The Academy for G.O.D.

In 2013, Gregg Garner gathered an administrative team for a new elementary school. The team was made up of Gregg Garner (Headmaster), Betsy Johnson (Principal), and Alison Sherrod (Lead Administrator). Gregg shared with them his vision for a different kind of school, one that would holistically develop students and celebrate the diversity of their individual giftings, needs, and learning styles. The team developed the school’s mission statement, which is still in use today: Holistically educating children to become responsible, kind and ethical neighbors; competent persons, globally conscious and historically relevant.

By its second year, the Academy doubled enrollment and added a 6th-grade level as well as a homeschool tutorial program. Gregg continued to guide the philosophy, working with faculty and staff to make sure it was reflected in language arts, creative arts, and STEM programs.

By its second year, the Academy doubled enrollment and added a 6th-grade level as well as a homeschool tutorial program. Gregg continued to guide the philosophy, working with faculty and staff to make sure it was reflected in language arts, creative arts, and STEM programs.

Gregg’s Bible classes remained a favorite for students, but he also taught courses in Algebra and Music Theory, along with preaching and leading worship at chapels. In fall 2015, Gregg prepared the school’s administration for a big change in 2015: the switch from G.O.D. Elementary to “The Academy for G.O.D.,” a K-12 school. The campus continued to grow and develop with the opening of a new building in the spring of 2016, which was quickly filled to capacity with students! 

Gregg believes that students should love school, and challenges his staff to teach all of the important subjects in ways they’ll be excited about. For instance, they may learn fractions in a cooking class called “Watch me Whip,” or put their creative writing to use by creating comics. At Gregg’s prompting, the school issues no homework or traditional grades at the elementary levels. Students develop social and emotional intelligence through project-based learning. This looks like the junior high class writing and performing their own musical, doing everything from writing the script, choosing the actors, costuming, stage design, as well as writing the musical score. 

The creativity of the curriculum is especially evident in the biblical education that students receive. Gregg has made it a priority to develop a bible curriculum that communicates level-appropriate ethical and theological truths in ways that make sense to kids and impact their lives.

His innovative ideas have gained the attention of not only parents but educators in the US and around the world. Gregg and his team have facilitated extensive teacher training seminars and conferences in El Salvador, Uganda, India, and the Philippines. Academy staff were asked to present at the ACSI South East Asia conference in the Philippines, and for the ministry of education for a major district outside of San Salvador.  

While Gregg had plans to expand the Academy curriculum globally, thinking of his friends in the third world as well as other missionary kids (like him), who don’t often have access to good, interesting, biblical education. The pandemic accelerated those plans into immediate action. The Academy took an extended Spring Break, and emerged with a complete home education curriculum to get families through the pandemic worldwide. Zoom classrooms were filled with kids from the US, Uganda, and the Philippines and the school’s mission of creating global consciousness saw a new era emerge. As the world was out of school, the Academy carried on, making education available to 230 students.

Graduates of the Academy for G.O.D. automatically qualify for a scholarship if they choose to attend the Institute for G.O.D. The Institute for G.O.D.