FROM THE PRESIDENT

Andy Sears Bio


Education:
M.Ed. Ed. Leadership George Fox University
Administrator License George Fox University
B.S. Finance Grand Canyon University

Experience:
Andy has served as an educational leader at WCHS for 11 years in the capacity of Vice Principal, Principal, and currently the President. Before entering into the realm of education Andy worked in the software industry managing a team of engineers. His greatest passion and desire is to influence the next generation, equipping and challenging them toward a life of purpose and impact. "I am optimistic about the next generation. I believe they are motivated to pursue meaningful lives. We have a tremendous opportunity within our school community to spark a significant connection between what students are learning and their faith, while inspiring them to seek a calling and pursue the passions God has placed in them."

As President Andy is responsible for:
  • * Leading the school's executive team (Principal, Development/Marketing Director, Director of Finance and HR, Director of Supervision and Instruction, and the Alumni Director)
  • * Working with the board on the development and implementation of the school's vision
  • * Leading the school through the transition to our new location
  • * Developing and maintaining key partnerships and champions of the school's vision (public relations and development)

In addition to leading the school Andy has a deep commitment and love for his family and service to the community. He has been married to Marta Sears for 16 years and has two children. Marta is a freelance writer and volunteer leader for a number of non-profit organizations. Andy volunteers as a board member for Grace Ministries, a Christian home for at-risk children in Northeast Thailand and is on the board of Northwest Christian Community Foundation, which has the mission of inspiring generosity in our community.

 

Dear Community,

Let me introduce you to Westside Christian High School. As a community of 250 students and nearly forty faculty and staff, with an average classroom size of 18 students, we are able to provide a supportive family environment for our students.

We are proud of our academic achievements. Our students consistently score higher than both state and national averages on the SAT exam, and last year's seniors scored among the highest in the state. Additionally, our sports teams are typically in the top 10% in the 3A division for their average GPA. We offer both Honors and Advanced Placement courses, providing students the opportunity to earn college credit. Upon graduation, nearly all of our students go on to further education, some being accepted to schools such as Princeton, Georgetown, and West Point.

Our athletic teams also achieve great success, with many of them competing in state championship tournaments each year. Additionally, we offer an exceptional performing arts program. Year after year our choir has achieved top honors at the state competition, winning the state championship seven years out of the past eleven. In addition to a variety of choir options, we also offer praise band, drumline, and a number of drama and theater tech classes that present three productions a year. We encourage students at Westside to participate in at least one sport or activity during the year.

Over one third of our student body participates in local or international missions, and every student takes part in some kind of community service while attending Westside. In fact, we have a unique program called Westside Outside, in which students have an opportunity to live out their faith in Christ through serving the homeless in Portland, helping those in need throughout the valley, and impacting the lives of children through an international partnership in Thailand.

We are proud of these successes, but we are also thankful that the story does not end there. We will have students who will graduate from our school and become doctors, attorneys, teachers, pastors, missionaries, executives, and engineers. While these are all commendable professions, we challenge our students to ask themselves, "For what purpose do I serve in these capacities?"

We believe that our vision as a school is unique. Our mission is to equip servant leaders in God's kingdom for the next generation by educating and developing the whole person for the glory of God. Reaching the whole person demands that we engage what students know, what they feel, and what they do.

We believe life is a gift from God to be given back to Him for the sake of others. That view completely changes the way followers of Christ approach education (or anything, really). In this view students are not consumers seeking a school that will give them the best opportunity to promote themselves. Rather, they are stewards with a responsibility to equip themselves to serve God and others.

Yes, we have experienced success in academics, arts, and athletics. We have won championships, sung in famous halls, and have been accepted into elite colleges and universities. That is fantastic, but if that's all there is, we have failed. We believe that once we become a follower of Christ, we join in His great work. We believe that our students will change the world. For that reason we take our mission and vision very seriously. We hope you will join us.

In Christ,


Andy Sears
President