Stonebridge Christian School

Welcome to StoneBridge School

StoneBridge School is a kindergarten through twelfth grade independent, private day school dedicated to restoring classic, American Christian education. It is solely supported by the parents of its students and friends in the community who are committed to Christian principles of education and government.

Mission Statement:

Family and Personal Emphasis

The school is committed to the enrollment of families with whom is shared a unity of purpose in the education of their children. A diversity of abilities, gifts, racial, social, and economic backgrounds are included in the student body. Students are admitted without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national, or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic, and other school-administered programs.

A Christian standard of peer relationships, respect for self and others, and unselfish attitudes are promoted. The Sovereignty of God in all of life and in personal accountability through the knowledge of Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit are emphasized.

The standards of Christian character and self-government are held as the gauge of behavior, attitude, and performance. Through the inculcation of a sense of responsibility, the student is held accountable for his own actions, obligations, and learning. The school purposes to identify the best in each student and assist him to build upon that foundation a character and competence which will make him a productive, purposeful, fulfilled individual, the fullest expression of his unique value in Christ.

Christian Education

Noah Webster, father of American Christian education, Biblically defined and identified the Christian qualities of education in his 1828 Dictionary as "all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, form the habits and manners of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future station. To educate children well is one of the most important duties of parents and guardians." StoneBridge School serves parents in their role to educate their children.

Historic and Classic

By using historic methods of teaching and learning and by promoting a love for learning through inspiration, an academic excellence is produced that includes classics of literature, classic and foreign languages, branches of science, the fine arts, history, and geography. The curriculum standard provides a learning experience that interests and challenges young minds and engenders a worldview encouraging Christian dominion and responsible stewardship as the future citizens of our republic.

StoneBridge School began in 1980 as a project of researching the elements of true classical education, the type that produced the thinkers, writers, and leaders of fine Christian character. It led to the conclusion that such schooling was not then available in the local Tidewater, Virginia area. The research proved that greatly educated men began academic studies very early in the "meat" of knowledge: languages, classics of literature, poetry, and history. By the age of ten they were literate far beyond the achievement of our modern high school graduates. Serious and diligent learning, high standards, essay writing, and Christian scholarship were all marks of past excellence.

Classic education included a tutorial environment with emphasis on individual accomplishment and teacher involvement and mentoring. The key element was the placement of the Bible and Christian principles at the heart of the curriculum as the source of methodology and as the rule of classroom and self-government. As the research solidified into a clear picture of past education's standards and techniques, it was apparent that much had been lost. StoneBridge School began with a small pilot group of students and teachers with the vision of reclaiming the excellence of the original American Christian education ideals.

The Byproduct of Education

The key to enjoying learning is in imparting a love-of-learning spirit in the classroom. The variety and complexity of our curriculum inspire many special programs, presentations, projects, and field study tours and encourage the active participation of students. Each teacher develops his own enrichment and traditions that foster excitement in learning. The Notebook Approach instills a sense of property that inspires students to excel. It gives a tangible, visible, lasting reward for labor. Through its use students develop an interest in learning and a commitment to achievement.

Tutorial Emphasis

In addition to the academic substance of classic, American Christian education, StoneBridge emphasizes the learning success of every student by regarding individual distinctives. Every prospective student is tested to define the child's abilities and to enable the teacher to identify the learner's uniqueness. Loving affirmation of human individuality is balanced with reason and discipline in the classroom. Instruction is given to groups of children on grade levels in an orderly, scheduled manner. There are master teachers, classroom teachers, and tutors available to carry out the tutorial goals, each child working with several teachers in the normal course of the school day. The real difference is one of emphasis, which is placed on the learning success of each child. Goals are set individually to meet the child at his learning threshold and take him as far as he is able to go.

Demonstration School

StoneBridge School has dedicated itself to the Lord to being a national and international model and outreach in practicing a form of education that is restorative to our nation and to nations around the world. We demonstrate the curriculum, methodology and philosophy of Principle Approach education to students, professors, administrators, teachers, and visitors each year.

In conjunction with our national and international Apprenticeship Program, we serve other educators and parents by our willingness to receive guests routinely who seek to observe the mystery and art of American Christian Education. The classrooms become the setting for others outside the school to observe, study, and learn. We develop master teachers who train administrators, teachers and home educators in our Apprenticeship Program and are sent to present at conferences and consult with other school administrators. The writing and publishing of our curriculum for use by educators also play a vital role in "laying Christ at the bottome as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning" [Harvard First Fruits, 1645].

Accreditation

StoneBridge School is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (A.C.S.I.).