A Legacy of God’s Grace
Published in The Doorpost newsletter, Spring 2025.
We’re approaching our 30th anniversary at Redeemer School, which provides a beautiful opportunity to examine where we come from, where we are now, and where we are going. We gratefully and humbly declare that every answer is because of the Lord’s faithfulness and kindness to this covenant community throughout our history!
We come from a group of families who, in 1995, embarked on a journey to found a school based on Charlotte Mason’s educational principles and to provide a different educational experience than the status quo for its covenant members. We come from a desire to see children delight in learning: providing a beautiful feast of rich literature, of story and narrative to open the mind and educate the heart, of ample opportunities to learn from and in nature, of unhurried time marveling at works of art and poetry and music. We come from families who supported their children’s education with Enrichment Days, volunteering on campus, and tending to classroom gardens. We come from a desire to see children become lifelong learners.
As we look back with gratitude, we enjoy stories of God’s faithfulness to our community:
Courtney (Deakle) Dockery (‘05) credits Redeemer School for her appreciation of how story is woven into everything, especially the redemptive narrative of scripture. A family counselor in her own private practice, Courtney appreciates that she was “not learning just to learn, but learning with purpose and dignity” while at Redeemer School. Discovering that her own experiences have a place in the bigger story— something she said was woven into every class and conversation— gives her peace and not anxiety.
Hannah Gaskins Pabon (‘11) had a short but impactful experience at Redeemer School when she finished her last two years of middle school here. “I hold onto those years dearly, not just for the education I received, but for the compassion and love from my teachers during a difficult time in my life,” she says. “The sense of safety and belonging I felt there remains close to my heart.” Pabon says Redeemer School taught her to love things that other schools might have overlooked, deepening her appreciation for art, history, and learning itself. “Those years helped shape who I am today, and as I continue on my journey, I carry the Charlotte Mason philosophy with me, always seeking beauty, knowledge, and inspiration in the world around me.”
Perk Steele (attended Redeemer School from ‘08-’13) wrote a letter of appreciation to his teachers at Redeemer School last fall, noting the ways that Redeemer School planted seeds of faith that grew in his life. He writes: “Thank you for all you taught me here—for showing me a love for God’s creation through our walks around campus to see the trees and our field trips to spots of natural beauty, for promoting a love for history and literature through all the books we read … thank you for feeding your students with all that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable, all that is timeless, excellent, praiseworthy.”
Lucy Calhoun (‘13) says she appreciates that learning was hands-on at Redeemer School. “We didn’t just read about Shakespeare—we built tiny versions of the Globe Theatre, complete with thatched roofs. When we studied ancient Egypt, we mummified orange peels and checked on them for weeks,” she said. “Even in kindergarten, learning the alphabet meant smearing shaving cream all over our desks and fingerpainting letters into the foam. Everything was so interactive, so creative, and I realize now how much that shaped the way I think and work.”
Wyatt Kearns (‘24) says the teachers at Redeemer School prepared him well for high school. “Not all of my classes (in high school) are engaging and interesting, but the ones that are remind me of the classes I had at Redeemer. The way I was taught to think through what I read and learned has helped me a lot.”
By God’s grace, we remain committed to the values our founding families held dear. Walking the halls of Redeemer School in 2025 is strikingly similar to its origin in many ways. You will still find a kindergartener squealing with delight over Laura Ingalls Wilder’s antics in Little House in the Big Woods. You will find fifth graders displaying their castles, second graders marveling over Thomas Cole’s landscapes, and fourth graders draped across hallway couches with their books. First graders still listen for recognizable bird sounds, third graders remain enraptured with Joshua’s battle, and middle schoolers diligently memorize Shakespeare’s lines. By God’s grace, you will find teachers who love God and his word and foster that love in the lives of their students. You will find parents trekking in materials for E-Days or planting in classroom gardens. Book of Centuries, narrations, picture studies and classroom composers remain the fabric of who we are.
While much remains the same, it’s also true that much has changed! What started as 12 children in two classes has grown to a bursting-at-the-seams school of over 250 students in 19 classes. We incorporate the best of current research-based educational methods into our classrooms and rejoice at the ways Charlotte Mason’s philosophy dovetails beautifully with emerging brain science. Students of all ages enjoy enrichment opportunities—athletics, fine art and music, field trips, and servant leadership. Teachers support our children with unique learning differences to deepen their passion for learning while providing extra support to develop their academic skills and God-intended potential. God’s faithfulness to Redeemer School continues to impact our covenant families, the community, and the watching world!
