History
In the 1950’s, Christian school teachers from Portland would travel to Seattle to attend a teacher’s convention. As they drove through Tacoma, some wondered if there was any Christian school in the area. Jim Bramblet was one of those teachers. Acting on this concern, Jim, along with brothers Lyle and Everett, began talking to pastors in the Tacoma area about the possibility of starting a Christian school. The churches they talked with did not feel they had the resources to start a school on their own, so the Bramblet brothers gathered several Baptist churches, all from the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (GARBC), and out of that cooperation Tacoma Baptist Schools was incorporated in 1959.
The school offered its first classes in 1960 with Jim Bramblet as the principal. Classes were held in churches and later in an empty public school building in Tillicum. The school acquired the TBS campus property in 1964. That same year Jim Bramblet accepted the principal position with another Christian school and Doug Bond was called to be the next principal. Dr. Bond and his wife, Mary Jane, led the school in many capacities, including growing the school and overseeing construction of many of its buildings. The high school was added in 1966 and graduated its first class of seniors in 1970. Dr. Bond retired in 2001, and Timothy Hoy became superintendent in July of 2001. Robert White was selected as the next superintendent in 2005.
New Hope Campus
Gene and Anita Dotson, the founders of New Hope Christian School, both worked in the public school system when the Lord placed it upon their hearts to provide an alternative to public education. In 1982, they stepped out in faith and opened New Hope Christian School in the building that they constructed on their own personal property in Graham. The school began with pre kindergarten and kindergarten. Over time the Lord blessed the Dotson’s great faith and the faith of others who shared the vision for Christian education, and additional grades were added to the school. Later the building was expanded to include not only classrooms, but a gymnasium, cafeteria, library, etc. New Hope grew into a strong elementary campus serving students in grades pre kindergarten through six. In the year 2003, the Dotsons retired and TBS took over the ownership and operation of New Hope.
With the acquisition of New Hope, the schools united to form a district with multiple campuses. In February of 2006, the school board voted to adopt the new district name “South Sound Christian Schools.” Each campus would keep its campus-specific name, yet would operate as part of SSCS. We look forward in anticipation for how the Lord will fulfill His vision for SSCS as Christian schools throughout the South Puget Sound area may be added or started.
The South Sound Christian School district is a state-approved school, accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). SSCS offers a well-rounded academic program that is supplemented by athletics, music, and the arts. Graduates from SSCS have gone on to make a great impact in many walks of life. With a proven record of academic achievement and an unwavering commitment to biblical truth, SSCS enjoys a strong legacy in Christian education.