About Us
History
The Academy had its beginning in the minds and hearts of four homeschooling moms, Carolyn Sproul, Lee Ann Roberts, Jill Bowman, and Judy Sohl. These moms had a common desire to share the burden of teaching all subjects to their kids, and on April 27, 1998, they met and prayed, shared their desires and concerns for their own homeschool situations, brainstormed about ways to improve the way they did (or did not) do things, and discussed ways to help one another. A week later, Judy had a conversation with an old friend who was sending her children to a two-day a week Classical tutorial in Deale, MD. The Administrator of this tutorial also turned out to be an old friend, and it was clear to Judy that God was moving to create something new to support and minister to her family and others having the same need.
The four moms saw Classical's value, decided it was to be their new course of home education, and began to educate themselves in the Classical philosophy. Meetings were held with folks from like-minded academies such as the one in Deale, as well as Jungo Academy in Bowie. Information was received from Rockbridge Academy in Millersville, and the Association of Classical Christian Schools in Moscow, Idaho. The Lord moved each of the husbands to join the ministry, and the Pastor of Severn Run Evangelical Presbyterian Church (SREP), Arch Van Devender, the elders and families of SREP also supported the idea. All of the pieces had fallen together, but the moms were still afraid until one person finally said, "Let's go for it!" A vision and mission statement was written, and a survey was sent out to gauge the interest in this type of ministry. The response was amazing, and those first families gave money to an idea, and to people, with whom they had no previous connection. So began the Academy in September, 1999.
Since that time, the founding families have all grown up and moved on to other fields of endeavor, and the Academy remains a vital ministry of Severn Run Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Tutors continue to teach classes in the Classical fashion, an Academic Administrator (Linda Whiting) oversees daily operations, and several husband/wife teams manage the Academy as a Board. The Board reports to the SREP Session, a group of Deacons and Elders which manages SREP's operations. Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays at the SREP church building, located on Millersville Road (MD 175) in Millersville.
Our Goals
I. Christ-CenteredOur goal is to maintain a focus of Christ-centeredness in all levels, programs,and teaching. We seek to:
A. Teach all subjects as parts of an integrated whole with the Scriptures at the center (II Timothy 3:16)
B. Provide a clear model of the biblical Christian life through our tutors, staff and board members (Matthew 22:37-40)
C. Encourage every student to begin and develop his relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 19:13-15)
II. Classical
Our focus is to teach from a classical philosophy in all levels, programs, and teaching. We seek to:
A. Emphasize the grammar, logic, and rhetoric of all subjects:
- Grammar: The fundamental rules of each subject.
- Logic: The ordered relationship of particulars in each subject.
- Rhetoric: How the grammar and logic of each subject may be clearly expressed.
B. Teach each student how to learn
C. Encourage every student to develop a love for learning and live up to his academic potential
D. Provide an atmosphere conducive to the attainment of the above goals
E. Educate, encourage, and promote the classical philosophy of education within each family's homeschool program