Just as Little Orphan Annie optimistically believes ‘the sun will come out tomorrow,? so Pastor Jim Kester believes Oxford Christian Academy (OCA) will one day reopen its doors to a glorious sunrise.
‘We’re not locking the door, we’re shutting the door. We’re still very open to retooling and refocusing,? he said. ‘We really think we can still operate a good Christian school.?
But for now the 33-year-old bastion of local Christian education, nicknamed the ‘Warriors,? is closing at the end of the 2005-06 school year due to insufficient enrollment.
Run by the First Baptist Church of Oxford on PontiacStreet in the village, the congregation voted to close OCA at a special business meeting held Sunday, Feb. 5.
‘Due to parents choosing alternate avenues of education . . . enrollment at OCA has not been sufficient to produce the income necessary to meet the costs of operating the school,? Kester wrote in a letter to school families.
‘We just can’t continue to operate in deficit,? the pastor told this reporter.
Salaries and benefits alone for OCA’s six full-time teachers and two part-time teachers cost about $180,000 a year. Curriculum is another $7,500.
According to Kester, enrollment has declined at OCA since the school decided to stop teaching grades 9 through 12 back in 2001, a decision that was prompted by low enrollment in the high school program.
Currently, OCA has 33 students ranging from pre-kindergarten through seventh grade. Although the school teaches up to eighth grade, it has no students in that grade right now.
Kester said 60 to 80 students are needed to operate the school in a cost effective manner.
During the 1980s, OCA had K-12 student bodies ranging in size from 150 and 180 pupils.
Unfortunately, the rise of home-schooling and competition from First Baptist Church of Lake Orion, which has its own school, led to OCA’s declining student body.
‘Back when this school started (in fall 1973), home-schooling was rarely heard of,? Kester explained. ‘But more and more parents are opting, instead of paying tuition, to get the home-schooling curriculum and co-op with other Christian parents and work together on schooling their kids.?
Despite its adverse impact on OCA, Kester didn’t knock home-schooling and even admitted it’s less expensive. ‘Home-schooling is huge and good. The curriculum that’s now available for parents is just excellent. It’s some of the best you can get.?
As for the Lake Orion Baptist School, Kester said they’ve established ‘a good Christian school? and ‘a lot of the students who would have come here, went there.?
Although OCA will be closing in roughly four months, Kester believes the school will rise again.
‘I’m the eternal optimist because I’m looking forward to the future and what can happen,? he said.
Borrowing a term from one of his church members, Kester has labeled the closing as OCA’s ‘sundown.?
‘The use of the word sundown is important because it may only be a temporary closing,? he said. ‘When the sun goes down, it’s got to come up. We may be sunsetting this school, but there’s going to be a sunrise.?
With all the new homes popping up and new residents moving in, Kester’s confident this will lead to OCA’s eventual rebirth.
‘This church is here to serve this community and this community needs a good solid Christian school,? he said. ‘We’re going to refocus on how best we can do that.?
That’s why First Baptist of Oxford is ‘not dismissing? its school board, which is elected by church members. ‘That school board will continue to serve and we’ll still have elections, so that we constantly have individuals in our church who are looking at how we can reopen (OCA),? Kester explained. A committee will also be formed for that same purpose.
‘These people are very resourceful and very committed to a Christian education, teaching their kids from a Christian world viewpoint.?
For now, the church and school are focused on helping teachers and students get through this difficult time.
‘Our first job right now is to help our present teachers put together their resumes and find other places of employment,? Kester said. ‘Our school board is working to help current families (of students) find alternatives for next year. They’re exploring other schools and looking at home-schooling.?
If anyone has any questions or concerns about OCA’s closing, Kester said they can call (248) 628-6035. Ideas and help are also more than welcome.
‘We’re open to (the community) being involved.?