OUR HISTORY
In the spring of 2005, Brad and Laura Rud had a vision to start a Christian school in Chugiak, Alaska with spiritually and educationally qualified classroom teachers. A small group of parents came forward who wanted classroom teachers for their students, and the process to be certified with the State of Alaska was put into motion. On March 17, 2006 Birchwood Christian School was founded and in the fall of 2006, Birchwood Christian School opened with 30 students. Kindergarten, Middle School (6th, 7th, 8th) and High School (9th, 10th) grades. BCS started with 5 teachers and 1 administrator.
Pastor Brad and Laura were contacted by an Alaskan Native Pastor to explore hosting Alaska Native students to attend BCS. In 2006 we began hosting 12 Alaska Native students from various Alaskan villages. This presented the challenge and ministry opportunity blessing to find host families from theCrossing who would be willing to host or support with tuition funds for the school year. These students came from remote villages around the state. Hosting students with different cultural backgrounds entailed a lot of work - however it was a great blessing to the families whose lives were touched by these students.
In 2007, BCS had its first graduating class of three students! In 2008 the school started a Kindergarten Readiness program for K4 & K5 students. In 2013 BCS had its largest graduating class of thirteen students, and in 2018 we will graduate 18 seniors.
In 2007 BCS joined the Alaska Christian School Athletics Association (ACSAA) and in 2010 won First place in the State Basketball Tournament. In 2010, BCS incorporated a full high school sports program with Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA). The school also joined the Northwest ACSI annual Speech Meet and Spelling Bee competitions. Our students have done an excellent job every year representing our school and these activities are opportunities to enrich and challenge our students as well as add to the overall academic offerings of BCS.
BCS is comprised of a large percentage of military dependents. Roughly 1/3 of the school is from military and oil industry families. This presents challenges, as families typically move out of state every three years. Praise the Lord, BCS has continued to grow even in light of the transient nature of the community. Our largest number of students from K3 to 12th grade was 172 students in 2015-16, and 181 in 2017-18.
The school is financed primarily through tuition. BCS recognized the need for fundraisers to help with the needs of the school. With a fluctuating student body due to military and oil industry families moving in and out of state, we began our annual fall auction and other fundraisers to help. Parents and donors give specifically to these events and look forward to supporting BCS yearly through these fundraisers.
We are encouraged by the testimonies of students and parents who've shared how BCS has impacted their lives. We press on to fulfill our mission to equip students spiritually, educationally, and socially to effectively engage our culture and our world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the spring of 2005, Brad and Laura Rud had a vision to start a Christian school in Chugiak, Alaska with spiritually and educationally qualified classroom teachers. A small group of parents came forward who wanted classroom teachers for their students, and the process to be certified with the State of Alaska was put into motion. On March 17, 2006 Birchwood Christian School was founded and in the fall of 2006, Birchwood Christian School opened with 30 students. Kindergarten, Middle School (6th, 7th, 8th) and High School (9th, 10th) grades. BCS started with 5 teachers and 1 administrator.
Pastor Brad and Laura were contacted by an Alaskan Native Pastor to explore hosting Alaska Native students to attend BCS. In 2006 we began hosting 12 Alaska Native students from various Alaskan villages. This presented the challenge and ministry opportunity blessing to find host families from theCrossing who would be willing to host or support with tuition funds for the school year. These students came from remote villages around the state. Hosting students with different cultural backgrounds entailed a lot of work - however it was a great blessing to the families whose lives were touched by these students.
In 2007, BCS had its first graduating class of three students! In 2008 the school started a Kindergarten Readiness program for K4 & K5 students. In 2013 BCS had its largest graduating class of thirteen students, and in 2018 we will graduate 18 seniors.
In 2007 BCS joined the Alaska Christian School Athletics Association (ACSAA) and in 2010 won First place in the State Basketball Tournament. In 2010, BCS incorporated a full high school sports program with Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA). The school also joined the Northwest ACSI annual Speech Meet and Spelling Bee competitions. Our students have done an excellent job every year representing our school and these activities are opportunities to enrich and challenge our students as well as add to the overall academic offerings of BCS.
BCS is comprised of a large percentage of military dependents. Roughly 1/3 of the school is from military and oil industry families. This presents challenges, as families typically move out of state every three years. Praise the Lord, BCS has continued to grow even in light of the transient nature of the community. Our largest number of students from K3 to 12th grade was 172 students in 2015-16, and 181 in 2017-18.
The school is financed primarily through tuition. BCS recognized the need for fundraisers to help with the needs of the school. With a fluctuating student body due to military and oil industry families moving in and out of state, we began our annual fall auction and other fundraisers to help. Parents and donors give specifically to these events and look forward to supporting BCS yearly through these fundraisers.
We are encouraged by the testimonies of students and parents who've shared how BCS has impacted their lives. We press on to fulfill our mission to equip students spiritually, educationally, and socially to effectively engage our culture and our world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Dear Visitor,
We hope the information here will inspire you to visit us on site to meet our staff, talk with our students, tour the facility and see what BIRCHWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL has to offer your family.
BCS is a dually accredited ACSI/AdvancED K3-12 school in Chugiak, 22 miles from Anchorage and 22 miles from the Mat-Su Valley.
We are committed to partnering with parents to prepare your students to engage the world for Christ. Join us!
If we can be of any assistance as you evaluate educational options in our area, please contact us!
In His Grip,
Laura Rud
Superintendent
[email protected]
We hope the information here will inspire you to visit us on site to meet our staff, talk with our students, tour the facility and see what BIRCHWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL has to offer your family.
BCS is a dually accredited ACSI/AdvancED K3-12 school in Chugiak, 22 miles from Anchorage and 22 miles from the Mat-Su Valley.
We are committed to partnering with parents to prepare your students to engage the world for Christ. Join us!
If we can be of any assistance as you evaluate educational options in our area, please contact us!
In His Grip,
Laura Rud
Superintendent
[email protected]