NUNTIUM
Iron Sharpening Iron: The Fruit of Learning Done Together
Proverbs27:2“Letanotherpraiseyouandnotyourownmouth;someoneelseandnotyourownlips ”
As Christians we are designed by the Triune God for community This year, I witnessed the fruit of learning done together, comrades side-by-side, iron sharpening iron, where friendships were deepened, relationships with godly role models were formed, humility was practiced, and each child’s learningenrichedandtheirsoultilledtodiscernandemulatetheGood,TrueandBeautiful
AsIgreetourstudentsandwalkourhallseachday,Iseeboys,girls,youngmenandyoungladieswho work hard as unto the Lord, not for the praise of men. I see students who study to show themselves approved unto God, working not out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but to honor God in their attitudesandactions
JustasIdidonAwardsDay,Iwouldliketocommendeachofourgradesforgrowinginvirtue:
Kindergarten – Self-control. You have become alert and self-controlled whether it’s waiting at the bathroomsorforaplaygroundswingorforyourteacher
FirstGrade–Respect. Youshowrespecttoyourself,toyourfriendsandyourteachers
SecondGrade–Purity. Youhaveapurityofheartthatisshowninyouractions
Third Grade – Self-discipline. You have acquired discipline and prudent habits, doing what is right andjustandfair
FourthGrade–Joy Youarefilledwithsmilesandlaughter,purejoythatcomesfromtheHolySpirit
FifthGrade–WillingnessandAbilitytoWork You have worked hard all year, working with all your heartandsoul,notcomplaining,butworkingfortheLord.
SixthGrade–Perseverance. Youhaverunwithperseverancetheracemarkedoutforyou.
SeventhGrade–Responsibility. Youhavelearnedresponsibilityandtocarryyourownload
EighthGrade–Grace. Youhavegrowningrace,learningtotreatothersnotastheydeserve,butasGod treatsyou
NinthGrade–Contentment Youhaveshowncontentmentinanyandeverysituation,goingwiththe flow,together
TenthGrade–Faithfulness FaithinGodhastakendeeprootandgrowninyourheartsthisyear
Eleventh Grade – Steadfastness. You have not wavered even in the face of difficulties in your commitmenttoGodortheschool
TwelfthGrade–Hope You are growing in hope and hopefulness as you learn what Paul talks about thatsufferingproducesperseverance,perseverance,character,andcharacterhope Andhopedoesnot disappoint!Yourhopefulnessforthefutureencouragesallofus!
Well done, students! I am proud of how you make Providence a reflection of Christ. As we depart for summer break, it is my most heartfelt prayer that you will clothe yourselves with these virtues today and every day We joyfully anticipate your return in the fall, where we will focus on a posture of humilityaswegoabouttheworkGodhasgivenus.Excelsior!(Everhigher!)
From the Head of School
HEAD OF SCHOOL
IRON SHARPENING IRON: THE FRUIT OF LEARNING DONE TOGETHER
CLASSICAL EDUCATION
THE CHIEF END OF EDUCATION: VIRTUE AWARDS DAY
SIMPLY PROVIDENCE
SPOTLIGHT
MRS DANIELLE RUSSO JOINS ADMINISTRATION
FLAG FOOTBALL: GROWING CHARACTER THROUGH SPORTS
SCHOOL LIFE
STANDARDIZED TESTING HIGHLIGHTS
GRADUATION & CLOSING CEREMONY
CEBRA’S CORNER
PROVIDENCE: A FIRM FOUNDATION
UPCOMING EVENTS ATHLETICS
The Chief End of Education: Virtue
Mr JacobStiling UpperSchoolTeacher
“Why do we study Latin?” It is a question we endure frequently: sometimes from parents, sometimes from children, and sometimes as classical educators ourselves, if we are being completely honest One reason, which is embodied by some of our alumna, is the enjoyment of reading beautiful and rich texts in their origin language, such as The Aeneid. C. S. Lewis, in his titular lecture “The Weight of Glory,” uses this metaphor as a means to describe the Christian life in light of eternity. We endure self-discipline, habitual practice, and ultimately virtue here on earth so that in heaven we may receive the glory of being enjoyed by God
In other ways, the virtue we embody and practice now prepares us for heavenly pleasures that may not satisfy us if we are “too easily pleased with mud pies ” Virtue is necessary for our love of neighbor, and our love of God But it is ultimately through virtue that we are blessed, or flourish, as the man in Psalm 1 is described. In our blessedness, we embody the image of God fully In doing so, we get to present ourselves to a God who is pleased in His handiwork. In being pleased and enjoyed by our Creator, we hear the words “Well Done,” which will get to echo in our hearts for all eternity, thus allowing us to enjoy God as he intended
“We understand that as classical Christian educators, the chief end of our role is to likewise cultivate virtue in the hearts and lives of our students so that they may glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
This year at Providence, as with every year, we desire virtue for each of our students. We understand that as classical Christian educators, the chief end of our role is to likewise cultivate virtue in the hearts and lives of our students so that they may glorify God and enjoy Him forever We also understand that all we can do is cultivate. We plant, water, nurture, weed, and attend, but ultimately it’s God who gives the increase
Furthermore, we also strive to live as a type so that our students may imitate us, as we imitate Christ We must give a body to these virtues we teach, and in doing so provide the example for each of our students that they may see the virtue lived out. Discussing in the abstract is important and necessary, but also acting in a virtuous way is necessary so our students can better embody as they imitate us.
To conclude, as we head into the summer holiday, let us remember and apply Paul’s command to the Christians in Philippi: “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you ” As Dante writes: “in God’s will is our peace ” We therefore can only achieve peace, and freedom, by living virtuous and godly lives
SimplyProvidenceCelebratesGodlyCharacterat
Simply Providence closed out the school year with its second annual awards ceremony In memory of Jimmy Ferebee, the late husband of former Simply Providence teacher, Lori Ferebee,eachstudentreceiveda“FerebeeFamilyCharacterAward”
Lori Ferebee and Principal Danielle Thompson initiated the tradition of a character award at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year, while Jimmy designed and printed the certificates It was a great privilege to honor their family as the tradition continues Students and parents were grateful to have Lori and her daughter, Laura, present with us forthe2025awardceremony
Teachers prayerfully chose a godly character that each student exemplifies and selected a Scripture verse to accompany their given word Students received their certificates with joy and a sense of accomplishment as they were reminded of the most important purpose of any great endeavor: to be shaped and molded into the likeness of Christ Their hard work and perseverance this past school year helped them achieve much academically, flourish spiritually,anddevelopemotionally
It is our hope and prayer that they will continue to know God, love Him, enjoy Him, and glorifyHimallthedaysoftheirlives.
Simply Providence Teachers Kayla Madden and Jett Buskirk award Mandy Eiff with the Worshipful Award
SPOTLIGHTAdministration
Mrs.RussoNamedAssistantPrincipal,Upper School
Year15ineducationwilltakeonadifferentlookforMrsDanielleRussoAlreadyawell-lovedand respectedteacherintheupperschool,MrsRussowilltakeherstrengthofexperienceinanew directionassheassumestheroleofassistantprincipal.
Mrs.RussohadalreadysensedastirringfromtheLord,thatHewaspreparingherforsomething newWhenProvidenceClassicalSchool’sadministrationapproachedheraboutbeingtheassistant principalforthe2025-2026schoolyear,shewasexcitedtohavetheopportunitytogrowinthisarea ofleadership“IloveProvidenceClassicalSchool,andIwanttohelpstrengthenandmaximizethe thingswedohere,”sharesMrsRusso
MrsDanielleRusso,AssistantPrincipal,Upper SchoolandUpperSchoolTeacher
Mrs.Russo’sresponsibilitiesasanassistantprincipalwillincludeadministrativedutiesaswellas disciplineintheupperschool.Sheisthankfulforthepastfouryearsofrelationship-buildingwith faculty,students,andfamilies,whichwillenhancehereffectivenessinthesenewareasofworkAs anassistantprincipal,sheislookingforwardtorefiningherleadershipstyleasanadministrator“I believethatstrongleadershipisbuiltonconsistency,clarity,andrelationships,”remarksMrsRusso
WhatalsohasMrsRussoexcitedaboutnextschoolyear?ThefactthatshewillstillbeteachingPreAlgebra,AlgebraII,andGeometryforaportionoftheschoolday.Herloveofteachingremains strong,yetanothercharacteristicthatwillmakeMrs.Russoanexceptionalassistantprincipal.
Flag Football: Growing Character Through Sports
The 2025 Flag Football Team showed grit and strength, working together to finish the season with a winning record. Head Coach Mr. Tim Hill and Assistant Coach Mr Brian Lahr led 11 talented students to compete in the CGAA Conference, and Athletic Director Mr Brandon Eiff was more than pleased with the results. “Coach Hill instilled character, hard work, integrity, and a commitment to representing Christ in all aspects It was a pleasure to watch them compete,” remarked Mr Eiff “Camaraderie, sportsmanship, teamwork, commitment, and overcoming obstacles are all things that add to the mission of Providence. Many of these things can be found in abundance on the playing field and allow for easier adaptation in the classroom ”
Eighth grade student Lucas Borders was a strong competitor on this year’s team "I loved the excitement and challenges of the game,” shared Lucas, who is always enthusiastic to talk about flag football. He not only has a great love for the sport, but he also has respect for his teammates “Some of the strengths of our team were our excitement and energy Those strengths gave us the ability to make comebacks and to not give up, even when teams were challenging.” What Lucas shared is persuasive evidence that win or lose, the flag football experience was indeed a success in our school’s effort to develop young men of virtue
Pomp and Circumstance
The strong burst of the bagpipes’ fundamental filled the sanctuary, signaling the start of the Providence Classical School 2025 Graduation Ceremony Heads turned in the crowd as the faculty processed down the aisle, shoulders back and hearts filled with joy at the auspicious nature of the occasion Five Junior Marshals followed, and then with the transition from Scotland the Brave on the bagpipes to Pomp and Circumstancebypiano,thegraduatingclassof2025enteredthesanctuarytotaketheirwell-earnedseatsonthefrontrow Theentirestudentbodyplayedaroleinthisyear’sgraduation,asupperschool and lower school choirs, Simply Providence students, and the ensemble choir led in worship through song. Parents and visitors smiled with delight as every student recited by heart this year’s theme passage, Romans 12:9-21 Salutatorian Adah Lambert shared an uplifting speech that highlighted the hallmarks of a classical education, while Valedictorian Jacob Wood developed a theme of faith and family as he shared his testimony of God’s work in his life Rock Hill City Manager David Vehaun delivered the final speech, an addresstailoredtothegraduatestoinspirealifetimeoffaith
After diplomas were dispersed and tassels were moved to the completion side of the mortar boards, Providence Classical School’s newest graduates walked the aisle for the final time and were quickly joined by friends and family for tearful celebrations One Providence teacher leaned over to the bagpiper and thankedhimforhiscontributiontotheevening’sfestivities
“It was certainly my pleasure,” returned the musician “Lord willing, I’ll see younextyear.”
Indeed, Lord willing, as the faculty and staff now prepare for the next class of youngscholarsatProvidenceClassicalSchool
2025 Providence Classical School Graduation
The 2025 graduates: Elizabeth Kiehn, Adah Lambert, Maya Losee, Micah Thompson, and Jacob Wood
Head of School Mrs Adrian Swain and Valedictorian Jacob Wood
Music Director Ms Virginia Kate Kirby directs the Lower School Choir during Graduation & Closing Ceremony
Mr David Vehaun, Rock Hill City Manager, delivers the commencement address
Salutatorian Adah Lambert delivers the Salutatory address
The Results Are In: Providence Students Produce Outstanding Test Scores
While the measure of a classical Christian education is not standardized test scores, Providence students have once again produced outstanding results this school year. These scores are a credit to the rigor of the content-rich curriculum offered at Providence Classical School, and give reason to honor our students and teachers for living out the standard of Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (ESV)
PSAT/SATScores
Providence average scores remain consistently higher than national averages in every testing category by test and grade level. This year, 81% of our SAT test takers scored above the national average, and over the last 5 years, 93% of Providence students have tested above the national average. In addition to outscoring national peers, our students also bested themselves, with 89% of Providence students increasing their College Board test score from last year.
NLE(NationalLatinExam)Scores
More than half our students scored above the national average, 31% scored at or above the 75th percentile, 11% scored at or above the 88th percentile or higher, and one Providence student earned a PERFECT SCORE!
IowaAssessmentScores
Providence administers the Iowa standardized test to all students in grades K-8 and once again, all classes averaged well above grade level.
The scores below indicate the grade level at which our students are performing. For instance, a score of 8.5 indicates that a student is performing at the level of a student midway through his or her 8th grade year Important to note is the shift in grades 7 and 8, where our students begin to test offthe-charts.
Our students are demonstrating the effectiveness of a classical education: building a foundation of knowledge in the Primary and Grammar stages, and applying that knowledge in the Logic and Rhetoric stages of Upper School
2024-2025 Standardized Test Results
Sophomore Nick LaSala
REMINDERS & UPCOMING EVENTS
Sponsor Nuntium
JUNE Corner
JULY
AUGUST
TEACHER
AUGUST 4-8
PARENT ORIENTATION & MEET THE TEACHER
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7
FIRST
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12
DRESS
SEPTEMBER
BACK
Providence: A Firm Foundation
Our 2024-2025 standardized test results are in and as I reviewed the results, I can say that I am not surprised at the scores I am so very proud of our students and the work that they have accomplished during this school year Our students averaged well above their grade levels and these results display the hard work, robust curriculum, and academic standards we strive for so winsomely here at Providence Classical School.
As I reflect upon this last school year, and pour over the results of our Iowa, PSAT/SAT, and National Latin Exam results, the words of Christ in The Book of Luke come to mind: “He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built” (Luke 6:48 ESV)
You see, our classical Christian education is much like the construction of a house built on a solid foundation In the Primary and Grammar years, the solid foundation is builtplumb, square, and level - founded on the tried-and-true principles that have educated well-spoken, intelligent disciples and citizens for generations. Then, in the Upper School years, the building is erected upon that solid foundation Here students apply all they have learned in the Logic and Rhetoric stage of their education They have learned how to think in a logical and orderly fashion and articulate themselves eloquently and with purpose And at Providence, all three of these stages have been rooted solidly in a biblical worldview.
Standardized testing, while an excellent mark of the progress that our students are making compared to other students around the country, simply doesn’t fully reflect the fullness of our classical Christian education, the depth and breadth of the good that is happening within the walls of this institution, the understanding of the marks of a true Christian (as our school verse Romans 12:9-21 did this last year), or the appreciation for and love of the good, true, and beautiful that we seek to cultivate in our students
As our school year comes to a close, I remain ever so proud of our students I pray you have a restful and enjoyable summer, and I look forward to seeing you in August!