“Education, like faith, is the evidence of things not seen.”

Crestwood School of Hattiesburg began because a group of Christian mothers had a vision for their children’s education. In an educational atmosphere driven by test scores, extracurriculars, and athletics, these mothers dared to ask, “When my children go to school, how is that school going to make disciples of them? How is that school going to strengthen their minds and their walks with Christ?” These mothers began meeting regularly to read and discuss the six volumes of British educator Charlotte Mason, a forward-thinking Christian educator who believed in whole-child, Christ-centered education.

Charlotte Mason, a British educator whose ideas far exceeded their time, believed that education is “an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.” Mason’s philosophy dictates that children should never stop learning, never stop growing, and that they should learn within an environment that fosters their natural curiosity and sense of wonder. Short lessons over long units, narration over evaluation, “living” or Great Books over dry textbooks, time in nature over time in a chair, and habit training over rote memorization are just a few of the Charlotte Mason principles that we practice at Crestwood School of Hattiesburg.

Christ’s banner of love covers all that we do, from the way we interact with students to the lessons we prepare and teach. Here, we are always covered in the love and grace of Christ.