Education Extra
As classes start this fall, Shades Mountain Christian School staff and faculty will welcome students back under the school’s new name, Heritage Christian Academy (HCA). In addition to the name change, a location change was also anticipated but instead students will remain at the school’s original home, Shades Mountain Community Church (formerly Shades Mountain Independent), for the 2017-2018 school year. HCA planned to purchase the Riverchase Middle School campus from the City of Pelham but a delay in the closing this summer opened the door for Hoover City Schools to purchase the property instead. In a written statement to the community, HCA leadership shared, “We are disappointed but not disheartened. Heritage Christian Academy has the same great faculty, same great students, and same great families as we had in the past. We look forward to what God has in store for HCA for this year and for the future.”
Established in 1974 as Shades Mountain Christian School, Heritage Christian Academy has a rich heritage in Christian education. The “Heritage” name plays tribute to the legacy and history reflective of the school founder, the late Richard “Dick” Vignuelle. Pastor Vignuelle had a vision to start a Christian community school in Birmingham. Since its inception, the school has served students and families for over 40 years, and has graduated over 1,000 alumni. The independent, community, Christian school serves grades K-4 through 12 and is accredited by AdvancED, formerly the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). †
