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While White Horse may seem “new” or “risky”, it’s arguably not, because even though our particular manifestation is previously foreign to Bloomington-Normal, we are actually implementing a time tested model focused on eternal truths concerning Human Nature and the Divine. This Classical tradition dates back to the foundations of Western Culture and Christianity, and was the dominant educational model in the Christian West for almost 2,000 years. We aren’t reinventing the wheel or trying something completely new, like most government schools and other modern Christian academies, but rather stand firmly on the shoulders of the countless saints who have walked this Classical road before us. We are confident that enrolling our children in any other educational model would pose a far greater risk to their spiritual and academic health.

The Latin phrase “Virtus Tentamine Gaudet” translates to “Strength Rejoices in the Challenge.” Most children for countless generations have been taught using Classical Christian Education (CCE), the aim of which is not perfection, but rather mastery. Certainly, the curriculum is rigorous, but students who feel the accomplishment of mastering something difficult are much more likely to move onto something more challenging and more likely to enjoy it. Of all your educational options, CCE is the best at cultivating in children the skills required to educate themselves, become life-long learners, and embrace self-mastery. Do not sell your own children short; rather push them to achieve more than you thought possible. White Horse Academy stands at the ready to assist you in this noble endeavor.

Hillsdale College eloquently answers this question and we agree with its conclusions:
”The good of any thing is found in its ability to accomplish what it was created for…to realize its purpose for existence as intended by its maker. Only in this realization can something truly be called “good.” “The good” is possible only in the light of truth. Not truth as it is often defined today, by personal preference or popular consensus, but truth as it is…independent from opinions and emotions. And where goodness and truth exist, there you will find beauty. We were created for a purpose. That purpose is not left to chance or whim, but was determined by our Maker and written in our nature. Our purpose is to seek truth, in order to discover and to act on what is good and beautiful in this life.”

White Horse Academy is a “part time” school. Classes are held five days per week, Monday - Friday, from approximately 8 am to 12:30 pm. This model allows us to set lower tuition rates while also providing sufficient time to provide a quality Classical education.

White Horse Academy targets a classroom size of 15 students. We believe this more intimate environment helps both teachers and students build strong relationships and maximizes potential for educational outcomes.

We believe that parents partner with educators in the instruction of their children and are so called by God ( Eph 6:4). The core curriculum and any new topics will be taught in the classroom by the teacher. Parents will reinforce concepts, help students practice at home, and ideally read the Great Books along with their child, to both model and inspire their children to become life-long learners. This is guided through age appropriate amounts of homework to cultivate a healthy school/family life balance. And unlike many other schools that require parents to submit to a yoke of mandatory “volunteerism”, we instead hope that parents would willingly and joyfully spend time serving their students and their school. So we ask that parents generously give of their time in whatever capacity available.

Just like adults wear “work clothes” when in the office, we believe that school uniforms help provide an intentional transition between home and the classroom. Children more readily shift into a focused learning mindset, leaving behind a more casual home environment. Beautiful uniforms can also elevate the culture and help foster an appropriate level of respect and equality among the pupils, creating a shared sense of belonging and comradery. Additionally, uniforms often neutralize many peer to peer fashion issues that might arise when students do or do not own clothes matching popular trends.

See our Dress Code Policy

Why do Classical Christian schools teach Latin or Greek? Because 60% of English words derive from Latin and Greek, and over 80% of the words in many Romance languages like Spanish and Italian originate from Latin. Therefore, understanding Latin and Greek help students understand their own native tongues better and educate them to recognize the linguistic similarities between many other languages. Additionally, students can gain the ability to read many classical texts in the original words of their authors, including the New Testament writers, St. Augustine, and Aristotle. Latin will begin in upper elementary.

Although your child’s Classical Christian education is on its own a worthwhile investment, cost should not be the major roadblock that forces families to choose an alternative. We strive to make this education accessible to families across the economic spectrum. As a non-profit, our Board is determined to price tuition adequately to cover our lean operating costs, nothing more, nothing less.

The Standard Tuition Rate for 2024-25 school year will be $3,800. This reflects the part time and lower cost nature of our operating model, which allows us to set tuition at less than half of the average private school rate in town.

In addition to standard tuition, families must pay a per student application fee of $25 if their application is submitted before the early admissions deadline of January 15th, capped at $50 per family. For regular admissions after January 15th, the application fee is $50 per student, capped at $100 per family. Once admitted to White Horse, an enrollment fee equal to each student’s first month tuition (approximately $380) is due to reserve your child’s spot in their class, and this fee goes towards their first month’s tuition. Parents can also expect to have curriculum and supplies costs as well as uniform expenses, the amounts of which have yet to be finalized.

As a Faith based organization, we believe Christ has called us to serve and give to those in need. White Horse Academy seeks to award select enrolled families with need-based financial aid scholarships and employee tuition discounts. All assistance is based on availability of funds given to us by generous donors, which are not guaranteed. If you are interested in partnering with us to help further our mission through financing scholarships, please reach out or donate today.

We plan to open the school with grades K-3 in August 2024. Eventually, White Horse Academy will grow into a full K-12 school.

While White Horse Academy leases space from Heartland Church, our school remains a separate non-profit organization. We intentionally do not fall under the ecclesiastical authority or ministry of any particular church or denomination. This independence is crucial to minimize any secondary doctrinal issues that tend to arise in the American church, as well as secure our ability to curate a curriculum and methodology that pursues the full knowledge of God’s created order. We believe the Church’s core mission is evangelism and ministering to the needs of the saints, which is complementary yet distinct from the responsibilities of a Christian School to focus on discipleship and instruction for the children of Believers.

White Horse is proud to one of over five hundred members of the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS), the nation’s premier classical education organization. Their sagacious mentorship and vast resources have been crucial to our solid foundation and future success.
We are also inaugural members of the The Herzog Foundation’s “Schoolbox Network”, which provides us with numerous complementary training and mentorship opportunities.