Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center (SCCLC) was established in 1977 by parents who recognized the need for a local school catering primarily to missionary children, providing them with a quality education in English and a Christian orientation. Initially, the school implemented the ACE program of individualized study, but later transitioned to a traditional American classroom education system.
In 1982, ownership and oversight of SCCLC were transferred to three mission agencies: South America Mission (SAM), World Gospel Mission, and Avant Ministries. However, in 2010, Avant and World Gospel Mission withdrew from the ownership group, leaving SAM as the sole owner of the school. Initially, SCCLC rented a property for its operations, but in January 1983, the school purchased and relocated to its current location, approximately 7 kilometers from downtown Santa Cruz.
Over the years, SCCLC has experienced significant growth, expanding from 34 students in 1977 to nearly 266 in 2023 students enrolled in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade today. More than 30 evangelical missions have been involved with the school, either by enrolling their children or providing board members and staff. The student body at SCCLC is now composed of at least ten different nationalities, reflecting its diverse and multicultural environment.
Currently, SCCLC legally operates as a civil association known as the Asociacion Civil Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center (ACSCCLC), which Teachbeyond fully owns. The association consists of three SAM missionaries and one TeachBeyond missionary, with plans to invite additional partners to join in the ownership of the school in the near future. SCCLC maintains a collaborative affiliation with TeachBeyond and maintains continuous communication regarding the possibility of expanding into a partnership association.
The school’s Board of Trustees comprises four members elected for a three-year term and an advisor. For our current 2023-2024 school year, we have three missionaries and one non-missionary as a Bolivian representative.
Situated on a 4.94-acre campus, SCCLC serves students from preschool to grade twelve. The land was purchased in 1983, and over the years, the physical facilities have been developed to include 23 classrooms, a science laboratory, a library building with a chapel, a computer lab, and other instructional and recreational areas. Despite these developments, the school has managed to avoid incurring any debt, ensuring its financial stability.
Initially designed to primarily serve English-speaking missionary families with a minimum of 51% missionary family enrollment, SCCLC underwent changes in 2004 when a New Tribes Mission boarding school closed, resulting in an influx of students and staff. In 2008, the school seized the opportunity to modify the 51% policy and open enrollment to more national families as various mission agencies and international development organizations departed Bolivia. This shift significantly transformed the demographic composition of the student population, with approximately 80% of students being native Spanish speakers from mid to upper-class Bolivian families, while the remaining 20% represent 12 different countries. In 2023, SCCLC has explicitly communicated its commitment to continue serving the current international student population.
In October 2019, SCCLC became a TeachBeyond school, marking a significant milestone in our educational journey. Joining the experienced TeachBeyond network has provided us with many benefits and opportunities that have further empowered our institution. Through this association, we have gained access to a global community of educators, allowing us to collaborate, share best practices, and learn from experts in the field. The TeachBeyond network also offers professional development resources, workshops, and conferences that enable our faculty to enhance their teaching skills and pedagogical approaches continually. Additionally, the affiliation with TeachBeyond opens doors for student exchanges, cross-cultural experiences, and international collaborations, broadening the horizons of our learners and fostering transformational education. We celebrate this partnership and eagerly anticipate the continued growth and transformation it will bring to our school community.
Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center has come a long way since its establishment, evolving into a prominent educational institution known for its commitment to excellence. Over the years, the school has made significant strides in improving its facilities ensuring a conducive learning environment for students. Through dedicated efforts and investments, the infrastructure has been modernized and better maintained, providing trained and capable teachers, better equipped with a hybrid program, and higher levels of sports representations in tournaments and recreational spaces that foster holistic development. Just this last year, our school obtained championships for basketball and volleyball for our JV and varsity teams.
Moreover, the school is currently in the process of renewing its legal documentation and status as an international school, reflecting its continuous pursuit of global educational standards. This renewal is a testament to the school’s dedication to delivering high-quality education that prepares students for success in an increasingly interconnected world.
(Upgraded 2024).
VISION
The Vision of the SCCLC is to see our students and faculty transform society through God-honoring service in their homes, communities and professions.
MISSION
SCCLC serves Bolivia and the nations by providing a quality comprehensive Christian education that meets and exceeds national and international academic standards and prepares students—spiritually, academically and socially—to transform their world.
CORE VALUES
- The authority of God’s Word
- The formation of Christian character
- The value of individuals created in God’s image
- The need to serve God by serving others
- The priority of love and unity in diversity
- The pursuit of academic excellence