Academy is a place to learn and give back

The student body and faculty of the West Side Christian Academy in Red Bank assembled for a group photo at the end of the last school year. RED BANK — West Side Christian Academy (WSCA) is celebrating its 10th anniversary, a decade during which the school has moved around but has never lost sight of its mission.

“Our goal is to build students who will graduate from high school having gained the skills and motivation to complete college, get meaningful employment, and then help another needy child to do the same,” said the Rev. Elmer Jackson, founder and principal of the academy.

“In this way, we help create a high- performing, productive, positive peer group that sets a norm of excellence and raises the standard of high achievement in our community,” continued Jackson, who is a borough resident.

The academy provides full-day, Christian centered, academic instruction for grades K-12 and targets “at-risk” children who are eager to learn. Jackson’s wife, Doris, works at the school, as does his son, the Rev. Jeff Jackson, who is the boys’ classroom teacher.

In 2000, when his daughter was finishing her schooling at the Red Bank Primary School, Jackson said he saw a need to create an alternative to public school education.

“I saw the poor test scores coming out of the middle school, and I thought, I’ll teach my daughter myself. Kids can’t afford not to be prepared. “ Jackson said.

The academy started with five children in a home in Little Silver. Jackson said he prayed others would join.

As the group grew, WSCA moved to the Rumson Presbyterian Church and stayed there for five years before moving to Red Bank Commons, then Monmouth Day Care. The academy is currently located at the Calvary Baptist Church in Red Bank.

“Hopefully we’ll soon establish a location of our own,” Jackson said.

With six WSCA graduates currently enrolled in college, Jackson said now is a time to stop and reflect.

“Three of our kids have academic scholarships — to the Naval Academy, [Richard] Stockton [College] and Monmouth University,” Jackson said. “We’re so proud. They make me cry,”

Jackson, who grew up in Oklahoma, credits his time served in the Marine Corps for his positive mind-set.

“When you’re flying jets, you become a leader. You have to be competent. You have to do the best you can do. A lot of people never reach their potential,” he said.

Jackson said the academy attracts children who would otherwise fall between the cracks.

“Rather than hang around in the ghetto, we give them the opportunity to be successful,” he said.

Jackson said that when students get what they deserve, they’re appreciative and make the most of what they have.

“We don’t give away something for nothing. Education is a process. Good things and good jobs will come from it. Once they learn to stand on their feet, they will,” Jackson added.

WSCA’s connection to its students doesn’t end when they graduate and go off to college.

“We make sure they’re doing well and continue to keep up with them to make sure they stay in college,” Jackson said.

Students learn good habits that allow them to become independent and self-motivated learners.

“We accept nothing less than excellence. We push them up to get those 100s. We want them to be prepared,” Jackson said.

The curriculum, Accelerated Christian Education, was created by the School of Tomorrow and is a self-paced system. Students move through grade levels at speeds that suit their abilities.

“The academy’s 33 students have individualized curriculums and work at their own rate,” Jackson said.

Students receive an individualized educational diagnosis followed up with individualized daily curriculums for focused development, Jackson explained.

Each day, students set goals and work to accomplish them, and the next day they adjust their goals.

Jackson spoke of a student who finished her daily goals early and asked him if she could help the younger children.

“You can learn and give back here,” Jackson said.

“Our purpose is to prepare our students for high school graduation, college acceptance entry, college graduation and meaningful employment,” he said. “We hope that each graduate will help another needy child complete this success cycle.”

Another young student, Jackson recounted, was dropped off by her mother early in the school year.

“When she got here, she was hysterically crying. When her mom came to get her at 4:30, she refused to leave!” Jackson exclaimed.

“Our younger kids are having the time of their lives here,” Jackson said. “If you start them early, they learn to be successful. School becomes easier and easier for them.”

Jackson said that at WSCA, students are asked to do their very best.

“We have a student who really struggled, and lately she has been making 100 percents. We’re so proud that she rose to the occasion,” he said.

Jackson said upcoming happenings in the school include a fun day involving a talent show, and the academy’s observation of National African American Day, when students read the works of African American authors all day.

“We make sure they stay busy, but we keep the work fun,” said Jackson.

Last month WSCA began its 10th anniversary celebration by holding a concert at the First Presbyterian Church in Red Bank. Jackson said more than 500 people attended the event.

“The last 10 years have been joyous,” Jackson said. “Marking 10 years is a major miracle in itself.

“Each child comes to us as an empty glass just waiting to be filled,” Jackson added. “We help each child understand that they are responsible for developing their own character and for achieving their own destiny.”