Sojourn Academy

Posted: May 11, 2018

Sojourn Academy is an amazing school with amazing teachers who truly care about each and every child. The faculty and staff feel like family, and the Christ centered classical education can't be beat! If you have been searching for the best private school for your family, look no further. Sojourn Academy is hands down the best!

Posted: May 11, 2018

Posted: May 11, 2018

Posted: May 11, 2018

Posted: May 11, 2018

Posted: May 11, 2018

Posted: May 11, 2018

Posted: February 8, 2017

Our family has been with Sojourn Academy (formerly Oak Ridge Christian Academy) for 7 years now. Although it lacks flashy facilities, you would have a hard time finding a school that provides a better depth and breadth of education as Sojourn Academy provides. Moreover, this school does an exceptional job of assimilating all facets of Christian instruction (creeds, basic doctrine, and virtues that are biblically anchored and historical with the church) into the academic curriculum, and fostering Christian character in our children. My children are being given a comprehensive education that far exceeds what I was provided in my public education experience, and based on my experience as a graduate of a private university, they are being equipped to excel in whatever they choose to pursue at any college they desire. Maybe even more important is that the school and all of its members are like extended family. What a joy it is to learn -- and how much more you can learn -- in an environment where you are emotionally secure. That is certainly true for both of my daughters, especially for my younger one who has a profound speech delay. She is achieving academic goals in this supportive school to a degree I am certain could never be replicated in environments that focus merely on academics and not on true Christian love. I wholeheartedly endorse this school, and I plan on being here to see both my girls graduate from Sojourn!

Posted: February 8, 2017

Bullying is not tolerated, and it is effectively handled in a way that immediately seeks to protect the child who is bullied while at the same time addressing the infraction without alienating the bully. Christian character seeks to bring unity and love, and I have personally seen this achieved.

Posted: February 8, 2017

As I mentioned in another topical review here, I have two girls with two different styles of learning, and one of them has Apraxia of speech (which means she has a profound speech delay and a delay in her ability to write, dysgraphia, etc.) . Both my girls are thriving academically, socially... in every way. Furthermore, this school offers what they call the Resource program that is there to help the kiddos that need it (my child with a speech delay participates) and it does a wonderful job keeping kids with these kinds of extra challenges up to speed with all of their class mates!

Posted: February 8, 2017

Posted: February 8, 2017

Christian formation is at the heart of the school's mission and ministry, and they do a superb job of modeling Christian character and fostering Christian behavior in the students. Both my kids are often given compliments about how well they behave, how sensitive they are to the needs of others, and how expressive and engaged they are in company. I attribute a large amount of that to my children's daily exposure to the attributes of Christian deportment at their school.

Posted: February 8, 2017

Exceptional teachers! I have two children who have very different needs as far as their personalities go and their ways of processing information, etc., Both my kids thrive at this school because the teachers are so willing to work with each student as unique as they come.

Posted: February 8, 2017

Homework is a regular part of the curriculum, but I have found it manageable. They tend to go lighter on Wednesday night to accommodate families that participate in Wednesday night Bible studies at their churches.

Posted: February 2, 2017

Teachers help students walk through conflict and handle it in a Biblical manner

Posted: February 2, 2017

I have seen their efforts in making accommodations as much as possible to assist students with learning differences and help them be successful in the classroom.

Posted: February 2, 2017

the fruits of the Spirit are emphasized on a daily basis. They begin the day in the Word of God and pull out a weekly truth to embed in their hearts throughout the school day.

Posted: February 2, 2017

Homework is manageable for my first grader. Not overwhelming, only reviewing concepts to solidify independent work or practice reading. Teaches independence and responsibility

Posted: February 2, 2017

We love Sojourn Academy! Small class sizes. Every morning starts off with prayer and Scripture verses. Classical education with solid Biblical truths weaved into every subject. The teachers and staff are truly invested in the students!

Posted: February 1, 2017

Posted: February 1, 2017

Posted: February 1, 2017

Posted: February 1, 2017

Posted: February 1, 2017

All of the teachers love the children and God and openly express both.

Posted: February 1, 2017

Posted: February 1, 2017

Sojourn Academy is an amazing school. First off it uses the classical model which is so rare, especially for the price.
We have been part of the school for 4 years. There is true love between the students and teachers and a family like connection with school families.
It is great walking the campus and seeing a 3rd grader talking with high school kids. When I was younger I would have been afraid of them but at Sojourn the older kids make great role models.
I can't imagine my children going anywhere else.

Posted: February 1, 2017

Posted: February 1, 2017

Posted: February 1, 2017

Posted: February 1, 2017

A Classical School with a Singular Purpose
This school has been a tremendous blessing to our family. Our oldest started in the PreK program and now we have three enrolled. There is a choice in private education in this area, and though I would easily say that the value of the education that my children receive at Sojourn Academy far exceeds the financial commitment and is comparable to schools costing multiple times more, that is not why you should send your children here. Send them here for the people that make up this ministry, who have dedicated their lives to equipping children in a Christ-centered environment. The foundation of this school is rooted in the Gospel. The care that the teachers and staff have for the eternal wellbeing of my children is not only evident in everyday interaction with our children, but in how they teach every subject to the glory of God.
The place may lack a little in aesthetics, but the foundation is rock solid. Come build with us; I promise you and your children will be blessed. Come and build with us.

Posted: January 5, 2017

Posted: January 5, 2017

Posted: January 5, 2017

Posted: January 5, 2017

Posted: January 5, 2017

Posted: January 5, 2017

Posted: January 5, 2017

We love the small classes and how everyone is very nice and helpful. The staff is great!!

Posted: May 20, 2015

I had one or more of my 3 kids enrolled at Oak Ridge Christian Academy for 7 years. My oldest was in 4th grade when we decided to leave (2013) because of the horribly poor leadership exhibited by an inexperienced principal. The principal was terminated that year, however the damage had already been done with the best teachers leaving the school. Because we loved the Christian environment, we moved them to Covenant Christian. All three of them were significantly behind in reading and the oldest was about a grade behind in math. The difference between the two schools was remarkable....so glad I moved them and wish I had done it MUCH sooner. Covenant provides just as much biblical study as Oak Ridge Christian Academy but has a top notch education and college preparation on top of that. In hindsight, I'm horribly disappointed that I didn't recognize this sooner. My oldest is struggling with poor habits (handwriting, reading, and math) that he developed as a result of sub par teaching at ORCA. I only hope this helps those parents who are searching for a good Christian education while not sacrificing the basics the child will need to get through this competitive world.

Posted: January 3, 2015

Our son started Oak Ridge Christian Academy (ORCA) in Kindergarten. We absolutely love the heart of this school and are excited for our son to continue his spiritual growth and education here. The school teaches classically, which trains up the whole person and explains the purpose of things. The curriculum is advanced and God honoring. Class sizes are kept relatively small which allows for each child to be challenged according to their gifts. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly; Romans 12:6a. ORCA comes alongside parents in the education of their children and teaches and disciplines to their hearts. God is taught in every subject, because He created all subjects. You can truly see Christ in the halls of this school, from the mentoring of older students to the younger ones and the servant leadership of the school. We are so much in agreement with the school s teaching and leadership that we decided to become members of the church from which this school is a ministry of. We are honored and blessed to be giving our time, talents and treasures to this place!

Posted: August 28, 2013

Our kids are enrolled for Kindergarten and MDO. Absolutely amazing school. Already noticed a difference in my daughter's behavior and obeying much more willingly in just a week and a half. All the teacher and staff show extremely wonderful Godly compassion for all the kids and support them to be the best that they can be!

Posted: May 29, 2013

We enrolled our children in Oak Ridge Christian Academy for the 2012-2013 school year. One in Pre-K on in MDO. Like most parents, we want the best for our children and we want them to have the best opportunities available. We interviewed with the Headmaster, did a parent meet and greet, etc. MDO is just that, a daycare for the small ones... not a lot of teaching really went on. In Pre-K, halfway through the year, there was a noticable regression in my childs knowledge of shapes, numbers, letters and colors. I appreciate and want my kids to have a fundemental christian education, but at this school it was more important to memorize scripture from the Bible, than it was to learn Math, Reading or Writing (That was actually stated by the teacher). I may be wrong in this, but if were putting our kids into a Private Academy we expect a superior education than that of public school. This school did not push my children... if you want your kids to learn, send them somewhere else.

Posted: August 13, 2012

I don't even know where to begin to tell you what a wonderful school ORCA is. My son has been there since Kindergarten (now in 5th grade) and has loved every year he's been there. The teachers have great relationships with the students and Pastor Jess is a man of God that sets wonderful life examples to the students. The office staff is fabulous and reminds me of a large extended family. In addition to the excellent academics the school offers and providies, ORCA has also helped my child grow in sprit. He prays for his family, friends and the world without hesitation. HIs walk with Christ has been widened and blessed since attending ORCA. With the great tuition rates, the excellent academic program and the true love the faculty and staff show to the students and familiies, ORCA is as close to perfect as you can get with a child's education.

Posted: May 6, 2009