Last month, we published a blog post about life after attending Wilson Hill Academy. In that post, we shared reflections from Wilson Hill graduates on the impact of a classical education rooted in Scripture.
It is evident from their experiences that our students leave Wilson Hill with a love of what is beautiful, good and true. The disciplines they learn as they study God’s word, read classical texts and learn about our world through the lens of biblical truth equip them to become men and women who live in service of the Kingdom of Christ.
These graduates are a fraction of the many who have left Wilson Hill to lead thriving, God-centered lives. In this second installment of our series on life after Wilson Hill, meet four more graduates who have experienced the enduring value of a classical Christian education.
How did your education at Wilson Hill prepare you for your life beyond high school?
Many Wilson Hill graduates pursue a university degree once they graduate. Annelise, a 2021 graduate, found that the critical thinking skills she learned at Wilson Hill equipped her for success at California State Polytechnic University.
“When I got to college, I was leagues ahead of my peers because I had been taught to think and taught to write in high school,” said Annelise. These skills gave her a distinct advantage as she pursued a highly technical advanced degree.
Many Wilson Hill graduates share similar sentiments. “The rigor, self-discipline, and curiosity cultivated during my time at Wilson Hill prepared me for the most challenging parts of my undergraduate studies,” said Abby, class of 2020.
Another student, Abigail, from the class of 2018, said that in college, she read several of the same classical medieval and modern texts that she studied at Wilson Hill. Because she had read the books before and understood the central issues thanks to classroom discussions, she could fully immerse herself and dig even deeper into the content the second time around.
Aside from academic rigor, Wilson Hill graduates also profess gratitude for habits that were instilled in them through the classical Christian curriculum at Wilson Hill. Abby said that after graduating, she entered college with practical tools to pursue God, which served her well when she attended college in a learning environment that didn’t always support her faith.
“My Wilson Hill Academy courses prepared me for college very well. I was able to build upon the solid foundation of my high school background to succeed in my college-level courses.”
—Abigail, Wilson Hill Class of 2018
How did your Wilson Hill experiences specifically equip you for your career?
Regardless of whether our graduates feel called to university or another career path, their Wilson Hill education prepares them to glorify God and pursue excellence in everything they do.
“I always assumed I would attend university after high school, but due to various COVID restrictions, I made the decision not to attend college at all,” said Campbell, a 2021 graduate. “Instead of going to college, I began working on a construction crew. I dedicated myself to doing my very best on the job, and quickly rose through the ranks to become the youngest supervisor in the company’s history.”
Campbell attributes this success to his Wilson Hill education. The discussion-based literature courses he took enhanced his critical thinking and equipped him with the communication skills needed to be successful in his trade.
Regardless of whether students pursue higher education or immediately enter the workforce, they find that the most useful skills they gained at Wilson Hill go beyond academic knowledge.
What do you love most about what you have pursued since high school graduation?
When students develop a love of what is beautiful, good and true at an early age, their world broadens—transforming the way they approach their studies, friendships, hobbies and faith. Through their education at Wilson Hill, students gain a profound appreciation for biblical truth, and also for classical literature, beautiful art and other disciplines that express what is good in our world.
Campbell shared that his knowledge of classical literature has given him the ability to relate to people in his life, even though his career doesn’t rely on many academic disciplines.
Abigail said that Wilson Hill helped her to deepen her passion for dance and Latin, giving her the tools to continue pursuing both as an adult. “I am grateful for the Lord’s providence in providing the gift it has been to return to disciplines that I love,” she said. “It has also been delightful to come full circle in my journey after Wilson Hill Academy.”
Likewise, Abby said that at Wilson Hill she learned how to invest in relationships in academic, professional and personal settings. These relational skills allow Wilson Hill graduates to become vibrant contributors to academic, professional, social and spiritual discussions.
“My experience at Wilson Hill gave me the courage to initiate relationships with professors in college, which played a crucial role in my personal development as a disciple.”
—Abby, Wilson Hill Class of 2020
Having experienced the fruit of investing in relationships, students like Abby have the relational skills to thrive in the workplace and be a light to their coworkers, while also developing deep and meaningful Christian relationships in their churches.
What are you most thankful for about your Wilson Hill education?
At Wilson Hill, we equip our students academically, spiritually and emotionally. By investing in our students as whole people, we help them form lifelong disciplines that will bless their lives long after graduation.
Annelise, who is a student athlete, says that she is thankful that she learned how to balance a variety of work, academic and athletic pursuits at an early age. Now, in college, she loves the challenge of balancing all the parts of her life and can do so successfully. She says, “It is hard to maintain my grades and a spiritual life and social life while pursuing an athletic career, but I feel well-equipped.”
Abby believes that her time at Wilson Hill gave her a safe space to wrestle through hard questions before launching into the world. She is thankful for teachers that both affirmed and challenged her, broadening her perspective on learning. She says that the lessons she learned have stuck with her to this day and impact the way she interacts with the world.
Many Wilson Hill graduates express gratitude for the training they received that transcended the classroom. They are thankful that in addition to learning to read, write and think critically, they learned habits that have carried them confidently into adulthood and helped them to pursue Christ’s Kingdom above all else.
If you missed part one of this series, click here to read more stories and reflections from Wilson Hill graduates on how their classical Christian education has shaped their present and prepared them to confidently approach their future endeavors.
If you’re interested in giving your own children a Wilson Hill education, registration for the 2024-25 school year is open, and spots are filling quickly. Register today to save their spot.