History
Here at The Fourth School, we have a commitment to academic excellence and spiritual growth in light of biblical truth, and stand firmly in the Reformed tradition of education.
For many years, the congregation of Fourth Presbyterian Church prayed for an opportunity to extend its covenant of Christian education for the home and church to a high-quality, Christ-centered school to minister to the needs of its children.
In 1997 the Session of the church decided to respond to the demand for value-centered schools, and to the covenant God has established with us and with our children, by establishing an independent corporation to start an off-site school.
A first board of directors was elected by the Session in the fall of 1997. During the following spring, negotiations were undertaken to acquire our South Glen Road property, with settlement occurring in February 1999. In January of 1999, a first headmaster of the school was hired. The inaugural faculty was then hired and the school’s doors opened on September 14, 1999 offering Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and Grade 1.
The school is located on a beautiful 32-acre wooded campus. Students have the rare opportunity to learn and play under a canopy of shade trees and to explore a rural setting, including creeks, bridges, woodlands and open fields.
Our rich interdisciplinary curriculum is literature-based and emphasizes basic skills and concepts, and a knowledge of history, the Bible and the sciences. It also nurtures in all students a disposition to learn.
Each grade level offers an excellent student-teacher ratio to appropriately challenge each student intellectually, socially, physically and spiritually and to develop confident and independent thinkers.
Traditions
The Fourth School is young but already becoming rich in tradition.
One of the most enduring experiences is the beginning of the day, where each morning opens at the flagpole with a greeting from the Principal, the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and Scripture, and the singing of the Doxology.
From our fourth Friday "Aristeia" character awards and our annual Christmas program to Grandparents Day, the Spring Festival and the visit by the ice cream man on the last day of school, The Fourth School provides a lasting tapestry of memories that will linger with students long after they have moved on to other successful pursuits.