Heritage Christian School has been a blessing to our family in many ways. The mission (to serve Christ by partnering with parents to provide biblically faithful, academically excellent education) and vision (to be a leader in developing passionate lifelong learners committed to Christ) of Heritage are what drew our hearts to Heritage and began our journey. Upon our first visit to the school, it was crystal clear to us that Heritage is first and foremost concerned with training its students to become mature disciples of Jesus Christ. It was very apparent to us that this school was filled with people who desired to partner with us in our pursuit of raising our children to know who God is, what He has done throughout history, and who that makes us as His image bearers.
In 2014 when we returned to our hometown of Iowa City, our two oldest children began attending Heritage once school had already been in session and we wondered how they would be received into their classes. Our family experienced the warmth and care of the Heritage community right away as the teachers and students wrote letters saying how excited they were for our children to join their class. They were able to make quick friends once they arrived on that first day in a new environment. We had such a great experience and so supported the mission of HCS that we didn’t hesitate to enroll our two younger children when the time came, and in 2018 Sarah joined the HCS staff as a 1st Grade teacher.
Heritage’s mission is not just words on the wall. It tangibly translates into every aspect of the curriculum and the student experience with the desire that the students will develop into mature disciples. On a daily basis the students are taught biblical truths, what God’s big story is, how they are a part of it, character traits that God desires of us, and how they can use this knowledge to grow closer to the Lord while sharing these truths with the world around them. All of this is woven throughout their daily lessons (in every subject, not just Bible), taught in chapel, discussed when discipline is needed, demonstrated to them through daily interactions, and they are given the opportunity to live this out. Students memorize weekly Bible verses, attend weekly chapel (and break-out groups for the older kids), and make connections to all they are learning to biblical truths and given a WHY for learning. Students are taught how to critically think about what they are being taught, or influenced by, and decipher if that is what God teaches or calls them to live out. Since classes are small at HCS, students have the ability to ask deep questions and discuss them as groups. Teachers are open and willing to discuss these questions at length to guide the students to deeper understandings. The students are given opportunities to live out what they are being taught. Our own children are thankful and glad to be in a school where they can learn about God and that their teachers care about them growing in their faith in Christ.
From a teacher’s perspective, HCS has provided an opportunity to come alongside parents to partner in their child’s growth spiritually, academically, emotionally, and relationally. It has been such a blessing to be a part of a staff who all believe in the mission and vision for HCS and are called to help each child grow. It is amazing to see how God works when you relate all that you teach to who He is and who He has created us to be. God moves in mighty ways in both the big and small students that walk through our halls. To say that Heritage has blessed our family, is an understatement. We thank God every day for Heritage and the beacon of light it is for our community.