The Lehigh Valley was introduced to Salem Christian School in 1979 with the intent to be a Lehigh Valley Christian school that serves students and partners with parents in Lehigh, Berks, Northhampton, Montgomery and Bucks counties . That year, the Deacon Board of Salem Bible Church, with the encouragement of Pastor Rick Goodman and several church families, recognized the need for a Lehigh Valley Christian school that would assist parents in bringing up their children “…in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4). Pastor Goodman was concerned for the future of this country if it continued educating future generations without God and the Bible. The resulting vision led to the establishment of Salem Christian School.
Classes began in September of 1979 with 17 students enrolled in an ACE program. Pastor Goodman was the first principal with Mr. Tom Wetzel and Mrs. Pam Wersler as teachers. As the church continued to grow in size and in numbers, so did the ministry of Salem Christian School. As classrooms and a multipurpose room were added, the ACE program transitioned to conventional classrooms with qualified professional teachers. Today, Salem Christian School is still in pursuit of being the Lehigh Valley’s premier Christian school.
A library/media center, additional classrooms, and a chapel were added next. A full-court gymnasium and a science lab were added in 1998, allowing for further growth and expansion of programs. In 1999, a 500-seat auditorium and a lunch room were completed. Continued growth led to the addition of a new and larger kitchen, computer lab, youth room, locker rooms, and a new playground. Most recently, the youth group moved to the old church building, and the youth room became the new church and school library.
Our gracious God continues to bless the educational ministry of Salem Christian School, which today is a fully graded educational institution of nearly 200 students in grades preschool through senior high school. In June of 2015 Salem Christian School received accreditation with ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) and anticipates the additional accreditation of Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Salem Christian School continues to be dedicated to its mission of developing students who love God with all their mind, body, and soul. Through strong academics, innovative practices, and technologically advanced infrastructure, and God’s grace, we are confident that SCS will continue to grow for generations to come.
