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.
