Bringing biblically rooted education to more families

 

This August marks 45 years since the late Gary and Andy Foss—two respected educators in the Fredericksburg community—answered God’s call to start a school that offered a strong academic program rooted in Christian character and biblical truths.

 

The Fosses opened Fredericksburg Christian School in 1979 in the basement of First Christian Church with 35 students. Since then, the school has grown to graduate an average of 65 to 80 seniors each year, with generations of alumni bringing their own children back to the school to receive the same Christ-centered education that launched them in life.

 

The school today serves students in pre-K through 12th grade throughout the Greater Fredericksburg region, from Spotsylvania, Stafford and the city of Fredericksburg to Caroline, King George and Culpeper counties.

 

All grades are located on a single Spotsylvania campus, complete with facilities for the school’s 31 teams competing in 13 sports, as well as venues for drama, band, orchestra and other fine arts offerings.

 

Throughout its years of growth, Fredericksburg Christian School has remained committed to its founders’ vision of a nondenominational, college-preparatory Christian school where small class sizes allow teachers to educate and connect with every student intentionally, developing each one towards the fullness of God’s unique calling on their lives.

 

A Growing Family

 

Today, FCS is seeing unprecedented demand for the work it does to educate Christian leaders for life. In order to serve that demand without compromising on the educational experience the school has become known for in its 45 years of operation, FCS is adding one class per grade level in its elementary grades for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.

 

After years of having waitlists filled with families seeking a school that would mirror the values they teach at home, FCS hopes that this added capacity will enable the school community to answer God’s call to serve more families without compromising on the student-teacher ratio that is central to its mission.

 

“We will never waver from class sizes of 18 to 20 students because we believe in having an intentional relationship between teachers and students,” said Precious Dyson, marketing coordinator for FCS. “This ratio ensures that students do not get lost, and that if a student has a unique need, we can identify it and provide additional support through our resource teachers and other focused attention.”

 

Dyson said the single biggest factor bringing families to the school today is word of mouth, as current families express their happiness with the school to their neighbors and friends. Other times, prospective families are impressed by both the academic and spiritual development they see in the FCS families around them, and come to the school seeking that same experience for their own children.

 

“We have had a lot of folks come in saying, ‘This family has been my neighbor for 10 years, and I finally figured out what’s different about them. It’s Jesus, and that their kids go to FCS. That’s why I’m here,” Dyson said.

 

If you have a child at any grade level—or are anticipating starting preschool or kindergarten in the next year or two—now is a good time to get to know FCS. Reach out to [email protected] today to start your journey.

 

 

Seeking Christian Educators

 

As FCS adds student capacity, the school is also seeking Christian educators who can carry on its mission of delivering not only a high-quality education, but also the mentorship and biblically informed character guidance that is essential to forming future leaders.

 

Just like its students and their families, FCS sees its teachers as integral members of the school’s strong Christian community. For those who answer God’s call to serve in the formation of students at any level, the school offers incentives and encouragement to help them continue to enhance their skills through the pursuit of an advanced degree or licensure standards. Educators with children enrolled in the school also receive a substantial tuition discount.

 

At a time when American educators are reporting burnout and leaving the profession at record levels, FCS faculty members maintain an average tenure of 17 to 20 years. For some, teaching at the school allows them to rediscover their love of educating, as small classes and a school-wide emphasis on respect and reverence for teachers enables them to stay focused on doing what they’re great at.

 

And as Communications Coordinator Brittany Cooper says, FCS faculty also appreciate teaching in an environment where they can openly share their faith and relate their lessons to the truths of the Bible.

 

“They are encouraged to pray with students, and to minister to students who may be wondering how to accept Jesus into their heart,” Cooper said. “These are really special connections that you just don’t get in other settings.”

 

To learn whether FCS could be the right home for you as an educator, reach out to [email protected].

 

 

Fredericksburg Christian School

Educating Christian leaders for life from Pre-K through 12th grade.

 

Campus: 9400 Thornton Rolling Road, Fredericksburg VA 22408

 

By the numbers:

 

A maximum of 18-20 students per class.

 

Seniors achieve 98% college acceptance.

 

The upper school offers multiple advanced-placement and dual-enrollment courses.

 

A school community representing more than 166 churches throughout the Fredericksburg region.

 

31 athletic teams competing in 13 sports.