Christadelphian Secondary School

How can Christadelphian young people obtain a high school diploma in a God-centered environment? One way is for the community to develop its own school. The families and ecclesias in Southern Ontario have answered this question by starting the Christadelphian Secondary School.

In the fall of 2024, some parents brainstormed the possibility of starting a Christadelphian high school that would provide in-person instruction by Christadelphian teachers. These parents met with some brothers who had recently retired from teaching to consider the idea. After prayerful consideration, the group set an ambitious goal—to have a Christadelphian private secondary (high) school which could grant credits and diplomas. To accomplish this ambitious goal, the school needed to pass an Ontario Ministry of Education inspection.

By June of 2025, several families were committed to attending the new school in September 2025. The Brantford ecclesia graciously agreed to host the school. Three retired teachers and some volunteers dedicated their time to teaching at the secondary school for the first semester. Brother Shawn Moynihan (a retired teacher, principal, and superintendent) agreed to act as the school’s principal. Brother Chris Sales taught Math (grades 9-10 and grades 11-12), Brother Shawn Moynihan taught Grade 11-12 English, Sister Martha Sales taught an open-level Visual Arts course, Sisters Becky Elliott and Emily Hale taught a grade 12 Kinesiology course, and Sister Virginia Kirkpatrick taught grade 9-10 Science. Sister Trudy Bell (a retired principal) provided much-needed support for teachers, families, and students. We began the school year with students from the Brantford, Brant County, and Cambridge ecclesias.

In November 2025, CSS had its first Ontario Ministry of Education Inspection. Through God’s grace, many prayers, and lots of hard work, CSS passed its inspection, enabling the school to grant credits and an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

A new school was born: Christadelphian Secondary School. Its mission was “to provide a God-centred educational environment that assists all students to achieve their full potential by encouraging them to strive for excellence to use their talents in the service of others and for the glory of God.” The school’s key verse is: “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

The governance model for CSS ensures active participation from all the involved ecclesias and parents. No single ecclesia governs CSS; rather, it is governed by a School Council composed of parents, CSS staff, and representatives from participating ecclesias… one member from each Christadelphian ecclesia represented by the student body. These members are appointed by the Arranging Committee of the respective ecclesia. Decisions for the school are made by collaborative consensus, with Brother Justin Keene and Brother Joshua O’Connor serving as co-chairpersons. The council members are responsible for providing governance direction and strategic, financial, and other professional expertise to our school. On a day-to-day basis, the school is run by the principal, with the help of two or three supporting teachers.

To meet the needs of students, families, and teachers, an innovative school schedule was developed. In-person instruction takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. With teacher support, students work independently on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. A day at CSS always begins with a devotion on a psalm or life principle, and occasionally a guest speaker will present. Then the classes begin with a lunch break around noon before ending the day around 3:15 pm.

By the second semester, the school had gained momentum, and word spread about the school. This resulted in two more retired teachers joining, as well as another student! With these additions, we began to feel more like a “real” school. After many months of hard work, the ambitious goal set in 2024 began to turn into a reality.

The social aspect of this school among students has clearly blossomed. New friendships have been formed, and old ones strengthened as peers have the opportunity to visit between classes and during the lunch break. Each student has a place in the school, making it feel uniquely set apart from other methods of instruction and impacting every student in its own way.

The impact on the students who attend this school has been immense. With improved grades and a better understanding of academic principles, each student has something to say regarding their new learning environment. Jachin Billington, a grade 11 student who attends CSS, states: “I always hated math, but when I came to CSS and was taught by Uncle Chris [Sales], my view of math was changed.” After an entire semester, it has been clear that each student has been helped in a different way. Esther Styles, another grade 11 student and former homeschool student, relates: “I feel more motivated to get work done than I did when I was homeschooled.”

The teachers here have also noticed a difference in this school compared to other teaching opportunities. Because all the teachers and students are Christadelphian, there is a bond that goes much deeper than just teacher/student. As Ginny Kirkpatrick, the science teacher, said: “The fact that CSS would be an opportunity to… let me get to know and work with young fellow believers, was perfect.” As the school is so small, the teachers have really been able to get to know the students from different ecclesias on quite a personal level—something that would not be nearly as possible in the ecclesial or public school setting. Chris Sales stated that “Getting to know the young people that I only knew by name before is the most rewarding part of teaching.” They also expressed the blessings of being able to integrate the Bible into their curriculum. Martha Sales, the art teacher, related that she loved the “opportunity to incorporate Bible verses and preaching material into our program.” Teaching here provides countless opportunities and new experiences.

Through God’s grace, CSS continues to grow for September 2026. CSS anticipates an incoming grade 9 class of at least five students. Planned courses include:

• Grade 9-10 Math
• Grade 11-12 Math
• Grade 9-10 Science
• Grade 11-12 Chemistry
• Grade 9-12 Physical Education
• Grade 9-12 Visual Arts
• Grade 9-12 Our Christadelphian Heritage
• Grade 9-10 English
• Grade 11-12 English
• Grade 9 Geography

The CSS invites you to come spend a semester (September to December or January to June) at the school and teach. If you specialize in any of the sciences or skilled trades, your knowledge would be greatly valued! You will spend your days with engaged students who want to learn and grow in their knowledge and understanding. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to live in Ontario for a few months and experience numerous opportunities to build new relationships at all the young people’s weekends, study days, and Bible Schools. If you are interested, please contact us at info@christadelphiansecondary.com.

With the school now active for almost a full year, the goal of providing high schoolers with an environment rooted in God to learn and grow has become a reality. The creation of CSS has been a blessing for all those attending. With plans to continue on in the 2026-2027 school year, it is our mission to continue to provide this. As Ecclesiastes 12:1 says: “Remember now your creator in the days of your youth.” The high school aims to continue to provide a God-centered environment in the future, marking the beginning of a new Christadelphian High School.

Olivia Keene and Moriah Billington
Brantford Ecclesia, ON