was presented with a Bible, which Mike Dixon said will guide him in his future endeavors. Isaacs is undecided about his future plans, but wants to go to a vocational school to further his education.
The school does come with a price tag: It’s $50 to register, $200 for books and $100 per month. Three students are working on a farm in order to raise the necessary funds to continue attending the academy. Mike Dixon said that shows the dedication of his students.
