♦ We've witnessed many things we are thankful for in the 3 years we've been part of the Heritage family.  Foremost are the teachers and administrators who recognize their responsibility to carry out God's plan and who clearly look to Him for their guidance and strength.  This is evident in the prayers they share before school, during school with their students, and prayers shared with parents during parent-teacher conferences.  This Christ-centered impact is seen at home when our pre-k student recites Psalm 23 and other Biblical verses, as well as retells us numerous Old and New Testament accountings of God's promises and faithfulness.

In addition, Heritage's wonderful and caring teachers stress high academic expectations to their  students in response to the talents and gifts God has given His Children.  We've had discussions with teachers who genuinely want your child to be the best thay can be, and even though some discussions can be hard, we've seen their dedication and love for every child reap developmental benefits that boost a child's confidence and eagerness to learn.  Also we've been especially pleased to see the focus Heritage teachers put on leadership development of the young minds they are training.  They truly understand that the future generation needs to be prepared to meet the challenges of the world ahead of them and to face it confidently with God at their side.

                                           Matt & Jen Traetow, North Liberty, IA (Heritage parents)

     ♦ Heritage Christian School has had a phenomenal impact on our family.  Each school day, our children are challenged academically and spiritually.  The knowledge they have gained in these two areas in unsurpassed.  

When our daughter entered Heritage in the third grade, from the public school, she was considerably behind in Math.  Now she is excelling in high level Math and plans to take accelerated classes in high school next year.  Our other two daughters also excel academically and they can count on their teachers taking extra time with them, if they need it, to master a challenging concept.

There are many instances where our children have shown us they are also growing in their faith and Biblical knowledge.  From daily devotions to Chapel service to a Biblical worldview interwoven into all subjects, they are daily challenged to look at the world as God does.  When our second grader wrote an encouraging note to her dad, that included a memorized Bible verse written at the bottom, we knew once again our decision for them to attend Heritage is well worth it.  No matter what financial circumstances may arise, the money we spend on Christian education has always been non-negotiable.  We truly love Heritage!

                                          Jeff & Amy Tackaberry, Coralville, IA  (Heritage parents)

     ♦ Heritage has given me an excellent education that challenges and encourages me to do my best.  Most importantly, Heritage has prepared me spiritually for life.  Coming to the end of my final year here, I recognize and appreciate that, all through my education, Heritage teachers have set an example of a strong, Biblical Christian.  They have encouraged and helped me in my walk with Christ by praying, reading scripture, and teaching me to defend my faith through scripture and reason.  Heritage has been a terrific experience and I hope it will continue growing and become an even stronger Christian presence in the community.

                                          Ellie Wichhart, North Liberty, IA (Heritage student)

     ♦ As the time approached for our first child to enter preschool, we were experiencing a great deal of anxiety obout what school to choose and the potential for negative influences, as well as being concerned if we were doing enough to equip them with knowledge of Christian beliefs, faith and the presence of God in our daily lives.  Independent from this, my sister wanted us to meet a couple she thought we would really like.  When the opportunity came up to go to an event that my sister and this couple were attending, we accepted the invitation to join them, although we didn't know much about the event.  Turned out it was Heritage's annual banquet.  About half way through the evening I whispered to my wife that this school seemed like what we had been seeking.  She enthusiastically agreed. 

Many days of dropping off and picking up have passed with our first and now second child and not once have we felt any anxiety about the life decision we made for our children.  Soon we will have a third child that will attend Heritage.  What peace and reassurance have come from knowing that each day our children are steadily gaining knowledge from a strong educational program and being embraced with the security and truth of Christian teachings.  They are gaining tools for academic achievement, life leadership and eternal reward.  Words can scarcely express how much we appreciate having Heritage Christian School as a loyal partner in developing our children in this regard, because they are being inspired toward future accomplishments and set on a guided path to eternal life.   

                                              Jeff & Amy Schweitzer, North Liberty, IA (Heritage parents)

     ♦ Heritage Christian School has had a huge impact on me.  I've not been to a public school before, but comparing things with some cousins who are in public school, I see that I am blessed to go to Heritage.

I have been challenged academically each year, and for that I am grateful.  In science, I am challenged to wrap my brain around the awesomeness of God's creation.  In math, I am stretched to understand trigonometry or the Pythagorean Theorem, for example.  With literature, my knowledge of vocabulary is always growing with each new reading assigned to us.  As for Bible class, we are taught to critically evaluate stories, principles, and rules that we as Christians are to follow and be able to share with others as appropriate.  Heritage has taught me that, no matter what circumstances I may face in life, God is always there for me and will never forsake me.

Heritage has also provided awesome friendships.  I met my best friend at Heritage's kindergarten round-up.  She was on the swings with her dad, and I walked up to them with my dad.  We were introduced and have been best friends ever since.  I have one more year at Heritage.  I will be sad to leave, but I know this school has prepared me well for high school and I will have loads of great memories about what I've learned and experienced.  Heritage is a place where I would some day want my own children to go, and very, very far in the future, maybe they will.

                                               Mollie Sherman, North Liberty, IA (Heritage student)

     ♦ I have gone to school at Heritage since kindergarten and, just like my three older siblings, will have been a Heritage student for 9 years when I graduate.  Being at Heritage, I have learned about the great world God has made, and I've been able to see His work and purposes throughout history.  My teachers have instilled a great foundation in Language Arts that many of my friends at different schools say they don't have.  I know from our ITBS scores that Heritage teachers prepare us well in all our subjects. 

Ultimately, I've learned about God's truths and sovereignty over all the earth, and about God's laws and His will for my life.  My friends notice the respectful way I treat my parents and that I don't swear.  Some have even mentioned they see me as a role model.  That's a comment that really makes me feel good about my years at Heritage.  My parents and Heritage teachers and other staff have taught me discipline, responsibility, respect for adults, and reverence for God.  I am so grateful that this school has helped me build a strong foundation in God's truth.  With His help, I will be able to stand strong in my faith as I go on to high school and beyond.  Heritage has made an impact on my life that will stay with me forever.

                                                  Eva Mysnyk, Iowa City, IA (Heritage student)

     ♦ We were invited to look at Heritage Christian School by another family that had children enrolled there.  Our two oldest boys were in public school and we were frustrated with many things going on there.  After attending an annual Heritage banquet, we felt pretty strongly that the cost of tuition was going to be worth it to our kids.  We moved our second oldest to Heritage when he was in 3rd grade.  Our oldest was already in 7th grade at the time and we decided to let him stay in public school.  In hindsight, this was a mistake.  Since then, we've enrolled three daughters at Heritage.

Not only does Heritage provide a great environment for the children in their influential younger years, but it also embodies a great supporting community of families, teachers, and administrators who are like-minded and all pulling in the same direction.  It is very comforting to know that our children are not only receiving the best education possible, they are also learning life skills that don't contradict our core Christian values.  To us this is even more important than the exemplary academic environment that Heritage offers.

                                               Robert & Ann Iglehart, Coralville, IA (Heritage parents)

     ♦ Since having our children attend Heritage Christian School for the past three years, we have consistently been amazed at the amount of blessing our family has received.  Our initial desire to homeschool came from our conviction as parents that God wanted us to disciple our kids and raise children who (prayerfully) will love the Lord.  In sending our children to Heritage, we did not feel like we were "handing our kids over" to others, but that we were joining a team of Godly people committed to assisting us in accomplishing our God-given goal of discipling our children for Christ.  Our children's teachers have all had a tremendous impact on their faith in Christ, and have provided us as parents with outstanding support, insight, and encouragement.  They have viewed there position as a true ministry, not just a job -- giving their personal time and going the extra mile for the good of our children.  The administrator has consistently been available to listen to our concerns and supportively communicate that Heritage desires to serve and reinforce parents in the raising of their children.  Although God's plans for our family have turned out differently than we had initially envisioned, His plans have proved to be far greater than ours.  Our children are thriving and our family is encouraged and affirmed in its faith.  We thank God for all the amazing people at Heritage, whom God has used to impact our lives.

                                                   Paul &  Amy Hansen, North Liberty, IA (Heritage parents)

     ♦ So many students in Heritage have been very academically, socially and spiritually prepared for the challenges of high school, college, and the world.  Many have been high school valedictorians, salutatorians, and National Honor Society students and have continued on to highly respected universities.  Several former Heritage students have gone on to serve professionally as missionaries.  I feel that I have been provided with training to carry on and do my best for God in all aspects of my life.

                                                   Timothy Kelly, Iowa City, IA (Heritage student)

When Jon was interviewing at the University of Iowa in the spring of 2004, the availability of a Christian school was high on our list of considerations.  I visited Heritage Christian School and quickly recognized the school's outstanding academic standings and that faculty taught from a Biblical perspective.  This was a huge relief to us as it became a possibility to move from Colorado to Iowa knowing that our children could have an exceptional Christian education.

We are grateful and blessed for the opportunity to send our children to Heritage.  It is affirming to hear them ask questions about Christianity and the world and to know the seeds of faith are blooming.  We hope that by integrating their faith in learning that they will eventually tie their faith into everything that they do and think.  To God be the glory!

                                                   Jonathan & Deborah Doorn, North Liberty, IA (Heritage parents)

     ♦ Heritage Christian School is a very important part of my life.  When I was in kindergarten through second grade, I went to a public school.  My parents decided to enroll me at Heritage at the start of my third grade year.  The first couple months were very difficult academically, but the longer I was at Heritage the better I was learning and progressing.  I am very thankful that, even though I struggled at first, my parents transferred me to Heritage and have kept me here, where I have been nurtured under its challenging environment.  I am excited with the prospect of using the knowledge and critical thinking ability that I've gained here as I continue on with my future years of schooling.

Also, I am so thankful for our Heritage teachers who really care about us and encourage us in our walk with Christ.  Having such an amazing spiritual growth at Heritage will greatly serve me in my everyday life.

                                                     Jenna Tackaberry, Coralville, IA (Heritage student)

     ♦ We first experienced Heritage during the spring of 2005 after moving to Iowa City.  We were struggling with our local public school and the situations that our son was repeatedly placed in.  We desired an environment where our children had the best opportunity to learn, where teachers supported our values, and where Biblical truth was interwoven into every aspect of school life.

Being new to the area, some friends suggested that we look into Heritage Christian School.  Our visit at Heritage went very well, but we still had some reservations: cost; maybe we were over-reacting to the difficulties with the public school; and would Heritage really be that much better?  After much prayer, weighing the options, and many conversations with parents of children enrolled at Heritage, we decided to make the switch.  It is the best decision we have ever made regarding our children's education.  Our two children are in the best possible environment for their educational, social, physical, and spiritual development.

Here's the best news:  Heritage just keeps getting better!  Since joining the Heritage Christian School family, we have seen exciting changes and progressive improvements.  From the hiring of faculty and key administrative staff to the excellent leadership provided by the school board, Heritage is tangibly progressing.  The construction of our new school building, advances in technology, the addition of new educational and extracurricular programs, the accreditation of Heritage by ACSI...this school keeps pushing forward!  But the part that we love the best is that Heritage continues to keep the Bible as the foundation of everything it does and keeps Jesus as the focus. 

                                                    Tom & Suzi Steele, Iowa City, IA (Heritage parents)