ALCS was founded by Lake City Church (formerly Madison Gospel Tabernacle) in 1978 under the leadership of Pastor Warren Heckman.

[2] ALCS was established to be a community Christian school and welcomes families from a variety of churches.

While the three ministries are closely related, the students and staff represent over 50 churches, and many neighborhoods in Madison and its surrounding communities.

Three people — one teacher and two students (including the perpetrator) — were killed in the attack; six others were injured.

The perpetrator, 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who attended the school, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.