Ambrose Parents Learn History at “Back to School Night”
This year’s Back to School Night was a special one. To kick off our 20th year as a school, parents old and new learned The Ambrose School history and saw how God’s merciful providence was at work through all of it. Davies Owens, Head of Vision and Advancement, used real stones to represent each significant moment, much as how Joshua did when he built a monument of stones so the people would never forget the powerful hand of the Lord. From the vision begun back in 1994 by three families, to the “Costco Miracle” (a checkout line conversation that led to a new space in Garden City), to financial struggles and miracles, our first graduating class in 2006, and a beautiful new building in 2009. David Goodwin, Headmaster, and driving force behind the school’s growth for the past 10 years, explained how God worked in his life the last few months to lead him to a new position as president of the Association of Classical Christian Schools beginning November 1. We are all excited to see what David will do to grow the ACCS schools nationally to its goal of 1200 from its current count of 300. The good news is that Mr. Goodwin and his family get to stay right here in Boise and he will remain on the board of directors. Mr. Goodwin recounted that one “fleece” he set out in determining his decision to take the ACCS helm was that a suitable replacement be found for the Headmaster position. There was really only one that David felt confident could take on this task, and that was our current Chairman of the Board, Kirk VanderLeest. Mr. VanderLeest addressed the crowd of parents and assured them that our school remains committed to the vision and the mission, that we are financially stable, and that we have an incredible roster of talent teaching in our classrooms. Mr. VanderLeest hopes to continue to foster an environment where we provide support to these teachers. Says VanderLeest, “The classroom is the crux where grace is given, where learning happens, and where lives are touched.” Mr. VanderLeest also exhorted our entire community to be one that is known for grace and joy. Our new Grammar School Dean, Carl Warmouth, who moved his family from Alabama to come to Ambrose, shared with the parents his excitement at being a part of a school that is well-known and well-regarded in classical Christian school circles. Chris Browne, who has been a part of Ambrose for several years, was introduced as the new Dean of the Upper School as Davies Owens transitions into full-time marketing and development for the school. The remainder of the evening was an opportunity for parents to visit their child’s classroom and hear presentations from the teachers on what they will be learning this year, and how the parents can support their classroom efforts. Back to School Night is a critical event for Ambrose parents to learn more about the goals of both the administration and teachers.
The Upper School Retreat: ‘The Hope in Our Brokenness’
Some of the comments made about this year’s upper school retreat: “Best ever.” “My kids loved it.” “The House leaders really stepped it up.” “The skits were amazing!” “My daughter came home feeling like she is an important part of this school.” At the beginning of the school year, all of our 7th – 12th grade students board buses and head north to spend three days together. The retreat is instrumental in setting goals, orienting new upper school students, and building unity among the school’s six houses (click the link below or watch the video to learn more about our House program). House governor and 9th grade teacher, Anna Gibson, had this to say: “This year proved to be another meaningful and enjoyable upper school retreat at Quaker Hill Conference Center in McCall. Amidst creative initiation ceremonies and fierce Capture the Flag games (of whom the most enthusiastic player was current Headmaster David Goodwin!), the students had the opportunity to hear from their new headmaster, Kirk VanderLeest, and new upper school dean, Chris Browne, as they addressed this year’s House theme of ‘The Hope in our Brokenness.’ It was a privilege to watch students respond to the exhortations they were given, and love and serve each other in a way we haven’t really seen before. To see a house president staying an hour after dinner to sweep the dining room floor is to see true servant leadership in action; nothing is more convincing of the nature and purpose of House. The retreat reflected a new chapter for the house program, which seems to have shifted from the initial phase of creation to a phase of deepening, solidified commitment and intentionality.” At its core, House is about students caring for and mentoring each other, and this year the House leaders worked extremely hard to set an example for their members. Serving and sacrificing as Christ did, even in the face of our current “me first” culture, is contagious among the students as they see this displayed by their student leaders. We as a school are thankful for the many hours of work and sacrifice that these leaders put in, and all the ways they bring unity to our school. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HOUSE PROGRAM AT AMBROSE
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!
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.
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!
The Ambrose School represents Idaho at the U.S. National Mock Trial Championship
The Ambrose School Mock Trial team went 2-2, losing only to the 7th and 8th ranked team at the US National Mock Trial Championship May 8 – 11. The team’s highlight, however, was a scrimmage against the eventual winner of the national title, Seattle Preparatory, representing Washington State. The 2 losses put us in 32nd place. But the real story is the level of competition at the National Mock Trial Championships. “We’ve learned so much in this round; we’re really on a steep learning curve. We’re learning more than we do in a regular season,” said Leah March as she expressed her gratitude after scrimmaging Seattle Preparatory. In Round 1, Ambrose faced Oregon (7) and lost. In Rounds 2 and 3, Ambrose faced the Mariana Islands and South Korea, beating them. In Round 4, Ambrose faced Wisconsin and had two close point ballots that put us squarely in the running. But it was Wisconsin that prevailed. Seattle Preparatory of Washington and North Myrtle Beach High School of South Carolina competed in the final round. This year’s Ambrose team consisted of senior captain Jacob O’Brien and Nathan Pauls as senior attorneys. Veronica Fedorchuk (11th) and Reagan Good (10th) as attorneys. Elizabeth Garner (12th), Cody Dean (11th), and Leah March (10th) as witnesses. Samantha Baran (10th) was timekeeper. The competition takes place annually and represents all but a handful of states (N. Dakota, S.Dakota, Maryland, West Virginia, and Montana). While billed as a civic or government educational program by the Bar Associations of most states, the program is much more. The program trains students in aspects of oratory, rhetoric, debate, and argument. For this reason, classical Christian schools often find Mock Trial an excellent compliment to their formal academic program. Historically, Logos School, a classical Christian school in Moscow, Idaho, has represented the state of Idaho. This was the first time The Ambrose School has represented the state, despite its regular appearance in the Idaho State Mock Trial Finals.
The Annual Spring Music & Art Festival
What we don’t know about the Spring Music & Art Festival is what type of weather we’ll have (this year it was WIND!). What we DO know is what type of music and art we’ll have . . . beautiful! Every musical group in the school (and there are quite a few) performed at this casual evening aimed at giving parents, grandparents, and other students a taste of what these groups do and learn during a typical day. And as you stroll through the school, taking in the various performances, you also get to peruse the amazing artwork our students turn out, which lines the hallways. This evening caps off a year of watching these students grow in skill and discipline as they sing, play, and create to the glory of God.
The Living History Museum
Mrs. Wasdahl’s 7th grade class provided students, parents, and grandparents interactive displays of ancient world history that included skits, demonstrations, examples, and best of all. . .candy! Thank you to Val MacMahon for snapping these great pictures.
