Word on the Hill

Wilson Hill Academy Student Blog

Why Learning How to Write Will Prepare Your Student to Think Well

14 Sep 2023

Years ago, when I first began teaching, my headmaster gave me some invaluable advice on teaching writing. Quoting the poet and philosopher Walter Kaufmann, he told me, “Writing is thinking in slow motion.” In other words, learning how to write is not something separate from learning how to think.  His words continue to inform my instruction today and aptly express what we emphasize across our curriculum at Wilson Hill: writing is essential for learning how

By Dr. Tom Vierra, Instructor & Senior Thesis Coordinator | | In WHA Blog, Word on the Hill | Read more

Yes, Senior Thesis is for You

1 Aug 2023

One of our most precious (and important) traditions at LINK is listening to Senior Thesis presentations. Each year, Wilson Hill recognizes two students with the Scott Baker Award for Excellence in Senior Thesis, and each year those students are invited to give their presentation to the entire LINK audience. We have never been disappointed. Noteworthy is that Senior Thesis students have presented speeches only to an online audience. And yet, every time – every time

By Dr. Tom Vierra | | In WHA Blog, Word on the Hill | Read more

10 Reasons to Study French

6 Jul 2023

Recently, we had the privilege to sit down with Wilson Hill French teacher, Sarah Soundron, to hear about her lifelong love of French and her eagerness to share her love for the language with her students. Sarah started speaking French when she was just ten years old. She said her mother, who studied French literature in college, taught her simple French phrases: “I think she just wanted to bring me into her French world a

By Kelsey Bowse | | In WHA Blog, Word on the Hill | Read more

2023 Graduates: Your Final Purpose Is Not Self-Realization

High school graduates from Wilson Hill Academy at LINK 202322 Jun 2023

On June 3, Dr. Vierra delivered the commencement address at LINK 2023. Please enjoy his words of encouragement to our graduates here: Graduates, before I share my words of exhortation, I want to begin with a word of gratitude. I want to thank you for giving me the gift of this past school year. I have taught so many of you, and as I look at you now, I see precious men and women that

By Dr. Tom Vierra | | In WHA Blog, Word on the Hill | Read more

How To Prepare Your Children for Modern Literature in College

Photo of modern literature and other books at Rijksmuseum Library in Amsterdam.18 Apr 2023

What will shape your children’s worldview in college? Many universities are hostile towards a Christian understanding of literature. Liberal arts colleges often require students to take one or more literature courses to meet the core requirement. So when your sons or daughters step into their first literature course on campus, will they be prepared to “give a defense to everyone who asks the reason for the hope that is in ” as 1 Peter 3:5

By Anne Crawford | | In WHA Blog, Word on the Hill | Read more

Classical Education Podcast Invites Wilson Hill Founders to Tell Their Story

Co-founders of Wilson Hill, Bob and Nancy Donaldson.20 Mar 2023

Wilson Hill co-founders, Nancy and Bob Donaldson, joined Davies Owens on the “BaseCamp Live” podcast in January to discuss their calling to classical Christian education almost thirty years ago and their exciting—and faith-building—journey to launch and shepherd Wilson Hill Academy. Part of that journey involved coming to the realization that they wanted their own children to experience the joy of classical Christian education.  Nancy explains, "Through Susan Schaeffer Macaulay and her book, For the Children’s

By Laura Ruby | | In Uncategorized, Word on the Hill | Read more

Building the Bonds of Friendship at LINK 2023

28 Feb 2023

“How do students and their families get to know each other in a virtual  school?” This is a frequently-asked question as parents consider enrolling a student at Wilson Hill Academy.  It is not long after school starts that students begin making new friends or reconnecting with their classmates from previous years. These friendships are strengthened each year as teachers, students and their families gather for LINK—Wilson Hill’s ultimate family camp and commencement celebration. LINK provides

By Kelsey Bowse | | In WHA Blog, Word on the Hill | Read more

The Faithful Hymn

sheet music for great is thy faithfulness23 Nov 2022

Recently perched in my usual spot at church, I had the unique blessing of hearing my son play a special arrangement of a timely hymn he had thoughtfully composed on his guitar. As the familiar tune of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” resonated throughout the sanctuary, my thoughts swept away to a former day when that great hymn was fashioned from the recesses of some dear soul’s heart. I began to marvel at the thought of

By Anna Boydstun | | In WHA Blog, Word on the Hill | Read more

Sometimes Finishing Well Means Leaving Things Undone.

13 May 2022

As a homeschooling parent, this final stretch can feel like a grind. As you assess the lessons remaining in each textbook and consider the date you had hoped to finish them, you may feel anxious or discouraged. Perhaps delving into that exciting history project meant that you didn’t cover as much math as you had hoped. Or you enjoyed such enthusiastic conversations around a novel that you extended the time, and now you are a

By Wilson Hill | | In WHA Blog, Word on the Hill | Read more

Why Study a Language No One Speaks?

a young girl participating in a Wilson Hill online class9 May 2022

Sometimes students (and parents!) wonder about the benefits of learning classical languages like Latin. Yet we have seen families experience tremendous value in studying this ancient language at Wilson Hill.  From practical benefits like boosting SAT scores to enriching experiences such as reading ancient texts in their original language, the study of Latin equips students for success. For even more benefits, I asked a few of our Wilson Hill Latin teachers to share four reasons

By Wilson Hill | | In WHA Blog, Word on the Hill | Read more