LAPLACE — For the past 20 years, Debra Gerard has helped students learn more, do more and become more at Liberty Christian Academy in LaPlace.

Serving pre-k through 12^th grade students at 603 Main Street in LaPlace, Liberty Christian Academy started in 1999 under the umbrella of Spirit of Liberty Church. Sunday School lessons grew into a passion and then a full-fledged school as Gerard looked to establish an environment of academic excellence where her son could pray freely.

Her son, now 26 years old and pursuing a masters of education at Southern University of New Orleans, has returned to his roots as an algebra teacher at Liberty Christian Academy.

The school is accredited with the National Association of Private Schools and licensed with St. John the Baptist Parish. It has been licensed with the Secretary of State since 1999, according to Gerard.

School credentials are placed front and center during the school’s Open House. Community members are invited to visit the school at 6:30 p.m. August 13 to learn more about the school and how a small, loving environment can help students thrive.

“We get a lot of students coming from other schools who have just fallen through the cracks,” Gerard said. “We give our children a listening ear where they can express their feelings and their concerns, and then we work from there. We stress on unconditional love. We want to make sure our children get the best, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Gerard said school leaders strive to provide a Christ-centered and family-oriented program that improves the educational outcomes of children while bettering the quality of life in the community.

All Liberty teachers are certified, and several are retired educators from the St. John Parish public school system. At its largest, the school’s student-teacher ratio was 10:1. However, classes are typically smaller, offering an opportunity for individualized education and goal setting.

At the beginning of the school year, every new student takes a diagnostic test that allows instructors to meet him or her at their level.

Each day starts with prayer and continues to include math, English language arts, history, Bible study, science and extracurricular classes. Home economics, woodworking, art, foreign language and physical education are among the courses offered.

Students participate in science fairs and STEM projects, and high schoolers take the ACT and SAT to prepare for college. Cheerleading, football, 4-H and other after school outlets are available to students.

New for this year is an American Sign Language class, Gerard said. Special education classes are also offered.

Over the years, graduates have gone on to become managers and supervisors in their fields, Gerard said.

Brenda Kendrick came to love Liberty Christian Academy when her now 26-year-old daughter attended as a student. The individual attention and extracurricular offerings made Liberty her top choice when selecting a school for her youngest child.

“I was so impressed that when my baby started school, I took him there for pre-k,” Kendrick said. “My son always came home and couldn’t wait till the next day. I’d tell anyone if you want a strong foundation and a loving environment for your kids, I would send them there.”

Kendrick feels her children learned best in small environment, and she said the quality of teaching sets the school apart. Instructors are passionate and energized, she said.

“They took the time to teach (my son), and they even tutored him after school,” Kendrick said. “I think the love that they have for the kids makes them unique. The teachers that they have love to teach.”

Gerard’s son, Earl Gerard, feels it is his responsibility to be a statue of support and stability for his students while providing them with the same loving atmosphere he knew at Liberty.

“My time at Liberty was a safe haven for me. A smaller setting gave the opportunity for my teachers to be able to see my strengths and weaknesses, and they were able to work on my weaknesses with me,” Earl said. “I believe, during my time at Liberty, I found out especially in high school how important education is to be successful in life.”

In the not-so-distant future, Earl hopes to implement night classes for adults.

For more information, call 504-600-4315.