KEEZLETOWN, Va. — Redeemer Classical School unveiled its school song at its spring program last week, a fitting tribute to the school’s ten-year anniversary. The new song was performed by 23 students from the school’s 3rd, 4th and 5th grades with piano accompaniment. The music is an original composition by teacher Nathan Whittaker and the lyrics, written by teachers Whittaker and Anne Merrin Clemmer along with sixth-grade student Anna Phillips, encapsulate the school’s mission:
Nestled in the valley,
in shade of noble pines,
the Griffins seek God’s wisdom
to share with all mankind:
The Good, The True, The Beautiful!
Praise Redeemer, our Redeemer.
“I was honored to be asked to write the school song for Redeemer Classical School,” Whittaker said, “especially during our 10th Anniversary. It is important for us to have a song that reminds the students and teachers of who we are and what we stand for as a school.”
Founded in 2004 by a group of parents, Redeemer Classical School is the only school in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham County area that offers a classical curriculum. Teachers encourage students to see the “big picture” by studying history, literature, art, theology, Latin, logic and rhetoric, math and science. Homework and project work emphasize self-reliance and a love of discovery and learning. The overall goal of the program is to develop both wisdom and eloquence in students; both the humility of Christian character and the skills of sound thinking and persuasive communication.
The K-8 school has grown steadily over the past ten years, and found an ideal physical home in the old Keezletown School building in 2008. Seventy-eight kindergarten through seventh grade students are currently enrolled in the program, but the faculty is preparing to greet its largest student body yet—98—for the 2014-15 academic year. Academic Director Teresa Patton has also announced that the school will feature a 4-year-old preschool program for the first time next fall.
For more information about Redeemer Classical School or classical curriculum, please visit the school’s website at www.redeemerclassical.org, or contact Academic Director Teresa Patton at (540) 437-0880 to schedule a visit or meet with faculty.