Our
HISTORY
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2025 marks our 50th year of serving Waupaca with a Christian education. Read more below on how our school was established and grew throughout the years.
In 1975, the Lord allowed First Baptist Church to begin First Baptist Christian School(FBCS) to provide a well-rounded education that was Bible-based. The purpose of establishing a Christian school was to instill a sense of high regard for spiritual and moral standards, excel in academic standards, and help students find their identity in Christ. Under the advisement of Gordon Miller, Lee Morey, and Jeff Peterson, Pastor Leon Leeds cast a vision for a Christian school; during the 1975-1976 school year, Ms. Beverly Winkler taught the initial grade group, which included the 1st-3rd grades. The following year, the school extended the offered grades through 12th grade. As a result of the increased class availability, school enrollment continued to grow. The completion of the school gymnasium in 1977 allowed the school to continue on its mission to provide a well-rounded, Bible-based education.
As the school continued and families were blessed with the opportunity to enroll their children in a Christian school, FBCS presented many educational options for their students. Band, drama, athletic opportunities, and a Christian environment were some of the perks of families sending their children to FBCS. Pastor Larry Gross was the first principal of the school. Under his leadership, the school continued to grow, and the decision was made to bring the high school students on campus who had been commuting from Waupaca to a private school in Oshkosh. The educational method of the high school was Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) between the years 1976 and 2001.
In 2002, the school educational method shifted from ACE to a traditional method. As a result, additional teachers and staff members became a necessity. Teachers continued to be a constant in maintaining a stable Christian environment at school. Through consistent teaching and mentoring, students continued to receive an education focused on excelling in academics and strengthening Christian relationships.
In the 2018-2019 school year, FBCS changed its name to Waupaca Christian Academy (WCA). Becoming an approved Choice School in the Wisconsin Parental School Choice Program allowed the school enrollment to increase again. As WCA continues to instill in students a love for God and country, excellence in academics, and a Bible-based education, WCA seeks a partnership with parents in each student's educational journey.