Westmoreland Academy enrolling students; Hempfield school to start Aug. 27

The Westmoreland Christian Academy, a private interdenominational Christian school in Hempfield, is enrolling students and plans to reopen on Aug. 24, said the school’s administrator.

The school, which features a Bible-based curriculum, had about 30 students in kindergarten through 12th grade last year, said Justin Tomson, middle school and high school administrator of the school located at 538 Rugh St. The school offers a “spiritual component” to its instruction, Tomson said.

Tomson, who also is a teacher, said the school typically has two grade levels receiving instruction in the same classroom. The school maintains a high school curriculum, even though only one student graduated from the class of 2020.

The school offers online courses for those wanting that option, Tomson said.

The academy is taking precautions to prevent the spread of covid-19, Tomson said.

“Every day after school, we will sanitize the common touch points,” said Tomson. “We have plenty of room in the school for social distancing.”

Westmoreland Christian Academy shares its building with the Lighthouse of Hope Church, where Tomson’s father, the Rev. Thomas Tomson, is the senior pastor. Justin Tomson is the associate and youth pastor at the church.