Agape Christian Academy in Camas shutters high school program, citing lack of demand

Private K-12 school Agape Christian Academy has closed its high school program ahead of the 2026-27 school year just three years after it launched.

Citing a lack of demand, with fewer than 50 students enrolled for the upcoming year, the Agape Christian Academy board chose to shutter the high school program, board member Bradley Tubbs said.

Agape Christian Academy will continue to operate its K-8 school and Early Learning Center.

“Most private schools in this area have experienced material enrollment losses during the current economic downturn,” Tubbs said in an email. “(Agape Christian Academy) has been among them, with (the high school) program experiencing the most significant losses of any of our programs. Given that our program was very new, the economic impact of the enrollment changes made the program unsustainable. The board chose to close the program in order to ensure the financial stability of the school as a whole.”

As part of the restructuring of the school, Head of School Cindie Boyles has also voluntarily resigned, Tubbs said.

Boyles founded the school in 2004 as the first faith-based school serving the Camas, Washougal and east Vancouver areas. In 2009, Bright Futures Learning Center moved into its current home on the Grace Church property, 717 S.E. Everett St., and expanded into a full primary school, according to the school’s website. The school was later renamed Camas Christian Academy before assuming its current name.

Agape Christian Academy classes were spread over three neighboring churches in Camas — Grace, NorthLake and Lacamas Heights Baptist.

Attempts to reach Boyles were unsuccessful. Tubbs said she was already in the process of retiring after 20-plus years with the academy.

“In order to free up capital necessary to identify and retain a competitive replacement for the position who would have the capacity to provide long-term stability in leadership, she has voluntarily stepped down,” Tubbs said.

Several staff and administrative positions were eliminated in the high school closure, though Tubbs declined to specify how many.

Nick Mancillas, a former social studies teacher and athletic director at the school, said he is among the staffers who are leaving.

Mancillas said the high school’s enrollment dropped from 53 to 45 students this year. It faced competition from King’s Way Christian Schools and Seton Catholic College Prep, both well-established just 25 minutes away, he said.

“Starting the high school — it was a bit of an uphill battle rolling kids up and then getting new kids as well,” Mancillas said. “Being on the inside, you give your heart and soul to it all. … You believe in the mission of the school, what you’re doing and what you’re building.”

After Agape Christian Academy opened its high school in 2023, Mancillas was tasked with building up an athletic program that included volleyball, basketball, golf, and track and field. Mancillas was also set to coach the school’s eight-man football team in its inaugural season this fall before the high school folded.

“It just really seemed like the timing … was starting to fall into place, which I was clearly wrong about,” he said.

Mancillas plans to help the school in its transition to a new athletic director.

Tubbs said “several” staff members voluntarily reduced their work schedules to retain other positions and avoid deeper cuts.