Have you ever had a job and it didn’t “feel” like work? Some things seem naturally easy for us. Other things take effort and time.
St. Andrew’s School is located where children can learn in a way that seems natural and fun. Speaking of natural, the school is on the campus of a 120-acre working Ranch. The Ranch is home to dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, and chickens. Other animals enjoy the Ranch as their natural habitat. Students studying biology may be extracting DNA from a strawberry one minute, and trying to identify the species of a baby snake another.
Caring for sheep provides a picture of man’s need of a Good Shepherd. Students quickly learn how these animals lack intellect. For their own survival, they are dependent on a caregiver. On the other hand, it is precious to see the excitement in the eyes of a child as they experience the birth of a lamb. Later the lamb shines with a brilliant white coat. This is a reminder that Jesus is the spotless lamb who takes away their sins.
The Ranch borders an 800 square mile treasure – the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With over 12,000 species of plants documented, scientists believe they have only uncovered a fraction of what is there to explore. Ranch students have the ability to be on a park trail from their own backyard. The biological diversity of the area is a playground waiting for students to explore!
Having access to academics in a way the interactively keeps students’ interest allows them to not only succeed, but excel! Creation beautifully illustrates life from the sin of man to the love of God. For a child who has been hurt by the sins of others, seeing that God really does exist and love them is true success.
Click Here to get a view of students learning in their surroundings.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. Their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens, He has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a groom coming from the bridal chamber; it rejoices like an athlete running a course. It rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their other end; nothing is hidden from its heat. The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold; and sweeter than honey, which comes from the honeycomb. In addition, Your servant is warned by them. Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule over me. Then I will be innocent and cleansed from the blatant rebellion. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19
