Christian school founders gather for fellowship, support at second annual SchoolBox event 

Community was on display at the second annual SchoolBox Gathering near Kansas City as nearly 60 Christian school founders, staff and board members convened for two-and-a-half days of fellowship, teaching and mutual encouragement.

“It was inspiring for our team to be surrounded by so many passionate people who are willing to follow God’s call to start new education ministries in their community,” said Jonathan Edmondson, director of SchoolBox. “We are so thankful to these pioneers willing to make this leap of faith and are honored to have played a small part in their story.” 

SchoolBox, a program of the Herzog Foundation – publisher of The Lion – helps individuals and churches launch new Christian schools. The free, self-paced video course has helped start hundreds of schools, from microschools and homeschool co-ops to traditional Christian schools. 

The gathering, at Herzog’s headquarters near Kansas City, gave those preparing to launch or already operating schools an opportunity to compare notes, share experiences, and learn from education experts. Some met their SchoolBox mentors in person for the first time. 

‘I’m not alone’ 

“It’s a catapult,” said Valerie Serrano of Children’s House Los Angeles, a Christian Montessori school. Serrano and her husband began with a preschool in 2018 and are launching a K–12 school in Burbank this fall, starting with ages 6-12. She credits SchoolBox with accelerating their timeline by three years. 

“It’s helping catapult me to go. Otherwise, I’d be figuring things out on my own,” she said. 

Serrano praised her mentor, Michelle Thompson, a Montessori expert with 35 years of experience. “She’s been so encouraging – just a big encouragement for me.” 

The gathering, she said, was a chance to be renewed after months of hard work. 

“Here, I can fall apart,” Serrano said. “I can stitch a thought together, and it’s fine to just be.” 

As with other Herzog events, SchoolBox covers all meals and lodging for participants. Attendees are only responsible for transportation. 

‘You were in my kitchen last night’ 

Tavier Parks, founder of Lion’s Light Christian Academy in Spring, Texas, came across the SchoolBox program while cleaning out homeschool convention materials. After watching a Herzog video, she cried – then met Herzog Foundation President Darrell Jones the very next day at the annual Texas HomeSchool Convention. 

“You were in my kitchen last night!” she told him. “He came out from behind the table and prayed for me. It was just like God’s confirmation this is what I’m supposed to do.” 

Parks launched her school that fall – after thinking it might take her much longer. Now in its second year, the hybrid school serves preschool through 9^th grade three days a week, with a tailored curriculum for older students. 

“If you’re thinking about starting a Christian school or God’s put that tug in your heart and it won’t go away, this is the place to be,” she said. “You’re going to walk away with usable tools that you can apply immediately… and Herzog treats you like royalty.” 

A school for entrepreneurs 

The event also highlighted the program’s flexibility. One attendee from the West Coast came to explore how an established Christian school might expand its reach through microlearning pods. Michell Dunlap traveled from Ohio – joined by board president Michelle Amponsah from London – to gather ideas as they launch a high school for entrepreneurs. 

The Columbus-area school will train students to develop business models and fundraising plans from a biblical worldview. Dunlap emphasized the school’s evangelistic approach, noting students don’t need to profess faith but will encounter it in the curriculum and community. 

“We did the research, and a lot of teenagers are crying out for a space to do those things,” said Dunlap, whose doctoral dissertation and research helped birth the school. “We’re creating it for them but centered around Christ-centered entrepreneurship, education and a biblical worldview.” 

She plans to enroll new board members in SchoolBox to unify the school’s vision and ensure all leaders feel called and equipped. 

Amponsah added, “It’s important for this entrepreneurship education to be taught and instilled in children with it being faith-based and Christ-centered – to understand who they are in the kingdom and then be able to carry that out in the world.” 

To learn more about SchoolBox, visit hfschoolbox.com.