Curriculum is standard with public schools, but presented in a biblically integrated Christian view, said Linda Simms, administrator.

 

“Parents who choose our school are seeking for their children a Christ-centered education and nurturing environment,” she said. “They want an environment which integrates their family Christian values.”

 

There is prayer in the classroom and bible classes built into the curriculum schedule.

 

“We practice our faith and put it in action,” Simms said. “All of our classes are taught from a Christian world view – how does this align with scripture and how does it need to be corrected by scripture?”

 

Currently, the school is utilizing Bob Jones Press for reading and history materials and Association of Christian Schools International curriculum for science and spelling.  Both of those organizations are Christian-based, as is A Beka Phonics, used by preschool and Kindergarten for reading introduction. Math textbooks are published by Shurley English, a company which supplies many public schools with teaching materials.

 

“We adopted them several years back. We had good test scores with English and grammar, but when we went with Shurley English, they really went up,” Simms said.

 

Quality of education is very important, Simms said, adding that test scores of students continually reflect those standards.  

 

Art, music, computer and physical education are included in curriculum and band, string and choir programs are incorporated.

 

“Band starts in fourth grade and strings in third grade,” Simms said. “We have a full music program, which includes an annual spring concert.”

There are some unique learning opportunities, such as archery – available from the fourth grade up.

 

During years when there is sufficient interest, middle school basketball teams compete with others throughout the region.

 

“Last year, we had both boys and girls teams which played 26 games – a daunting schedule for our little school,” Simms said. “But this year, we didn’t have interest in having teams. What our students wanted was intramurals and they’ve just had a ball with that.”

the basketball season started, the students participated in a six weeks of intramural volleyball.

 

“In today’s world, there’s so much competition and sometimes kids don’t get to just play,” Simms said. “I’m glad we can provide that opportunity.”

 

The school does not sponsor typical school clubs.

 

“But we do try to expand our ministry opportunities,” Simms said.

 

Typical field trips might include those to fill “Operation Christmas Child” shoeboxes, serve meals at the Clarksburg Mission or visit area personal care homes.

 

Another recent service project included a combined Christmas caroling and a community food.

 

Students in preschool through middle school learn in traditional classroom settings with on-site educators, but at this time, high school students learn through long-distance learning.

 

“Those students take online classes through Sevenstar Academy out of Ohio,” Simms said. “Internationally, they provide biblically integrated classes.”

 

Offered to thousands of students internationally, those classes include standard high school, AP and honors classes – all biblically integrated, she said.

 

It is hoped that in the near future – possibly as early as fall 2013 - Heritage Christian School can offer those classes, along with traditional classes in an in-school educator setting, Simms said.

 

That is just one way the school hopes to expand its educational offerings.

 

Heritage Christian School’s enrollment presently has 147 students and eight homeschoolers who join students for parties, field trips and other extracurricular activities, as well as classes including computer, art and music.

 

Class size ranges from 21 students to under a dozen. Options offered to preschool students include three-, four- and five-day school weeks of half- or full-day instruction.

 

“We have lots of options and we do provide hot lunch for our students,” Simms said.

 

Since it is not a public school, there is no bus transportation. And without a board of education to govern, oversee and fund the school’s ongoing efforts, fundraisers are financial musts and parents take a very proactive role.

 

Students wear uniforms, except on Friday, which is casual dress day. That is a perk offered, but it comes with strings, Simms said. It’s a privilege earned on behavior and one which can be discontinued if students don’t keep behavior performance high.

 

Basic tuition is $300 per month plus a one-time annual fee of $330 for books.

 

For those who would like to see first-hand what the school has to offer, an open house will be held Feb. 19 and 20 from 6:30-8 p.m.

 

Michelle Spurlock has two children who attend school at Heritage Christian. She first enrolled her oldest for preschool and had no original intentions of keeping him at the school.

 

“But I just fell in love with it,” she said.

 

It was the environment she wanted for her children and subsequently she and her husband decided their children would attend there.

Spurlock is very involved with the school and presently serves on its board of directors. She is on the planning committee for the spring fundraising banquet, which takes place March 16 at Village Square Conference Center.

 

Featuring a menu of Reid's salad, roast beef, stuffed chicken breast, green beans, vegetable medley, roasted red potatoes, penne pasta with marinara sauce and dessert, the banquet begins at 5 p.m.

 

Funds raised through ticket sales, as well as live and silent auctions featuring everything from gift cards to local restaurants to golf packages, finance the school’s operations.

 

That includes everything from maintenance and repairs to teacher salaries to support of future expansions – like additional learning opportunities for high school students, Spurlock said.

 

“I love the school and want to see it grow,” she said.

 

Former WVU and New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler will serve as keynote speaker for the event.

 

Tickets are $65 for couples and $35 for singles. Call 304-842-1740 to make reservations.

 

To get a glimpse of a day at Heritage Christian School - including Friday's science fair - visit the photo gallery below: