Begun by Parents Seeking a Better Education Option for Their Children, This 'No Politics' Public School is Now Thriving

Aimee Herd : May 3, 2022
The Federalist

"Merit adds educational choice many people want. These families appreciate our virtues, our curriculum, and our school, so our enrollment numbers are through the roof..." -Nicole Waggoner, one of the founders of Merit Academy

[Breaking Christian News] In the midst of all the public school controversy over woke indoctrination like CRT, and the lack of essential learning, sits a 'shining example' of what can be accomplished by parents who come together to make a difference: Merit Academy in Woodland Park, Colorado. (Screengrab image)

The public contract school that focuses on learning without political influences, began only a year ago, and is now going strong, though there have been challenges to overcome, and opposition by a minority of loud voices.

According to The Federalist report: "Merit Academy is a classical, Core Knowledge school that opened on August 23, 2021, to 184 full-time students and more than 80 part-time homeschool students. The parents and community members who built Merit sought an education that would challenge children and build lasting friendships, without the controversial politics often found in public schools."

In just the year it has been in operation, Merit has had so many enrollments that there is now a waiting list for certain grades.

The Vision of Merit Academy is posted on their website: "Students prepared for success in a free society, promoting civic responsibility and contributing their talents in a flourishing republic by pursuing beauty, truth, and good."

Nicole Waggoner, is one of Merit's founders, according to The Federalist report. She told them, "Merit adds educational choice many people want. These families appreciate our virtues, our curriculum, and our school, so our enrollment numbers are through the roof. We're drawing families up the pass [from Colorado Springs], which contributes to a thriving community."

Could this become a trend across the country?

Parents coming together with school board members and teachers, to design and launch other public contract, or charter schools such as Merit, would provide excellent options for effective learning and transparent curricula; especially where there are no current alternatives to failing public schools. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Read the entire article by John Dill on The Federalist for more on this innovative education idea, or visit the Merit Academy website.