Lehigh Christian Academy, located in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania began in 1973 with nineteen students in grades two through eleven.  LCA was operated as a cooperative effort of churches from different denominations at its inception.  Christ Methodist Church and Trinity Baptist Church were the founding and original governing churches.  The basement of Christ Methodist Church housed the initial school, and students were enrolled in the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) program.  The governing of our school has changed, as well as the campus, but the purpose of the school has remained the same, “To provide a quality education that is Christ-centered.”

In 1978, as a result of continued growth under the leadership of the school’s founder, Pastor Kenneth Smith, the board decided to begin the process of changing to a traditional approach to education.  The school year opened with combined classes for kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Continuing to pursue excellence in education, the board and administration decided to enter into the accreditation process. This was a huge undertaking but proved to be a significant step in the school’s path toward growth and improvement.  After a lengthy self-study process, the elementary division of the school was visited by a joint team from The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).  LCA received full accreditation in 1983 and was the first elementary school, public or Christian, to receive this recognition in the Middle States region. This was a major accomplishment for a small school.  At the time of the visit there were 111 students in the elementary division and 90 in the secondary.

After receiving accreditation, the school continued to grow and add programs. A preschool division was added, and most classes became single grades rather than combination classes. Eventually many grade levels have multiple classrooms to ensure our low student:teacher ratio.  

In 1988, following three years of careful planning, four local Christian elementary schools decided to form a joint area Christian high school. The high school division of LCA dissolved and was reorganized as part of Lehigh Valley Christian High School. LCA became a preschool through eighth grade school. At this time, the students of LCA were attending classes at Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church and Christ Methodist Church. Trinity Baptist Church withdrew as a governing church and Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church was added to the governing board.

The board restructured in 2018 to become a board with directors who had certain job qualifications and who attended other Bible-believing churches rather than having members come from governing churches. At that time, Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church became the host church. 

Since our first accreditation cycle, LCA’s academic program has been re-accredited every seven years. Currently accredited until 2027, the administration and staff continue to improve LCA academic program. Having a qualified staff that loves God, loves teaching, and loves students enables LCA to fulfill its mission of “To provide a quality education that is Christ-centered.”   

In the school year 2018-2019 Lehigh Christian Academy implemented a three-year plan of re-instituting a high school program.  In 2021, LCA graduated its first senior class in thirty-three years.

In summer of 2024, LCA completed a nationwide search for a new Head of School, hiring Mr. David Miller.  In the 2024-2025 school year, the Board of Directors underwent board training and became the “Board of Trustees”, adopting new bylaws that implemented Policy Governance.  During this year, the Board also contracted the All Belong Center for Inclusive Education to complete a full site study to assess learning support, which resulted in hiring a Learning Support Coordinator in fall of 2025.  The high school was also approved to offer concurrent credit through Cairn University beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.

Lehigh Christian Academy is the oldest Christian school in the Lehigh Valley. LCA has continued to improve all aspects of its academic programs and seeks to succeed in its mission and enable our students to become an influence for Christ in our community.  It is the prayer of LCA’s board and staff that the school will continue as a Christian testimony in the community for generations to come.