School Profile
Warner Christian Academy
School Overview
2019-2020 SCHOOL PROFILE:
Established in 1971, Warner is a premier K-12 college preparatory school that is committed to providing a Christian environment where your student can excel spiritually, academically, socially, physically, and in service to others. WCA serves students from age K3 through grade 12.
FACILITIES:
Warner Christian Academy is located on a fifteen acre campus. The school has a physical plant of 198,000 square feet, comprised of a double-wing preschool building, two two-story elementary buildings, and a two-story middle/high school building. The campus has a science lab, two computer labs, band room, art room, weight room, library, regulation sized gymnasium, regulation sized baseball field and football/soccer field, full-service lunch room and two outside playgrounds.
COMMUNITY:
Warner Christian Academy is located in the heart of South Daytona, a suburb of the greater Daytona Beach area and is one of the city’s largest employers. The city of South Daytona has a current population of 61,005.
STUDENT BODY:
WCA is a ethnically and culturally diverse student body with currently several countries represented. Our families represent a wide range of socio-economic groups and many churches.
School History
Warner Christian Academy began as a vision of White Chapel Church of God Pastor, Dr. Maurice Berquist. He desired a school that would provide a Christ-centered education to as many children in Volusia County as possible. One of Dr. Berquist’s goals for the school was to train up 1000 Christian leaders to send out into the world.
In September, 1971, the doors to the first grade opened in the original wooden church building and soon thereafter a Day Care Center was added. It was painted red and called “The Little Red School House.” That first year Warner Christian Academy, which was named after the founder of the Church of God Reformation Movement (Anderson, IN), Daniel S. Warner, had 20-30 day care children and nine first graders. David Black was the first principal, and his wife Martha served as the first teacher. Originally the plan was to add a grade each year, but in response to the community demand the school expanded through grade nine with 228 students in 1972. By 1973, Warner had 440 students, new classroom buildings were completed and the athletic program was added. There was a very deep feeling of commitment by all those involved in this new Christian ministry and outreach for Daytona Beach. During the mid-1970s, the drive-in theater located south of the church-school campus was purchased to provide for the growing high school and athletic program.
After pastoring for 20 years at White Chapel, Pastor Berquist accepted the call to a new ministry. Rev. R. Dale Whalen followed in leadership. He was instrumental in the growing efforts of our present day care facility in 1980. Pastor Whalen also initiated the development of the secondary facilities in 1981. At that time, enrollment was nearly 1,000 and the need for larger facilities was evident. After the arrival of Pastor A. Marvin Cain, the students, faculty, and staff all helped to move into the secondary building in January 1986. Mr. Renwood Bruning, Headmaster from 1985-1990, also initiated our first mission trips to St. Kitts and Nevis.
Pastor Roger Stamper served as President of WCA from 1989-1991 until Dr. Russell L. Richards arrived to become the new Headmaster in 1991. Pastor Kerry Robinson filled the position of President of WCA during his pastorate at White Chapel Church of God from January 1991-1996. The memorial gazebo was erected during this time. In 1997, Rev. Tommy Dove became Senior Pastor and President of WCA. He brought Dr. Sam Smith on board as Headmaster in 1998. Dr. Smith expanded our NILD Discovery program. Our present Head of School is Dr. Michael H. Chivalette and serves alongside Pastor Gary Garmon, senior pastor of WCCG.
We thank God for His faithfulness in providing students, teachers, staff and the necessary finances during these years. We look forward, with great anticipation, to the way in which He will direct the expanding outreach and the continuing growth of Warner Christian Academy.