Why South Side Christian Academy?

     The south side of Peoria, Illinois, specifically zip code 61605, suffers from high unemployment, rising teen pregnancy rates, poverty, crime, and underperforming schools. Zip Code 61605 is listed among the 100 poorest zip codes in the United States. Unemployment in 61605 is nearly 5 times what it is in the rest of Peoria.*

     Many families living in South Peoria believe as we do that Jesus Christ is the only hope for true transformation in the lives of all people. These families want a better environment for their children and welcome the idea of more Christian influence there. Our goal is to come alongside these families and help them bring Christ’s love and positive change to their neighborhoods through high-quality Christian education. We started with a kindergarten class in 2016, and have added a grade each year. We now offer grades k-8.  We pray that our students will be have the educational and spiritual foundation to take His love back to their community as future pastors, business owners, doctors, nurses, school teachers, lawyers, skilled trade workers, and the list goes on.

  Serving primarily students in zip code 61605, South Side Christian Academy is a fully faith-funded school, meaning that we have faith that God will provide the needed funds to educate our students through donations from generous people like you. We are honored to join God in this great work of bringing quality Christian education and Christ-centered transformation to Peoria’s south side. To do this, we need the support and prayers of many people and organizations. Positive change is possible. God can make it happen. Will you join us in this dream to bring new hope for a brighter future to the children and families of South Peoria?

*Tarter, Steve. "Community in Neglect." Peoria Journal Star [Peoria] 16 Aug. 2015, Business sec.: F1. Print.

Mission:  

     South Side Christian Academy is a Christ-centered school with a mission to reach and transform children and families for Christ by establishing a solid biblical worldview, confirming value and hope in Christ, and preparing each young person through a high quality education for a life of service to God and others.

Core Values:

• Truth - All Truth is God’s Truth. We Believe that Truth is created and defined by God and is laid out in the Bible, His Infallible Word. John 8:32, 17:17

• Knowledge - We will promote an academic program marked by excellence, high achievement, and creativity. Psalm 119:66

• Compassion - We believe that a love of knowledge and learning must be accompanied by an attitude of compassion in order to benefit society and spread the message of Christ. Ephesians 4:32

• Service - We believe that, having freely received the blessings found in Christ alone, it is critical to give back to our families, community, and world to demonstrate our love for God and others and our deep appreciation for His work in our lives. I Samuel 12:24

• Effort - We believe that we will be blessed when we do our best in all things for the glory of God. Col. 3:23

Statement of Faith:

1. The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God, given to man, inspired by the Holy Spirit. (Matt.4:4, Titus 1:2, James 1:21, 2 Tim. 3:16, Heb. 4:12, John 17:17, PS. 119:105, 1 Thess.2:13, 2 Peter 1:21)

2. There is one eternal God, the Creator of all things, who exists in three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19, 2Cor. 13:14, Isa. 44:6, John 1:14, Luke 11:35, John 14:16-17, Gen 1:1-2, 1 Pet. 1:2, Col. 2:9, John 10:30)

3. Jesus Christ, the Son of God was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life. (Matt. 1:18, Isa. 7:14, Heb. 4:15, Luke 1:30-35,1 Peter 2:22, Matt. 1:20, 1 John 3:5, 2 Cor 5:21)

4. Man was created in God’s image, but by man’s transgression became separated from God. (1 John 5:17, Isa. 53:5-6, 1 John 1:8, 1 John 1:8-10, Rom 3:11, Rom. 6:23, Rom. 3:23, Rom. 5:12, Gen. 1: 24-27, Gen. 5:1)

5. Man is justified by faith, by the shed blood of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross, His death, and His resurrection from the grave. (Eph. 2:8-9, Heb. 9:12-14, Heb. 10:4, Col. 1:14, 1 Cor. 15:16-20, Luke 23:33, Luke 23: 26, Phil. 3:10, Mark 16, Acts 1:3, John 20:18-22, Rom. 5:1)

6. The Holy Spirit resides in the hearts of true believers and is evidenced by a spiritual rebirth, reconciliation with God, and obedience to God’s Word. (Gal. 2:20, Phil. 1:21, Eph. 2:10, 2 Cor. 5:17, 2 Tim 2:15, Rom. 6:4, Gal. 5:22-23, John 14:26, John 15:26, Col. 3:1)

7. Both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; the saved unto eternal life and the lost unto eternal damnation. (Heb. 9:27, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, 2 Peter 2:9, John 5:28-29, Rom. 3:23, Rev. 21:8, Matt. 10:28, Matt. 25:48)

8. God is the Creator of all life, including the unborn; all life is precious in His sight. (Jer. 1:5, Gen. 1:27, Col. 1:16, Prov. 6:16-19, Eccl. 11:5, Exod. 23:7, PS. 139:12-17)

9. We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as either male or female in nature of God. We also believe that God created marriage to be exclusively the lifelong union of one man and one woman, and that intimate sexual activity is to occur exclusively with that unique, God created union. (Gen. 1:26-27, Gen. 2:18-25, 1 Cor. 6:18, 1 Cor. 7:2-5, Heb. 13:4).

Our Statement of Faith is not exhaustive of all of our beliefs. The Bible, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, speaks with absolute authority regarding the proper conduct of humankind and is the unchanging foundation for all belief and behavior. The SSCA Board of Directors holds final interpretive authority on biblical meaning and application with regard to faith, doctrine, policy, practice, and discipline.

Nikki Giosta

Principal

I joined the SSCA family in 2019 as the principal. I graduated from Bradley with a degree in elementary & middle school education in 2004 and have taught students in grades K-8 in Peoria, Pekin, and Bloomington public schools. In 2012, I completed my masters program in school administration through St. Xavier University. Since college, I have been involved in children's ministry in Peoria and currently operate a food pantry at Lexington Hills. At SSCA, I love working closely with teachers, students and their families, and most importantly, sharing my faith in and love for Jesus. I love being here because every single day, we see God at work. Outside of school, I most love spending time with my husband Brent and our two daughters, Addie and Cassie.

Heidi Bradle

Kindergarten

I grew up in Roanoke, graduated from Illinois State University, and taught one year in D150 as an art/kindergarten teacher. God brought me to SSCA five years ago as the Kindergarten teacher, and now I live within minutes from the school! In my free time you can find me at the RiverPlex, completing DIY projects, cooking, teaching Sunday School at PEACE Community Church, running outside, or drinking a miel latte at a local coffeeshop!

Michelle Lyons

first Grade

This is my third year teaching at SSCA. I graduated from Monmouth College and taught kindergarten for seven years before staying home with my own children. I then worked as a reading interventionist for five years before coming to SSCA. I live with my husband Corey and our three teenagers; Haven, Jade, and Austin. I love spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, and walking my dog, Lucky.

Mallory Zurcher

second Grade

I am from Berne, Indiana, and graduated from Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2021. I worked at my hometown school for a semester before God led me here to SSCA. When I'm not at school, you can find me knitting, crocheting, exploring Central Illinois, or going to Faire Coffee. I currently live in Metamora and am attending Grace Church in Morton.

Brandon Oliger

Middle School

I have the privilege of teaching 6th/7th grade ELA and Social Studies! I grew up in Ohio and made the move to central Illinois in 2013. After 10 years of teaching high school English, God paved the way for me to teach at SSCA in 2023, and I’m thrilled to be part of the team.

Outside of work, I’m a husband to Katie and a father to our two daughters. We are members of Summit Point Church in East Peoria, and any free time I have is spent playing guitar, camping out, cooking food, or discussing cars and motorcycles.

Chad Zobrist

Board president

God has taken me on an incredible journey these last five years through SSCA. I've had the privilege to see an idea become reality through God's faithfulness in providing a school building, committed staff and teachable students. As a small business owner I'm grateful my schedule has allowed me to serve as a board member, Reading Buddy, and playground aide. I serve on Buildings and Grounds and look forward to the expansion of our facility in 2021.

Steve Endress

Board Member

After spending the first fifteen years of my career in public education, I am thankful to have the opportunity to continue working in education through SSCA, and am especially appreciative of the caring culture found around our families, staff, volunteers, and financial supporters. I own and work in several Peoria-area businesses and enjoy seeing the eyes of youngsters shine when they learn the joy of serving others through private enterprise.

Jaquoi Stewart

BOARD MEMBER

I am grateful to be a Board Member of SSCA. I am a proud member of Gospel Experience Church located on the North side of Peoria. I serve there as an Usher, Announcer, and one of the leaders of The Emergency Response Team. I am a RN and mother of two beautiful daughters. The Lord said “SSCA is a hidden gem that is about to shine”, and I want to be part of His Will for SSCA. I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for SSCA.