our heritage

In 1954, Runyan Christian School (started in the fall of 1953) transitioned from a small schoolhouse on the Runyan Campgrounds to a newly constructed campus at the corner of Second Street and Buckeye Street in downtown North Little Rock. This campus, shared by Buckeye Christian School and First Pentecostal Church, served as the heart of both ministries until a devastating fire in the summer of 1970.

Following the fire, most Buckeye Christian School students transferred to Northside Academy on Smokey Lane for the next two school years. A temporary campus was then established on the grounds of Lakeview Children’s Home, providing stability until a permanent school building was completed at #1 52nd Place in the Park Hill neighborhood of North Little Rock.

In 1992, after forty faithful years as Buckeye Christian School, the school underwent a significant transformation. With First Pentecostal Church relocating to its new campus on Interstate 40 and Calvary Road, the school was also reborn with a new name—Calvary Academy.

From its humble beginnings in a country campground schoolhouse, Calvary Academy has grown into a respected institution in North Little Rock. Today, its leaders continue the founding mission: to train students to live with purpose and integrity, just as those who came before them envisioned.