Building on a successful 80-plus-year history and as a way to meet the needs of the community, West Fallowfield Christian School (WFCS) will add ninth and 10th grades this fall, and another grade level will be added each of the two years afterward. "In the 2025-26 school year, we will be able to say we offer classes for preschool through 12th grade," said WFCS principal Heather Furlong.

Registration is currently underway for grades nine and 10, which will follow a traditional model, meeting in person on Mondays through Fridays. Like the other grades, classes will include art, music, physical education, Bible, Spanish and electives.

WFCS, which formed in 1941, currently offers preschool through eighth grade, but a decision was made to add grades nine and 10. "Together the board and the administration heard the needs of our community," said Furlong, explaining how the decision came about to offer the additional grades. "It has always been a vision and part of the strategic plan to open up a high school. God really opened the doors and encouraged us to make this happen for this fall."

For the 2023-24 school year, the high school students will use classrooms in the existing space. "As the program continues to grow, we do have space we can grow into," noted Furlong. "The gymnasium was built 15 years ago, so the (classroom) space is there; it just needs to be finished."

The school has hired new high school teachers, as well as high school administrator Kendra Ridgway, who previously taught at WFCS. She will teach English for grades nine and 10, and work as the coordinator of the high school program. "I'm glad to be back and really looking forward to teaching again," said Ridgway.

Furlong said that WFCS is attractive to parents who are seeking a nurturing environment for their children. "We are relational. We partner with home, school and church to offer students a well-rounded Christian education," she said, noting that the average class size is 18 students. "We infuse biblical principles in all aspects of our day and our curriculum. We have a specific Bible class each day and chapel services each week."

"I think one of our strengths is small class sizes. It allows the teachers to be able to get to know the kids individually and their individual learning needs," Ridgway added. "We are intentional about providing quality academics. Our goal is to make sure we are sending students out prepared for their future. From a spiritual aspect, high school is a very formative time for developing your faith and making it your own. We want to give a place for students to have space to grow in their faith and learn how to relate to the people around them."

WFCS, located at 795 Fallowfield Road, Atglen, serves students from the Avon Grove, Coatesville, Octorara, Oxford, Pequea Valley, Solanco and Unionville-Chadds Ford area school districts. Busing is provided, and financial aid is available. For more information, visit http://www.wfcs.org. Parents and prospective students interested in setting up a tour of the school are asked to call the office at 610-593-5011.