A history of heart
Heart Christian Academy opened its doors in September of 1999 and has been a preeminent presence in the homeschooling landscape for over 20 years. Originally known as Home Education And Righteousness Training, Heart was founded by a grassroots group of homeschooling parents in South Orange County, California who were seeking to add structure and a campus environment to their homeschool endeavors, while maintaining the flexibility and freedom to educate their children according to a Christian worldview.
The founding tenets of Heart were to equip parents to successfully disciple and educate their children in the Lord. This discipleship focus was accomplished by providing a Christ-centered environment which consisted of believing families and staff, and curriculum grounded in Biblical truths. Heart’s initial educational approach reflected popular homeschooling trends of the time: classical education (based on the model of Susan Wise Bauer and The Well-Trained Mind) and an emphasis on family style learning, particularly in the subjects of History and Science. Heart offered a solid core of Language Arts, Mathematics, History, Science and Social Studies, tailoring curriculum choices to Christian-based, homeschool-friendly materials that could easily be followed by the on-campus teachers and, more importantly, by the homeschooling parents.
While the primary aim of Heart was to come alongside and support homeschooling parents, families also craved community and connection, embracing many of the fun social activities generally associated with a traditional school experience, such as class pictures and yearbook, class parties, holiday celebrations, and field trips. Early Heart parents started many beloved Heart traditions, several of which continue today: History Day, Competition Day, Memories with Mom, Donuts with Dudes, Cake and Model Building, Talent Show, Thanksgiving Feast, Christmas Tea, and Patriotic Day.
With a few site changes in the early years to accommodate a burgeoning enrollment, the opportunity arose in 2007 for Heart to move to Harbor Point Church (then known as Ocean Hills Church). Harbor Point proved to be a welcoming and spacious location, able to continually adapt to the growing needs of Heart. In 2021, at the request of a Heart family who had recently relocated to Tennessee, the first Heart outside of San Juan Capistrano opened and quickly became a success. Today Heart has a presence in San Diego County, Orange County, Northern California, Idaho, and Tennessee.
The collaborative education model established by Heart’s founders continues to resonate with homeschooling parents seeking the structure and accountability provided by an on-campus environment married with the freedom and creativity they can implement on home days. Since its inception, Heart has proven to be the best of both worlds!
The founding tenets of Heart were to equip parents to successfully disciple and educate their children in the Lord. This discipleship focus was accomplished by providing a Christ-centered environment which consisted of believing families and staff, and curriculum grounded in Biblical truths. Heart’s initial educational approach reflected popular homeschooling trends of the time: classical education (based on the model of Susan Wise Bauer and The Well-Trained Mind) and an emphasis on family style learning, particularly in the subjects of History and Science. Heart offered a solid core of Language Arts, Mathematics, History, Science and Social Studies, tailoring curriculum choices to Christian-based, homeschool-friendly materials that could easily be followed by the on-campus teachers and, more importantly, by the homeschooling parents.
While the primary aim of Heart was to come alongside and support homeschooling parents, families also craved community and connection, embracing many of the fun social activities generally associated with a traditional school experience, such as class pictures and yearbook, class parties, holiday celebrations, and field trips. Early Heart parents started many beloved Heart traditions, several of which continue today: History Day, Competition Day, Memories with Mom, Donuts with Dudes, Cake and Model Building, Talent Show, Thanksgiving Feast, Christmas Tea, and Patriotic Day.
With a few site changes in the early years to accommodate a burgeoning enrollment, the opportunity arose in 2007 for Heart to move to Harbor Point Church (then known as Ocean Hills Church). Harbor Point proved to be a welcoming and spacious location, able to continually adapt to the growing needs of Heart. In 2021, at the request of a Heart family who had recently relocated to Tennessee, the first Heart outside of San Juan Capistrano opened and quickly became a success. Today Heart has a presence in San Diego County, Orange County, Northern California, Idaho, and Tennessee.
The collaborative education model established by Heart’s founders continues to resonate with homeschooling parents seeking the structure and accountability provided by an on-campus environment married with the freedom and creativity they can implement on home days. Since its inception, Heart has proven to be the best of both worlds!
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1999 2001 2002 2003 2005 2007 2009 2010 2013 2015 2019 2021 2022 2024 |
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Mailing Address (mail only):
31103 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite D3045 San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 |
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Mailing Address (mail only):
31103 Rancho Viejo Road
Suite D3045
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
31103 Rancho Viejo Road
Suite D3045
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675