Kingdom Country Academy - new Christian school to open in Van Alstyne

in August

A dream from 15 years ago is about to come to fruition in August Cindy Stephens and her cousin Karen Love were sitting on her back porch at Stephens' then home in southeast Howe dreaming of starting their owns school It has taken fifteen years, but the two are bringing expertise from each end of the spectrum to blend a public, private, home school system and background into one environment. And the focus is not testing, but rather God.

"It's one of those deals where God has directed us to do this " said Stephens "I would never want to start something like this without His leading, His direction and His support "

Love has her degree in math and teaches at McKinney ISD currently while Stephens' degree is in English and has taught on many different levels and is currently an adjunct teacher at Grayson College Love is public school minded while Stephens has home schooled her nine children

"Fifteen years ago wasn't the right time." said Stephens. "We had parents that needed care and have passed away and lots of things that happened between that thought and where God has brought us "

This past August, Love and Stephens were attending church at Elmont Baptist west of Van Alstyne and once again found themselves talking about that dream After arranging a meeting with the pastor Mark Fletcher to discuss their plans, the dream started to become a reality due to Elmont Baptist Church's willingness to make the facilities available

From then they researched prices between Collin County and Grayson County There are programs such as University Model Schools which they could've chosen to be a part of, but the cost associated was not something Stephens wanted to have to push along for the parents to pay.

"The people like you and me that don't make doctor salaries can't foot a large bill in this day and age " said Stephens

Stephens says that on Monday and Wednesdays they will offer high school classes from 7th grade through 12th grade On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they will offer elementary classes If a family had their students in classes on Mondays and Wednesdays for the entire year, it would cost $3,000 which equates to $300 per month for the school year The same is true for the Tuesday and Thursday schedule.

"It's a Biblically-based Christian school." said Stephens. "That's the first thing. It's about what He wants and it's based on His word."

Stephens, a 1980 graduate of Howe High School and has her masters from UNT in secondary education intended to teach in the public school system She says she has many friends whose kids are in public schools and friends who teach in public schools, but the philosophies have changed so much over the past 30 years, that she wanted an alternative for her children