Our Story

It all began with a vision.

Since 1963, Hamilton Christian Academy has been partnering with families to provide Christ-centered education in the Bitterroot Valley.

What began as Assembly of God Christian School was founded by church member Wilma Kaiser with a vision to educate children through a biblical worldview. Just a few years later, in 1967, Dora Hughes joined the school and began a remarkable season of growth. Under her leadership, the school expanded to include preschool, daycare, and elementary programs, serving families from many different backgrounds throughout the valley. Her heart for outreach and discipleship helped establish a culture that continues to define HCA today.

During the 1990s, School Director Mike Wagner led the school into a new chapter. The school affiliated with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), expanded to include seventh and eighth grades, and adopted the name Hamilton Christian Academy to better reflect its growing community of families.

In 2009, Stephanie Beck became Head of School. Stephanie’s connection to HCA stretches back to 1990 when she was hired by Dora Hughes as a kindergarten teacher. Over the years, she served as a teacher, school board member, parent, and educational leader, with all three of her children graduating from HCA. Her vision was to build upon the school’s strong heritage and develop a premier K–12 Christian school dedicated to academic excellence and spiritual formation.

A significant milestone came in 2014 when Hamilton Assembly of God Church purchased the historic Grantsdale School property. Through the efforts of volunteers, supporters, and the local community, the campus was restored and transformed into the home of Hamilton Christian Academy.

In the summer of 2025, Stephanie returned to leadership and began guiding a new season of revitalization. Today, HCA continues to strengthen its commitment to partnering with families, discipling students, and preparing young people to serve Christ in every area of life.

More than sixty years after its founding, Hamilton Christian Academy remains steadfast in its mission:

Providing intellectual, spiritual, physical, and vocational development in a  

Christ-centered environment to train up disciples of Christ.

Under the oversight of Hamilton Assembly of God Church, HCA seeks to glorify God through education, discipleship, and service to the families of the Bitterroot Valley.