Christian Schools in Cape May County Unite to Preserve Faith-Based Education Through New K-12 Campus
A major change is coming to Christian education in Cape May County as two private faith-based schools have agreed to merge into a single K-12 campus. The decision comes after years of financial difficulties and declining student enrollment at Southern Cape Christian Academy, creating a new opportunity to strengthen Christian education for local families.
Westminster Christian Academy, a K-12 school currently based in Ocean City, will take over Southern Cape Christian Academy, a K-8 school located in Cape May Court House. Under the agreement, Westminster will relocate its students to Southern Cape Christian’s campus on Oyster Road, where the newly combined school will begin operating for the upcoming academic year.
School leaders say the new institution will open this fall, although an official name has not yet been selected. The merger was approved by Southern Cape Christian Academy’s Board of Trustees in late June, and parents were informed about the decision through a letter sent earlier this month.
The agreement is expected to bring together approximately 100 students from Westminster Christian Academy with the existing student body at Southern Cape Christian Academy. Final enrollment numbers have not yet been confirmed before the start of the school year.
One of the biggest changes resulting from the merger is the return of high school education to the Cape May Court House campus. Southern Cape Christian Academy previously served high school students but discontinued those grades several years ago. With Westminster joining the school, students will once again have access to a complete kindergarten through 12th-grade education at a single location.
While school leaders describe the merger as an important step toward long-term stability, they also acknowledge that the transition will lead to staff reductions. Westminster Christian Academy will integrate many of its own employees into the new organization, meaning some teaching and administrative positions at Southern Cape Christian Academy will no longer be needed.
Jeffrey Lindsay, president of Southern Cape Christian Academy’s Board of Trustees, said the decision was difficult because not every current employee could be retained. However, he expressed optimism about the future of the combined school and said affected employees are encouraged to apply for expected openings at the school’s early learning center.
The future of Westminster Christian Academy’s current campus in Ocean City has not yet been announced. The school is owned by James Patterson, who is expected to take on an administrative leadership role at the newly merged school.
Southern Cape Christian Academy has experienced a steady decline in enrollment over the past decade. The school enrolled about 45 students during the previous academic year, compared with roughly 80 students in 2015 when it still offered high school grades.
Founded in 1978, the school’s campus includes classroom buildings, portable classroom units, a gymnasium, and athletic fields. Despite its established facilities, maintaining operations became increasingly difficult as tuition revenue failed to keep pace with expenses.
Financial records show the school generated approximately $1.07 million in revenue during 2024 while spending around $1.13 million, highlighting the ongoing financial pressure faced by the institution.
To remain open, Southern Cape Christian Academy also received support from the local Christian community. Revolve Church in Lower Township provided a $300,000 loan that helped the school pay off an existing mortgage while also supporting payroll obligations.
School leadership had previously introduced several initiatives aimed at improving enrollment and financial sustainability before deciding to pursue the merger.
One effort included reducing annual tuition from approximately $6,000 to about $4,250. The revised pricing model was designed to replace much of the school’s financial aid program because many families were already receiving tuition assistance.
The school also introduced a free trial period for prospective families and created an a la carte program that allowed homeschooled students to enroll in selected classes during the school day rather than attending full time.
Former administrator John Spriggs, who served the school from 2008 until 2025, also relied heavily on fundraising campaigns to help keep the school operating. According to Spriggs, fundraising events regularly generated as much as $100,000 each year, providing essential support when tuition income alone could not cover operating costs.
Even with those efforts, financial reserves remained limited, making it increasingly difficult for the school to manage its day-to-day expenses over the long term.
The merger reflects broader challenges facing many private and faith-based schools across New Jersey, where declining enrollment and rising operating costs have placed significant financial pressure on smaller institutions. By combining resources, leadership, staff, and academic programs, Westminster Christian Academy and Southern Cape Christian Academy aim to create a stronger and more sustainable educational environment for students and families beginning this fall.
Sources
- Southern Cape Christian Academy
- Westminster Christian Academy
- New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
- Cape May County Property Records
