SCHOOL HISTORY
Since 1965, Bethesda Christian School has been a ministry of Parkside Bible Church, originally called Bethesda Baptist Church. The Lord’s hand of involvement has been evident from the beginning.
BCS HISTORY TIMELINE
- 1965 – Pastor Don Tyler starts Bethesda Christian School with a Kindergarten program, which was soon followed by a Preschool program.
- 1974 – The Elementary program, grades 1-7, is established with 400 students. All classes meet in Sunday School rooms at the church.
- 1975 – The Secondary program, grades 8-12, is established. In January of 1975, with no building, no blueprints, no money, no teachers, no students, and no equipment, Pastor Don Tyler embarks on an 8-month campaign of faith to raise funds and break ground. By September, a brand new 42,000-square-foot high school complex opens its doors.
- 1976 – BCS graduates its first senior class of 11 students.
- 1985 – The mortgage for the high school building is fully paid, leaving the church and school debt-free.
- 1988 – BCS becomes accredited by the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS).
- 1991 – BCS wins the AACS national basketball championship.
- 1998 – PK-12 enrollment reaches 520 students.
- 2002 – BCS begins the tradition of Senior Leadership Camp.
- 2003 – BCS becomes fully accredited with the Indiana Department of Education through the Indiana Freeway protocol. A new building complex for BCS upper school grades is built.
- 2006 – BCS starts the tradition of a senior mission trip with a focus on service. The first mission trip is to Louisiana, where the students assist local churches in helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. BCS also joins the IHSAA this year.
- 2009 – BCS becomes accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
- 2010 – BCS begins its “Minds in Motion” program for elementary students.
- 2011 – The Indiana School Choice voucher program is established.
- 2020 – Government regulations in response to COVID-19 cause BCS to finish its spring semester via distance learning online. PK-12 enrollment at BCS drops to a record low of 242.
- 2021 – Indiana passes new legislation, which greatly expands the voucher program.
- 2022 – BCS enrollment in PK-12 grows to 494, more than doubling what it had been two years previously.
- 2024 – BCS boys varsity basketball team wins the IHSAA Semi-State title. Ground is broken for the construction of a new expansion wing.