Athens has two Christian private schools, and while both are quickly growing, they still are seeking students to continue that growth. Athens Bible School and Lindsay Lane Christian Academy might be separated by 70 years, but they both are looking forward to the future.

Athens Bible School is currently celebrating its 75th year, having opened in 1943 and is looking for an influx of students as they prepare to open a new school for the 2019 spring semester.

“Next year will be very exciting for us,” ABS Assistant Director of Development Gayle Hagewood said. “We’re hoping to move into the new campus for the second semester of next year. It will be neat to be a student and begin the year at the old school and end it at the new campus.”

Hagewood said the excitement about the new school has led to an increase in interest from prospective students.

“We’re receiving lots of phone calls,” Hagewood said. “Last week, we enrolled two students and have a third who is possibly coming. We recently received a call from a family from upstate New York who has moved here with two children. Our new campus will just enhance that.”

The school is expanding from its current 13-acre campus to a campus that will spread out over 42 acres. It will be located on U.S. 31, about a mile north of Limestone Chapel Funeral Home.

The school will host an open house and registration night 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, for those in the community who might be considering Athens Bible for their children.

“It will be a very informational evening,” Hagewood said. “It is for anyone in the community who wants to come and take a tour of the campus and give it a look.”

Prospective students don’t have to come to the open house. Families can contact the school anytime for a tour and informational session by calling 256-232-3525 or visiting www.athensbibleschool.org.

“They can meet with (school president and principal) Mr. (Randy) Adams and talk about our school in general, and talk with the teachers as well,” Hagewood said. “We’ll give them a welcome packet and a personal tour. Those are available anytime.”

Hagewood said it is important for parents to tour the school and meet with teachers and administrators before deciding if ABS is right for them.

“Education is one of the most important decisions a parent makes for their children,” she said. “Making the right school choice for your family is extremely important. We want parents to take a look at the campus, meet the teachers and administrators and see what all that child will be face-to-face with. All of those things are very important in making a decision.”

Lindsay Lane Christian Academy is not nearly as old, having started as a school for grades 8–12 only in 2009. In 2010, a seventh grade was added, and in 2011, the school merged with Faith Christian Academy and became a K3-12th grade Christian school with three campuses.

Steve Murr took over as the school’s first headmaster in 2013 and has seen enrollment grow to more than 450 students.

Enrollment for new students began at the school Feb. 15, and parents who are interested in finding more information about enrollment can drop by the school from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. any Wednesday for what’s called ‘Welcome Home Wednesdays.’

“We call it ‘Welcome Home Wednesdays’ because so many parents have told us that after joining LLCA, it just felt like home,” Director of Development Carla Woods said. “But if another day is more convenient for parents, they may also call us to schedule an informative tour of our campuses, so they are able to see for themselves what we have to offer.”

To inquire or request information about the school, visit www.lindsaylanechristianacademy.org and click on the Admissions tab at the top of the home page. The school can also be reached at 256-262-5323.

“We are very happy to walk parents through the process if they have any questions,” Woods said.

There are two different campuses for the elementary students. The preschool, kindergarten and first-grade campus is located at 13902 Bradford Road in Madison, while another preschool and second through fourth grades are located at 1300 Lindsay Lane South in Athens.

“If parents are seeking a Christian education that is consistently above average academically for their child who will be entering K3–12th grade this fall, this is an excellent time to find out more,” Woods said.