Spotlight, Fall 2022

The “Passion for Christ” trail of our Tree Tops Campus may be difficult and full of obstacles, but students and faculty take their worries and cares to the cross. This is how we begin our year in sixth grade.

Jefferson Adcock

Jennifer Anderson

James Granberry

Jonathan Helm Josh Ireland

Travis Dunn Vice-Chair

Corey Cleek Chair

St. Paul Christian Academy integrates academic excellence with a passion for Christ to develop a strong foundation for young leaders who uniquely shape the world in which they live.

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear St. Paul community,

The unified start to school after years of the pandemic has been a wonderful breath of fresh air. Focusing this fall on advancing the St. Paul pillars for the blessing of the students and families has truly been a privilege.

With Barna Research confirming that the ages leading up to 13 are the most important in shaping the paradigm of faith for a person, the Passion for Christ pillar at St. Paul has never had more relevance than now. The Rochford Tree Tops campus has brought new dimensions of faith growth for the students. The St. Paul spiritual journey includes milestones each year that reflect the spiritual growth and journey of the student. Expanded resources in the classroom to support the common topics and questions of faith is one example of the many ways teachers are connecting with students in meaningful, faith-supporting ways.

Academically, under the leadership of Kim Jones (Assistant Head of School for Academics and Upper School Division Head) and Amy Nickels (Lower School Division Head), the school is seeing the fruit of the investment of the Center for Student Success to focus our language arts on structured literacy. In Math, longtime veteran teacher Will Mitchell has expanded the horizon by syncing classes behind a multisensory math approach and by creating differentiated instruction for our upper school. The metrics are clear; St. Paul students are distancing themselves from suburban and private school norms.

Because of these investments, St. Paul students are leading in great ways. At one of our primary next-level schools, St. Paul students have the position of class president in three of the four high school classes. Leadership milestones go hand-in-hand with the spiritual milestones as students journey through a capstone elementary leadership experience that results in graduates having vision and passion for stepping out in ways that are fitting for how God has blessed them.

It is truly an honor to invest in this special community daily. Many thanks for your partnership and prayer as we continue to discern how to strengthen the St. Paul pillars for generations to come. The sixth grade chose this theme verse for the year, which reflects my greatest prayer:

“How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.” Daniel 4:3

Amen! Blessings to your family! With Gratitude,

Will Norton Head of School

ST. PAUL MISSIONS

This was the repeated shout of the children at Centro Emanuel school in Cielo, Dominican Republic, as alumni, faculty, students, and family members from St. Paul entered into their community. In March 2022, over 100 people from St. Paul Christian Academy traveled together on a Spring Break trip to the Dominican Republic for a week of service and exchange in Cielo.

Cielo is a city appropriately named. It means “Heaven” in Spanish, and it is surrounded by a beautiful valley of mountains and rolling hills. In this small town just outside the capital city of Santo Domingo there lives an impoverished community of people with no running water, low access to health-care, high levels

of malnutrition, and unsuitable living conditions. Partnering with Mission Emanuel, a Christian missions ministry, St. Paul stepped into this community over Spring Break to help build houses in the greater Cielo community. The students on the trip were also able to sit in on all-Spanish speaking classes, form relationships with the people in Cielo, and learn more about their culture as a whole.

Days began at 9 a.m., with three to five groups working on constructing homes for the people of Cielo. Chi Chi was one of the lead masons for these construction projects, and a great friend to the groups from St. Paul who worked with him. Some groups worked on building the foundation itself, filling buckets with concrete and passing them down a line to pour into the footers. Others worked on top of the foundation to build walls, starting with a layer of cement and building onto it with cinder blocks, repeating this process several times to build height. Usually, these construction projects would last four to six hours of the day.

“We got to work alongside Haitians who have

incredible work ethic, doing construction for twelve to fourteen hours a day,” Will Norton, head of school, said. “It shows their level of endurance.”

While these homes were being built, Norton and some Spanish speakers from St. Paul also did home visits, sitting together with families that Mission Emanuel has helped build houses for in the past. Lelia Jones, St. Paul Receptionist, went on a home visit with some of the Mission Emanuel Staff, and was amazed by the longevity of the relationships the staff members formed with the family living in the home they built in Cielo. Years ago, the staff members that were on the home visit with Lelia had paid for the school tuition of the kids living there, and as a result they are now in college and have opportunities they wouldn’t have known otherwise.

“Even with a language barrier and life differences we can’t imagine, we had an incredible hour of sitting and talking about where those families’ children are now and the opportunities they’ve had because they were able to go to school and stay in school,” Jones said. “It was really awesome how much those people (of the Mission Emanuel staff) loved that family.”

This lasting impact that Mission Emanuel has inside the home was just as present in the Christian school and at the church. Everyone affiliated with St. Paul was able to attend a church service in Spanish, and the fifth grade students and teachers got to sit in on classes in Centro Emanuel. Norton said the students were able to see how the language, attire, and background in the school in Cielo obviously differs from their own, but the missions of both schools and the desire for community is largely the same.

ST. PAUL IN

“The Dominicans because of their physical challenges have a great awareness of their need for God and daily dependency that was inspiring for the American team to see,” Norton said. “I think if there were one verse to describe the trip, it would be the Luke version of the sermon on the mount where he says, “Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the kingdom.”

By the end of the trip, St. Paul helped make significant progress on the building of three homes in Cielo and organized fifteen donation bags with medical supplies, Nashville Soccer Club apparel, athletic equipment, and other valuable resources for the larger Cielo community. As of this year, all St. Paul grades have a Spanish speaking curriculum built into their classrooms, and the goal is to establish an exchange with Centro Emanuel where St. Paul students can practice speaking Spanish with the Spanish students in the Dominican Republic.

Santo Domingo

2021-22 Report on Philanthropy

THE ST. PAUL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY COMMUNITY has surrounded our school with love and support for the past 50 years, and this partnership was on full display as we celebrated our 50th anniversary during the 2021-22 school year.

While the board of trustees and faculty and staff have a long tradition of reaching 100% annual fund participation, 2021-22 is the first year that 100% of parents supported the annual fund – a milestone that is extremely rare in the independent school environment and one that we hope to continue! We are grateful for this demonstration of generosity and believe it represents the strength of our community who, true to the annual fund theme, was All for St. Paul!

In addition, St. Paul surpassed its financial goal for the annual fund and broke a 10-year record for a second year in a row. Support at this level allows St. Paul to offer robust programming for its students, and as a result we were able to add tennis and wrestling programs as well as additional support in the classrooms and generous salary increases.

In total, St. Paul Christian Academy received over $1.5 million in philanthropic support of the annual fund, the 50th Initiatives, and other strategic areas in the 2021-22 school year. Our mission is strong because of the tangible and intangible ways our community comes together, and we are grateful for the meaningful choice that each gift to our school represents. Thank you for your generous partnership!

Giving Day: Thank You!

St. Paul celebrated its inaugural All for St. Paul Giving Day on April 26, 2022. With 103 gifts ranging from $10 to $25,000, a total of $55,869 was raised for the annual fund during this 24-hour effort. Thank you to everyone who participated and a special thanks to the 37 first-time donors who made a gift on this exciting day for St. Paul. Be sure to look for our next Giving Day in spring 2023!

Thank you for your support!

2021-22 Report on Philanthropy

2021-22 Report on Philanthropy

St. Paul enjoyed many memorable moments while celebrating its 50th Anniversary during the 2021-22 school year, and quite notably, the community came together in support of the 50th Initiatives – a group of projects focused on expanding opportunities for students and experiential learning. Thanks to the generosity of 102 donors, over $912,000 total was raised to complete the following projects:

• Development of the Rochford Tree Tops Campus

• New JK/K Playground at Green Hills Community Church

• “Cartwright Climb” Climbing Wall

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• Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse Program

• 2 15-passenger Vans

• Astronomy & Robotics Program

• Legacy Hallway in Kuyper Hall

We are grateful for our community’s partnership, which both honors St. Paul’s history and provides opportunities that will be enjoyed by St. Paul students for generations to come.

Thank you for your support!

PARENT COUNCIL

The Parent Council enhances the life of the school and builds community among parents, teachers, and students. From All Saints Festival to teacher luncheons to the Saint Shop and so much more, scores of parents come together to organize activities and volunteer their time for St. Paul.

The Parent Council’s annual spring celebration, the Saints Bash, was held on March 4 at Saint Elle and brought together over 300 parents for a night of auction fun benefitting Parent Council programming and St. Paul. This year’s Paddle Raise focused on the inaugural Faculty Grant program, which allows St. Paul faculty and staff to pursue professional development, special classroom resources, and curriculum enhancement. The Paddle Raise alone raised $71,000 for the Faculty Grant program and blessed our faculty in tremendous ways.

In addition to the Paddle Raise, through the efforts of the Saints Bash and several other Parent Council activities such as the Used Uniform Sale, the Parent Council made a $100,000 gift to the school – its largest to date – to install a new keycard entry system and other campus security updates and to further benefit the Faculty Grant program.

Thanks to the Parent Council and the generosity of the St. Paul community, every faculty member who applied for a 2021-22 grant was awarded one.

Thanks to the Faculty Grant Program, Katie Holliday (5th grade Language Arts) and Anne Smith (6th grade Language Arts) collaborated on an English and language arts reference book for upper school students which will help standardize the curriculum and will serve as a resource for students long after they leave St. Paul.

2021-22 Report on Philanthropy

The 8th Annual Saints Cup presented by Grove Park Construction was one for the record books! Over 100 current parents, grandparents, alumni parents, and friends gathered at Hermitage Golf Course on October 11, 2021 for a 5-person scramble tournament full of food, fellowship, and friendly competition. The tournament netted $63,000 for financial aid programs at St. Paul – an all-time Saints Cup high. Thank you to the sponsors, golfers, Saints Cup Committee, and parent and student volunteers who joined us for this annual St. Paul tradition.

The following individuals have served as volunteer leaders during the 202122 school year. Thank you for dedicating your time, energy, and talents to the St. Paul mission.

Board Development Committee: Emily Douglas, Chair

Jefferson Adcock Travis Dunn

Faculty/Staff Family Campaign Chair: Will Mitchell

Grandparents’ Day Speaker: Regg Swanson

Parent Council Co-Presidents: Eve Adcock Allison Bailey

Saints Cup Co-Chairs: Travis Dunn Josh Travis

Annual Fund Class Agents:

Jessica & John Anderson

Mandy & Dan Barber

Elizabeth & Charles Barrett

Christina & Ben Burns

Jenny & Chris Camp

Jessica & Kevin Douglas

Jessica & Andrew Dye

Anne-Taylor & Matt Fones

Lynsi & Dan Hatef

Anne & Jim Jenkins

Darla & Scott Johnson

Jaclyn & Erik Larsen

Tori & James Lennon

Anne & Jon Lucas

Kelly & Billy May

Laura & Clay Morgan

Alicia & Robbie O’Bryan

Andrea & Phil Perry

Amy & Christian Pitts

Stacy & Andrew Sartoris Betsy & Lang Wiseman

In a big city like Nashville, there is an abundance of noise. Finding a quiet space to wander in God’s beauty can be difficult with so many distractions. It is easy to forget to rest. With this in mind, St. Paul created an outdoor learning space where students can escape the distractions of daily life and experience the wonder of God’s Kingdom in nature.

In 2008, John Rochford, a former St. Paul grandparent, gifted about 24 acres of forested land to St. Paul. It is adjacent to the Natchez Trace Parkway, about 20 minutes from St. Paul. Rochford is a successful attorney, a real estate executive, and

a longtime friend to the St. Paul community. His donation allowed Will Norton, current head of school, to take his passion for the outdoors and jumpstart the idea that is now Tree Tops, an outside space for learning that will benefit every grade in a unique way.

One of the goals for upper school at Tree Tops is to foster the leadership skills and spiritual roles they are already taking on inside the classroom in a more natural environment. For example, there are several low ropes courses at Tree Tops that encourage teamwork and critical thinking. In the “lean on me” activity, there are two wires that wrap around the base of two trees across from each other. The wires move from a narrow base to a wider one. Students pair up and try to walk from one side of the wires to the other without falling off. There is also a trust fall for sixth graders, and other low ropes like “ship to shore” and “minefield.” After each course, there is a group debrief to talk about why the activity matters and how it relates to having a relationship with each other and with God.

In lower school, one of the main goals of Tree Tops is to give students opportunities to wonder at God’s beautiful creation. There are three stations: birds, freeplay, and a log building challenge.

The bird station focuses on lecture-based learning. Whether it is kindergarteners reading a book about nests, third graders learning the birds of Tennessee, second graders learning animal habitats, or something else, this station caters a basic nature lesson to what each grade already is learning in the classroom. The freeplay station sits on the base of a tree with three large limbs and will include a treehouse with nets and swings. The building challenge station is a cleared area in the forest with different spots for every grade. Some will attempt to build a human shelter, while others might play in an outdoor kitchen or complete an arrowhead hunt.

The details of the Tree Tops curriculum are still in development, but the vision remains the same. Tree Tops is meant to be a place where students can experience quiet. It allows them to learn about life on a smaller level, using binoculars to look at the birds or magnifying glasses in nature scavenger hunts. All the tools are designed to enhance the beauty of learning in the natural world and encourage students to care for the animals and environment in the same ways that God cares for them.

The 2022-23 St. Paul Christian Academy Annual Fund is underway, and we invite you to support St. Paul with an annual fund gift of any size. Your partnership makes a difference at our school, and every annual fund gift supports the mission-focused work of our faculty and staff and bolsters our student experience in robust ways. St. Paul is a one-of-a-kind community. It is easy to see that we are Better Together, and that is why our goal is 100% participation.

Annual Fund Thank You!

Your gift allows St. Paul to invest in our people, strengthen our programs, and sustain our infrastructure. To make a gift or pledge, payable by June 30, 2023, please scan the QR code or visit StPaulChristianAcademy.org/AnnualFund. Thank you!

Your gift allows St. Paul to invest in our people, strengthen our programs, and sustain our infrastructure. To make a gift or pledge, payable by June 30, 2023, please scan the QR code or visit StPaulChristianAcademy.org/AnnualFund. Thank you!

Your gift allows St. Paul to invest in people, strengthen programs, infrastructure. To a gift or pledge, payable by June 30, 2023, please scan the QR code or visit StPaulChristianAcademy.org/AnnualFund. Thank you!

Ashley Larmer alarmer@stpaulchristian.org

Amy Richardson arichardson@stpaulchristian.org

Lauren Hester lhester@stpaulchristian.org

Will Norton wnorton@stpaulchristian.org

ST. PAUL Alumni

PACK THE GYM

Classes of 2017 - 2022

Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023 4-8 p.m. in the gym

ALUMNI RETREAT

Classes of 2018 - 2021 February 24 – 26, 2023 Deer Run Camp

SAVE THE DATE

ALUMNI OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATION

CLASS REUNION

Class of 2017 Sunday, April 16, 2023 St. Paul Campus

We had a wonderful time and beautiful weather while welcoming our alumni and families to campus to celebrate 50 years of St. Paul on the morning of Saturday, April 23.

CELEBRATING THE CLASSES OF 2016

at the Alumni Reunion this spring, as they go off to college and beyond, & 2022 who graduated and began at their next-level schools this fall.

ALL FOR ST. PAUL GIVING DAY

On Tuesday, April 26, we kicked off our first-ever giving day, a 24-hour opportunity for our extended community to show their Saints pride and support the St. Paul Annual Fund.

ST. PAUL MUSIC SHOWCASE

GRADUATION

Class of 2023 Thursday, May 25, 2023 5 – 6 p.m. on campus

Last spring, Caleb LeMarbre, Class of 2021, tugged at our hearts by singing “Known,” and Jenna Peterson, Class of 2018, brought down the house with a sing-a-long version of “Let It Go.”

“I couldn’t help but think of [St. Paul] yesterday as my son, Carter, and Jackson Lefler were inducted into MBA’s Totomoi Honor Society. My heart was so filled with gratitude for the foundation that SPCA provided for Carter and Jackson. St. Paul provided Carter with the academic foundation to excel at MBA and the courage to lead as well as take risks. Jackson also is a National Merit Semifinalist and Carter is a National Merit Commended Scholar. Carter also was inducted into the King Society last year. These young men graduated from St. Paul ready to thrive and glorify God in all they do. We are just so thankful for you all and the entire school!” - Natalie Ozburn, St. Paul Parent and Alumni Parent

CLASS NOTES

Share your news and notes with us! Contact Amy Richardson (aricharsdon@stpaulchristian.org) or submit your information online at www.stpaulchristianacademy.org/alumni

2001

Leslin Ossoff is currently living in Dillon, MT working at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch as the school-based therapist and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She is also the owner and operator of Gumption Longhorn Company, raising longhorn cattle for shows and breeding.

2003

Rachel Kurilko Hosé enlisted in the Air Force after high school and obtained two degrees. She left the military after nine years of service. She now works at Vanderbilt University and was just promoted to team lead in Vanderbilt’s Information Technology department and is also working on her masters degree. She is married and has a 2-year-old daughter.

2012

It is with the deepest sorrow that we share the news of the passing of Luke Knox. The Knox family has been woven within the fabric of the St. Paul community for many years, with older brother Dawson (Class of 2009) and younger sister Lucy James all attending St. Paul. Please join us in prayer for the Knox family during this difficult time.

2013

Carter Cheeseman attends Notre Dame and is on the cross country and track team.

Kendall Dyer is a senior at Auburn University and was recently accepted to Belmont’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program.

Margaret Ann Whitton is president of her sorority, Delta Gamma, at Loyola New Orleans. She has held leadership roles every year and last year was asked to run for president.

2014

Ava Reid Gregory is in the Actor Training program at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts. She will be an understudy in Cinderella at the Pacific Conservatory theatre this fall.

John Sewell is currently studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain.

Class of 2016 Matriculation

Penn Andrews University of Texas, Austin

Brooks Brown University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Sarah Cobb Davidson College

William Cook University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Wills Cooper University of Montana

Eli Davisi Wheeling University

John Dayani Texas A&M

Annabelle Dreher Christopher Newport University

Tiger Dulaney Lipscomb University

Sam Elasy Vanderbilt University

Gus Elliott U.S. Naval Academy

Grayson Follis Auburn University

J.C. Gardner University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Sydney Gardner Florida State University

Charlie Graves Auburn University

Walker Green Vanderbilt University

Eliza Grace Helton Gap Year

Brantley Holladay Pepperdine University

William Holleman University of Georgia

Audrey Hughes Baylor University

Cole Knestrick University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Tyler Laub Villanova

Andrew Lentchner University of Miami

2016

Sara Lowe

Western Kentucky University

Elizabeth Master University of Georgia

Paul McGinn Macalester College

Trent McNair Palm Beach Atlantic

Mackenzie Meyer Boston College

Henry Neck Wake Forest University

Preston Pace University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Lawson Patterson Tulane University

Thomas Powers Sewanee: University of the South

Coleman Roddey University of Mississippi

Betsy Rogers Furman University

Reed Ruccio Tennessee Tech University

Denton Sensing University of Mississippi

Adam Shealy Arizona State University

Sarah Smartt Gap Year

Gram Smithson Furman University

Christian Strom University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

Christopher Summey Tennessee Wesleyan College

Cabe Tachek Louisiana State University

Harrison Taylor Xavier University

Mallory Thomas Miami University

Billy Watson Centre College

Eli Davis received a full scholarship to run track at Wheeling University.

Gram Smithson is playing football for the Furman University Paladins.

2017

Isabella Baldwin holds the trophy after becoming a state champion (individual and team) as well as setting a new state record with Harpeth Hall’s Riflery Team.

Jackson Lefler and Carter Ozburn were inducted into Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA)’s Totomoi Honor Society and recognized as National Merit Semifinalist and Commended Scholar, respectively.

Maddie Meyer was recognized as a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist at Harpeth Hall.

2018

Zeke Stroud was elected the Junior Class President at MBA.

2019

Elias Franks was elected the the Sophomore Class President at MBA.

Caroline Stone met with Nashville Mayor, John Cooper after she designed a winning wallet art kit for Help Heal Veterans hosted by her school, Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet School. Southwest Airlines donated repurposed seat coverings for students to create a design. The kits will be used as a therapeutic tool for veterans.

2020

Izzie Playfair took one of the Wilson Grant finance classes, Wall Street and Personal Finance, at MBA this past summer with about 40 other students. Izzie came in first place in the class’ stock market competition that lasted 8 weeks. Her brother, Lyon Playfair (Class of 2019) placed second.

Ike Stroud was elected the Freshman Class President at MBA.

ACADEMICS

DEAR ST. PAUL COMMUNITY,

It is rare that you find a school that so effortlessly weaves together each of its pillars. Often you find a nurturing environment or rigorous academics. At St. Paul, these two things exist side by side across all grade levels. We begin with our youngest students with our approach to teaching reading. The Center for Student Success implements our Structured Literacy program in the Lower School. Structured Literacy is a scientific approach to reading instruction that reaches each child on an intervention level. It is impossible for a child to go unnoticed with this intense individualized instruction. In addition to reading instruction, our math curriculum and supplemental small group instruction opens the doors of mathematics to every child. Students work in small groups throughout the year and are consistently monitored, from grade to grade, to gauge their progress and adjust instruction accordingly. By the time our students are in the Upper School, they have a strong foundation from this individualized Lower School approach. Students are taught to self-advocate and study well. From third through sixth grades, St. Paul students show a consistently steady growth rate across all standardized testing scores - in Reading, Math, and Quantitative Reasoning. When completing the Educational Records Bureau Comprehensive Testing Program (CTP), St. Paul students in the 4th-6th grades score exceptionally high in Reading Comprehension. These higher scores are attributed to our Structured Literacy program in the Lower School. We are entering our seventh school year of implementing this approach, and we have watched Reading scores skyrocket over these last few years. Our student’s Math scores are increasing as we launch a scientifically based multi-sensory approach to supplemental Math instruction school-wide. We are also continuing to perfect an accelerated math track for our fifth and sixth-grade students who show an increased aptitude for the subject. Each student has the opportunity to learn within a small group setting in Math. In addition to a focus on Math and Reading, we are continuing to develop our Science and Social Studies paths from JK through sixth grade. Our students are eager to learn. Over 96% of our graduating 6th-grade students are accepted into their first choice of next-level schools. As we watch our young alumni progress through middle and high school, they always rise to the top of their school communities. St. Paul provides a strong academic foundation in these earliest years of education. We are constantly striving to instill a lifelong love of learning within each and every one of the young leaders at St. Paul.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of their journey!

Faithfully,

Kim Jones Assistant Head of School for Academics & Upper School Division Head

The arts are an important part of our student experience, providing opportunities to create, compose, and imagine what’s possible from the earliest ages. Through the visual and performing arts, St. Paul students will be introduced to the arts and provided with multiple mediums to paint, draw, play, and perform.

LAX

Our first lacrosse season for boys and girls began last spring.

VOLLEYBALL

Our new coaching staff worked diligently with the girls’ volleyball team, playing over 16 games with two teams this fall.

CROSS COUNTRY

The St. Paul Cross Country team finished as the HVAC runner-up, with Tucker Robbins (6th grade) winning first place in the individual HVAC championship!

FOOTBALL

Football summer workouts now begin in July to give ample time for the team to practice before the season begins.

GOLF

Co-ed golf teams will now be held for even younger students each spring to prepare for the competitive fall season.

Kevin Connelly Athletic Director

Deus in Omnibus or “God in All Things” is our motto. Children are welcomed into a place where we work collaboratively to help them achieve remarkable academic accomplishments and develop their unique gifts to glorify God.

Every teacher at St. Paul weaves spiritual formation opportunities into their daily interactions with students. On Wednesdays, one of our homerooms leads chapel, and this is just one example of how we celebrate God, as the opportunities we offer for students and families to serve are far deeper.

2022-23 THEME VERSE

Selected by the Sixth-Grade Class

“How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.” Daniel 4:3

ST. PAUL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 5033 Hillsboro Pike · Nashville, TN 37215 www.stpaulchristianacademy.org