About Us

   The History of Christian Liberty Academy

        Godly Education ~ Academic Excellence ~ Since 1968!

When Christian Liberty Academy opened its doors in the fall of 1968, sixty children crowded into their newly remodeled "school", the basement of the Church of Christian Liberty, Prospect Heights, Illinois. The school began as the result of the dissatisfaction of the church with government education and the desire for Christian education. Dr. Paul Lindstrom, pastor of the church since its beginning three years earlier, had realized that millions of children were being academically impoverished, in part because they were not being taught to read adequately. With the education establishment fast removing all traces of "traditional" teaching methods from the curriculum, Pastor Paul determined that he would establish an alternative to the public school system, with the Bible as the foundation and phonics at the core of the curriculum.

Initially, CLA provided classes for K through 9, but within three years the high school program was fully functional. In 1969 two men joined the staff of CLA. Dr. Philip Bennett came to teach Math and Science, while Mr. Mike Sherman taught Bible. As the school grew, Pastor Paul handed the headmaster duties over to Dr. Bennett in order to concentrate on the work of the church and the rapidly growing homeschool ministry, Christian Liberty Academy School System (CLASS).

The school grew, and although a new wing of eleven classrooms was added to the church, the school was soon "bursting at the seams." In 1985 the Lord sovereignly allowed the church to purchase the former Arlington Heights High School. CLA (then numbering 200) moved into this 210,000 sq. ft., 12 acre campus along with CLASS and the church. The school building had undergone significant renovation, and came with everything necessary to begin classes immediately.

Christian Liberty now serves thousands of students through CLA, CLASS, Christian Liberty Press. Over 120 students are involved in Whitefield College, our four-year homeschool undergraduate program, organized in conjunction with Whitefield Theological Seminary, Lakeland, Florida. Our continuing mission is to provide inexpensive, quality education to those who desire to prepare themselves and their children to take godly dominion in every aspect of life and thought.

Dr. Lindstrom reclaimed the motto of the Jesuits for the Church of Christian Liberty and its ministries: Ad Maiorem, Dei Gloriam. May we all seek to educate ourselves and the next generation to do all things "to the greater glory of God."

Our Symbols

Our Logo, School Colors, Mascot, School Verse, & Anthem

School Verse

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free..." Galatians 5:1

Christian Liberty Academy Logo

The cross symbolizes, as it has for twenty centuries, our salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ at Calvary. In educational terms, the cross is our reference point for determining all truth. Creation itself points us to the cross as the centerpiece of history and knowledge.

The open book represents primarily the Scriptures, which reveal God and what He has done in history through Jesus Christ. The book further symbolizes Christian education—the discovery of all God’s truth and His will.

The torch stands for the light of revelation given to us by the Holy Spirit. Only His Spirit can guide us into knowledge of the truth.

The Latin phrase, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam, means “For the greater glory of God.” It reminds us that our works are to have one ultimate purpose—that men will come to acknowledge the power and love of God.

School Colors

The school colors of the Christian Liberty Academy School System are royal blue and white.

Team Name and Mascot

"The Chargers"

Students at Christian Liberty are referred to as chargers—steeds known for their fearless strength, and agility. A charger is a horse, but not an ordinary horse. A charger is special. Have you ever seen a picture of a knight sitting on his horse, or Army cavalry officers leading their horses into battle? Well, the horse you are picturing is a charger. Because we do not have knights protecting us today, and the cavalry no longer uses horses, we do not hear the term charger anymore. We at Christian Liberty, however, use the charger as our mascot for two reasons. First, there is the noble history of the chargers, who were chosen for their speed, strength, and courage. Second, when the Lord Jesus Christ returns, He is pictured as riding on a charger. The book of Revelation says that when Christ comes back He will be on a white horse and He will be engaged in battle.

If a knight uses a charger, what would a king use? We know that Jesus is the King of Kings. We also know that He is called the Captain of the Lord’s Army. If we are talking about Christ’s humility, we are talking about his courageous ride on a donkey to certain death to pay the penalty for our sins, and to be our sacrifice. But if we are talking about Christ coming in glory, we are talking about Christ on a charger, ready to totally defeat His enemies. Note how God describes a charger going into battle: "Hast thou given the horse strength? Hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? The glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword. The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha! And he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting" (Job 39:19–25).

We at Christian Liberty are proud to be chargers. Not only while we are involved in sports, but in every area of life we will be chargers for the glory of God. We will be strong and courageous as we go forth into the world to do spiritual battle with God’s enemies.

School Anthem

"Lord We Give Thanks" by Mike Sherman

Mr. Mike Sherman, was the kindergarten Bible teacher at Christian Liberty Academy for over 30 years. He wrote this song of thanksgiving for his students. We have adopted it as our School Anthem.

MR. MIKE SHERMAN:

Did your kindergartener come home and tell you a "Mr. Sherman" story every day? There isn't a parent of a kindergartener at CLA that has not heard one! Mr. Mike Sherman was born in 1917 to Irish parents in Chicago, Mike Sherman showed an early interest in music. At age nine, he decided he was not a violinist. Dick Baylor, a blind pianist, visited their home and played their HP Nelson upright piano, and Mike was hooked. His first piano teacher was Mrs. Swanson, who rode a streetcar to the neighborhood and earned one dollar per lesson. During high school, Mike learned the rudiments of classical music at a local conservatory. Before he enlisted in the Navy shortly after the outbreak of WW II, Mike Sherman played piano at Chicago hotel clubs such as the Palmer House. Once in the Navy, he helped start the first Wildcats Navy Band in 1942 while stationed at Glenview Naval Air Base in Glenview, Illinois. He later became a member of Admiral Kincaid's Seventh Fleet Flag Band, touring with the U.S.O. in the South Pacific. After his discharge, Mike began teaching piano students and playing with orchestras. Later he was the pianist at Topper's Restaurant in Chicago for eleven years. He came to Christ over 35 years ago, left his professional career behind, and began playing piano for the Church of Christian Liberty in 1965. He and his wife, Sherry, served the Lord in music together for over thirty years. "Sherry now sings in the special choir in heaven," Mike would fondly say after she went home to be with the Lord. Mike is beloved by many who have been his Bible students at CLA. Mr. Sherman was 93 years old and when he retired in January 2009 from teaching Bible to kindergartners and first graders every morning at Christian Liberty Academy! His wonderful stories will be remembered by his students and will be passed on to their children for year to come! "Praise the Lord!" He went home to glory in July 2009.