Calvary Christian Academy to close its doors

WARWICK — September 6, 1981, was a remarkable day for Norman T. Herbert, then the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, and the members of his congregation. It was the first day of school for The Growing Place, the church's pre-school program. Six years later, Herbert's dream came true when Calvary Baptist Academy opened its doors to kindergarten students, and his vision for a kindergarten through grade 8 school were rolling. Over the years, Calvary was known for its challenging curriculum and loving environment.

Next month, Calvary Christian Academy will close its doors for good after 26 school years. Declining enrollment is the most obvious of the reasons. Districts throughout the area are closing schools; Warwick will close Kings Elementary School at the end of the school year just two years after closing Pine Island Elementary. Park Avenue School, many say, is not far behind.

To the small family at Calvary now, and the extended family that has attended throughout the years, this is bittersweet decision.

"This was an extremely difficult and sad decision for us to make," said Joanne Mercadante, who has been a part of the academy from the beginning. "All possible courses of action were considered, but none were sufficient to make staying open a viable choice."

Calvary's history
Calvary Baptist Church was located on West Street back in 1981. Herbert had dreams of growth, of spreading the church's beliefs through a Christian education, something he and many of his congregants believed could thrive in the Warwick area. The church's preschool program, The Growing Place, opened in September, 1981. They looked for - and found - a place where the church and school could grow in a 17-acre property on Kings Highway, just across from Kings Elementary School. On Dec. 8, 1985, the church celebrated its first service in their new home. And with room to grow, Herbert's goal of a full elementary school was about to come true. On Sept. 6, 1987, the first kindergarten class entered Calvary Baptist Academy. Dot Heldman was the teacher.

In 1989, the board changed the name of the school to Calvary Christian Academy. Rosemarie Antoni joined the staff that year as a first grade teacher. Over the past 24 years, Antoni has taught nearly every grade in the school and is currently the kindergarten teacher. In September of 1994, Calvary added its eighth grade and the following June graduated its first eighth grade class of seven students.

"This was an awesome achievement," said Mercadante. "A full K through eight academy as a ministry of the Calvary Baptist Church in Warwick! Looking back, I know there were struggles, but I choose to remember the joy instead."

And joy there was. Each morning, all students gathered in the fellowship hall for praise and worship music. They were greeted with hugs from their teachers and from the teachers they once had or would have later. It was a small and intimate environment where every teacher knew every student. It was a second home for many.

Mercadante served as principal of the academy from 1988 through 2003. Melissa Penney took over the helm and has served as principal for the past decade.

"Proving a Christian education and alternative for parents was a positive thing for the community," said Penney. "The kids who have gone through here have benefited greatly. Not only did they get a good education, they were pretty well-rounded when they left."

Calvary's impact
The purpose of building Calvary was always to influence children and give them a place where they can honor God while they learn. God has always been a part of the curriculum and that is important to so many parents and became important to the students.

"Calvary Christian Academy was an answer to a prayer for me," said Carol Downing, a parent who sent both of her children to Calvary. "Being new to the area 18 years ago, I looked for a school where my children could get a good early education in an environment that reinforced the same Christian values they were being taught at home. Calvary was that and so much more. The faculty was the best and the warm and caring environment meant the world to us. My children loved the school so much, to this day they thank me and my husband for sending them there. My family and I were very sad to hear the school was closing. Warwick is losing a great school."

"I have such happy memories of Calvary," said former student Cerissa Napolitano Schartner. "Many of the friends I made there have become lifetime friends and the teachers were an inspiration. Mrs. Heldman is still one of my favorite teachers and one of the reasons I wanted to go on to become a teacher. I think of her often when I am in my own classroom now. I am so grateful for the time spent there during those special childhood years. Thank you CCA!"

Currently, the school has 42 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, down from a high of over 100 students a few years ago. The preschool program once had over 130 children; just four registered for one of the classes this year.

The closing of Calvary is sad to many, the students and parents there now and those who graced the halls over the past quarter century.

"It's a sad thing, I understand with the economy and the dynanics of the Warwick area. We just don't have the means to sustain it," said Penney.

Mercadante looked at what was and expressed gratitude for it, quoting Ecclesiastes.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. The time for CCA as one of our outreach ministries has come to an end and we trust that it has succeeded in all that the Lord wanted accomplished.