HISTORY AND POPULATION SERVED

Abundant Life Christian School, a ministry of Lake City Church, was founded in 1978, with its first graduating class in 1985. ALCS was specifically organized to offer students academic excellence in a Christian context. Current enrollment is 280 students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12.  

Families attending ALCS are from the greater Dane County area including metropolitan Madison and its surrounding communities. More than 200 families and over 70 different churches are represented in our student body. We are honored that these families and churches have chosen to partner with ALCS for the education of their children.

THE CAMPUS

Our $3.1 million facility features 24 contemporary classrooms, two gymnasiums, two music rooms, state-of-the-art computer lab, art room, library media center, science lab, weight room, cafeteria and administrative offices. The 28-acre campus includes athletic fields for football and baseball/softball, sand volleyball courts, as well as nice playgrounds for our elementary students.

THE STAFF

A staff of qualified teachers combine their excellent professional backgrounds and their commitment to Christian education to ensure a comprehensive educational experience for our students. ALCS is committed to excellence in its teaching staff and provides stipends for continuing education. Our faculty members hold degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

ACCREDITATION

Abundant Life Christian School is fully accredited through the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation & School Improvement (NCACASI), the Commission on International and Transregional Accreditation (CITA), and the International Christian Accrediting Association (ICAA). ICAA is a member of the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), which has been formally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. ALCS was honored by ICAA as "School of the Year" in 1996 and again in 2007.  ALCS has been fully accredited since 1987.

SPIRITUAL TRAINING

All ALCS students particpate in regular chapel services. Elementary chapel is held every Tuesday morning and middle school and high school chapel happens on Thursday mornings. Chapel dress is required for all students on their respective chapel days. Daily Bible classes from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade are an important part of the spiritual training that ALCS students receive. One of the highlights of the year is Missions Week, when missionaries from around the world visit classes during the Lake City Church Annual Missions Conference.

Prayer is an important part of our every day life at ALCS. Two special events that highlight our emphasis on prayer are "See You At The Pole" and the "National Day of Prayer." We encourage students, staff and parents to join together with Christians around the nation to impact our society for Christ through prayer.

In addition, each year a number of ALCS students participate in short term missions programs made available through the school or their home church.

CURRICULUM & ACTIVITIES

Each individual is uniquely created by God! This basic truth is emphasized in our instruction for all students. As a result, ALCS students learn to honor other people and to respect the rights and property of others. Training in these principles establishes a school atmosphere of discipline and order. This enables the ALCS faculty to devote more class time to actual teaching, thereby fostering academic excellence.

We offer a challenging curriculum and a variety of educational opportunities to our students. The basic curriculum ALCS uses for all elementary grades is A Beka. At the middle and high school level, we use a combination of Christian and secular materials which best fit our instructional goals in each academic area. All subjects are taught from a Christian perspective.

Elementary - The Elementary School Program (grades K through 6) includes course work in Bible, language arts (using a traditional phonics reading approach), history and social studies, mathematics, science (taught from a perspective of discovering God's creation), science fair (held every other year), health, computer, physical education, art, library and music. Beginning in 5th grade, students may participate in band and various sports. Through our Madison Area Independent Sports League (MAISL), our 5th & 6th grade students have the opportunity to compete in volleyball (girls) or flag football (boys) in the fall and basketball in the winter.

Middle School - The Middle School Program (grades 7 through 8) provides course work in the five traditional areas of Bible, language arts, history, mathematics and science/health. Students also experience classes and activities in physical education, vocal and instrumental music, library, art, forensics, computer education, and a variety of competitive sports.

High School - At the High School level (grades 9 through 12), the core curriculum consists of the following areas: Bible, English, social studies, mathematics, sciences, and physical education. Elective courses are offered in the areas of foreign language, business, vocal and instrumental music, art, computer applications, and yearbook publications. Student activities include: ORUEF Christian Honor Student Association, chess club, forensics, worship band, pep band, prayer groups, Student Council, and READY teams. 

Advanced Placement- Courses include Advanced Placement Calculus, Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, and Advanced Placement U.S. History. These classes allow ALCS students to earn college credits for their high school work.

ACADEMICS

ALCS students complete standardized tests annually. On the average, ALCS students achieve scores one year ahead of their grade level. In the history of the school, numerous students have qualified as National Merit Semi-Finalists with three being named National Merit Scholars. A state-of-the-art computer lab and a library media center support academic achievement by all students. Test results verify the effectiveness of our high academic standards and techniques.

70+ CONGREGATIONS REPRESENTED IN ALCS STUDENT BODY

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

23 1/2 total credits are required in the following departments:

COLLEGES ATTENDED BY RECENT GRADUATES

ATHLETICS

Since the 2000-2001 school year, ALCS has been a member of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) and is now competing in the Trailways Division of WIAA. Previously, ALCS was a member of the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association (WISAA). Our 5th - 8th grade athletes compete in the Madison Area Independent Sports League (MAISL). ALCS athletic teams have represented our school in state tournament action in boys basketball, girls basketball, girls volleyball, golf, cross country, and track & field. The ALCS Girls Cross Country team won the conference in their first year of competition. We offer our students competition in the following sports:

VOCAL MUSIC AND BAND

The music program is an integral part of the overall program that ALCS provides for all of its students, Kindergarten though 12th grade.

• - Kindergarten through 6th grade students participate in vocal music classes two times weekly. - Vocal Music/Choir is an elective class for 7th through 12th grade students.
  - Band is an elective class for 5th through 12th grade students.
  - Our band director also offers private instrumental  and vocal lessons.

Christmas and spring concerts performed by each of our music groups are highlights of the year for parents, grandparents and friends. In addition, our bands and choirs are given opportunities to perform at various times throughout the year in our community.

The ALCS concert band, middle school choir, and high school choir compete in the large group Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) festival. Middle and High School students participating in band and/or choir may also elect to be involved in the WSMA solo/ensemble competition.

YEARBOOK / PUBLICATIONS / JOURNALISM

One of the distinctives of ALCS is our unique yearbook which captures memories from every class, Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. At the end of the year, each student receives a yearbook (the cost is included in the Textbook & Technology Fee). High school students who enroll in the publications class work under the direction of a staff advisor in the production of the ALCS Yearbook.

STANDARDIZED DRESS

Equipping our students for success includes training in acceptable patterns of dress and grooming. ALCS has adopted a standardized dress program to clarify guidelines and to minimize dress related discipline. Itemized lists of approved school dress are included in the informational packet. Standardized Physical Education uniforms are also required for students in grades 5-12.

HOT LUNCH PROGRAM

ALCS students have the option of bringing a lunch from home or participating in our hot lunch program.  Each day, Monday through Thursday, our students are offered a complete and balanced hot lunch. Friday is our "pizza" day. Hot lunch prices for the 2009-10 school year are $2.50 for elementary students and $3.00 for middle school and high school students. Milk is sold separately for students eating cold lunch ($.45). ALCS participates in the National Free and Reduced Lunch Program.  All interested ALCS families are encouraged to submit an application to verify eligibility in the program.

SCHOOL HOURS

TRANSPORTATION

ALCS does not provide transportation; however, we do make zip code lists available to assist families in making carpooling arrangements with other ALCS families in their area. The school districts of Madison (K - 5th eligible), McFarland, Monona Grove,and Sun Prairie offer transportation reimbursement to families in their districts. Additional details are provided on the School District Transportation form in the Enrollment packet.

TUITION

ALCS offers four Tuition Payment Option plans.  Tuition can be paid annually (1.5% discount), by semester (1% discount), or by 10 or 12-month plans. For a complete schedule visit the home page.

FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES

Fundraisers are an integral part of the school budget. All parents and students are counted upon to participate in order to keep tuition rate increases as low as possible.

PARENT-TEACHER FELLOWSHIP

The Parent/Teacher Fellowship (PTF) is organized for the purpose of encouraging parental involvement in the Christian education of their children by support and assistance to the school.

The fellowship in turn offers support to the parents and teachers by building a sense of community for all. Another important function allows our school community to support ALCS through fundraising activities scheduled throughout the year.

The PTF Advisory Board sponsors many activities throughout the school year actively working to bring students, parents, and staff together as well as to raise funds for special school projects. The PTF Advisory Board also administrates the Parent Participation Program (PPP). This is a vehicle by which each family at ALCS is involved in the life of the school by choosing an area(s) of service. There are a variety of areas to be involved in (spiritual, academic, social, athletic, fundraising, technical, and fine arts). The strength and success of ALCS depends upon the degree of which our families become personally involved in the school.

PTF-sponsored activities:

Parent Participation Program
Get Acquainted Picnic
Parent-Teacher Conference Meals
Christmas Cookie Sale
Mid-Winter Skating Party
Grandparents Day
Senior Graduation Scholarships
Staff Appreciation Dinner
Staff Birthday Recognition
Special Events and Assemblies

PTF Leadership