Student Life


Life Enrichment


Overview


A Well-rounded Education

Liberty Christian School recognizes the importance of a well-rounded education, one that includes special instruction in areas that exercise the mind, body, and special talents God has given each student. Students at LCS benefit from weekly instruction in the following Enrichment Programs: Physical Education, Art, Music, and Chapel. These classes give students the opportunity to explore new interests, further develop talents, and practice skills such as teamwork, time management, and organization. In addition, field trips to local museums and educational venues give students valuable learning experiences beyond the classroom and are an integral part of our curriculum.


Physical Fitness


Glorifying God through Movement

The LCS Athletic Department exists to help develop the spiritual part of student athletes so that the Holy Spirit is in control directing their mind and body. (I Thess. 5:23) The goal for our students is to learn the skills and tactics of the game alongside Christ-like virtues and ideals.

Athletics provides opportunities for teaching skills, fostering sportsmanship, shaping self-discipline, encouraging each other, and most importantly, glorifying God. LCS coaches are committed to teaching their athletes Christ-like character in the midst of competition. In any sport season, there are countless teachable moments. The coaches are there for those moments, to instruct students about the game or to guide them to live life in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.

Physical Education

Physical Education instruction focuses on the development of individual skills as well as understanding teamwork and good sportsmanship. We direct students to allow God to be Lord over our whole spirit, mind and body. Boys and girls in first through eighth grades receive twice-weekly instruction from skilled PE instructors in units such as soccer, basketball, lacrosse, track and field and gymnastics, as well as physical fitness. Each year students participate in a Sports Day of track and field events, and test for the Presidential Fitness Award. PE is offered to kindergarten students once a week.

Athletics

League Play

The 2023-2024 school year ushers in big athletic news! Our Middle School athletes will be competing in the MIAC (Maryland Independent Athletic Conference). This provides more structure in competition with area schools and more opportunities for skills clinics, tournaments and conference championships. Let’s go Lions!

Fall

In the fall, boys soccer and girls volleyball are offered to Middle School students in sixth through eighth grades. Students have the opportunity to try out for and participate on these competitive teams which travel to other Christian schools in the area for games. Team practices and games are held after school hours. These teams each play about 12 games during the season and compete in a tournament at the conclusion of the season. Coaches seek to give players practice as well game experience to allow them to grow and develop their skills.

Winter

In the winter, LCS offers boys basketball, girls basketball and girls cheerleading. Students have the opportunity to try out for and participate on these competitive teams which travel to other Christian schools in the area for games. Team practices and games are held after school hours. The basketball teams each play about 15 games during the season and compete in a tournament as well as in the annual LCS Alumni basketball game at the conclusion of the season. Cheerleaders cheer during both the boys’ and the girls’ home basketball games. Coaches seek to give players practice as well as game experience to allow them to grow and develop their skills.

Intramural Soccer

During the spring, boys and girls in fourth through eighth grades are invited to participate in a fun after-school indoor soccer program.
Sessions are held once a week from 3:30-5:00 PM for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. Students are divided into teams by gender and grade level and play against other teams in their own grouping. For example, Lower School girls may be divided into four teams which play against each other. There is a small fee to participate in the program and snacks are available for purchase during the sessions.


Visual Arts


Overview

We recognize that God has expressed creativity as a core attribute of who He is.

A walk through the halls of LCS is like a stroll through an art gallery as student work is on display for all to appreciate and enjoy. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade receive expert instruction in art, using a wide variety of techniques and media. Instruction in art history is incorporated into fun and exciting projects at every level. Students have participated in art competitions and select artwork from each student is showcased at our STEAM Festival in the spring.


music & Drama


Overview

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade explore melody, rhythm, form, expression, and harmony in music. With an introduction to pitched and non-pitched instruments, and through vocal development and movement, students are introduced to works from a variety of musicians and composers. All students in first through fifth grades have the opportunity to participate in annual choral music and drama presentations. Middle School students further extend vocal singing skills and develop an appreciation for genres of music and instruments from many different cultures. They also participate in group classes in piano and guitar and have an opportunity to participate in the annual musical production. In the past, the Middle School Drama Team has presented musicals such as Beauty and the Beast Jr., Annie Jr., and Aladdin Jr. All ages of students may also sing in the LCS Gospel Choir, with rehearsals after school one day per week.


Spiritual Growth


Chapel

Students attend chapel once a week. An age appropriate service is held for first through fourth grade and a separate service is held for fifth through eighth grade students. Chapel services are led by teachers and begin with music followed by a Bible story or message and corporate prayer. The Middle School praise team leads singing for the Middle School chapel service. The teaching is engaging and often includes an object lesson, a hands on experience or visual connection. We also invite special guest speakers, visiting missionaries and the Helping Up Mission Gospel Choir to give presentations to our students and faculty. There are other special services for Pastor Appreciation and Grandparents’ Day, as well as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter celebrations. Chapel is a great time of learning and connecting with God and each other.


Robotics


Learning S.T.E.M.

It’s Your Future

The world needs the students of today to become the scientists, engineers, and problem-solving leaders of tomorrow. Science constantly presents us with new breakthroughs and challenges, creating greater opportunities for problem solving through technology. The solutions could help change the world, and technology-based problem solvers will be the people to make it all possible. The VEX IQ platform and curriculum provide a fun and engaging vehicle for our students to begin the journey toward becoming the type of problem solvers our world needs the most.

LCS ROBOTICS INFORMATION

Our award-winning robotics program is now one of the more than 16,000 robotics teams that make up the global organization called VEX Robotics. This is a rapidly expanding program that reaches hundreds of thousands of students each year. The members of LCS Robotics will learn to design and build a robot to tackle challenging problems. Not only will team members learn mechanical and engineering skills, they will also learn valuable skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership.

There are multiple areas in which students, and parents, can be involved. These include but are not limited to: • Robot Construction and Pit Crew • Drive Team • Public Relations • Fundraising • Website & Digital Media • Press Release • Travel & Transportation. TEAM 21117 will always be looking for more parent and mentor involvement to allow our students to get the absolute most out of their experience in robotics and help them build the kinds of skills expected of a 21st century innovator.

Why Robotics?

“Robotics is a CONCRETE and TANGIBLE way to build and strengthen cognitive development, as well as other academic areas such as mathematics, engineering, communication skills, strategic thinking and goal-oriented thinking.” Storming Robotics

“The world currently faces an unprecedented need for new innovators, thinkers, and problem solving leaders. We already need double the number of qualified workers if we want to fill open STEM positions. And that gap will only increase. Industry leaders, governments, educators, and parents are all searching for solutions that will enable them to get all students excited.” Vex Robotics


Field Trips


Experiential Learning

Learning experiences beyond the classroom can often be among the most valuable experiences a student will enjoy and remember. Field trips are an integral part of our curriculum. All of our field trips have curricular significance, and there is an instructional focus for the students. Parents are often asked to accompany the students as chaperones or as visitors on these trips. Liberty Christian School’s experiential learning program starts in Kindergarten and expands over time. A few examples of class field trips include:

  • Kindergarten: Clark’s Elioak Farm, Gaver Farm, Goucher College: Arts on Stage
  • First and Second Grade: Steppingstone Museum, Port Discovery, Martin’s
  • Third and Fourth Grade: Irvine Nature Center, Sight and Sound Theatre, Lancaster PA, Maryland Science Center, Museum of Industry
  • Fifth Grade: Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, Sight and Sound Theatre, Lancaster PA, Fort McHenry
  • Sixth Grade: Sight and Sound Theatre, Lancaster PA, Museum of the Bible, Washington DC
  • Seventh Grade: National Aquarium, Sight and Sound Theatre, Lancaster PA, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington DC
  • Eighth Grade: Antietam and Gettysburg Battlefields, Sight and Sound Theatre, Lancaster PA

Leadership


Competitions

ACSI

LCS students participate in many Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) competitions during the school year. Select students travel to other participating schools to compete in events such as the Math Olympics, Spelling Bee, Leadership Conference and Chess Tournaments.  Students also have the opportunity to submit poetry and short stories to the ACSI Creative Writing festival and to participate in a school-wide Speech Meet. Students represent our school, both individually and as a team, and receive recognition and awards for their participation in these events.

Retreats

Sixth and Seventh Grade Retreat

The highly anticipated end-of-the-school-year culminating activity for sixth and seventh grade students is a 3-day retreat held in early June.  Middle School staff members and students head to Bongiorno Conference Center in Carlisle, PA or Black Rock Retreat Center in Quarryville, PA for three days of high energy, non-stop fun and a chance to reflect on their personal walk with God during themed spiritual sessions.  Students participate in group activities such as “Capture the Flag” and other team building games. They are also able to select activities such as swimming, basketball, soccer and softball.

Eighth Grade Leadership Retreat

Each fall, eighth grade students and Middle School teachers head to Black Rock Retreat near Lancaster, PA for a two-day leadership retreat. In preparation for their upcoming missions trip to Costa Rica, students learn to work together under challenging circumstances and overcome personal fears as they encounter low and high ropes courses, a zip line and rock climbing wall. Students also participate in activities that allow them to explore their particular learning styles and spend time outdoors with their Bibles and journals to reflect on their spiritual life.

Eighth grade students can apply and be selected to assist in the planning and execution of the retreat program.  This involvement empowers graduating eighth grade students to learn valuable leadership skills and give back to the school.

Mission Trips

Costa Rica

Since 2000, eighth grade students, parents and Middle School faculty at LCS have had the opportunity to partner with Joshua Expeditions, an educational missions travel organization, to minister alongside a church in Costa Rica. Working in a marginalized community of 100,000 Nicaraguan refugees, we are able to share Jesus’ love by teaching English classes and conducting a VBS program for children.  Our students plan for and look forward to this trip for an entire year. They are involved in fundraising, planning outreach activities for the trip, and are able to reap the lifelong benefits of a foreign mission trip early in life. We welcome and are blessed by the involvement of parents in every aspect of the trip.


Clubs


Exploring new Interests

Every Friday afternoon, Middle School students have the opportunity to participate in a club sponsored by a Middle School teacher.  Offerings include a variety of activities designed to generate curiosity and help students explore new skills and interests. Examples of the types of clubs offered in each new quarter include:

  • Photography/Video
  • Cupcakes
  • Woodworking
  • History
  • Art
  • Lego Construction
  • Wiffle Ball
  • Board Games
  • Knitting/Crochet
  • Service
  • Technology
  • Cigar Box Band
  • Sabakiball
  • and More…