When the Wengerd family learned about Wilson Hill, their children were already in high school. They were interested in a rigorous learning environment, but worried their children could fall behind or struggle alongside peers who were accustomed to Wilson Hill courses.
Instead, their children have thrived. Compared to other classical schools, the Wengerds found Wilson Hill courses to be a “notch up” in terms of rigor and teaching. But thanks to committed teachers, their children never felt overwhelmed.
“Wilson Hill does an excellent job at creating the support structures and then creating the acceleration points for kids to be able to catch up and be integrated into the student body,” says Loren Wengerd.
For their daughter, Aubrielle, it’s been a stimulating environment. “I love to be challenged. I love to always have something to do and to find a way to push myself, and I always find that in every Wilson Hill class,” she says. “I really appreciate that teachers challenge you in the classroom, but if you have a question, they will help you try to solve it.”
Aubrielle’s experience reflects what many families discover at Wilson Hill. Families come to Wilson Hill from a variety of educational backgrounds, but they share a strong desire to give their children an excellent education that will prepare them for success in university and beyond—while still enjoying the flexibility, freedom, and family time they love about homeschooling.
In part two of our series, “Why Wilson Hill,” meet parents and educators who return year after year for a variety of reasons, but chief among them are the engaging teachers and thoughtfully sequenced curriculum that develop scholars capable of university-level coursework.
Why Wilson Hill? Master Teachers
Amanda Sause recognized her children would benefit from other teachers beyond herself.
“As they were growing, there was a yearning for a master teacher in each subject area,” she says. “Wilson Hill has provided us just that. Their teachers inspire them to be lifelong learners and lead them closer to Christ through their studies.”
As her children have grown, Amanda has appreciated the team of teachers ready to provide age-appropriate wisdom and insights. “Wilson Hill understands what children need in each stage of learning,” she says. “Many of the Wilson Hill teachers are also seasoned parents and their wisdom is invaluable, especially during the early teen years!”
Why Wilson Hill? Engaging Academics
As the headmaster of the Lower School and as a Wilson Hill parent herself, Joanna Hensley enjoys a unique perspective. She first started teaching Latin when her oldest daughter was a newborn; now all five of her children attend Wilson Hill.
“Wilson Hill is online education at its best,” Joanna says. “Unbound by geography, we connect expert teachers with students wherever they live, and since the classes are so engaging, relational, and thought-provoking, the screen disappears, and class becomes a deep conversation with friends. As headmaster, I see Wilson Hill teachers sparking wonder every day.”
As a parent, she also sees this wonder in her home every day: “One daughter dissected a fish yesterday, while my son sketched Dante’s circles of hell. Another child translated Plautus, while my son read Little Britches. I heard the laughter, and we all decided we need to go fishing more often. We can, too, because partnering with Wilson Hill means I am not homeschooling alone.”
For Leslie, a Wilson Hill parent and writing instructor, the academics and teachers are a significant draw, but not just because of their excellence. Like Joanna, she appreciates how engaging and just plain fun they are.
“Wilson Hill is a gathering of authentic, dedicated disciples of Christ,” says Leslie. “Not only passionate, skilled teachers and learners who make challenging academics exciting; they’re also people I want to hang out with and who I want my daughter to hang out with. We want to join in that great conversation, reveling in the way so many subjects can lead to sacred moments.”
The online format gives families like Leslie’s another advantage: the freedom to take Wilson Hill classes from anywhere in the world. This flexibility recently enabled their family to serve on a mission trip to Kenya without interrupting her daughter’s education.
Why Wilson Hill? Equipped Students
Wilson Hill graduates are our best ambassadors. Their studies, careers, and families are a testament to the disciplines and affections they developed as students.
Time and time again, our graduates report that their classes at Wilson Hill prepared them for the rigor of university-level coursework and informed their future careers. As Upper School Headmaster, Ranya Bailey has an up-close look at how students are equipped for their futures.
“What drew me to Wilson Hill nine years ago is still something that excites me today,” says Ranya. “I am extremely proud of our science and math programs. Our teachers deliver outstanding learning experiences using classical pedagogy and bring a Christian worldview across the spectrum of our classes, from our humanities to languages to our maths and sciences. Over the years, students who go on to fields of science, math, and technology tell me how thankful they are that they were ready for what came next.”
Do you want to give your children a rigorous education that will equip them for university and beyond? Schedule a call with our admissions team today to see if Wilson Hill could be the right fit for your family.