History

Christian education began in Aberdeen, South Dakota over twenty-five years ago with a group of parents, grandparents, and teachers meeting together to discuss the possibility of an interdenominational Christian school. They had lots of enthusiasm and determination, but they needed more information, finances, and facilities. They distributed surveys to confirm community support and made several trips to Christian schools in the Dakotas and Minnesota to gather information. The goal was to train students to be Christian leaders in whatever vocation the Lord led them. They decided to have a well-rounded program with strong emphasis on academics, daily Bible classes, music, art, and physical education.

Pastor Salem of First Baptist Church in Aberdeen was eager to have the school as a mission to the community and to have his grandchildren enrolled. With no other financial backing, the church voted to provide the building for the school and to help give the school a firm foundation. After much research and planning, the school opened in the fall of 1982 with 2 teachers and 22 students in Pre-K through 2nd grade in the First Baptist Church building on 6th Avenue. The school was accredited by the South Dakota Department of Education the very first year it was in operation.

Another grade was added each fall, and enrollment continued to grow. Soon eighteen churches were represented in the student population, and the pastors of the students took turns coming to the weekly chapel service. With continued growth came the need for more space. The church decided to build a new facility on Melgaard Road, and, since the current school building had been purchased by another company, decided to add an education wing onto the new church that included classroom facilities for the school, a library, a computer lab, and a gymnasium.

When the seventh and eighth grades were added, an instrumental music program began along with a more organized after school sports program. The computer lab continued to change and grow through the years as up-to-date technology was added with students and teachers having full access to the equipment. Christian education in Aberdeen, South Dakota was now well established.

In February of 1996, a group of parents met together to discuss the dream of a nondenominational Christian high school. These parents had children at First Baptist Christian School and wanted to continue Christian education for their children. Since First Baptist was not able to extend their school to the high school level, these parents explored the possibility of beginning a separate school.

Several public meetings were held, a school board was formed, and Aberdeen Christian High School, Inc. was established. Lynne Fuhrman was hired as development consultant in February, 1999. God opened one door, then the next; He put one piece in the puzzle, then another; and ACHS started in August of 1999 as an accredited high school with seven students in grades nine and ten. Calvary Baptist Church hosted ACHS for two years before the school moved to its current location, Aberdeen Wesleyan Church.

The major focus of the school was on teaching the five core areas of Bible, English, science, mathematics, and humanities. Additionally, the school has offered such electives and extracurricular activities as foreign language, art, creative writing, debate, journalism, drama, instrumental ensemble, vocal music, philosophy, home economics, basketball, volleyball, track, and cross country. Its five graduating classes left ACHS with a well-rounded education and students were prepared for the next step to which God called them.

On June 14, 2004, the Board of Deacons at First Baptist Church appointed an Exploration Committee to examine the feasibility of forming a community Bible-based Christian school, PK-12. Over the course of over two years, this committee worked with the business community of Aberdeen, parents, faculty and staff of the two Christian schools, pastors, professional groups, and a professional consultant to determine whether or not such a venture would succeed. The final determination was that First Baptist Christian School and Aberdeen Christian High School combine to form an independent, nondenominational Christian school with the clear intention of expanding educational opportunities to families desiring a uniquely Christian (biblically based) educational alternative. In July 2006, this vision became a reality when the two schools merged under the name of Aberdeen Christian School.

While currently housed on two separate campuses, Aberdeen Christian School is in the process of finding land or an existing facility to house all grades. In this search, the school board is reaching out to the Aberdeen community and working to make this a community Christian school.