Plans for new Christian school in the works

“Not a complete remodel but a fresh start,” is the way Crystal Crosby describes plans in motion to open a faith based school on the Enterprise First Assembly of God campus.

Crystal Crosby and her husband, Shawn, co-pastors of the EFOG, are among those working to transition the soon-to-be-closing Enterprise Preparatory Academy to the church located at 537 Boll Weevil Circle in Enterprise.

Samantha Avery, a self described “concerned parent,” has spearheaded the search for a new school home since EPA parents and students learned that the K-12 grade school, in operation since 1997, will be closing its doors at end of the current school year. “As a parent I have a personal stake in this,” Avery said. “I want to know that there is a good school for my children to go.”

“Lack of facilities is the main reason that the school is having to transition to somewhere else,” Crystal Crosby said. “Every time you make a transition, it allows for new doors to open to new opportunities and our goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible.”

A meeting was held Monday, May 2, at the church and those interested in learning more about the new kindergarten through eighth grade school were invited to attend.

Classroom sizes, facilities, tuition rates, staff, administration and school board members were among the topics to be discussed. “We are very excited that things are moving forward,” Avery said.

The curriculum will be the same as the one used at EPA because the students really excelled with that curriculum, Avery said. “This is a community project so we are seeking public input.

“They say it takes a village to raise a child but it takes a community to raise a good school,” Avery said. “Together, we can establish a good solid school.

“We’re trying to keep tuition rates competitive,” Avery added. “We have a good product and we’re trying to make it better.”

“The motto of our church is ‘Where you belong,’” said Shawn Crosby, adding that when Avery approached them with the idea of housing a school on the church campus, they all turned to prayer. “We spent a good week praying over the issue, just asking direction from the Lord.”

Plans are to have the classrooms in the upper level of the church building. No name for the school has been decided on yet.

Those interested in more information about the school are asked to contact Avery at either [email protected] or (760) 646-5229.

“To have the option of a good Christian education is something that we feel is important to the children and to the community,” Crystal Crosby said about what she calls an opportunity for outreach ministry. “If this is the way God has opened a door for us, we want to be able to walk through it.”

“This is a way forward and we would like to maintain our true mission and vision of a great Christian school in Enterprise,” Avery said. “We feel this is a Godly venture that provides all of our children with a quality faith based education.”