Guardian Angel Christian Academy is closing its doors to elementary-aged students, officials said Friday.

School administrator Teresa Hunt said Andalusia Full Gospel Tabernacle, the parent-church of the academy, like most other churches in the community, had to make necessary changes in order to meet the demands of a troubled economy.

“The decision to discontinue the elementary grades and the after school program came after months of prayer and deliberation,” Hunt said. “It was one of the hardest decisions we’ve had to make.”

Hunt said that there were about 95 students in K4 through fifth grade attending this last school year at GACA, with the majority being K4 students.

“We would also like to clarify that Guardian Angel Christian Daycare and Learning Center and the academy are two separate ministries, and the daycare will not be affected by this decision,” she said.

Hunt said the daycare will continue to provide the same fulltime care and academic programs that it always has for children 6-week-olds to 4-year-olds.

Additionally, the half-day program for K4 preschoolers and K5 kindergarten students will continue.

Hunt said Camp Te Amo, the summer day camp program, is in full swing.

“We are still taking people for Camp Te Amo,” she said. “We’d be happy to have more students.”

Additionally, Hunt said officials will make a decision on whether to continue Camp Te Amo once it is completed this summer.

“We wish the very best to the parents and students that supported GACA and the teachers and staff that made it such as wonderful place to learn,” Hunt said.

Anyone with questions can call the daycare at 222-8356.