A prayer on the vision board.
April 1980
The Ocean City Baptist Church congregation, led by Pastor Terry Davis, gathered in the living room of the church parsonage to hold a vision meeting. Christian education was a point of interest for the future of the church, to serve the greater community of West Ocean City, Maryland.
Our Foundation
1997
Land donated
Mr. Charlie Elliott, led by the Holy Spirit, donates 17 acres of land off Route 50, West Ocean City to Ocean City Baptist Church for the specific purpose of opening a Christian school.
1998-1999
Ribbon Cutting
Mr. Tom Colqhoun was selected to be the president of the building team in 1998. Throughout the next year, the church leadership and building team remained steadfast to see the school fully built. In September 1999, they welcomed 63 students through the halls of Ocean City Christian School.
2005
First Graduating Class
Enrollment grew to 150 total students PK3-12th grade, and the first 6 graduating classmates of 2005 walked across the stage, including our current lower school principal, Mrs. Dawn Davis..
2007
A New Path Forward
Mr Dwayne Purnell assumed leadership of the school amidst declining enrollment, and the school was renamed "Seaside Christian Academy." Mr. Purnell's vision was to see "church, home, and school, working together." He was called to be home with the Lord in October 2009, and the schools annual "Swing for Education" tournament was renamed in his honor, "The Dwayne Purnell Memorial Golf Tournament," that so generously raised funds for scholarship opportunities for families in need.
2010
Pastor Terry Davis becomes formal school Administrator.
After retiring from Ocean City Baptist Church, Pastor Terry Davis took over leadership of the school to guide it through pivotal years of growth.
2016-2019
20th Anniversary
From 2016-2019, SCA grew to 90 students with previous 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Julie DuChene as the new school Administrator. The upper school reappeared during this time in partnership with Liberty University Online Academy, and a modular was renovated into a classroom for this growing student body.
2020
Unexpected Blessings
Mrs. Julie DuChene graciously navigated a trying time in our school while facing a nationwide crisis., She fought to keep our schools open, held virtual chapels, and did not infringe on parents rights to make decisions for their children's safety and health. Thus, the pandemic created more awareness about SCA, and our values, and parents from across the Eastern Shore chose to enroll their children. Enrollment grew to 143 students by June 2021.
2022
Rising enrollment requires Renovations
By 2022, SCA was home to 240 students with leadership under Dr. Mark Zockoll. New infrastructures were built in the existing chapel space to host three separate homerooms to follow suit with the enrollment blessings. The boardwalk and two modulars also received upgrades to welcome new high school students.
2023-2024
Athletic Program Growth/Seaside Athletic Center
From 2023-2024 the Fighting Marlins Athletics teams were welcomed into the Maryland Association of Christian Schools and Delaware Valley Christian Athletic Conference. In 2024, SCA took part in its first all school Color Run fundraiser to begin the new path forward, the planning of our new gymnasium, Seaside Athletic Center.