Westminster Christian Academy (WCA) is a private Christian school in Town and Country, Missouri serving students in grades 7–12. As of 2022, the school has an enrollment of approximately 940 students. The Upper School (9-12) enrolls approximately 685 students and the Middle School (7-8) enrolls approximately 255 students. History Westminster Christian Academy opened on September 7, 1976, to 72 students. In its first two years, Westminster operated out of rented classrooms from Missouri Baptist University under the leadership of Headmaster Nolan Vander Ark. Before joining Westminster, Mr. Vander Ark served as a Christian Reformed missionary in Africa. After two years, the administration purchased a campus known as the "Des Peres School" in Kirkwood, Missouri. Once Westminster moved to the new campus, Evelyn Downs assumed the position of headmistress and remained so until 1981. After four years at the Des Peres campus, the student body doubled and the necessity of finding space for the rapidly growing school was unavoidable. In 1982, Westminster purchased a 30-acre campus in Creve Coeur. During this time, Arlen Dykstra became headmaster and oversaw the relocation of the school. In 2000, the school completed an $11 million construction and renovation project to add a gymnasium, student commons, hallway wings, a weightlifting facility and locker rooms, a bookstore, and offices. The 2010–11 school year marked the last of its use by the school; the campus was sold to the Ladue School District for $18 million. In 2002, Westminster purchased the campus of the West County Vocational Technical School in Town and Country with plans to renovate the space to serve for future growth of the school. Additionally, an adjacent parcel of land was purchased from Central Presbyterian Church. The purchase was made possible by a donation to Westminster by an anonymous supporter. Construction on the new campus finished in early August 2011. The current campus has made the addition of a multitude of fields for both practicing on and hosting games including 12 tennis courts, three gymnasiums, one theatre that seats more than 600 people, a black box theatre, football stadium, soccer field, practice fields, swimming pool, and many storage facilities and lockers. Each grade level also has its own common area, including meeting spaces for student organizations. Leadership The school has had seven heads of school since its inception in 1970: Nolan Vander Ark (1976–77); Evelyn Downs (1977–81); Arlen Dykstra (1981–84); Larry Birchler (acting headmaster 1984–85); Jim