Why South Side Christian Academy?

     The south side of Peoria, Illinois, specifically zip code 61605, suffers from high unemployment, rising teen pregnancy rates, poverty, crime, and underperforming schools. Zip Code 61605 is listed among the 100 poorest zip codes in the United States. Unemployment in 61605 is nearly 5 times what it is in the rest of Peoria.*

     Many families living in South Peoria believe as we do that Jesus Christ is the only hope for true transformation in the lives of all people. These families want a better environment for their children and welcome the idea of more Christian influence there. Our goal is to come alongside these families and help them bring Christ’s love and positive change to their neighborhoods through high-quality Christian education. We started with a kindergarten class in 2016, and have added a grade each year. We now offer grades k-8.  We pray that our students will be have the educational and spiritual foundation to take His love back to their community as future pastors, business owners, doctors, nurses, school teachers, lawyers, skilled trade workers, and the list goes on.

  Serving primarily students in zip code 61605, South Side Christian Academy is a fully faith-funded school, meaning that we have faith that God will provide the needed funds to educate our students through donations from generous people like you. We are honored to join God in this great work of bringing quality Christian education and Christ-centered transformation to Peoria’s south side. To do this, we need the support and prayers of many people and organizations. Positive change is possible. God can make it happen. Will you join us in this dream to bring new hope for a brighter future to the children and families of South Peoria?

*Tarter, Steve. "Community in Neglect." Peoria Journal Star [Peoria] 16 Aug. 2015, Business sec.: F1. Print.

Mission:  

     South Side Christian Academy is a Christ-centered school with a mission to reach and transform children and families for Christ by establishing a solid biblical worldview, confirming value and hope in Christ, and preparing each young person through a high quality education for a life of service to God and others.

Core Values:

• Truth - All Truth is God’s Truth. We Believe that Truth is created and defined by God and is laid out in the Bible, His Infallible Word. John 8:32, 17:17

• Knowledge - We will promote an academic program marked by excellence, high achievement, and creativity. Psalm 119:66

• Compassion - We believe that a love of knowledge and learning must be accompanied by an attitude of compassion in order to benefit society and spread the message of Christ. Ephesians 4:32

• Service - We believe that, having freely received the blessings found in Christ alone, it is critical to give back to our families, community, and world to demonstrate our love for God and others and our deep appreciation for His work in our lives. I Samuel 12:24

• Effort - We believe that we will be blessed when we do our best in all things for the glory of God. Col. 3:23

Statement of Faith:

1. The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God, given to man, inspired by the Holy Spirit. (Matt.4:4, Titus 1:2, James 1:21, 2 Tim. 3:16, Heb. 4:12, John 17:17, PS. 119:105, 1 Thess.2:13, 2 Peter 1:21)

2. There is one eternal God, the Creator of all things, who exists in three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19, 2Cor. 13:14, Isa. 44:6, John 1:14, Luke 11:35, John 14:16-17, Gen 1:1-2, 1 Pet. 1:2, Col. 2:9, John 10:30)

3. Jesus Christ, the Son of God was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life. (Matt. 1:18, Isa. 7:14, Heb. 4:15, Luke 1:30-35,1 Peter 2:22, Matt. 1:20, 1 John 3:5, 2 Cor 5:21)

4. Man was created in God’s image, but by man’s transgression became separated from God. (1 John 5:17, Isa. 53:5-6, 1 John 1:8, 1 John 1:8-10, Rom 3:11, Rom. 6:23, Rom. 3:23, Rom. 5:12, Gen. 1: 24-27, Gen. 5:1)

5. Man is justified by faith, by the shed blood of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross, His death, and His resurrection from the grave. (Eph. 2:8-9, Heb. 9:12-14, Heb. 10:4, Col. 1:14, 1 Cor. 15:16-20, Luke 23:33, Luke 23: 26, Phil. 3:10, Mark 16, Acts 1:3, John 20:18-22, Rom. 5:1)

6. The Holy Spirit resides in the hearts of true believers and is evidenced by a spiritual rebirth, reconciliation with God, and obedience to God’s Word. (Gal. 2:20, Phil. 1:21, Eph. 2:10, 2 Cor. 5:17, 2 Tim 2:15, Rom. 6:4, Gal. 5:22-23, John 14:26, John 15:26, Col. 3:1)

7. Both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; the saved unto eternal life and the lost unto eternal damnation. (Heb. 9:27, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, 2 Peter 2:9, John 5:28-29, Rom. 3:23, Rev. 21:8, Matt. 10:28, Matt. 25:48)

8. God is the Creator of all life, including the unborn; all life is precious in His sight. (Jer. 1:5, Gen. 1:27, Col. 1:16, Prov. 6:16-19, Eccl. 11:5, Exod. 23:7, PS. 139:12-17)

9. We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as either male or female in nature of God. We also believe that God created marriage to be exclusively the lifelong union of one man and one woman, and that intimate sexual activity is to occur exclusively with that unique, God created union. (Gen. 1:26-27, Gen. 2:18-25, 1 Cor. 6:18, 1 Cor. 7:2-5, Heb. 13:4).

Our Statement of Faith is not exhaustive of all of our beliefs. The Bible, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, speaks with absolute authority regarding the proper conduct of humankind and is the unchanging foundation for all belief and behavior. The SSCA Board of Directors holds final interpretive authority on biblical meaning and application with regard to faith, doctrine, policy, practice, and discipline. Board policies are available to parents, students, staff members and others upon request.

Nikki Giosta

Principal

I joined the SSCA family in 2019 as the principal. I graduated from Bradley with a degree in elementary & middle school education in 2004 and have taught students in grades K-8 in Peoria, Pekin, and Bloomington public schools. In 2012, I completed my masters program in school administration through St. Xavier University. Since college, I have been involved in children's ministry in Peoria and currently operate a food pantry at Lexington Hills. At SSCA, I love working closely with teachers, students and their families, and most importantly, sharing my faith in and love for Jesus. I love being here because every single day, we see God at work. Outside of school, I most love spending time with my husband Brent and our two daughters, Addie and Cassie.

Melissa Garretson

Assistant Principal

I have been in the education field for 35 years, and I truly love kids—they keep me young and teach me something new every single day! I love Jesus, and He saved my life. I would be honored to share my story with you.

It is a privilege to serve at South Side Christian Academy as the Assistant Principal, where I get to serve both God and the students and families of SSCA. I am also blessed to own a business that helps children unlock their full potential, particularly those with learning differences such as dyslexia.

Each day I pray that every child I work with will feel seen, supported, and challenged to grow into the person God created them to be.

Olivia Kramer

Kindergarten

This is my first year teaching at SSCA. I graduated from Illinois State University in May of 2025 with a degree in Elementary Education and am so blessed to spend my first year teaching at SSCA. It has been such a privilege to be able to share my faith and talk about Jesus in my classroom. The kindergarteners are all hungry to hear the word of God and it has been an honor to answer their questions and lead them closer to Jesus every day. When I am not teaching I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, going on walks, and doing puzzles. I'm excited to see what God has in store for this year!

Michelle Lyons

first Grade

This is my seventh year teaching at SSCA. I graduated from Monmouth College and taught kindergarten for seven years before staying home with my own children. I then worked as a reading interventionist for five years before coming to SSCA. I live with my husband Corey and we have three children: Haven, Jade, and Austin. I love spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, and walking my dog, Lucky.

Sammi Alstott

second Grade

This will be my first year teaching second grade at SSCA, but my fourth year teaching. I graduated in 2022 with a degree in elementary education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and then taught first grade for three years in Washington. I am so excited to be part of a school community that values God above all else and keeps Him at the center of everything we do. I’m looking forward to building relationships with students, families, and other staff members this school year. Outside of school, I am an assistant coach for the jv dance team at Washington High School.

Parker Meiss

7/8 Science and Math

Hello! My name is Parker Meiss and I am the 7th and 8th grade math and science at South Side Christian Academy! I graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education in 2020. After college I taught for a couple of years at SSCA as a 4th grade teacher. Then I took a year off from SSCA, but came back the next year to work as the bus driver and in maintenance for a year. Last year, I was the math interventionist at SSCA and this year am the 7th and 8th grade math and science teacher, so I've gotten to experience a lot of the different sides of SSCA! The Lord has taught me a lot in the past several years about learning that he is our true peace in all circumstances and I love telling the students about the unconditional love, peace, and hope that is found in knowing the Savior! I enjoy sports, reading, being outdoors, and being with friends and family. It is so exciting to see what the Lord is doing at SSCA and I am very thankful to be a part of it!

Michelle Hart

7/8 ELA and Social Studies

Hello! My name is Michelle Hart.  I teach 7th and 8th grade Social Studies and ELA. I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, but moved to Peoria when I started high school at Peoria High.  I graduated from Millikin University and went straight to China to teach. I’ve been overseas for 13 years and just returned home in July 2025. I have a wonderful, loving husband named Trésor and an energetic son named Emmanuel (God with us), who also attends SSCA. I’m very fortunate and blessed to teach at this school.

Chad Zobrist

Board president

God has taken me on an incredible journey these last five years through SSCA. I've had the privilege to see an idea become reality through God's faithfulness in providing a school building, committed staff and teachable students. As a small business owner I'm grateful my schedule has allowed me to serve as a board member, Reading Buddy, and playground aide. I serve on Buildings and Grounds and am grateful for the expansion of our facility in 2021 that allowed us to serve more students in upper grades.

Steve Endress

Board Member

After spending the first fifteen years of my career in public education, I am thankful to have the opportunity to continue working in education through SSCA, and am especially appreciative of the caring culture found around our families, staff, volunteers, and financial supporters. I own and work in several Peoria-area businesses and enjoy seeing the eyes of youngsters shine when they learn the joy of serving others through private enterprise.

Jaquoi Stewart

BOARD MEMBER

I am grateful to be a Board Member of SSCA. I am a proud member of Gospel Experience Church located on the North side of Peoria. I serve there as an Usher, Announcer, and one of the leaders of The Emergency Response Team. I am a RN and mother of two beautiful daughters. The Lord said “SSCA is a hidden gem that is about to shine”, and I want to be part of His Will for SSCA. I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for SSCA.