ABOUT US
faith, academics, excellence, and community
Our Mission
The mission of Legacy Christian School is to partner with Christian parents in providing a family-centered, biblically integrated, college/career worthy education to prepare students to go into the world as disciples of Christ.
Our Vision
The vision of Legacy Christian School is to develop students who are equipped with the tools necessary to be valuable contributors in the formation of a godly society, to model strong family values, and to be disciples of Christ.
Legacy’s GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND CORE VALUES
LEGACY is committed to relying on the authority of Scripture to interpret life, applying God's word using a Biblical worldview, and avoiding legalism where the Bible is silent. (II Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; II Peter 1:20-21)
As a Christian University-Model® school, LEGACY is committed to assisting parents with the everyday responsibilities of preparing children for college even as the school recognizes and supports parents’ unique God-ordained role in communicating their faith and values. LEGACY gives time and access back to parents in exchange for their commitment to be academically and relationally invested with their students according to the college-preparatory University-Model® schedule. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Proverbs 22:6)
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Jesus Christ you are serving.” LEGACY will teach and instruct students “as working for the Lord.” The standard of our performance can, therefore, be nothing less than excellence, considering applicable research and the best relevant practices concerning teaching and learning. (Colossians 3:23-24; Luke 2:52; Proverbs 3:13; Proverbs 9:9).
LEGACY is committed to character education and student activities that will shape students into well-rounded individuals. We provide opportunities to develop leadership through servanthood, physical discipline, Godly character, and teamwork. This is accomplished by giving time and access back to parents through the University-Model® schedule, through the school’s Scripture-supported Character Education Program, and through various student activities such as athletics, service projects, and social events that encourage overall development. Because parents are God’s single most effective agents for sharing the Gospel with their children and discipling their young believers, Legacy partners with parents and the church to develop students spiritually. (Psalm 119:9-16; I Timothy 4:6-16; I Peter 4:8-11; II
Peter 1:1-8)
LEGACY’S STATEMENT OF FAITH
2. We believe that there is only one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:1, John 10:30, John 10:37-38,1 Corinthians 6:19, Galatians 4:6).
3. We believe in the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return to power and glory (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:35, Hebrews 4:15, John 2:11, Hebrews 9:12, Colossians 1:14, John 11:25, Acts 1:11, Revelation 19:11-16).
4. We believe that man is sinful by nature and that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential and an absolute necessity for his salvation (Romans 3:19, 23, John 3:16-19, Ephesians 2:18-19, Titus 3:5-6).
5. We believe that only by God's grace and through faith alone we are saved (John 3:16-19, 5:24, Romans 3:23, 5:8-9, Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 3:5).
6. We believe in the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (Ephesians 4:30, 5:18,1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
7. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, those who are saved unto eternal life and those who are lost unto eternal damnation (John 5:28-29).
8. We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of God’s sovereign and perfect will in creating that person as He intended (Genesis 1:26-27).
9. We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Genesis 2:18-25). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-; Hebrews 13:4).
10. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sins, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
WHAT IS UNIVERSITY MODEL®?
(UM®) combines the best attributes of traditional schooling with the best attributes of homeschooling and integrates them into one model. The result is a quality, cost-effective, college-preparatory education that gives parents more time for imparting their own faith and values to their children. In partnership with one another, parents and the school work together toward a mutual goal: to produce wholesome, competent, and virtuous followers of Christ who will change the world in their generation.
Christian young people are inundated with worldly “callings” to pursue goals that are inadequate and ultimately unsatisfying. They are constantly being lured into counterfeit purposes that fall far short of God’s highest and best: personal happiness (apart from fellowship with God), popularity and acceptance, relationships and sexual activity, success (academic, artistic, athletic, material, social), and the pursuit of their desires to have, do, and believe what they want with no accountability to an absolute standard of truth.
The purpose of the University-Model® is to cooperate with parents who aspire to train their children to live as responsible Kingdom citizens of the world. The UM® school, therefore, emphasizes discipleship instead of evangelization and uses its resources to train young adults who are willing, equipped, and courageous to impact their world in order to glorify God.
The UM® is a five-day academic program with junior and senior high students spending 3 days in the central classroom and 2 days in their “satellite classroom” at home. Both classrooms are under the supervision of the professional educator. The key to success of the concept is the integration of a biblically based, parent-guided, Christian faith and a sound, teacher-directed, academic environment. Parents partner with professional educators in this educational process. Under the supervision of the qualified educator, parents are required to provide oversight responsibilities of their student’s coursework in the satellite classroom. The teachers are in charge of all direct instruction in the central classroom, and they encourage and expect students to learn the material assigned through independent practice and homework.
Educators, parents, and graduates who have been involved in the UM® believe the following about the UM® alternative Model® of education:
- The university schedule eliminates the adjustment to a college schedule.
- Parents in the satellite classroom who partner with the UM® school not only reinforce the direct teaching in the central classroom but they also teach their student study skills and organizational skills which have been shown through research to be highly correlated with good grades in college.
- The emphasis on character development and family ministry in the UM® results in a strong discipleship approach, thus students are much more likely to enter college as Christian students who will not fall away from their faith.
The direct involvement required of parents in the UM® results in a strong relationship between parents and their children.
Legacy is a member of the National Association of University-Model Schools.
For more information, go to www.naumsinc.org.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Are you interested in becoming a member of our Teaching Team? We are looking for teachers and coaches for the 2024-25 school year. Please click below to download the employment application. Send your completed application and resume to our Head of School, Tabatha Carey at [email protected], or mail to:
Legacy Christian School
Attn: Tabatha Carey
PO Box 520
Brenham, TX 77834
OUR PEOPLE
BOARD MEMBERS
Cyndi Riley
Cyndi Riley has a heart for children and Christian education. She has been a member of Cornerstone Brenham Church for twenty-three years and has served in leadership with children's and youth ministries. Cyndi has been a Sunday School teacher for many years; teaching ages from pre-school to high school aged students as well as adult classes. She homeschooled her eldest child for two years. In 2011, Cyndi attended The School of Ministry at Cornerstone Brenham.
Cyndi has been a local business owner, as a hairstylist, for more than 30 years. She has been married to Charlie for 23 years and they have 3 wonderful children aging from 19 to 10 years old. As a wife and mom, she enjoys spending time with family and attending her kid's activities, but the greatest joy is seeing God's word come to life in children giving them a hope for tomorrow.
Diane Keller
Diane is a native Texan though she lived on the outskirts of New Orleans for 15 years resulting in a love for Tex-Mex and Cajun inspired cuisine! She earned a bachelor’s degree in education at LSU and a master’s degree in special education at Lamar University as an Educational Diagnostician for testing children with learning differences. Diane has served in Christian education for over 20 years and Legacy is the 2nd secondary Christian school she helped found. She is most excited about the University Model where secondary students take challenging courses of study that are set in a university-type-scheduling of classes—3 days a week on campus and 2 days a week at the secondary campus (home). While working at the secondary campus, the students work to develop sound study habits and the kind of strong work ethic they will need for success in college. Diane has been married to Larry for 40 years, and they have three married daughters and six grandchildren who they love to spoil!
Courtney Strong
Courtney is a 2000 graduate from Brenham Christian Academy, and a 2004 graduate from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where she met her wonderful husband, Josh. After receiving her Master’s in Christian Counseling from Houston Baptist University, she became a Licensed Professional Counselor and practiced at the counseling center at Houston’s First Baptist Church. Courtney is a speaker and writer and has had the privilege of journeying with women through her Bible study, Preoccupied with Promise. For the past four years, she has been a co-teacher/parent at an accredited University-Model School in Houston. She is passionate about this model of schooling for the time it affords families to have conversations they would otherwise not have time for or would have instead with others outside of the home. Team Strong is made up of Josh, Courtney, Hunter (a Lego master), and Paisley (a tiny event planner). She and Josh count the discipleship call of Deuteronomy 6 in their home the most thrilling job description of all time.
Georgeann Butler
Georgeann Butler graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in math education. She met her husband, Steve, on a blind date. They have been married for 28 years and have a daughter named Sarah, who is a Senior at Legacy. As a family, they all agree that the University Model has so many benefits. Most of all, they enjoy having more time together as a family. Georgeann is currently a GED instructor at Wharton County Junior College.
Josh Strong
Josh is a husband, father (a.k.a. living room wrestler) and has been a banker in the energy sector for 15 years. He graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2003 with a Business Finance and Economics degree. He currently works as a Director at ING Financial, focusing on oil and gas lending. Josh and Courtney are excited to call Brenham home, but are so thankful for how God grew their family throughout their 4 years at a university model school in Houston. Josh was a part of the dad’s ministry at the school, and one of his favorite memories is growing together through the school’s family Bible study.
Head of School
Tabatha Carey
With over fifteen years of teaching experience in public schooling, homeschooling, and private education, Tabatha Carey stepped into the role of Head of School when she founded Providence Preparatory School of Bellville in 2014. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Sam Houston State University, a Texas Teacher Certificate in Secondary Science, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Dallas Baptist University. Her passion for sharing God’s creation can be seen during her lectures, discussions, and laboratories in the classroom. Her heart for God’s people can be seen through her servant leadership. Mr. and Mrs. Carey have five children who have either graduated from or are currently enrolled in a University-Model® School. The Carey family worships with the West Oaks Church of Christ in Columbus, Texas. Mrs. Carey enjoys gardening, crafting, camping and hiking when she is not teaching physics and leading a successful team of teachers in Christian education.
Teachers
Steve Butler
Steve Butler received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Christian Brothers College in 1989. He spent over 28 years working at various petrochemical plants across the world before retiring from Shell Oil Company in 2018. Mr. Butler adds an element of fun to each of his classes with lively discussions and hands-on experiences in math, science, and biblical worldview.
Jennifer Hoeschle
Jenny Hoeschle comes to Legacy with teaching experience in both private schools and online schools in subjects including mathematics, computers, and science. She also has been a homeschooler for the past 16 years, so she is an enthusiastic proponent of the University Model. Degreed with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at San Diego and with some teaching credential classes under her belt, she is a lover of learning. When she does not have her nose in books, she cooks, cooks, and cooks some more for her family! In those rare moments of free time, you can find her hiking, traveling, and gardening. She is absolutely thrilled to be teaching at Legacy and is grateful to help students with math concepts and perhaps even share some some of her joy for learning.
Jenn Lockerby
Jenn Lockerby has come to Brenham from Colorado to be closer to family. He has come out of retirement from teaching to join our team at Legacy because he believes in our Mission. Mr. Lockerby leads students through Biblical Worldview and English Language Arts.
Sunday Mershon
Growing up in Texas, Sunday Mershon spent most of her time outside, running barefoot and climbing trees. At the age of 16, she wrecked her dirt bike and shattered her spine, but not her spirit. A year later, after an opportunity to teach middle school students, Sunday knew she was called to teach. After high school, she did short term missions in the United States, Nicaragua, and South Africa. While earning her degree in education through Letourneau University, she was a substitute teacher in five different school districts in Texas to over 5,000 children and learned invaluable lessons about education and children. She has homeschooled her two boys from birth and enjoys nothing more than sipping a hot cup of tea and reading a classic, outside, under the trees. Mrs. Mershon teaches Spanish I and II.
Matthew Thomas
Matthew Thomas is a graduate of Texas A&M University, with a B.A. in International Studies and Russian Language and a Master of International Affairs degree from A&M's Bush School of Government and Public Service. He is teaches English, History, Geography, Government, and Economics. Mr. Thomas is also a foreign policy analyst for a couple small think tanks in the U.S. and Europe. He looks forward to providing a unique and enriching experience for his students in English and History in light of the truth of God's Word and His promises for us.