Fortis Academy’s Vision Statement: “Partner with families to classically educate and disciple our sons and daughters to lead and serve others for the glory of God.”

Our vision statement clearly expresses the purpose of our school, and almost every word of our vision could be expounded upon in a manner that describes how our vision will be accomplished.  One way of describing what we are all about is that Fortis Academy is committed to developing Christian thinkers and communicators.  Everything we do is aimed toward this end. It is a description of what a disciple looks like and it is how we equip our children to lead and serve others for the glory of God.  Every subject we teach adds to the skills and knowledge our children need to become proficient thinkers and communicators (as well as successful in the world and in a position to lead).  Science and math, for example, immerse our students in a world of order and wonder.  They demonstrate a world created and ordered by reason and logic and governed by laws.   The humanities explore the world of ideas, philosophy and faith as students engage in the Great Conversation.  Throughout the whole process, writing and oratory skills are developed.  The goal is for our children to graduate Fortis Academy with the ability to wrestle and analyze everything they experience in life from while examining it in the light of scripture and hopefully from a genuine faith and relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

To understand what this looks like, imagine students reading a book from the Western Canon.  The historical context and the contribution of the author are first discussed.   Next, the primary ideas of the text are drawn out through discussion under the skillful direction of teachers.  The ideas are then wrestled with in the light of scripture while pulling from previously learned knowledge and skills.  Throughout the whole process, the skills of communication are being developed in our children.  Everything is designed and executed in a manner that trains our children to have the ability to meet the ideas and challenges they will face when they leave our homes.  This is far different than having a student read a text, telling them what the primary ideas are, and then having them look up some scriptures on a topic to discuss.  All of those things are good, but they do not work intentionally to fulfill our vision.  We need to know that when our children are confronted with new ideas, that they have the ability to understand and analyze those ideas and know how to do so in the light of scripture.  Only then have we made disciples who will lead and serve others for the glory of God.