Spotlight: 75 Years of Springfield Christian School

Springfield Christian School (SCS) is celebrating 75 years this spring. Now located at the sprawling West Side Christian Church campus on Cider Mill Lane just off Veterans Parkway, Springfield Christian School opened its doors at 900 West Edwards (the site of the current Graham School) in 1951. It moved to its current home in 1994. Originally called Christian Day School, then Christian Elementary School before arriving at its current title of Springfield Christian School, the school has had only two locations but three names over the last 75 years.        

Providing K-8 education, Springfield Christian School is an alternative to public schools for parents looking for a Christian centered education and an environment that might best suit their child. According to research on students, more than half of church attending students leave the church by the time they graduate from college. However, students who receive a faith-based education at schools like SCS are over 9 times more likely to have a life-long faith. The school’s mission is “to equip students to follow Christ and impact the world for Him.” At SCS, the goal is for students to “Excel Academically, Thrive Spiritually, and Develop Socially.”

Since its inception, SCS has been affiliated with West Side Christian Church. In fact, the first principal of the school was West Side youth minister Ralph McLean, when the school was located at the old West Side Christian Church location at 900 West Edwards.

When asked what makes SCS special, Barbara Sachtleben, a long-time educator and former teacher at SCS, sums it up best by saying the ability to “teach Christ followers who will be good citizens.” Her fondest memories stem from relationships with the students and families who she had contact with over the years. She emphasizes the school’s draw of providing support to parents and instilling life-long Christian values in students. 

Barb spent 40 years at SCS, starting in 1975 as a second grade teacher. After that first year she moved to junior high where she stayed for another 39 years, retiring in 2015. She spent time during those 40 years as Dean of Students and was active with the choir and scholastic bowl team. After retirement, she couldn’t stay away; Barb was a substitute teacher for a couple more years and continued helping with the scholastic bowl team. It is not surprising given Barb’s long time dedication to SCS that she is on the committee putting together the 75th Anniversary Celebration. 

To honor 75 years of Springfield Christian School, a celebration is planned for Sunday, May 3rd at 3:00 p.m. The location is the school, 2850 Cider Mill Lane. The event will be open house style from 3:00-4:30 p.m., to allow students, alumni, teachers, families and friends to reminisce about time spent at SCS. There will be photos and other historical memorabilia at this gathering. At 4:30 p.m., there will be a worship service and short program in the auditorium to, as Barb comments, “praise God’s faithfulness to the school through the ups and downs and for leading us.”

For more information, search 75th Anniversary of Springfield Christian School on Facebook.