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Our Story


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Our Story


Why South Side Christian Academy?

     The south side of Peoria, Illinois, specifically zip code 61605, suffers from high unemployment, rising teen pregnancy rates, poverty, crime, and underperforming schools. Zip Code 61605 is listed among the 100 poorest zip codes in the United States. Unemployment in 61605 is nearly 5 times what it is in the rest of Peoria.*

     Many families living in South Peoria believe as we do that Jesus Christ is the only hope for true transformation in the lives of all people. These families want a better environment for their children and welcome the idea of more Christian influence there. Our goal is to come alongside these families and help them bring Christ’s love and positive change to their neighborhoods through high-quality Christian education. Our plan is to start with Kindergarten and add a grade each year thereafter until 8th grade and possibly high school. We pray that our students will be prepared to take His love back to their community as future pastors, business owners, doctors, nurses, school teachers, lawyers, and the list goes on.
     Serving primarily students in zip code 61605, South Side Christian Academy is a fully faith-funded school, meaning that we have faith that God will provide the needed funds to educate our students through donations from generous people like you. We are eager to join God in this great work of bringing quality Christian education and Christ-centered transformation to Peoria’s south side. To do this, we will need the support and prayers of many people and organizations. Positive change is possible. God can make it happen. Will you join us in this dream to bring new hope for a brighter future to the children and families of South Peoria?


*Tarter, Steve. "Community in Neglect." Peoria Journal Star [Peoria] 16 Aug. 2015, Business sec.: F1. Print.

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What We Believe


Mission, Values, Statement of

Faith

What We Believe


Mission, Values, Statement of

Faith

Mission:  

     South Side Christian Academy is a Christ-centered school with a mission to reach and transform children and families for Christ by establishing a solid biblical worldview, confirming value and hope in Christ, and preparing each young person through a high quality education for a life of service to God and others.

 

Core Values:

  • Truth - All Truth is God’s Truth. We Believe that Truth is created and defined by God and is laid out in the Bible, His Infallible Word. John 8:32, 17:17

  • Knowledge - We will promote an academic program marked by excellence, high achievement, and creativity. Psalm 119:66

  • Compassion - We believe that a love of knowledge and learning must be accompanied by an attitude of compassion in order to benefit society and spread the message of Christ. Ephesians 4:32

  • Service - We believe that, having freely received the blessings found in Christ alone, it is critical to give back to our families, community, and world to demonstrate our love for God and others and our deep appreciation for His work in our lives. I Samuel 12:24

  • Effort - We believe that we will be blessed when we do our best in all things for the glory of God. Col. 3:23

 

Statement of Faith:

  1. The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God, given to man, inspired by the Holy Spirit. (Matt.4:4, Titus 1:2, James 1:21, 2 Tim. 3:16, Heb. 4:12, John 17:17, PS. 119:105, 1 Thess.2:13, 2 Peter 1:21)

  2. There is one eternal God, the Creator of all things, who exists in three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19, 2Cor. 13:14, Isa. 44:6, John 1:14, Luke 11:35, John 14:16-17, Gen 1:1-2, 1 Pet. 1:2, Col. 2:9, John 10:30)

  3. Jesus Christ, the Son of God was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life. (Matt. 1:18, Isa. 7:14, Heb. 4:15, Luke 1:30-35,1 Peter 2:22, Matt. 1:20, 1 John 3:5, 2 Cor 5:21)

  4. Man was created in God’s image, but by man’s transgression became separated from God. (1 John 5:17, Isa. 53:5-6, 1 John 1:8, 1 John 1:8-10, Rom 3:11, Rom. 6:23, Rom. 3:23, Rom. 5:12, Gen. 1: 24-27, Gen. 5:1)

  5. Man is justified by faith, by the shed blood of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross, His death, and His resurrection from the grave. (Eph. 2:8-9, Heb. 9:12-14, Heb. 10:4, Col. 1:14, 1 Cor. 15:16-20, Luke 23:33, Luke 23: 26, Phil. 3:10, Mark 16, Acts 1:3, John 20:18-22, Rom. 5:1)

  6. The Holy Spirit resides in the hearts of true believers and is evidenced by a spiritual rebirth, reconciliation with God, and obedience to God’s Word. (Gal. 2:20, Phil. 1:21, Eph. 2:10, 2 Cor. 5:17, 2 Tim 2:15, Rom. 6:4, Gal. 5:22-23, John 14:26, John 15:26, Col. 3:1)

  7. Both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; the saved unto eternal life and the lost unto eternal damnation. (Heb. 9:27, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, 2 Peter 2:9, John 5:28-29, Rom. 3:23, Rev. 21:8, Matt. 10:28, Matt. 25:48)

  8. God is the Creator of all life, including the unborn; all life is precious in His sight. (Jer. 1:5, Gen. 1:27, Col. 1:16, Prov. 6:16-19, Eccl. 11:5, Exod. 23:7, PS. 139:12-17)

  9. We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as either male or female in nature of God. We also believe that God created marriage to be exclusively the lifelong union of one man and one woman, and that intimate sexual activity is to occur exclusively with that unique, God created union. (Gen. 1:26-27, Gen. 2:18-25, 1 Cor. 6:18, 1 Cor. 7:2-5, Heb. 13:4).

   

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Full-Time Staff


Full-Time Staff


Nikki Giosta

Principal

I joined the SSCA family in 2019 as the principal. I graduated from Bradley with a degree in elementary & middle school education in 2004 and have taught students in grades K-8 in Peoria, Pekin, and Bloomington public schools. In 2012, I completed my masters program in school administration through St. Xavier University. Since college, I have been involved in children's ministry in Peoria and currently operate a food pantry at Lexington Hills. At SSCA, I love working closely with teachers, students and their families, and most importantly, sharing my faith in and love for Jesus. I love being here because every single day, we see God at work. Outside of school, I most love spending time with my husband Brent and our two daughters, Addie and Cassie.

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Heidi Bradle

Kindergarten

I grew up in Roanoke, graduated from Illinois State University, and taught one year in D150 as an art/kindergarten teacher. God brought me to SSCA five years ago as the Kindergarten teacher, and now I live within minutes from the school! In my free time you can find me at the RiverPlex, completing DIY projects, cooking, teaching Sunday School at PEACE Community Church, running outside, or drinking a miel latte at a local coffeeshop!


Michelle Lyons

first Grade

This is my third year teaching at SSCA. I graduated from Monmouth College and taught kindergarten for seven years before staying home with my own children. I then worked as a reading interventionist for five years before coming to SSCA. I live with my husband Corey and our three teenagers; Haven, Jade, and Austin. I love spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, and walking my dog, Lucky.

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Mallory Zurcher

second Grade

I am from Berne, Indiana, and graduated from Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2021. I worked at my hometown school for a semester before God led me here to SSCA. When I'm not at school, you can find me knitting, crocheting, exploring Central Illinois, or going to Faire Coffee. I currently live in Metamora and am attending Grace Church in Morton.


Emily Price

Third Grade

I am thrilled to be teaching third grade at SSCA! I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Reading, both from Illinois State University (Go Redbirds!). Before coming to SSCA, I taught third grade for nine years in Pekin. I grew up in Morton, IL and now live in Peoria with my husband, David. I love to learn about this incredible world God created through traveling to interesting places with David. On our travels, we love to hike, mountain bike, kayak, tent camp, and find unique places to eat!


Heather Holt

Fourth Grade


Kristy Kieser

Fifth Grade

I graduated from ISU in 2017, and I have been in fifth grade ever since! After teaching fifth grade in Morton, IL for four years, God placed a love for SSCA’s mission on my heart. What an honor it is to be able to teach the name of Jesus Christ in school! My favorite part of teaching is building a classroom family that grows, challenges, and loves each other. Outside of school, my hobbies include playing in a volleyball league, hiking the steep trails of Peoria, traveling all over the world, singing in my church choir, and reading a good book.


Sunny Snyder

MIddle School

I graduated in 1997 from ISU with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I moved to California where I taught 1st and 2nd grade for three years before moving back to Illinois and starting a family. I live in Morton with my husband Aaron and our two teenage boys, Elijah and Gideon and our dog Wrigley. After my boys were in school full-time I returned to subbing in Morton, and then landed here at SSCA. I am so thankful to be able to serve this community and share my love of Jesus with my students.

When I am not at school, I love playing games with my family and friends, cheering on any team my sons are playing on, traveling, working out, and watching the Cubs!


Brandon Oliger

Middle School

I have the privilege of teaching 6th/7th grade ELA and Social Studies! I grew up in Ohio and made the move to central Illinois in 2013. After 10 years of teaching high school English, God paved the way for me to teach at SSCA in 2023, and I’m thrilled to be part of the team.

Outside of work, I’m a husband to Katie and a father to our two daughters. We are members of Summit Point Church in East Peoria, and any free time I have is spent playing guitar, camping out, cooking food, or discussing cars and motorcycles.

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Board of Directors


Board of Directors


Chad Zobrist

Board president

God has taken me on an incredible journey these last five years through SSCA. I've had the privilege to see an idea become reality through God's faithfulness in providing a school building, committed staff and teachable students. As a small business owner I'm grateful my schedule has allowed me to serve as a board member, Reading Buddy, and playground aide. I serve on Buildings and Grounds and look forward to the expansion of our facility in 2021.

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Curt Meiss

Board Member

As I've served on the board alongside my wife Cassie, God has increased my faith. I've seen Him do things only He could do in starting and growing SSCA. Outside of my school responsibilities, I serve as the director of counseling at Peoria Rescue Ministries, a licensed professional counselor, and as an elder at Grace Church in Morton. I'm loving this phase of life empty-nesting and enjoying adult children and our first grandchild. I'm excited to see what God will continue to do through SSCA!

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Cassie Meiss

Board Member and Business Director

I am thankful and blessed to serve as a board member and one of the directors at SSCA. I continue to be amazed at how God works in the details of the ministry of SSCA and the lives of our students, families, and staff. My husband, Curt, and I have four adult children, a fantastic daughter-in-law, and a precious granddaughter. We are active in our church and praise God for this stage of life with our family and friends.


Lee Hoffman

Board Member

I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of the board at SSCA. I currently serve as the Director of Culture Transformation at Ledgestone. Prior to this role, I worked for over 20 years as a teacher and administrator in inner-city, high-performing, and private-Christian schools. I am married to Shalome, and we have five wonderful children who love to volunteer at SSCA. I am excited to see all that God will continue to accomplish through the lives of the students and families we serve.


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Lisa Waibel

Board Member

I am thankful God has raised up SSCA to serve the needs of many families here on Peoria's south side. God has used His church to be laborers here through the many opportunities to volunteer, pray, give financially, and work at SSCA. I am excited to be on the SSCA board and the bus transportation committee, care for the garden, help with cleaning, and minister to the students’ families.


Marc Smith

Board Member

I am an active member on the board here at SSCA. I was raised on the south side, so this is where my heart is. That’s why I take great pleasure in serving here at SSCA. I attend church at New Beginnings worship center located right here on the south side, and I work full time at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. I have been married for five years to the beautiful and talented Whitney Smith who has made me the proud father of two beautiful children with one on the way.

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Dave Obergfel

Board Member

I am retired from the Peoria Public Schools as a former Teacher and Middle School Principal. Currently, I am working as a School Auditor and Literary Coordinator for Peoria County. I am an active member and Minister at the Peoria Apostolic Christian Church. I am married to Kathy, a former teacher. We have three grown children and five grandchildren. It is a privilege to be on the SSCA Board and see how God has used this special school to help the students/parents learn about Jesus and His great love for them.


 

Steve Endress

Board Member

After spending the first fifteen years of my career in public education, I am thankful to have the opportunity to continue working in education through SSCA, and am especially appreciative of the caring culture found around our families, staff, volunteers, and financial supporters. I own and work in several Peoria-area businesses and enjoy seeing the eyes of youngsters shine when they learn the joy of serving others through private enterprise.


Jaquoi Stewart

BOARD MEMBER

I am grateful to be a Board Member of SSCA. I am a proud member of Gospel Experience Church located on the North side of Peoria. I serve there as an Usher, Announcer, and one of the leaders of The Emergency Response Team. I am a RN and mother of two beautiful daughters. The Lord said “SSCA is a hidden gem that is about to shine”, and I want to be part of His Will for SSCA. I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for SSCA.