| Pusch Ridge Christian Academy | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| 9500 N. Oracle Road Tucson, Arizona, 85704 United States |
|
| Information | |
| School type | Private Christian high school |
| Established | February 2000 |
| Superintendent | Bob Davis (interim |
| Principal | Dennis O'Reilly |
| Grades | 6-12 |
| Enrollment | 279 students (gr. 9-12, Oct. 1, 2010)[1] |
| Color(s) | Sapphire blue, Vegas gold |
| Athletics conference | AIA 2A Conf. |
| Mascot | Lions |
| Accreditation(s) | NCA, ACSI |
| Website | Pusch Ridge Christian Academy |
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy is a private school located in northwest Tucson, Arizona on a 48 acres (190,000 m2) campus. Pusch Ridge Christian Academy is a ministry of Catalina Foothills Church, PCA. The school is a member of ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) and NCA (North Central Association) accredited. Pusch Ridge serves grades 6-12.
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The history of Pusch Ridge Christian Academy dates back to December 22, 1958. On this date Charles William Egleston (1895–1965) and his wife Anna Kehr Egleston (1898–1997) donated 65 acres (260,000 m2) of pristine desert property in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains at the base of Pusch Ridge to Palo Verde Baptist Church of North Tucson.[2] Mr. and Mrs. Egleston gifted Palo Verde their largest and most valuable real estate holding to be used "for religious and educational purposes only," with a firm vision that the property would support a school grounded in Christian values and faith.
The property was subdivided in late 1977 for the establishment of Canyon del Oro Baptist Church on the southern 16 acres (65,000 m2) of the land.[2] The other 49 acres (200,000 m2) remained undeveloped through 1982, when Max Wilford, the president of the Palo Verde Christian School Board directed the commencement of construction on the Egleston property.[2] Mr. Wilford desired to relocate Palo Verde Christian School from its location in Tucson to the property in Oro Valley.
In the fall of 1994, Palo Verde Baptist School opened its doors on the Egleston property.[2] Due to financial difficulties, by early 2000, the school was struggling to remain solvent. It was at that time that the leadership of Catalina Foothills Church, PCA, desired to open a Christian high school.[2] Through the leadership of David Mehl and other members of the Catalina Foothills Church community, ownership of the school transferred from Palo Verde Baptist Church to Catalina Foothills in early 2000.[2] In February 2000, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy was officially established on the Egleston property, and all outstanding loans of the former Palo Verde Christian School were paid back in full.[2] The main entrance to the Pusch Ridge campus and Canyon del Oro Baptist from North Oracle Road is named Egleston Memorial Drive in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Egleston, and North Egleston Drive running just east of the nearby James D. Kriegh Park also honors Mr. and Mrs. Egleston.
Pusch Ridge currently has a high school enrollment of nearly 300 students and has recently expanded its campus.
The school mascot is a lion. Originally, he was known as the Lion of Judah, but the name was changed around 2005 to "Lonnie the Lion".
"Pusch Ridge Christian Academy exists to glorify God by edifying young men and women from the Tucson community in their personal commitment to Jesus Christ. Our desire is to equip these young people with a Christian world and life view, which will prepare them academically, socially, physically, and emotionally to live out their faith as servant leaders in every area of society."
The high school varsity girls' basketball team, coached by Lonnie Tvrdy, had won the Arizona state championship four years in a row from 2005–2008, but were eliminated from the championship in February 2009. The high school varsity girls Cross-Country team also placed second at the 2011 State Meet at Cave Creek Golf Course for Division IV.