When her three children were old enough to start school, Kim Staninger wanted to give them the very best education. Homeschooling felt like the right path.
It allowed them to spend quality time together as a family, be selective with curriculum, and meet the unique needs of each child. But Kim soon encountered the obstacles every homeschool parent has to navigate:
How do you give equal time and energy to different learning styles? What do you do when your relationship with your children is tested over a particularly frustrating math lesson or challenging writing assignment? How do you maintain excellence and rigor when the material outpaces your own knowledge and capacity?
When family friends suggested Wilson Hill, the Staningers were willing to give it a chance—and they haven’t looked back since.
“As a mother who loved educating my children but needed that extra assistance to finish this journey, I was immediately blessed with peace. God had once again provided by giving our family a new set of tools to educate our children,” Kim says. “Wilson Hill removed the limits of what I could offer and allowed us to become our children’s biggest cheerleaders.”
At Wilson Hill, we don’t take the gift of partnering with families lightly. Education is formation, which makes choosing an educational model a weighty decision. Every family has a unique education story, but they all share a “why,” the reason they were interested in Wilson Hill and, perhaps more meaningfully, the reason why they stay year after year.
In this three-part series, we want to introduce you to parents, students, and teachers who have found an academic home at Wilson Hill. They each have their own “why,” but common themes emerged as we spoke to our community: families return year after year for our classical Christian approach to education, the rigorous academics, and our vibrant community.
Today, meet the families and teachers who have experienced the immediate and long-term blessings of the classical Christian model.
“To say Wilson Hill has blessed our family is an understatement.”
—Kim Staninger, Wilson Hill Parent
Why Wilson Hill? An Education Grounded in Scripture
At many private schools, discussions of faith are confined to Bible class. At Wilson Hill, every subject is taught from a biblical worldview, allowing students to see God’s unchanging character revealed across time and through His creation.
“Every book in every course at Wilson Hill is carefully selected to bring classical education and biblical thinking to life for our students,” shares Joanna Hensley, a Wilson Hill parent and the headmaster of the Lower School. “Ideas from math apply to Latin, and logic lessons apply to composition. Master teachers weave a rich tapestry across subject areas, equipping Wilson Hill students to join and even lead the great conversations that impact our world.”
Why Wilson Hill? Trusted Partners in Developing a Biblical Worldview
A hallmark of the classical model is Socratic discussion. Our teachers facilitate lively classroom debates, helping students develop sharp analytical skills and become confident orators. This approach is a primary reason the Turner family chose Wilson Hill in 2017, when they first learned about the benefits of a classical Christian education—a model that, she says, “has enriched our children’s lives.”
“Wilson Hill offers a safe environment for students to engage in the truth of Jesus Christ and express their feelings and opinions on important topics,” says Ginger Turner.
Master teachers who love God, love their subject, and love their students are also a significant draw for families.
“Master teachers weave a rich tapestry across subject areas, equipping Wilson Hill students to join and even lead the great conversations that impact our world.”
—Joanna Hensley, Wilson Hill parent and Headmaster of the Lower School
Why Wilson Hill? Disciplines and Affections that Will Last a Lifetime
All educational models instill values in students, effectively training their affections. At Wilson Hill, our ultimate desire is to raise up men and women who live fruitful lives in the service of the Kingdom of Christ.
The greatest blessing of a classical Christian education is in its ability to transform students in the present and impact generations to come, instilling habits and forming disciplines that will last a lifetime.
Families don’t just see the benefits of this model when their children graduate; they see growth each year as their children develop a deeper love of learning and become more like Christ.
The Staningers have watched their children rise to academic challenges and build valuable lifelong skills. “Juggling all their school work while competing in multiple sports, helping our community, and having time as a family has proven to be possible,” says Kim. “Our kids have learned time management and study skills we know will help them in college and beyond.”
For Krizia Naegele-Routh, Wilson Hill has allowed her children to participate in competitive sports while still maintaining high academic standards. Most importantly, she sees the biblical foundation her children are building.
“Wilson Hill has blessed my children with a depth of knowledge and understanding based on biblical truth that I never dreamed possible,” she says. “We come back every year and are committed to graduating with Wilson Hill because it is rich with learning and God’s truth. It will prepare our children to ignite a generation with wisdom, knowledge, responsibility, professionalism, and a voice that will glorify the Lord in all they do.”
Are you interested in learning more about our unique approach to a classical Christian education that equips students with a robust biblical foundation? Schedule a call with our admissions team today to see if Wilson Hill could be the right fit for your family.