Dear LCA Community,

Welcome to the Lexington Christian Academy 2024 – 2025 school year! It is with immense joy and a deep sense of responsibility that I step into the role of Head of School at LCA this year. As I begin this journey with our vibrant community, I want to introduce myself and share my vision for our collective mission.

What I Have Learned About LCA So Far

I have spent much of my first two months listening and learning from as many people connected to our community as I could meet – parents, alumni, employees, local pastors – and I can share with you that my head and my heart are full! There is even one group of people we endearingly call the LCA Legends [like Grace Strodel, pictured right], folks whose memories and fondness for our school and its mission run deep in their hearts, as does their love for students and for our Risen Lord. These women and men continue to hold up our school in prayer and with financial support that allows us to innovate and grow while standing firm in our mission.

After many meetings and lunches, I can see that we, the current stewards of the LCA mission, stand on the shoulders of the many faithful servants who came before us, like the family who mortgaged their own home to help launch Christian High School almost 80 years ago! Then, a group of women and men gave their time, talent, and treasure to God in the form of Christian High School, and as He did with the loaves and fishes, the Lord multiplied those gifts into the thriving institution that today is Lexington Christian Academy. 

At LCA, we exist to educate young men and women in the arts and sciences in the context of a complete commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For almost 80 years, our aim has been to offer a rigorous academic experience while ensuring that our teachings are rooted in the Christian worldview and the Gospel’s transformative power. Our talented faculty and staff are dedicated to mentoring and challenging our students in equal measure. It is our privilege to embrace and support each student as they strive to engage in both the intellectual and spiritual dimensions of their education.

It is now our turn to do for future generations of LCA families what these men and women did for us. To that end, we are currently examining current trends in Christian education against all facets of the student experience at LCA, as well as listening to our families and alumni, to develop our Vision 2030 and strategic plan to advance our mission for the next generation. I cannot wait to share the fruits of that work with you very soon. 

In the meantime, please know that we remain dedicated to three commitments of our community:

Steadfastly & Distinctly Christian
The spiritual formation efforts that LCA has held dear for generations permeate all aspects of our community and give our young people the anchor that is Jesus Christ. Worship nights, student prayer groups, weekly chapels, and  testimonies keep our students engaged with their Christian identity. Our Service Learning Pods, launched last year, partner with local organizations like Joni and Friends, L’Arche, local nursing homes, and more. In the classroom, whether English Literature, History, Math and Science, or the Arts, our teachers give students the tools to identify and ask the right questions and arrive at the truth of the Gospel themselves – real integration of faith and learning where critical thinking can flourish alongside faith development. Perhaps most impactful, as I’ve heard from so many alumni, are the coaches and teachers who walk with our students through their most formative years and model Christian living for them.

I am encouraged by the chapel theme our Spiritual Formation team selected for this school year –- The Gospel Changes Everything. We believe the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ touches every part of our lives. It is transformational and should shape all that we do. The greatest story ever told is the God of the universe sending His Son to explain the world, then giving His Life to save it. This truth can give joy to a 6th grader, make life make sense for a 10th grader, and give purpose to a graduating senior. My prayer for every LCA student is that they know this story and the God who did it.

Excellent Academics
LCA academics  empower students to excel. This is our academic ethos. How do we do this? By knowing each student, recognizing their unique gifts and abilities, meeting them where they are, and challenging them to grow beyond what s/he even thinks is possible. At the core of excellent academics are real relationships between students and their teachers and a trust which forms the basis of knowing where each student can flourish. Each student learns and demonstrates understanding differently, and when we give students the room to shine, they do. The result is a lifelong love of learning.

Accordingly, teachers are the pillars of excellent academics and must therefore continually develop their methods and expertise. We continue to invest in our faculty within a coaching culture, empowering them with resources, focused training, and mentorship.

Continuous Innovation
It is my intention that LCA innovate in every area as data and feedback dictate, in the midst of our Christ-centered mission, which does not change. As I visit Christian schools around the nation, I am inspired by the data-driven advancements in their educational spaces, staff, and other resources. Every year, our faculty and staff question current programming, teaching methods, tools, facilities, and academic offerings in the face of changing needs and competitive pressures. Just this year, we have added six new elective courses: AP Psychology, AP Chemistry, AP Spanish Language and Culture, Public Speaking, Introduction to Business and Personal Finance. We are conducting facilities and programming audits, while also examining and improving several curricular tracks. Our aforementioned strategic plan, currently in development, will reflect a spirit of continuous improvement and a commitment to innovative education and student development.

Trusting in the Lord’s Plan for LCA
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with your heart, and lean not into your own understanding. Acknowledge God, and in every way, He will direct your paths.” When I stopped leaning on my own pursuits and opened my heart to God’s plan for me, I found my true purpose in Christian education. We are building LCA for the next generation in the same way, by trusting God’s faithfulness, which has brought us to this moment. 

Remarkably, over $3,800,000 has been given to LCA over the past five years, resulting in financial aid to mission-fit families, investments in faculty professional development, expanded student services and programs, and our beautiful Student Center. On behalf of the current student body, thank you! 

As we embark on this exciting new chapter, I encourage open communication and active collaboration. Your feedback and involvement are crucial in helping us ensure that every student receives the promise of our mission. I am eager to work with you all to continue our pursuit of excellence and our commitment to educating young men and women through the lens of the Gospel.

Working in Christian education is a source of great joy in my life. The Lord trained me in executive leadership and non-profit management so he could lead me into this role of equipping students and loving Christ. Now I get to practice in my home state and proudly wear the colors of my beloved teams! (It was a challenge wearing the green and white in Laker Country!) I am most thankful that my journey has brought me here to serve as LCA’s 14th Head of School. Thank you for your prayers for my first year at Lexington Christian Academy and our community’s 79th year!

What an exciting time to be a part of this Christ-centered community!

With anticipation and gratitude,

John Khouri
Head of School