June 15, 2019

Summit Christian Academy (SCA) recently broke ground on a 10-classroom addition to the secondary school.

Over 1000 were in attendance at the Legacy of Faith Groundbreaking Ceremony on Thursday, May 23. The ceremony was led by Master of Ceremonies and SCA Dad Ryan Lefebvre, and included a time of prayer, performance by the secondary choir, and celebratory digging by the SCA Board and special guests of the ground where the classrooms will be built. All in attendance were given the opportunity review the building plans and walk the outlined space where the classrooms will be added. The ceremony concluded with a complimentary picnic lunch for all attendees.

Over the past five years, enrollment at SCA is up 16%, including a 28% increase in high school enrollment. The school has been using every existing classroom every hour of the school day. Enrollment for the 2018-19 School Year hit a historic high with 830 early education – 12th grade students.

“With the amazing growth SCA is experiencing, there is an urgent need for additional secondary classrooms,” shared SCA Head of School Mrs. Linda Harrelson.

The 10-classroom wing is Phase One of a long range strategic plan for the school. The new addition will be named the Goppert Wing after the campaign’s lead donor – The Goppert Foundation.

Esteemed guests and those selected to perform the preliminary digging for the much-anticipated project were:

SCA Board of Education members: Dr. Fel Bagunu, John Kliewer, & Don Bisbee and SCA Board of Education President, David Drum; from the Goppert Foundation: Tom Goppert, Autumn Markley, & Jillian Markley (and SCA 3rd grade student); SCA Head of School, Mrs. Linda Harrelson; Mayor of Lee’s Summit, Bill Baird; Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce President, Blake Fry; SCA Pre-Kindergarten student, Ada Lefholz; SCA 2nd grade student, Alaina Thoennes; SCA 2019 graduate and Student of the Year, Josh McConnell; SCA Academic Dean, Dr. Kimberlee Gill; SCA Teacher of the Year, Mr. Greg Finch; Legacy of Faith General Contractor from Fogel Anderson, Andy Keidel; SCA Secondary Principal & Director of Operations, Mr. Joe Hesman; Legacy of Faith Architects, Dave Brown & Joe Cantrell; and SCA Director of Major Gifts, Cordell Dick. Also in attendance was Missouri Senator Ed Emery.

“As we did with our first three building projects, we have relied heavily on the Lord for His wisdom, guidance, and direction,” shared SCA Head of School Linda Harrelson. “We have clearly seen His hand on this project! We are so grateful to be able to add these classrooms, so we can inspire even more students to achieve their God-given potential.”

When construction is complete, the school will be able to accommodate up to 200 additional students. The new classroom wing is expected to open in January of 2020 during SCA’s 30th anniversary school year.