From the desk of Rod Fletcher, Headmaster:

I am jealous of my boys.  They get to attend The Brook Hill School. I went to John Muir High School in Pasadena, CA.  It was fine. I survived.  I graduated and went to Wheaton College. I went on to receive a Masters in Theology from Covenant Theological Seminary and then a Masters in Educational Leadership from Covenant College.  I turned out ok (some would say that is debatable).  However, I do wonder, from time to time, “What if I would have gone to Brook Hill?” What if I did not just survive school but thrived in school?

I recently received an unsolicited email from Kevin and Shannon King, the parents of Travis King, a recent Brook Hill graduate. It sums up what I love about Brook Hill and what I missed by attending John Muir High School. I am jealous of my boys, but I am proud that I get to provide Brook Hill for them.

“You can’t afford to NOT go to Brook Hill”

As I begin writing this my son is completing his 5^th and final year at The Brook Hill School…his senior year! Exams are half way complete, the BH sports gala was last night and other gatherings are planned this week culminating in graduation of the Brook Hill Class of 2015 Saturday night. My how the good times fly!

Last night’s Sports Gala was a very moving celebration of the achievements of all of the great BH athletes and coaches but the night in my opinion was headlined by the special tribute to the Regester’s and the Zapolskyy’s. It was simply one more awe-inspiring reason that I am so proud to be a parent of a Brook Hill graduate. The retirement celebration of Mrs. Clements was very well done, but there really is no way to adequately thank her for her contributions and dedication to this school and these students.

So, as I reflect back upon our time at BH, like many families we really felt like this was the right thing to do but wondered how we could afford it. After 7 years in public school, we realized that the style of education being provided wasn’t what we wanted for our son. We felt as though if he were surrounded by other students with like-minded parents in a Christian based school that his chances of success would be greater. So we made the decision to make the move to BH for his 8^th grade year. And because of Brook Hill’s commitment to athletics we were not sacrificing that part of the high school experience for the academic and Christ based education. In fact, my son has 2 State Championship Rings in 2 different sports from his time at Brook Hill and lettered in a total of 3 varsity sports. I actually credit a great deal of his character traits, appreciation for hard work and his understanding of loyalty and friendships to being a part of Brook Hill athletics, specifically football.

Enough about us. This is about Brook Hill and the visionary and extraordinary leaders that lead their lives in Christ-like character daily. They stop your students in the hallways and know what is going on in their life in and out of school. They know their parents, their hobbies, strengths and weaknesses and what they are made of…and they CARE about what type of an adult they will turn out to be. They write inspiring notes and drop them in students’ lockers or send them home to the parents; simple things that mean more to a young person than even the authors of the notes realize. Our children spend more awake time at school or school functions, especially if they are playing sports, than they do at home during the high school years; years that absolutely require molding and guidance daily. Young men and women are seldom good listeners but they are fantastic imitators. The leaders at Brook Hill lead by example and you want your student being molded and guided by these teachers, coaches and administrators.

Personally speaking there are several individuals that made significant and lasting impressions not only on us as parents but far more importantly, on our son. If I said what I want to say about each of these leaders it would take several paragraphs so I will attempt to be brief. Beginning with Coach Terry Pirtle who encouraged our son to play football as a freshman and it ultimately was life changing for Travis. Coach Tim Moore’s nature is to take the new student athletes under his wing and help with the transition to high school and athletics, he did so and then some. Coach Moore is far more than just a great golf and football coach! Teachers like Christie Adams who would offer her time to these students whenever they needed help, day or night, in person or over the phone, she was completely committed to doing her job the best that she could do. Shawn Rhoads, a respected lead educator at BH has a personal friendship type of relationship with Travis and we have so much respect for him and what he does. Julie Hanks for the hundreds of emails over the years making sure that we know what to do and when, knowing that the students had been told what to do at school but Julie made sure it was communicated to the parents as well to insure success. Celia Tucker at work behind the scenes getting our students educated and prepared for the college experience. Mrs. Tucker made sure that students and parents had a college roadmap laid out in laymen’s terms…how to apply, what tests and prerequisites are required, what scholarships are available and when and how to apply. She brings great value to the BH high school experience.

Coach Austin Reed, in my sons own words, has made him a better man and a better Christian through his leadership in bible class, on the football field and the baseball diamond. What more needs to be said.

Mr. Steve Dement, the visionary founder of The Brook Hill School is considered by my son not only as a great man and a great educator but as a great friend. Thank you, Mr. Dement, for what you have done and continue to do.

Finally, the Christ-like character of Rod Fletcher and the true passion that he brings to this school is a wonderful example of what a true leader is. He took the time of which he doesn’t have any extra of, to talk to my son about his knee injuries that sidelined him for most of his senior year in football then baseball. He told Travis how that he noticed that Trav was at practice, helping the younger players, supporting the team and being a good leader, a “good man” in his words. Those words meant more than he will ever know to a struggling young man that was not experiencing his senior seasons the way he had envisioned and worked so hard for.  Rod has helped Travis understand how to “live an intentional life”.

In my opinion, the quality of education, the Christ centered leadership, the championship level coaches and athletics, the like-minded parents and students, the college preparation and the entire support system at BH are way more valuable than material things for our children. This is what is important, it’s a short period of time in the grand scheme of life. The money we spent at BH has prepared our son for the next chapter of life in so many more and greater ways than a simple diploma.

God Bless The Brook Hill School and these dedicated leaders. We appreciate all that you do!

You can’t afford to NOT go to Brook Hill!

Sincerely,

Kevin and Shannon King; Parents of Travis King, Class of 2015