Private Academy 'Resurrected' as Christian Home School

by Jim Brown
January 9, 2004

(AgapePress) - A private academy in Mississippi has been converted into a Christian home school.

When Pine Hills Academy in Gloster closed down recently, several parents were reluctant to send their children to local public schools. As a result, the school was reopened as Pine Hills Christian Academy, with a home-school curriculum called "Old Dominion."

Methodist pastor David Brooks, principal of the school, says Pine Hills is very much like a typical public or private school -- except for the curriculum, low tuition, and Christian emphasis.

"The curriculum has a lot of Christian teachings in it," he explains. "I teach Bible to all the different age groups, and we have P.E. We do basically what a [public] school would do, except we are using this home-schooling material." In addition, Pine Hills allows students to learn at their own pace.

Brooks emphasizes that Pine Hills is not a private school, that it is open to anybody who would like to come. "We've had a black family join here, and they are very, very happy with the way things are going," he says. "We hope everything is going to continue to go and grow. In fact, we picked up some [students] after Christmas."

Brooks says he is excited about the school's potential, noting enrollment has grown to 43. Plans include fielding a football team next year.