- Deb Christian
- President
- Kelli Hildebrand
- Vice President
Description
Eastside Academy began in 2001 as an effort to serve teens in danger of slipping through the cracks in the public school system. First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue decided to allow the 15 wayward students and 3 dedicated staff to use 2 classrooms in the chapel building; EA has grown to six classrooms housing 35 students and 10 staff. The goal of EA is to focus on the individual needs of our students who have not been successful in the large public school setting, where they are not equipped to deal with each student's specific needs. When it became obvious our students needed more than just academics to succeed, the 12-Step Recovery Program was implemented to help the students who were facing the challenges of addiction. A partnership with the Mars Hill Graduate School who trains Christian counselors was formed, providing each student with confidential counseling. But Eastside Academy did not stop there. In an effort to give the students a more well-rounded experience, a basketball team was formed and art classes were provided for the students, giving them an opportunity to express themselves creatively. EA is the only school of its kind on the Eastside. No other school offers such a unique approach to education by healing the student and educating them at the same time. Eastside Academy doesn't just educate its students with grades and test scores; it helps them develop life skills.