School Profile

Since 1968 Christian Liberty Academy has sought to partner with parents, in the education of their children. We believe that the job of the school is not to take over the duties of parents, but to support and assist them in carrying out their God-given responsibility to educate their children according to the Word of God. Christian Liberty Academy provides educational opportunities for Pre-School through 12th grade. We seek to not only challenge children academically, but to also prepare them to be thinking disciples.

Student Opportunities

Christian Liberty Academy provides co-curricular opportunities for the student body, including sports teams, music, clubs and group activities. Students grow spiritually through participation in mentoring, small group Bible studies, chapel speaking, leading worship and many service opportunities.
 

We also offer strong programs in fine arts including art history & instruction, choir, band, kinderstrings, private lessons, theater, drama jr, and improv. Additionally, we offer culinary arts, sewing, auto shop, and wood shop.
 

Current offerings in Athletics:
(CLA is a full member of the IHSA)

School Stats

Advanced Placement Classes Offered:
Calculus, Computer Science, Biology, Literature, Spanish & French
College Placement:
Approximately 92% of the class of 2014 went on to attend institutions of higher learning.
Student Enrollment:
Enrollment numbers are updated in September of current school year

"Salt & Light"

As CLA parents consider the educational choices for their children for the next school year, we encounter the question, "Is it time for my child to go out to be 'Salt and Light' in the world, as Jesus has called Christians to be?" This question is typically considered as the student prepares to graduate from 8th grade and move to High School.
 

Unquestionably, students who have attended CLA and have had Christian training in their home and church are better prepared to witness than students who have not had this foundation. Although this space does not allow a full discussion of this topic, we believe that spending the formative high school years gaining a deeper understanding of the Christian perspective in subjects such as history, economics, literature, mathematics, and science better prepares children to be "salt and light" in the world as they fully mature and become adults. By contrast, in a public school (mandated to be devoid of God), your child's faith and belief system will be challenged. A child's faith may not be steadfast and strong enough to withstand peer and societal pressures.
 

It must also be said that attending a Christian school does not preclude children from influencing others for Christ. Certainly, there are many opportunities as they interact in park district activities, in their neighborhood, and in outreach ministries with CLA and their church. In fact, as other children become aware that your child attends a Christian school, they may be more likely to seek out your child with spiritual questions.
 

Although our 8th graders may be taller than we are, seem to be more mature than we were at their age, and may prefer to leave the strictness of Christian school education behind them, parents must prayerfully consider what is in the best long term interest of God's kingdom.
 

We offer Deuteronomy 11: 18-20: Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
 

Perhaps, instead of asking whether it is time for our children to be "salt and light," we should ask, "Are the years between 14 and 18 the time to test my child's faith or to further nurture it?"
 

Ad Maiorem, Dei Gloriam ~ "to the greater glory of God"
 

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." —Matthew 5:13–16, NKJV

History

When Christian Liberty Academy opened its doors in the fall of 1968, sixty children crowded into their newly remodeled "school", the basement of the Church of Christian Liberty, Prospect Heights, Illinois. The school began as the result of the dissatisfaction of the church with government education and its desire for Christian education. Dr. Paul Lindstrom, pastor of the church since its beginning three years earlier, had realized that millions of children were being academically impoverished, in part because they were not being taught to read adequately. With the education establishment fast removing all traces of "traditional" teaching methods from the curriculum, Pastor Paul determined that he would establish an alternative to the public school system, with the Bible as the foundation and phonics at the core of the curriculum.
 

Initially, CLA provided classes for K through 9, but within three years the high school program was fully functional. In 1969, two men joined the staff of CLA. Dr. Philip Bennett came to teach Math and Science, while Mr. Mike Sherman taught Bible. As the school grew, Pastor Paul handed the headmaster duties over to Dr. Bennett in order to concentrate on the work of the church and the rapidly growing homeschool ministry, Christian Liberty Academy School System (CLASS).
 

The school grew, and although a new wing of eleven classrooms was added to the church, the school was soon "bursting at the seams." In 1985 the Lord sovereignly allowed the church to purchase the former Arlington Heights High School buildings. CLA (then numbering 200) moved into this 210,000 sq. ft., 12 acre campus along with CLASS and the church. The school building had undergone significant renovation, and came with everything necessary to begin classes immediately.
 

Christian Liberty now serves thousands of students through CLA, CLASS, and Christian Liberty Press. Over 120 students are involved in Whitefield College, our four-year homeschool undergraduate program, organized in conjunction with Whitefield Theological Seminary in Lakeland, Florida. Our continuing mission is to provide affordable, quality education to those who desire to prepare themselves and their children to take godly dominion in every aspect of life and thought to the glory of God.
Dr. Lindstrom reclaimed the motto of the Jesuits for the Church of Christian Liberty and its ministries:
 

Ad Maiorem, Dei Gloriam. May we all seek to educate ourselves and the next generation to do all things "to the greater glory of God."
 

Statement of Faith

• We believe the Bible to be inspired, to be infallible, and to be the supreme and final authority for all faith and life.

 

• We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

• We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.

 

• We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is therefore lost, and only such as are born of the Holy Spirit are saved from their sins.

 

• We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to convict men, and to indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service.

 

• We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost-of the saved, to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord; of the lost, to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment.

 

• We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Facility Rentals

Christian Liberty Academy facilities are available for rent to non-profit organization/groups that are 401c3 year round, depending upon availability Monday through Saturday. The building is not available for rentals on Sundays.
 

Typical rooms available for public rental include our cafeteria, classrooms, gymnasiums and meeting rooms.
 

Child sized furniture is available in elementary schools, and adult size furniture is available in middle and high schools.
Facilities may be available for use after 6:30pm on school days, and on weekends from 8am-2pm during the school year. Summer rentals may be arranged.
 

Hourly fees are charged. (see below for rental costs)
 
Custodial overtime is charged when applicable.
 
For additional fees, a limited amount of equipment is available for rent, including TV/DVD, volleyball poles/nets, tables and chairs.
 

To rent a facility, please contact Missy Bergquist at 847-385-2086 or email rentals@christianliberty.com
 
 

Availability

To check for our facility rentals availability contact Missy Bergquist at 847-385-2086, or email rentals@christianliberty.com. Please call in before you make your booking to make sure the facilities are available for your chosen event date.

Fees Per Hour

Prices subject to change.

Employment

Welcome, Prospective Teachers!

After perusing our school website you will understand why we feel that it is absolutely critical that Christian Liberty Academy's faculty and staff are dedicated and gifted Christians. We seek staff members who love God and love children; who are articulate defenders and models of the Christian faith in thought, word, and deed; and who are committed to the good work of Christian education in the Reformed Christian tradition.

Current Teaching Opportunities:

Full Time

CLA is looking for a full time 5th grade teacher for the upcoming school year. If you are interested, please contact Thad Bennett at thad.bennett@christianliberty.com.

Part Time

CLA is looking for a part time library staff. If you are interested, please contact Thad Bennett at thad.bennett@christianliberty.com.