Our History
Westminster Christian Academy started as a vision of Ned and Valerie Rutland. Their desire was to establish a school that would equip children with a solid Christian and academic foundation. This seed, once planted as a small preschool at the Westminster Church in Opelousas, grew quickly and far exceeded anyone's expectations. The school's phenomenal growth was a clear indication that the vision was sown from the heart of God. Soon, 20 acres of land were purchased 5 miles south of Opelousas, and what was once a soybean field is now harvesting young Christian leaders having an impact upon the world.
Believing that education is foundational to both a Biblical worldview and significance in life, Westminster has always had a vigorous academic program. As a result, students at Westminster have excelled in competitions with surrounding schools and have won innumerable times at the district and state literary rallies. Westminster has always placed above state averages on standardized tests and boasts National Merit Scholar Finalists and Semi-Finalists over the years. The list of students in the 30+ Club for the ACT fills several plaques, and scholarships and TOPS reaches into the millions of dollars awarded. Graduates of Westminster have gone on to further their study at elite schools such as Wheaton, Rhodes, Harvard, Notre Dame, Princeton, and Columbia, in addition to wonderful Louisiana schools like Tulane, Louisiana State University, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Our students' desire to transform present and future generations is without borders. Westminster Christian Academy sponsors a missionary team that has gone to many Latin American countries, and even reaching as far south as Argentina. Their focus has been on service, spreading the Gospel, and experiencing the Gospel in their own lives. Their work is not just limited to overseas work either, since preparation for both domestic and international trips involves ministering in soup kitchens and orphanages, as well as other acts of service state-side.
Expanding from the main campus, a vision was cast for an elementary school located in Lafayette. From humble beginnings in temporary facilities, the vision came to fruition and now Goshen Lane leads to a 10-acre campus equipping students from preschool through sixth grade.
At the same time that the Lafayette campus was flourishing, the Opelousas campus continued to expand. Soon an art and music building and gymnasium were added, followed by the Middle School building and relocated Preschool. Our athletic facilities now boast exceptional baseball and softball fields, a football stadium and practice fields, track practice facilities, and clubhouses supporting baseball, football, soccer, and track.
As Westminster grew, so did our athletic presence. Beginning with a solid soccer program and a flag football team for the boys, and an outstanding volleyball program for the girls, it eventually outgrew the local Christian school leagues, and expanded into the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. Westminster today regularly boasts district championships, quarterfinal and final competition with a coveted state championship in girl's track. Ready to cheer on our athletic teams are the cheerleading squads who not only encourage our teams, but also compete and win at Nationals as well. While our record boards are filled with state champions and our trophy cases are filled with awards, we are most proud of the character of our student athletes who dedicate themselves to hard work and selflessness as they are guided by their mentors and coaches to shine the light of Christ in all they do.
At the heart and soul of Westminster Christian Academy are its teachers. Westminster teachers all share a love for Christ and a desire to see children follow in His footsteps. Their Christian commitment inspires them to excellence in academics, and every other endeavor as they recognize the mandate to do whatever they do heartily as unto the Lord.
Westminster's technology program has grown as well, starting with a classroom of PC jr's, it has expanded to a multimedia showcase where students are immersed in creating web pages, slide-shows, podcasts, animations and movies. Classes include: computer literacy, web mastering, digital animation, multimedia, java programming and audio/video production. Student work is displayed on a 42" LCD screen, and they have budgeted so that every 3 years the lab has new computers. Each computer is loaded with Microsoft Office tools, iLife, and the most recent Adobe software: Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Bridge, In Design, Acrobat, Flash and Illustrator and Premier Pro. Students in digital photography learn on school issued Cannon Powershot 8 mega pixel cameras. Westminster has a 1-1 program where high school students are issued iPads with all of the school's software loaded on it, so they can use their expanded capability to the maximum. Internet access is filtered with a Barracuda web filter. Students and parents alike can view their progress through the Student Information System known as Powerschool. Missed lectures can be viewed on teacher created podcasts, and recently Schoology has been added to enhance student learning.
Unique to Westminster is the wilderness adventure and outdoor education Ranger program. A four-year veteran Ranger could easily qualify as a true outdoorsman/woman, having demonstrated ability to backpack and camp along trails to America's highest peaks and its most rugged lands. A Ranger has canoed, kayaked and rafted some of this nation's roughest and most beautiful rivers, and even sailed in the Gulf of Mexico. A Ranger develops Christian character by seeking to find a way through adversity, rather than simply a way to avoid it.
The fine arts program has an outstanding drum line that supports our Crusader activities and we also maintain several other traditional clubs and associations common to most schools such National Honor Society and Student Council. Our drama club is beginning again and theater productions will once again grace the stages of our area.
There is no doubt that God has blessed Westminster for forty years, and those who have shared the experience have been blessed as well. Come be a part of this journey that starts at Westminster and extends into eternity. Join our vision of students equipped for lives of significance.