Delta Christian School is celebrating its 60th anniversary this Saturday.
"Really we're here in Delta because our families believe that all of life is there to glorify God, in whatever we do. Also for us, that means our education," said principal Tony Bylenga.
"We strive to bring up children so that they know the Lord, love him, and live lives that glorify him in all that they do. That's what we're about," Bylenga added.
The school has been at the same location in Ladner since 1954. It started off with a single classroom with one teacher and less than 20 students.
"It was begun by a group of Christian families who wanted to have a Christian education for their children," said Bylenga. The school's mission statement reads: "Equipping children for life through a Christ-centered curriculum that promotes intellectual, social, physical and spiritual excellence for the purpose of training our children to serve God and to become faithful stewards of God's world."
The current school was built in 1994. It added a gymnasium and a great library, noted Bylenga.
This year there are 103 students in kindergarten through seventh grade.
There is a comprehensive music program from K to 7, physical education every day for every child and French instruction has been brought all the way down to kindergarten.
The school also keeps up with technology - from having computer education technology available for every student, going wireless, to installing smart boards in all of the classrooms.
Helping every child reach their own personal potential is something that's very important at Delta Christian, said Bylenga.
"We're really taking a look at individualizing instruction. That's really been a focus for the last six or seven years," he said.
Delta Christian has a tight-knit community of parents who support the school and volunteer there regularly, he added.
Looking towards the future, Bylenga said the school is about equipping kids for life and that its mission is to continue to provide a great Christian education for local families.
The school will mark its 60th anniversary with a dinner gala and silent auction on Saturday, Jan. 31 at South Delta Baptist Church.
Many local businesses have donated goods and services for the silent auction, which runs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The dinner starts at 6:45 p.m. Tickets cost $60.
For more on the school, visit www.deltachristianschool.org.
