Derek West, Principal
What Life Academy Stands For
Education is the channel which God uses to bring His people to a clearer understanding of life.
Life Academy is dedicated to a full education for all children, including the commandments of faith, the statutes of truth, and the judgments of God.
Teaching is training. Training for life must include training for eternity.
A Christian school is an extension of the Christian home in training young people in a Christian environment for time and eternity. The school staff works closely with parents to train the whole child. We intend not only to love your children, but also to discipline them should the need arise. We need the full cooperation and support of parents as we attempt together to produce Christ-like character in our youth.
The goal of Life Academy is to train Christian youth of every ability in the highest principles of Christian leadership, self-discipline, individual responsibility, personal integrity, and good citizenship.
Life Academy stands for the Holy Gospel and the highest standards of morality and Christian behavior. We intend to incorporate the Bible, the Holy Word of God, in all of our teachings. We will endeavor to present to our students the basic concepts of life on the foundation of Scriptural truth.
About Life Academy
Life Academy has been serving the Grand Valley since 1980.
We have a Board of Directors made up of Life Academy parents, teachers, and Life Tabernacle church members.
We have an active Parent's Activating Life Academy (PALS) group to help fellow parents, students and teachers of Life Academy for enrichment.
Life Academy strives for the highest standards of safety for the students and teachers. Our doors are securely locked at 8 am every day. To gain secure access, you must contact the office administration for entrance.
Once inside Life Academy, all visitors must sign in and wear the visible Visitors badge at all times.
Life Academy has standard emergency preparedness plans in place for the safety of the students and teachers. We also believe in the power of prayer and the Lord's full blessing and protection over our students and staff.
Meet Our Teachers

Tina Alba
1st Grade

Grace Squires
4th Grade

Mark Jones
2nd Grade

Aiden Paul
5th Grade

Reece Peters
3rd Grade

Robert Sanders
6th Grade
Principal's Welcome

Welcome to our community. At Life Academy we are continuing to build and expand an environment of exceptional instruction where students are inspired to develop their God-given talents and are equipped to overcome life’s challenges. We do this so that they use their ingenuity, creativity and critical thinking skills to positively impact the world around them.
We’re educating young people for eternity by partnering with parents, as well as the area’s churches and faith-based networks, exemplifying the team approach to reaching life’s most important goals. After all, our children are our most precious and vital investments – they’ve been entrusted to our care in helping them hone their skills and interests in the pursuit of their Divine purposes in life.
Life is much more than just understanding the Pythagorean theorem or Pompey’s exploits, and a holistic education is knowing how these pieces of the puzzle fit into the larger mosaic of each child’s existence.
So I encourage you to join us on this journey of “whole person” development. Life Academy is a place where you and your children will find a warm and welcoming atmosphere in which to flourish and reach heavenward, for we know through both science and spirituality that the sky is no longer the limit.
Derek West, Principal
About Life Academy
A quality and holistic education is the pathway to a clearer understanding of life.
Teaching is training. Training for life must include training for eternity – the bigger picture that government schools are no longer allowed to provide.
While a premier education is our aim, developing Christian character and integrity, and instilling a strong sense of civic and social responsibility align most with our ethos.
Life Academy is based upon and operates from the timeless principles of the Bible. We strive to emulate the highest standards of morality and behavior, traits that top employers and spouses will look for later in life.
Our Mission: to inspire and equip children of Christian parents to impact the world with Christ’s transforming power and love
Our Motto: Instruct, Inspire, Impact
We have an Advisory Committee composed of Life Academy parents, faculty and Life Tabernacle church members.
Meet Our Teachers
Derek West
Principal / High School Teacher
Lisa Witt
3rd & 4th Grade Teacher

Ryan Cramer
7th-12th English and
Math Teacher
Lori Mattox
PE Teacher and Volleyball Coach
Kelsi Huskey
Holly Rentie
K4 and K5 Teacher
Janet Gullickson
5th & 6th Grade Teacher
Bob Thomas
High School History,
Civil Air Patrol
Back to Basics Teacher
Vanessa Hutchison
1st & 2nd Grade Teacher
Gurdayal Singh
7th - 12th History, Science, and Math Teacher
Verena Lyon
Cook

Lisa Moore
PE Teacher
College Prep Teacher
Rowena Trumbo
Cook
Donna Riga
Judy Strouse
Art and Mass Media Teacher
Volunteer Office Staff
School Counselor
Rebecca West
Administrator
Thomas Gibson
Pastor
Life Academy is a not for profit 501(c)3 organization. Any donations made to the school are tax deductible.