This week marks a quarter century of educating students for the staff and faculty at Assembly Christian School and a celebration is under way to commemorate the occasion.

The Rev. Armand Prentiss, school administrator, said the school has come a long way since its early days, not only in the number of students taught but also as a presence in the community.

“Of course the school has evolved over time,” Prentiss said. “From a school with no seniors to 23 in this year’s graduating class. It’s grown, become an impact in the area.”

Cheerleaders at Assembly Christian School make last-minute preparations on the school's homecoming float Thursday afternoon before their parade down Main Street. The school is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. INNESS ASHER / THE DAILY IBERIAN Advertisement

Prentiss said the school faculty and staff are proud of the number of students who have gone on to become valedictorians in college, citing five in the past five years, excelling in diverse subjects such as engineering, education and business.

Throughout the past week the school also has been honoring past sports teams by unfurling banners. The practice of “dropping” banners to commemorate teams and athletes will continue throughout the season in the school gymnasium, something the school hasn’t done before, but Prentiss said he thinks it can begin now that a quarter century has passed.

“We’re recognizing the teams that have won and distinguished themselves in sports,” said Prentiss. “Last year we had two district champion girls softball teams and a boys basketball team.”

Thursday the school held its first official parade through downtown via Main Street. Blue and white balloons bedecked 16 vehicles, including floats, a tractor-trailer rig and a pontoon boat, all carrying students, staff and family from ACS.

“It’s our first time ever, the first of its kind,” said Prentiss.

Booster club president Scott Delcambre is the parade organizer as well as planner of many of the activities set up for the school’s anniversary celebration. He said the students were ready for the parade this year thanks to practice.

“We did a little one here on Orange Grove road by the church last year,” Delcambre said. “That helped convince everyone we were ready to do the parade on Main Street.”

In addition to being president, Delcambre is also a parent and coach of the school baseball team.

Tuesday after the ACS Lions game, members of the school and church community came out and decorated the school in preparation for homecoming. In addition to Thursday’s parade, a pep rally was held at the school to drum up school spirit among the students.

“They’re excited, they really are,” Delcambre said. “We’re doing things we haven’t done in the past, so it’s coming along well.”

Tonight’s homecoming begins at  with the junior varsity game at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity game following. At halftime during the varsity game the homecoming queen will be crowned.

A bonfire is scheduled behind the school after the game for members of the school and church community.