Isaac Newton Christian Academy offering new high school program

CEDAR RAPIDS - For the first time ever, Isaac Newton Christian Academy this fall is welcoming a class of ninth-graders. It's the first step toward establishing a 9-12 high school program at the private Cedar Rapids school, 1635 Linmar Drive NE.

Tuition is expected to be about $6,700.

Head of School Dean Ridder said he expects a freshman class of about 15 students in the fall.

The nondenominational Christian school, which opened in 1989, is continuing to offer prekindergarten through 8th grade education.

'We've become well-known in the community as a strong academic program that also does a great job integrating the Bible into our coursework,” Ridder said. 'We couldn't ignore the requests (for a high school) any more because they became so frequent.”

The decision to start the high school classes came after about 40 people researched whether it would be viable. A unanimous approval came 'after a lot a prayer,” Ridder said.

The high school is to be accredited and offer dual college credit courses through Colorado Christian University, allowing students to earn up to six college credits by the end of their freshman year. The college credits would be in history and Bible studies, Ridder said.

'We've created a program leading up to this where our students are ready for those levels,” Ridder said. 'This is a fun place to learn and our kids love to be here, but we do have high expectations.”

Ridder said he hopes enrollment in the high school grows once it's more established.

'Right now, we're asking people to commit to something they can't see,” he said. 'We understand that's a big ask.”

The academy added a 13,000-square-foot activity center this year and plans to repurpose space for the high school this summer.

There is no formal deadline to enroll in the school, though Ridder suggested interested parents do so before the end of July. Classes start Aug. 23.