‘We want to see them grow’: Beacon Academy to offer a guiding light at Fairlawn Community Church
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If you are looking for a school that combines academics with a strong Biblical background, then the new Beacon Academy on the campus of Fairlawn Community Church might be what you're seeking.
Opening this fall for grades K-3, Beacon Academy will be located at 353 Pleasant Hill Road, Cogan Station.
"We feel like parents are looking for something different for their young kids," said Jody Hickock, the director of the academy and children's and youth ministry director at the church.
"I have interactions with kids and youth all the time. I've been here for almost 14 years in this role and so, in that time, I've watched a change in kids, especially over the last four years or so. I feel that there's a need for something different, for another option to be out there for kids," Hickock said.
Although she feels that the local public schools are "fantastic," she also feels the staff is sometimes limited in what they can teach.
"As great as all the teachers are, sometimes their hands are tied and they can't teach the way they want to. And not every child thrives in the atmosphere that's in the public setting. Some children learn differently, some children need a smaller classroom size," Hickok said.
"Beyond that, because of my background in children's ministry, Biblical background, I really truly believe that giving children a solid Bible base for the rest of their life to start them off is so helpful for them," she said.
"I grew up going to Christian school, and it set me on the right path. It set me up for success spiritually with me and God and for the way that I look at life through what the Bible says and through what God says rather than always through my own emotions, thoughts and feelings," she added.
The idea of having a school at the church to give parents another option was something that Hickock and Pastor Steve Cutter had talked about for a long time.
"So when we started really seriously looking at this and talking about it, he was fully on board. The church has been fully behind it and supportive in every way including financially, so they have given the green light, go for it, do it," she said.
For the first year the school will have grades kindergarten through third. The hope is that the following year they can add fourth grade and then more grades after that depending how it is received.
At first it will be a ministry of the church and be an LLC operating under the umbrella of the church, but be separate, Hickock said.
"Right now that separation hasn't happened yet, we're still working on that. There's still a lot of paperwork that's happening. But, within the Pennsylvania system, it's OK for us to be under the umbrella of the church to start out," she said.
Beacon Academy will use the Abeka Christian curriculum for the lower grades and, if more grades are added, the Bob Jones curriculum is a possibility, she said.
There are four classrooms they are planning to use at the beginning, and they have both a large indoor and outdoor playground plus a gym for students to enjoy.
So what will a typical day at Beacon Academy look like?
"Our day will be from eight to three. Every day, we'll start in our gym in a big circle and we'll have just a short verse, (discuss) what the verse means -- just a short, little devotional. We'll probably sing a song together and we'll start the day in prayer. And it's also at that point that we'll celebrate birthdays, if there's birthdays that we know … all those fun things that will happen," she said.
"Then we'll go off into the classrooms. For the first year, we won't be offering a hot lunch, we are asking kids to bring their lunch. We're trying not to bite off more than we can chew to start. But we will have a teacher for each classroom until they go into their classrooms and have all of the curriculum that they have in any other school -- English, writing, math, science, history. They will be able to have gym class. We'll have Bible class, we'll have art class, we'll have music -- all of those things," she continued.
"We'll have lunch time and then recess, because kids need to run, kids need to move. Kids need to be out of the classroom and not be sitting in desks all the time. We will have chapel once a week, our big chapel with all of the kids together. And once a month I'm planning to invite families if they want to come in and have chapel with us. It's not a requirement but it will be open for grandparents and parents if they want to come and be with their kiddos," she said.
Hickok feels that what sets Beacon Academy apart from all the other Christian schools goes beyond the curriculum and facilities they offer. They not only want to offer an excellent education, "but we also care about them as a little person."
"We want to see them grow to love Jesus, and to bring the love of Jesus into every part of their life -- their academic life, their spiritual life, their family life -- every part of their life. I guess I want parents to know that their children will be loved and taken care of and safe," she said.
"The way we approach children's ministry in our church is the way we're going to approach the Christian school ministry. We're very laid back. We're not traditional, we won't have uniforms. It's not something that's ever been important to me, what you wear, because I don't think that has anything to do with taking something in, learning something," she said. "When we worship downstairs, we love to dance and sing and use your whole body and just be able to express yourself. That's another way we're kind of laid back."
"In our children's ministry, relationships are important to us. We want to see kids thrive. And one of the best ways to see a child thrive is by having a relationship with them. If they trust you and you trust them, then they are open to hear what you're saying and, not just hear it, but take it in. And the same with parents who want to help because ultimately, honestly, education is the parents' responsibility. It's not the school district, it's not Pennsylvania -- it's the parents' responsibility. So to have a good relationship with parents, to be able to bring them in on what's going on with their child in every step of the way -- it's really, really important to us," she said.
Right now, the school is in the process of hiring staff in anticipation of its Aug. 28 opening.
Hickok encouraged anyone who is interested in their children attending the school to reach out on Facebook, by email at BeaconAcademy24@gmail.com or by calling 570-435-7720.