Information Brochure

Note: This information has been taken from our “Family Handbook.” The complete document is available through the school office or on the school website.

Please click here to download a printer-ready PDF of this document.

Our Philosophy of Education

Latham Bible Baptist Church and Latham Christian Academy believe that God mandates Christian education. The Bible is replete with passages that make known to us what God’s mind is concerning the education of our youth. The home is the primary training center. God has provided the church to carry out its Great Commission, which involves teaching and training. (Deuteronomy 6:1-25)

Parents have been entrusted with the principle task of rearing their children in the home. The Christian school, through the auspices of the local church, has been charged with the responsibility to assist parents with the task of providing an academic education to their children. In addition to that, the Christian school is to help reinforce in the life of each young person the Biblical values taught in the home. The school does not stand in the place of the parent but rather is designed to work along with the parent. (Ephesians 6:1-4; Matthew 28:19,20)

We believe that God has established a testimony in us, and He has commanded us to make that testimony known to our children so that a godly generation of young people will be raised up and that the generation to come might know God and set their hopes in Him. (Psalm 78:1-7).

The purpose of Latham Christian Academy is to present all truths from the superior viewpoint of faith in Jesus Christ, to indoctrinate children in God’s perspective. In fact, keeping in mind that all knowledge, understanding, and wisdom come from God, we see that all education becomes a revelation of God, and that no academic subject can be properly understood apart from that revelation.

Therefore there are three main ingredients to education: knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Knowledge is the discovery of fact, principle, or concept. It grows from the simple to the complex and is contained in all academic subjects. Understanding is the ability to evaluate the facts. And Wisdom, the most precious of all, is the ability to make judgments in light of that understanding – the ability to put the facts to use in the daily situations that arise in our lives. The Bible refers to these ingredients of education as treasures, and all three of these treasures come from God and God alone. (Proverbs 2:1-6)

Statement of Objectives

The Bible teaches “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52) Our Lord has provided us with His salvation to accept and His example to follow. Therefore, Latham Christian Academy seeks to develop the total person in the following areas:

Spiritual

  • To lead the student to accept God’s gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ alone as Savior.
  • To develop attitudes and values consistent with the teaching of the Scriptures.
  • To instill a personal responsibility to God for individual behavior. (John 3:16; Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:1,2; I Corinthians 6:19,20)

 

Academic

Since God’s Word is the source of truth, all subject matter is taught in light of the Scripture. (John 17:17; Colossians 6:19,20)

  • To promote an instructional program to meet individual needs more adequately.
  • To provide academic excellence. (II Timothy 2:15)

 

Physical and Social

Since God created man a tri-partite being (body, soul, and spirit) and realizing that for the Christian, his body is the residence of God the Holy Spirit, the school stresses the development and care of the body. (I Corinthians 6:19,20)

  • Wholesome forms of recreation and exercise are encouraged. (I Timothy 4:8)
  • Personal cleanliness and good grooming are emphasized.
  • Dress consistent with Biblical standards is expected. (Romans 12:1,2; I Timothy 2:9)
  • Appropriate friendships and relationships among boys and girls and between the sexes are stressed. (II Timothy 2:22)
  • Patriotism is taught. (Romans 13:1-4)

 

Statement of Faith

HOLY SCRIPTURES (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21) – We believe that the Holy Bible, as originally written, was verbally inspired by God, and the product of Spirit-controlled men, and therefore has truth without admixture of error for its matter.

GOD (Exodus 20:2-3; I Corinthians 8:8; I John 5:7) – We believe that there is only one living and true God, infinite in every excellence; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

SATAN (Matthew 4:1-3) – We believe in the distinct personality of Satan.

CREATION (Genesis 1:2; John 1:3) – We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all life.

FALL OF MAN (Genesis 3; Romans 10:9-13) – We believe that man, in the person of the first – Adam, was created in innocence, but by voluntary transgression fell into sin, thus plunging the whole race into condemnation and death.

SALVATION BY GRACE (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-13) – We believe that faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation from sin.

REDEMPTION FROM SIN (John 3:7-16; Romans 3:24-25; Acts 16:30-33) – We believe that the only escape from the condemnation of sin is through the redemption wrought by Jesus Christ.

THE CHURCH (Matthew 18:15-17; I Timothy 3:1-15) – We believe that the church universal is manifest through the local church which is the congregation of immersed believers, associated by the covenant of faith and the fellowship of the Gospel.

ORDINANCES (Acts 8:36-39; I Corinthians 11:23-32) – We believe that there are two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED (Romans 6:17-23; Matthew 25:41) – We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked.

THE RETURN OF CHRIST (I Thessalonians 4:13-18) – We believe in the imminent, bodily, personal, premillenial return of Jesus Christ, and that He will come before the seven year tribulation period to catch away the Church.

THE RESURRECTION (John 5:21-30; I Thessalonians 4:15) – We believe in the resurrection of the bodies of the dead; that the believers asleep in Christ will be raised at the coming of Christ for His Church.

CIVIL GOVERNMENT (Romans 13:1-7; Daniel 3:17-18) – We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society.

HUMAN SEXUALITY  We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.  We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex.  We believe that God assigns gender at conception and forbids any attempts to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance.  (Gen 1:27; Gen 19:5,13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; I Cor. 5:1; 6:9; I Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)  We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.  (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; I Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23)

Curriculum
It is the philosophy of Latham Bible Baptist Church and Latham Christian Academy that textbooks written specifically for Christian schools (in agreement with this church’s doctrinal position) be used wherever possible throughout the school curriculum. Where there is not a textbook from a Christian publisher available, a textbook from a secular publisher may be utilized with a clear plan for Biblical integration in the classroom.

Dress Code
The principles given in the Scriptures (I Cor. 10:31; 11:1-16; 14:40; I Tim. 2:9-10; I Peter 3:1-7) teach that in appearance and grooming, the Christian must reflect certain Biblical standards. Our outward appearance is a reflection of our heart and mind. Through our clothes, hairstyles, make-up and cleanliness, we either draw attention to ourselves or magnify the Lord.

Since LCA serves families from many different backgrounds, it is only natural that there will be differences in dress and grooming customs. To maintain a consistent testimony, all students are required to wear uniforms and to meet the standards that follow. Students are not to strive for the bare minimum requirements, but to learn to grow in Godliness in their choices.

Our dress code is designed to teach young people an “outward adornment” that reflects the inner beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ. It enhances the development of a “meek (submissive, yielding) and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God a great price.” (I Peter 3:3-4)

Uniforms must be purchased through Lodge’s in Albany. Lodge’s is located at 75 N Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207. Their phone number is (518) 463-4646.

Boys K-6

  • Navy blue traditional plain or pleated-front pants (with belt and no exterior pockets)
  • White short or long sleeve polo (with logo)
  • Light blue short or long sleeve polo (with logo)
  • White or traditional light blue short/long-sleeve button-down Oxford shirt
  • Solid navy blue sweater (cardigan, V-neck, or zip up; no sweatshirts or logos)

 

Boys 7-12

  • Navy blue or khaki traditional plain or pleated-front pants (with belt and no exterior pockets)
  • White short or long sleeve polo (with logo)
  • Light blue short or long sleeve polo (with logo)
  • White or traditional light blue short/long-sleeve button-down Oxford shirt
  • Solid navy blue sweater (cardigan, V-neck, or zip up; no sweatshirts or logos)

 

Girls K-Sixth

  • Navy blue jumper
  • Navy blue double-pleated skirt (option for grades 4-6)
  • White short or long sleeve polo (with logo)
  • Light blue short or long sleeve polo (with logo)
  • White or traditional light blue short/long-sleeve button-down Oxford shirt
  • Solid navy blue sweater (cardigan, V-neck, or zip up; no sweatshirts or logos)

 

Girls 7-12

  • Navy blue or khaki double-pleated skirt
  • Navy blue or khaki long A-line skirt
  • White short or long sleeve polo (with logo)
  • Light blue short or long sleeve polo (with logo)
  • White or traditional light blue short/long-sleeve button-down Oxford shirt
  • Solid navy blue sweater (cardigan, V-neck, or zip up; no sweatshirts or logos)

Physical Education Uniforms
(both girls and boys in grades 4-12)

  • Gray imprinted t-shirt
  • Navy blue knee-length sweat shorts or sweat pants

Dress Code Notes

All Students

  • Only the top button on uniform tops may be unfastened. Tops must be tucked in during the school day.
  • White or navy blue socks (or hose) are required for all students.
  • No hats or coats may be worn inside the building.
  • Hair color is to be natural.
  • Please notice the following policies regarding footwear:
    • Shoes are to be of dress or dress/casual variety.
    • Sandals are permitted for girls only.
    • No varieties of flip-flops are allowed.
    • No backless shoes or slipper type shoes are allowed.
    • Heels are to be more of the flat or low variety, rather than “high heels.”
    • Traditional soles rather than elevated are acceptable. Shoes with laces must be tied.
    • Students in Grades K-3 through 6 may wear sneakers if they are well maintained.
    • Boots may not be worn by students of any age.

Girls

  • Skirts and jumpers must be at least to the bottom of the knee at all times.
  • Only 7th through 12th grade girls may wear make-up in moderation.

Boys

  • Boys’ hair must be neat and properly trimmed. Hair must be off the shirt collar, eyes, and ears. Traditional haircuts, rather than extreme, are deemed appropriate by the school administration. Facial hair is unacceptable and sideburns must be trimmed to the middle of the ear. Boys must be clean-shaven at all times.
  • Jewelry is restricted to a watch and ring with no other jewelry showing.

Students will not be permitted to change clothes after school without permission unless a student is dressing to participate in or attend an extracurricular or sports activity or event. School programs require classroom dress unless otherwise announced. Girls and boys may wear modest, loose-fitting jeans or pants at athletic events.

School Profile

Character

LCA is a ministry outreach of Latham Bible Baptist Church established in 1979 by its members under the leadership of Pastor George P. Whitman. The school holds to the Articles of Faith and the Constitution and By-Laws of the Latham Bible Baptist Church.

Location

LCA is located in the city of Latham, New York, on State Route 155 at 495 Watervliet-Shaker Road. The school is located in the Capital Region next to Shaker Junior High School.

Campus

LCA occupies the facilities of the Latham Bible Baptist Church. The current facilities provide for twelve classrooms, gymnasium, lunchroom, computer lab, auditorium, and administrative offices. Utilizing four and one half acres of land, the school is able to accommodate future expansion and development.

Enrollment

LCA offers a K-3 through twelfth grade academic Christian school curriculum. Upon opening its doors in the fall of 1979, LCA’s initial enrollment stood at thirty-two students offering only elementary grades. The school has increased enrollment since its inception and now operates a full elementary through high school program.

Graduates

LCA issued its first high school diploma to its graduating seniors in 1987. LCA has graduated over one hundred senior students. Most of LCA’s graduates continue their education at two and four year colleges and universities immediately following graduation (85%). The balance of the school’s graduates choose to enter the work force pursuing the career of their choice immediately upon graduation or enter our nation’s armed forces.

Faculty/Administration

Christian teachers compose the faculty of LCA, all of which are members in good standing at Latham Bible Baptist Church or in local area Baptist churches of like faith and practice. Serving in their local church and community, LCA faculty seek to maintain a well-balanced world and life view. The school’s Board of Education is composed of the pastor, church-appointed members, and the school’s administrator. It serves as the administration of the school.

Achievement/College Entrance Testing

LCA administers the Stanford Achievement Test to all K-5 through high school students annually. All 11th grade students also take the PSAT/NMSQT. All graduating seniors are counseled to take either the SAT or ACT to meet college entrance requirements.

Educational Associations

LCA is a member in good standing with the American Association of Christian Schools and the New York Association of Christian Schools. Administration, faculty, and staff of the school attend continuing education conferences and seminars in an effort to keep informed and prepared in their areas of responsibility.

Costs

The cost of attending LCA compares favorably with other area and associated Christian schools with similar programs.