20 Years of Taking Every Thought Captive to Christ
Most people who drove by the intersection of Locust Grove and Chinden in 2009 thought that a brand new school was being constructed. Even families who have been here a while are surprised to learn that our school has been around for two decades! In 1994, five families gathered to consider founding a classical Christian school in Boise. The success of Logos School in Moscow, Idaho, had spurred dozens of schools (now up to 236) to open nationwide. Three students in the 2nd grade arrived for class on the first day in the basement of Ustick Baptist Church– all sons of board members. Ambrose (then known as Foundations Academy) hired Wesley Callahan, a leading thinker and author in the classical Christian movement, to write the K-5 curriculum. In 1996 the Academy hired Andrew Kern, co-author of Classical Education: The Movement Sweeping America. Callahan and Kern together shaped much of the school’s curriculum and program. The school grew rapidly, to 35 students its second year and around 70 the third. Adding one grade per year, Ambrose graduated its first class of eight students in 2006. The school relocated to Broadway Avenue Baptist Church in 1996-97 and continued there until 2000, when occupancy issues with the city required the school to move to an educationally rated building. The Community Christian Center in Garden City leased space to the school in its educational wing with around 19 rooms, a science lab, and a gym, placing teachers’ desks in the hallway and using both the library and science lab as classroom space. St. Ambrose Christian High School was inaugurated in 2005 as the school of rhetoric for Foundations Academy. In 2009, after ten years of design and five years of intensive planning and fundraising, the school moved into its own facility. The name of the school was unified to The Ambrose School. In 2005, accreditation was sought from the Association of Classical Christian Schools. To become accredited, a school must be K-12, must teach at least two years of Latin or Greek in the upper school, must require math through trigonometry, and must teach logic and rhetoric (among many other requirements). These requirements make ACCS accreditation difficult to achieve for many schools. In May of 2006, the school was visited by representatives of three larger schools– Schaeffer Academy in Rochester, Minnesota, Westminster Academy in Memphis, Tennessee, and Regents School of Austin, Texas. They approved accreditation in June of 2006. Currently, The Ambrose School has 500 students (K – 12), a waiting list in most grades, and has plans to construct an auditorium and additional classroom space. We can’t wait to see what God has planned for the next 20 years!
Fathers Prayer Group
Please join with us for Fathers’ Prayer! Ambrose fathers meet once a month during the school year to pray for the needs of our school. Won’t you join us? For all Ambrose fathers: We are all busy, yet we are men who know that God’s sustaining presence is critical in our personal, professional and school lives. What is most essential to keeping the Ambrose School on track is prayer. (James 5:16 –prayer of righteous men is both powerful and effective). Please join us on the 3rd Friday morning of each month. Coffee and Chick-fil-A biscuits are provided. All Ambrose fathers are welcome and encouraged to come. The opportunity for prayer and fellowship with other Ambrose fathers will be a blessing to you individually and a great benefit to our school community. 7:40 am – 7:50 am in the library Fresh coffee and Chick-fil-A biscuits and fellowship with other Ambrose men. 7:50 am – 8:05 am Short devotional thought 8:05 am – 8:25 am Open group prayer for specific school needs, plus a time of praise and thanks. 8:25 am On time dismissal to get on the road to work. 2014-15 Dates Sept 19 Oct 17 Nov 21 Dec 12 Jan 16 Feb 20 Mar 13 Apr 17 May 15 Questions? Want to help? Contact: Davies Owens dowens@theambroseschool.org
Back to School Night for all Ambrose parents September 4th
Wow! For 20 years, God has been faithfully providing for our school. Come hear about the ‘State of the School’, what the future holds, and meet the incoming Headmaster, Kirk VanderLeest. You will then be excused to the classrooms to hear from your child’s teacher and learn about expectations and goals for the year. We strongly encourage all parents to attend this night — Thursday, September 4th 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:45 pm) — Learn important updates about The Ambrose School from administration and school board leadership. 7:45 pm — Parents are excused to the classrooms to hear a brief presentation from each teacher (K – 3 will be “open house” style). Childcare is available (please use RSVP button above). K – 3rd grade parents Please attend the main presentation at 7:00 pm. Following this, teachers will be available in their classrooms for drop-in/open house style visits. 4th – 6th grade parents Following the main presentation at 7:00 pm, teachers will offer two identical classroom presentations at 7:55 and 8:25 pm. 7th – 12th grade parents Following the main presentation at 7:00 pm, teachers will offer four identical classroom presentations at 7:55, 8:10, 8:25, and 8:40 pm. CHILDCARE Provided by the Junior class as a fundraiser for their senior trip. Cost is $5 per hour for the first child, $2.50 per hour for each additional child. Please RSVP to reserve a place for your child by Wednesday the 3rd.
Are you new to the school? Come to the Newcomers Coffee
Welcome to Ambrose! This year we have 35 new families at the school and we are so glad you are a part of our family. The Newcomers Coffee is a time to meet veteran parents, talk to the administrators, hear a few words from Davies Owens (Head of Vision and Advancement) and ask questions. We strongly encourage all new parents to come. This year we are offering two different sessions to accommodate schedules. At the Saturday, September 13th session we will have our junior class students available to watch your children. ($5 per hour for the first child, and $2.50 for each subsequent child). We will enjoy coffee, breakfast, and fellowship in the Providence Room at the school, followed by an orientation session in the library. Pick one of these dates: • Tuesday, Sept 9th 8:00 am – 10:00 am • Saturday, Sept 13th 8:30 am – 10:30 am (childcare available from the junior class this day) Kindly RSVP by calling or emailing the office. Let us know which session you are attending, and if you need childcare during the Saturday session.
School starts next week
Let’s get started! This is an exciting year here at Ambrose as we celebrate 20 years of God’s faithfulness to our school. Upper school (grades 7 – 12) begins Monday the 25th; grammar school begins Wednesday the 27th. Grades K – 3 check with your teacher for orientation sessions and the beginning of regular school days. For a more detailed schedule, click here. Be sure to check with the office if you have any questions: 323-3888 or office@theambroseschool.org.
Roll up your sleeves! School workday Saturday, August 9th
It’s time to spiff up the school and get ready for the new year. We would love your help! WHEN: Saturday, August 9th beginning at 8:30 am (Come when you can; stay as long as you can) WHO: Anyone age 12 and up WHAT: There will be both indoor and outdoor projects BRING (if you have them): wheelbarrows, shovels, gloves, pressure washer Please contact Mark Schiebout to let him know you are coming. Thank you for helping us be good stewards!
It may look quiet around here, but…
You might be surprised at all the activity going on at the school during summer. Each year, this is the opportunity to improve, repair, and freshen up. The gym floor is resurfaced, carpets are cleaned, closets are reorganized, weeds are pulled. We’ve also added two new lights for the stage area in the gym that will help provide better coverage for drama and other events going on up front. Students will also get to learn a new control board for the lights that they can program for plays and exordium presentations. We have been blessed with a beautiful building for our children and we want to teach them to be good stewards by modeling good stewardship for them. You can help us by coming to our workday happening in August which will put the final touches on the school before the new year begins. Watch for details in future Office Notes emails. In the meantime, our administrative team is busy rounding up the countless details that go into preparing students and teachers for the upcoming school year so that we can all hit the ground running this fall. Teachers and administrators have been attending conferences and training sessions, and preparing lesson plans and classrooms during their “break.” And don’t forget the upper school retreat! Many hours are spent preparing for this intense 3-day event. All this activity leads right up to the excitement of the first day of school. This year is extra special as we celebrate our 20th anniversary! Watch for some fun and interesting details and memories we will share throughout the school year. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Back to School Picnic set for August 21st
Our annual Back to School Picnic will be held Thursday, August 21st, at 6 p.m., on The Ambrose School field. The picnic kicks off the school year and is the perfect time for K-6 students to meet their teacher, and parents to meet their child’s homeroom parent. You can bring a picnic dinner, or order up from the “Junior Class Grill.” K-6 students meet your teacher. Parents meet your homeroom parent. Bring your picnic dinner or order from the “Junior Class Grill.” To order ahead, turn in your Food Order Form by Monday, August 18th. Orders will also be taken that evening. Bring your lawn chairs or blanket. Upper school families are also welcome! Questions? Call the office at 323-3888 or email office@theambroseschool.org. See you there!
