Established 1968 (1968) Status Operating Phone +1 847-385-2011 Number of students 534 (2015–2016) Colors White, Blue | Founder Paul Lindstrom Category Private Mascot Charger Founded 1968 | |
Type Private Christian School Motto Ad Maiorem, Dei Gloriam (Latin)
To the greater glory of God (English) Address 502 Euclid Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, USA | ||
Christian liberty academy student and staff
Christian Liberty Academy (CLA) is a private, independent Christian school serving 800 students, located in Arlington Heights, Cook County, Illinois. The school serves families who live in 69 surrounding cities. CLA has grades preschool through twelfth grade and was founded in 1968 under the auspices of the Church of Christian Liberty. The Church of Christian Liberty provides oversight for the school as one of its ministries, though students and parents are not required to be members or attend the church.
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Small fire at christian liberty academy on west euclid ave arlington heights
Overview
CLA is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International and the National Association of Private Schools. By choice, it is not a state accredited school, but despite this, it is a member of the Illinois High School Association.
CLA strives to teach every class from a Christian perspective, stating that "All that one does is to be to the glory of God." Small class sizes allow for more direct attention from adequately-trained teachers who provide both a solid education and, when needed, counsel for the students, all from a Christian perspective. Although staff and students are not required to attend the Church of Christian Liberty, all students from preschool through highschool are taught the values of Christianity including obedience to God, respect for parents and teachers, responsibility to their country, and love for others. CLA also offers students a variety of extra-curricular activities including growing sports, arts, and theater programs. At CLA, students have an opportunity to learn and grow, both academically and spiritually, in a community of those who are seeking to further develop their God-given strengths and talents.
History
Christian Liberty Academy was founded in 1968 in the basement of Prospect Heights, Illinois' Church of Christian Liberty. Its first year, about 60 children attended. According to the school's official website, the school was founded "as the result of the dissatisfaction of the church with government education and the desire for Christian education." The original headmaster was Paul Lindstrom.
At first, only classes for kindergarten through ninth grade were provided, however, within three years, the school also opened to high school-age students. The school quickly became too large for its location; in 1985, the school was moved to the former location of Arlington Heights High School.
A satellite school was established in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin in 1970. The first headmaster was John H. Vouga. The school moved to larger quarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin in the fall of 1972. It ceased operations in 1989.