History

Through the Years: The History of Our School​

 

In 1966, Pastor L. W. Carlson accepted the pastorate of Palm Springs Drive Baptist Church. He had a strong conviction in providing Biblical Christian education for the community. That same year, he founded Altamonte Christian School with just one single five-year-old kindergarten class. He was the first teacher at ACS and faithfully served as pastor and School Director until 2004.

 

Altamonte Christian School expanded to K4 through 3rd grade in 1971. At this time, there was only one building on the property, the original church building with attached classrooms. Today that building houses our administrative offices and church nursery.

 

The 1972-73 school year marked the beginning of a major expansion effort when the second building was erected, which provided for the addition of 4th through 9th grades. This same school year welcomed our first full-time principal, Mr. Don Epps.

 

The following school year, our gymnasium was completed to provide physical education and an athletic program, as well as the addition of 10th grade. This provided the separation of 7th through 10th grades into a traditional secondary school. At that time, the gymnasium contained eight classrooms, a high school science lab, a kitchen, boys’ and girls’ locker rooms, and a basketball court. In 1974, 11th grade was added, and the church auditorium was completed. Twelfth grade was added for the 1975-76 school year, and ACS witnessed its first graduating class.

 

In 1981, Mr. Gale Callaghan was hired as the school’s third principal. Mr.
Callaghan served the school from 1981 to 1998. Under Mr. Callaghan’s
leadership, the school expanded and grew. The first major renovation took
place during the 1988-89 school year and included adding a hardwood

basketball court and improvements to the classrooms. In 1998, Mr. Callaghan
left ACS to pursue his doctorate.

 

Palm Springs Drive Baptist Church welcomed Pastor Scott Carlson as their new pastor in 2004. As Pastor, he also became the president of Altamonte Christian School. Altamonte Christian School is a ministry of Palm Springs Drive Baptist Church and is financially self-supporting through tuition and fees. Altamonte Christian School is led by an administrative team. The history of our administration began with Mrs. Johnette Barton and Dr. Sharon Nix serving as administrators of Altamonte Christian School for 46 years and 31 years, respectively. Mr. Richard Smith served as Dean of Students and Athletic Director for 26 years. 

 

In 2021, the Lord provided an opportunity for expansion to the school ministry by the gift of a property located at 1021 Palm Springs Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL. The property was purchased with a gift from a local business ministry and became the home of the VPK through 5th grade classes. Ms. Joan McManaway was promoted to the position of Preschool and Elementary Director to perform day-to-day operations of the North Campus in August of 2022. In 2022, the middle and high school students were moved to their new classrooms in the former elementary hallway. The South Campus renovations began by relocating the lockers from the gym to the new secondary hallway. In 2023, renovations were completed in the gym building, including a weight room, a new science lab, a gym floor, bleachers, and a new lobby entrance. 

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We are grateful to the Lord for His hand in blessing our school ministry and for the growth and ability to spread the love of Christ to more students and to be a part of the Altamonte Springs community. The legacy of Altamonte Christian School continues to increase as the Lord allows!

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Current Administration:

• Pastor Scott Carlson - President

• Dr. Piorkowski - Headmaster

• Mr. Montgomery - Dean of Students

• Mr. Crutchfield - Athletic Director

• Mrs. Thomas - Academic Principle & Guidance Counselor

• Ms. McManaway - Elementary Director

• Mrs. Wayte - Finance Director