Our Story

Our school began as a ministry and vision of Pastor Herbert W. Ezell of Harbor Christian Center in 1977. He envisioned a school on two blocks of land that would offer quality Christian education to the church families at Harbor Christian Center and those in the community.


Happy Harbor Preschool first opened its doors in October of 1978 with eight students. By 1980, not only were there four classrooms filled, but there were students on a waiting list. 


Because of the strongly favorable community response to the preschool, a kindergarten class was started in September of 1980 under the direction of Cheri Steinker. After the first semester, the kindergarten class still had only seven students. This didn't discourage "Miss Cheri," and she reminded Pastor Ezell that great things often start small. She was willing to work without pay if necessary to keep the kindergarten going.


It was during this year, as she walked across the property at the south end of the sanctuary, that the Lord allowed her to see by faith that one day we would have a school with all the grades, and a big one at that!


By the time the 1981-82 school year began, what she had seen by faith was becoming reality. The school had a new name, Pacific Harbor Christian School. The kindergarten had grown to a K-1st grade combined class, and a junior high made up of grades seven and eight had been added. Nolan Green began the year as the junior high teacher, and the following year became the principal of Pacific Harbor. The next school year, grades two through six were added, and grades that had been combined at first were able to have their own classrooms as enrollment increased.


As Pacific Harbor Christian School grew, so did the preschool. An additional building was added, located on the corner of Sandison Street and Wilmington Boulevard. The new building became known as "Little Happy Harbor," because of its small size (only two classrooms) and because it housed the youngest classes, the two-year-olds.


Today, our school is called Harbor Christian Schools and still proudly serves students and their families, providing Christian education in a caring and safe environment.