New Schools in the 2019 School Year

Every year, new schools join the movement of classical Christian education–a growing method of learning which incorporates ancient and Christian methods of student development. 

Some schools are transition schools, meaning they are pivoting from one methodology into the classical Chrisitan methodology. Others are start-up schools, which are schools that begin from the ground up using the classical Christian model. 

Both categories have different and unique challenges–transition schools often struggle to cut off the institutional memory of progressive education and replace it with a classical view of learning, while start-up schools have a strong vision to keep them alive but struggle with admissions, funding, and staffing. 

As schools prepare for the fall, there are three schools to keep on our radar and in our prayers.

North Hardin Christian School 

Situated in Radcliff, Kentucky with over 500 students, Hardin is a private school that recently decided to transition to the classical learning method. 

The reason, according to pastor Paige Hardin at Fellowship Baptist Church, has much to do with his concerns about the modern university. 

In an interview with The News Enterprise, he said: “Our country is so divided. We want our kids to be equipped to face these challenges. I’m not sure personally how much parents really are prepared for their child to step into a university.”

The teachers at Hardin will go through classical training before the start of the new school year. (Something every classical school should consider doing).

Like every transitioning Christian school, there will likely be some run-ins with the fundamental differences between CCE and conventional Christian learning. But Hardin knows the growing pains are worth it.

Byne Christian School

Byne Christian School, an ACCS member, is undergoing a full transition to classical Christian education. 

A report from AlbanyHerald.com reports this will be their first full year as a classical Christian school. Byne inherits over 100 students and a firm infrastructure. But this will be the first year they implement a classical method in the classroom. 

Cory Wise–the head of school at Byne–believes students will not only come to a better grasp of what it means to excel academically, but will graduate with “that kind of zeal for God that changes everything.”

Hope Preparatory Academy

Another school is coming to North Carolina this fall. Hope Preparatory Academy is a school-plant of Hope Academy in Minneapolis–a school with a mission to be accessible to students of every social and economic background. 

A similar spirit will carry over to Hope Preparatory Academy. According to a new report at WITN.com, “The tuition will work on a sliding scale and be based on the family’s income, part of an effort to create a diverse group of students. The school will open with a kindergarten class, as well as a joint first and second-grade class. Parents of those students are thrilled about the new opportunity.”

Like every start-up school, Hope will face its own unique challenges. They currently have only a few students, with one shared class between 1st and 2nd grade. However, they are thinking long-term, and hope to grow to a K-8 school. 

Many of our schools have been here before, and have learned lessons along the way. If you want to share your own experience as a start-up or transition school, write in our comment section below!