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Appalachian Christian School(formerly known as AftonChristian) was established in 2001 as a ministry of theChurch of the Blue Ridge. Whitney Critzer, the founder, andpastor of Church of the Blue Ridge had the vision to provideaffordable Christian education to families in Nelson County. Debbie Beaver was appointed Headmistress and the schoolbegan with just 7 students. Due to health complications, Mrs.Beaver could no longer maintain her leadership role. In 2010,Lori Knight was appointed Headmistress and the school wasseparated from the church into an independent 501-c3. Aschool board was appointed and is still overseeing thepolicies and management of the school. About OurSchoolA Brief Story About Appalachian Christian
The Mission010203The VisionAppalachian Christian School seeks to create an environment wherestudents experience a great education inspired by the greatcommandment to fulfill the great commission. Appalachian ChristianSchool is an independent,non-denominationalministry. Its purpose is toprovide a Bible-basedcurriculum taught in aChrist-centeredenvironment. The focus onspiritual and academicdisciplines is intended todevelop students into life-long learners who aredevoted followers of Christ.Christian conduct andvalues are emphasized inorder to aid students inmaking wise life choices.Christ-like decision-making, logical reasoningskills, and creative thinkingare used to help studentsreach their potential anddevelop a Biblical self-image.Finally, students are led todevelop a personalrelationship with Jesusthrough daily prayer andBible study. They areencouraged to find and doGod’s will, to discover theirindividual gifts, and toenhance their abilities insuch a way that would bepleasing to God.Appalachian Christian School is a caring, Christ-centered educationalinstitution that partners with parents in the training of students to loveGod, to value wisdom, to serve others, and to take action in God’sleading and purpose for their life.
Core ValuesGOD-CENTERED: We keep the character,teachings, and love of Christ central in thecurriculum, activities, and policies of theschool.Love01BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW: The Living Word ofGod is the lens through which we perceiveour world. Without it we are distortingreality. We affirm devotion to God andobedience to his word as the vine fromwhich character and godliness grow.Learn02COLOSSIANS 3:23-24 PERSPECTIVE: Weemphasize a Christ-glorifying outlook onwork by training students to have a positiveattitude and demonstrate the Fruit of theSpirit in their work. We encourage studentsto put others ahead of themselves and tobe mindful of whom they are representingin their labor. Students are reminded toconsistently work with honesty anddiligence. Ultimately, our goal is to trainstudents to work to the best of their abilityand trust God for the rest. Labor03SERVICE: We promote and model a life ofservice to God and others as the road toblessing and fulfillment. RELATIONAL: Wevalue one another as God’s gifts andrecognize that we are most fully the bodyof Christ when we contribute, encourage,and honor one another through lovingservice.Lead04
Meet OurSuper Team!We view teaching as a high calling. Ourministry team consists of talented Christ-followers who are dedicated to trainingand developing students to impact theworld for Christ.Our success -- the people we employ
Leadership & DirectorsLori KnightHEAD OF SCHOOLAnnie Morris LOWER SCHOOLPRINCIPALEmily KaiserDIRECTOR OFOPERATIONSJoAnne ShirleySCHOOL BOARDPRESIDENTKristy HaneyTLC PRESCHOOLDIRECTOREric MorrisSPIRITUAL LIFEDIRECTORLauren TempleDIRECTOR OFACADEMICSMike GoodmanDIRECTOR OFATHLETICS
Appalachian Christian is a comprehensive privateschool enrolling 164 students in grades K5-12. Theschool opened in the fall of 2001 and graduated itsfirst senior class in the spring of 2005. AppalachianChristian School holds membership in the Associationfor Christian Schools International, Virginia Council forPrivate Education, and most recently VirginiaAssociation of Christian Athletics.2023-2024ACS ProfileAppalachian Christian School serves the educational needs ofNelson County, Albemarle County, Augusta County, andWaynesboro City. The student body is culturally diverse with apopulation that is 11% Black/African American, 3%Hispanic/Latino, 4% Asian, 2% Native American, or Alaskan Native.The CommunityThe academic year is 36 weeks in length, encompassing twosemesters, each with two grading periods of nine weeks. Theacademic program for the upper school is organized on acombination of blocks and traditional schedules. The DualCredit Program enables juniors and seniors to enroll in freshmancourses and earn college credits as well as high school creditsat local institutions of higher education. Students must meet theentrance qualifications of the selected college in order to beenrolled. Students must maintain a high school GPA of 3.0 inorder to receive dual credit. Dual college credit classes taken atinstitutions of higher education are weighted by one point. AP®courses are not offered. Students who work independently onAP® course requirements and receive a score of three or higheron the AP® exam will receive class credit weighted by one point.The CurriculumThe School
Appalachian Christian School has experiencedsignificant growth over the past several years andin response to that growth, in 2022, we began theschool year with two separate campus locations. The Lower School campus hosts our K5 - 6th gradestudents and our Upper School campus providesclassrooms for our 7th - 12th grade students.The Student BodySchool Dress Code PolicyACS observes a dress code policy that creates an atmosphere ofunity, equality, and mutual respect. The incorporated policyoffers a variety of choices, but still allows our students to reflectour collective combined values and represent the values of ourschool to the greater community. The school colors are red, white, and blue. Bottoms (skirts, shorts,and pants) are to be blue, khaki, tan, red, or white. Shirts are tobe white, red, light blue, royal blue, or navy blue.The general standards are: Pants are to be size appropriate and twill or cotton fabric (nojeans) Hoodies/sweatshirts/fleece are only acceptable if they areschool logoed or are adorned with a school patch and inschool colors. Hats may be worn outside only.Winter coat and jackets do not fall under the mandatoryuniform guidelines, but cannot be worn indoors.Shoes should be chosen with child's safety and comfort inmind. No heels, flip-flops and sliders allowed.
Post High SchoolPlacement4 YR College/University47.6%Workforce19%Comm. College14.3%Military/Technical14.3%Missions/Gap YR4.8%
Graduation RequirementsIn addition, each student must complete a 56-hour community service graduation requirement. Students are also required toparticipate in a missions trip during their high school years (9-12). The missions trip is defined as “out of your local community”where the student is dedicated to service without pay for a minimum of 3 days, 8 hours or more per day, excluding travel.22 creditsModified Diploma26 creditsStandard Diploma30 creditsAdvanced Diploma
Colleges/UniversitiesAttended by ACS GraduatesBlue Ridge Community College James Madison University Liberty University Mary Baldwin UniversityPiedmont Virginia Community CollegeSouthern Wesleyan University University of VirginiaVirginia Commonwealth University
ACS Team Sports We have a variety of after-school sports available forstudents in grades 6th-12th. We have three sports seasons:fall, winter, and spring. We were recently accepted into theVirginia Association of Christian Athletics (VACA) athleticconference and compete against local private schools, aswell as a few public schools. We encourage studentparticipation. P.E. credit is given to students who participatein our High School sports program.
Extended MinistriesThere are various after-school classesavailable for students at ACS. We usuallyhave 3 sessions throughout the year. Classesrange from art, music, gymnastics, and more. We also coordinate a summer camp forchildren ages 5- rising 6th graders at ACS. This is a safe, fun learning/playing experiencefor students in a Christian environment.Check out some of the additional programs we offer:
2024-2025 Tuition RatesHow to pay?Need help?K5$6,376 yearly / $532 monthlyElementary: 1st - 5th Grades$6,562 yearly / $547 monthlyMiddle School: 6th - 8th Grades$6,747 yearly / $563 monthlyHigh School: 9th - 12th Grades$6,994 yearly/ $583 monthlyThe 2024-2025 monthly fee schedule begins August1, 2024 – July 1, 2025. The first month’s tuition fee isdue on or before August 15th, 2024. Payments areaccepted through online credit card processing andautomatic bank transfer. Families may also paythrough traditional methods of cash and check inthe office.A yearly financial aid process is available throughthe FACTS Management Company (FACTS)application process. The FACTS application fee ispaid directly to the agency. Families must reapplyevery year. Submitting an application does notguarantee approval of financial assistance. Allallocations are based upon available financial aidfunding and financial need.
ACS was founded and continues to operateupon biblical values and the desire andcommitment for all families, regardless of theirbackground, to have the opportunity to enrolltheir children in an intentionally Christianenvironment. ACS seeks to enroll students whoare willing to support the school’s philosophy ofChristian education, student conductrequirements, the school’s policies, and thosewhose parents are willing to allow their childrento be educated and influenced in anintentionally Christian environment. Continuedenrollment at ACS is contingent upon this sameunderstanding and support by both the studentand parents.AdmissionsUnified Community ACS is a religious institution providing an education in a distinctlyChristian environment, believing its biblical role is to work inconjunction with the home to mold students to be Christ-like. Onoccasions in which the atmosphere or conduct within a particularhome or the activities of the student are counter to or in oppositionto the biblical lifestyle the school teaches, the school reserves theright, within its sole discretion, to refuse admission of an applicantor discontinue enrollment of a current student. This includes, but isnot necessarily limited to, supporting sexual immorality, genderidentity different than the birth sex chromosomal level; promotingsuch practices; or otherwise the inability to support the moralprinciples of the school (Leviticus 20:13a; Romans 1:27; Matthew19:4-6).Biblical Lifestyles StatementAppalachian Christian School stands firmly upon the historical truthclaims and moral foundations of Christianity. This includes, but is notlimited to, the biblical definition of marriage, the attendantboundaries of sexuality and moral conduct, and the clear biblicalteaching that gender is both sacred and established by God’sdesign. Parents or legal guardians, who choose to enroll their childrenat ACS, are agreeing to support these and other basic biblical valuesderived from historical Christianity. Parents understand and agreethat ACS will teach these principles and biblical values. Non-Discrimination PolicyACS admits students of any race, color, or national origin to all therights, privileges, programs, and activities made available tostudents at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis ofrace, color, national, or ethnic origin in the administration of itseducation policies, admissions policies, athletic teams, and anyother school-administered programs.Christian & Non-Christian Enrollment
EnrollmentProcessSchedule a TourWe would love to invite your family to visit ourfacility. Take a tour and explore our classroomsand multi-building educational campus. Allvisitors and parents should check in at theDebbie House (the brick house located next tothe playground) where our administrationoffices are housed. Complete Online ApplicationAccess the application link using the QR code orvisit www.apply.acstrailblazers.com. In order toactivate your application, pay the application feeof $100 per student with a maximum fee of $200per family. At this time it is helpful to request acopy of transcripts along with teacherrecommendations in English and Math.Schedule AssessmentStudents entering K5-12 are required to takeassessment tests. The tests focus on reading,spelling, and math. Entrance assessments arefor informational purposes and aid inplacement levels within the grade.Family InterviewFamilies are required to meet with the schooladministration before being approved forenrollment. Students entering grade 6 andabove are also included in the interview andasked to complete a student questionnaire. Step 1Step 2Step 3Step 4
Our Early Education ProgramTrailblazer Learning CenterTrailblazer Learning Center is anaffiliate of Appalachian ChristianSchool. Our teaching approach,combining a balance of bothstructure and creative hands-onlearning, sets the stage for studentsuccess in Kindergarten and beyond. You will find our center to be a greatplace for your child to grow.
ACS VIP FellowshipAppalachian Christian School is blessed to have aparent run volunteer organization - the VIPFellowship committee. This committee helps supportthe students, faculty, and staff at ACS on a regularbasis by Monday “Prayers on the Porch” and lunchcoverage. They also assist with special events likeice cream socials, Grandparent's Day, family funnights, parade planning, Tissues & Tea, and so muchmore.To get involved, contact vip@acstrailblazers.com.
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Give us a call!Address320 Maple Ave., Waynesboro, VA 22980Telephone540-456-6853 Websitewww.acstrailblazers.com Great Education inspired bythe Great Commandment to fulfillthe Great CommissionWe look forward to meeting you soon.