The tide is turning for Maranatha Christian Academy as a new but familiar face will lead the Oakwood school into another year.

Delma Simmons, who has served at Maranatha for 25 years and most recently as its high school supervisor, is the new principal of the academy that just a month ago wasn’t sure if it was going to be able to open its doors again.

The private school had been struggling with its 112-student body population down to 83 due to families’ economic woes.

And May 11, the school was burglarized of more than $10,000, much of it in checks. Most of the money was from a fundraising auction held the previous Saturday meant to help the school meet its monthly $30,000 payroll.

Rod Bell, pastor of Maranatha’s supporter McEver Road Baptist Church, said the outpouring of financial support from the community following the burglary was overwhelming. The school received more than $20,000 in donations and checks still are trickling in, he said.

There was also another Godsend. Bell said a financial advisor, who wishes to remain anonymous, came forward to help the school manage its $230,000 deficit and stabilize its finances.

"We’re excited about going forward," Bell said. "We’re like a ship. We had a struggle and we had the storm. With the economy, we didn’t know if we’d be able to go through it, but we were able to plug it up. And now we’ve got it out on the dock and have cleaned off the barnacles and now we’re ready to sail off."

Simmons said after 31 years as a leader in Christian education, he’s ready to roll up his sleeves and start school Aug. 10. He also hopes to grow the academy and develop it further as an institution that helps Christian children find their niche in a rapidly changing society.

"I know the kids. I know the faculty," Simmons said. "I’m familiar with the ups and downs of being in a small Christian school over the years."

Bell said the academy is starting a $2 per day donation campaign and is "thinking outside the box" to jump-start enrollment and deliver instruction efficiently.

DVD teaching programs will be used this fall to consolidate middle and high school students into a "21st century one-room schoolhouse."

Bell said the school is also working hard to develop its music, drama and arts programs. Also this fall, Maranatha will begin offering pre-kindergarten classes to 3- and 4-year-olds.

Bell, who has known Simmons for more than 20 years, said he feels confident Simmons is the man for the job.

"He has set an example for our young people to follow, and I was looking for that," Bell said. "Our new slogan is ‘Maranatha: changing the world one student at a time.’ And that’s what we’re going to strive to do with God’s help."