About Us

Mission

Heartland Classical Academy exists to partner with Christian families in forming young men and women who love God, pursue truth, and serve others faithfully. Through rigorous classical education rooted in Scripture, we seek to cultivate wisdom, moral courage, academic excellence, and a deep sense of responsibility toward their families, churches, communities, and future callings.

Vision

The vision of Heartland Classical Academy is for students who attend to become faithful Christians, life-long learners, and virtuous citizens who impact future generations.

1. Christ First – Jesus is the center of all we do: we exist to know Him and make Him known.
2. Disciples Making Disciples – We are committed to spiritual growth at every age, mentoring students to follow Jesus and lead others to do the same.
3. Biblical Authority – God’s Word is our foundation and final authority in faith, learning, and life.
4. Time-Tested Tradition – New educational trends quickly become outdated, but we use content and pedagogy that has withstood the test of time and will continue to do so.
5. Education of the Full Person – We seek to educate the full human person: mind, body, and soul.
6. Teacher-Led, Student-Driven Classrooms – Our teachers facilitate an encounter between students and rich content by acting as the leader of their classroom and treating each student as an individual with valuable thoughts to contribute.
7. Partnership with Families – We exist to strengthen and equip parents as the primary educators of their children and wish to partner with them as a community of lifelong learners.

Characteristics of Classical Education

- A deep and thorough introduction to the Western Intellectual Tradition that students have inherited
- Foundational literacy skills, with a focus on phonics and grammar, as well as foundational numeracy skills necessary for learning
- Content-rich, integrated, and holistic study of math, science, literature, and history
- Study of Latin (beginning in 6th grade) to better understand languages and English’s etymology
- Commitment to objective standards of goodness, truth, and beauty
- Commitment to moral virtue
- Virtuous and educated teachers who use traditional, teacher-led methods of instruction with minimal use of technology

What does classical education have to do with Christian education?

Young people naturally approach a critical age, when they begin to ask why they believe what they believe: Who is God? Why do I believe in Him? Why does the world look so disordered and fallen? Rather than shy away from these questions, Classical Christian Education provides a safe environment for students to ask these questions, an environment in which God’s Word is the anchor of all study. It addresses not only the whats but also the whys, confident that God is the author of all truth, goodness, and beauty. By studying how centuries of men and women have wrestled with these questions throughout human history, by seeking not just facts but true knowledge, students discover that faith and reason are not opposed. Rather, using their God-given reason and seeing where it falls short, they can see the order in God’s grand design and wonder at the extraordinary love of God which is beyond comprehension.

Our Philosophy of Education

Education is not simply the transfer of knowledge but rather turning to see the truth God has revealed to us in creation, the human heart, and Scripture; the result of this education is a cultivation of wisdom, character, and calling under the lordship of Jesus Christ. We are committed to a biblical worldview that sees truth as emanating from God. Whether exploring sciences, humanities, or the fine arts, every subject plays a part in the story of creation, from the Fall, to God’s Redemptive plan, to our personal restoration. Education must take a holistic view of this grand design, as each subject does not exist in isolation but in connection with other subjects. It is not enough for education to train the mind; it must also develop the heart. The goal of this is to form resilient students who love God with all their heart, soul, and mind, love their neighbor as themselves, and are equipped to serve as lights in a fallen world.

At Heartland Classical Academy, we believe that true education begins with the knowledge of God and the recognition that Jesus Christ is Lord over every area of life. Our aim is to partner with families in forming students who pursue wisdom, virtue, truth, beauty, and faithful service to God and neighbor.

We affirm the following:
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• We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God, and the final standard for truth, morality, and human conduct. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21)
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• We believe there is one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
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• We believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died as the substitutionary sacrifice for sinners, rose bodily from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will return again in glory. (John 1:1-2,14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9-11)
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• We believe all people are created in the image of God and therefore possess inherent dignity and value from the moment of conception until natural death. (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-14)
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• We believe mankind is fallen because of sin and stands under the righteous judgment of God. Every person is in need of redemption through Jesus Christ alone. (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12)
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• We believe salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, not by human effort or works. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23)
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• We believe the Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells, sanctifies, and empowers believers to live godly lives. (Romans 8:9-14; Galatians 5:16-25)
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• We believe the Church is the body of Christ and that Christians are called to faithful participation in local churches. Heartland Classical Academy exists to support Christian families and churches, not replace them.
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• We believe parents bear the primary responsibility for the education and discipleship of their children. The school exists as a partner with parents in the formation of students intellectually, morally, spiritually, and socially. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Ephesians 6:4)
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• We believe marriage is ordained by God as the covenant union of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6)
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• We believe God created mankind as male and female, and that these two distinct, complementary sexes reflect God’s created design. Rejection of one’s biological sex is contrary to God’s design. (Genesis 1:27)
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• We believe sexual intimacy is reserved exclusively for marriage between one man and one woman, and that any sexual activity outside of marriage is contrary to God’s will. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20; Hebrews 13:4)
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• We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost: those who belong to Christ unto eternal life, and those apart from Christ unto eternal judgment. (John 5:28-29)

In all things, Heartland Classical Academy seeks to glorify God by cultivating students who love truth, pursue excellence, serve others faithfully, and live under the authority of Jesus Christ.

Core Virtues

Heartland Classical Academy is not only dedicated to educating minds but also hearts. We seek to develop Godly character in our students. This happens when students encounter the Word, read about characters and historical figures that exemplify virtue, watch teachers speak and act in virtue, and seek to live out those virtues in their families, friendships, and studies.
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Faith

Faith is belief in all of the truths that God has revealed, even when these truths exceed the grasp of reason alone or remain unseen in this life. Students practice faith when they trust God, even when His Word exceeds the bounds of their reason.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” - Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

Hope

Hope enables us to trust in God's promises and to desire Him as our ultimate good. Students practice hope when they look to the promises of the Lord with joy and eager expectation.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” - Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)

Love

Love unites us to God in friendship, delighting in His goodness and willing His glory, while extending that love to others as creatures who are made in God's image. Students practice love when having received the love of God, they love others like Christ.

The greatest commandment is “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” - Matthew 12:30-31 (ESV)

Wisdom

Wisdom consists in right reasoning and correct knowledge about what is to be done. Wisdom governs all other moral virtues and directs them to the ways that can best attain their own ends. Students practice wisdom when they think before they act, considering how their actions align with the Word of God.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” - James 3:17 (ESV)

Justice

Justice is a choice to render to others what is right, seeking to establish equality between what we can give and what a recipient ought to have. Students practice justice when they obey God’s commands, show consideration of others, and respect authority, and trust God as the ultimate source of justice.

“Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints” - Psalm 37:27-28 (ESV)

Courage

Courage withstands danger, fear, temptation, or difficulty in pursuit of a greater good. Students practice courage when they persevere on difficult assignments, offer a comment even when they are not fully confident in themselves, or refuse to bow to peer pressure when it encourages them to do what is wrong.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” - Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

Humility

Humility is a lowering and emptying of oneself before another in the image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Students practice humility when they acknowledge what they do not know and when they do not brag about their own knowledge and achievements.

“The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor” - Proverbs 15:33 (ESV)

Gratitude

Gratitude is a choice to respond in thanks, readily appreciating and returning kindness. Students practice gratitude when they thank God and others for their kindness and character.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” - 1 Chronicles 16:34 (ESV)

Our Leadership

Charles Wilkins

Headmaster

Dr. Charles Wilkins has spent nearly 60 years serving in education, ministry, and leadership. He holds degrees from Cedarville University, Xavier University, the University of Northern Iowa, and Trinity University. Throughout his career, he has served as a teacher, pastor, school founder, and curriculum developer. For the past six years, he has worked as a PAX Partner alongside Tri-County Mental Health, supporting students and families across three counties. Dr. Wilkins and his wife of 60 years have three children, ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Justin Powell

Founder

Justin Powell is an entrepreneur and educator from rural Ohio who is passionate about strengthening local communities and investing in the next generation of leaders. He is the founder and CEO of Huntington Billboards, founder of Atlas Institute, and cofounder of Forge Leadership Network. Justin earned degrees from Liberty University and Harvard University.

Alysha Katterheinrich

Head Teacher

Alysha has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Hillsdale College, where she has completed a classical teaching apprenticeship, has tutored in the Hillsdale College Writing Center, and through her Classical Education minor, has thought deeply about both the purpose and execution of classical education. She is passionate about cultivating a moral imagination in students by offering them examples of virtue in every subject and is excited not only to teach her students, but to spark a love for learning in them.

Wyatt Henry

Administrative Assistant

Wyatt works closely with the founder and leadership team to establish the systems, operations, and early foundations necessary for the school to thrive. From managing key initiatives to supporting day-to-day execution, he plays a hands-on role in bringing the school from idea to institution. In addition to his work with the school, Wyatt is involved in project development through Huntington Billboards, where he helps identify and execute on growth opportunities. This experience in business development and operations shapes his approach to building organizations that are both effective and enduring.