A Spotlight on Two Students
Meet Hunter and Alli – Two dynamic middle schoolers making an impact
by Ashley Greene on April 11, 2025
Our Covenant distinctives–Classical, Christian, Community and Caring–set our school apart from the pack, but one question we often hear is: “Why Classical?” The beauty of a classical education becomes most apparent in Grades 5th through 8th as our students transition from adolescence to young adulthood. We call this season of student life the School of Logic, and it is here that our students begin to form arguments, order relationships, and analyze cause and effect.
These academic principles of logic apply across a multitude of disciplines. From math to science and from the arts across all of the humanities, we use logic to strengthen our students’ understanding of these subjects. Not only that, but we also desire for our students to have a love for God and a deep and meaningful relationship with Christ. As students better understand the gospel and God’s saving grace, they will live Christ-honoring lives that truly impact the world around them.
What better way to really understand our middle school curriculum than to hear from two of our students? Meet Hunter Cary and Alli Dean–two dynamic students making an impact in the 8th Grade.
Coming to Covenant in the 8th Grade
Hunter Cary first came to Covenant in the 8th grade. He and his parents specifically chose Covenant because of the Classical Christian education we offer, and although he has not been with us long, his experience has been remarkable. “I can truthfully say that I enjoy going to Covenant every day,” Hunter explains. “I have learned so much here, especially compared to my former school, and I feel really grateful just being here.”
In school, Hunter enjoys learning interesting subjects like Logic and Latin and outside of school he relishes things like chess and checkers, soccer, kickball and basketball with friends. When asked what he loves most about his experience thus far, he quickly goes back to his classes. “The classes that I get to take at Covenant are intricate, but they are also fun,” says Hunter. “I have great teachers, and they make these rather complex classes do-able.”
It is no surprise that the Covenant distinctives that resonate the most with Hunter are Classical and Christian. “I cannot wait to continue to grow here, and learn, and get access to advanced classes,” Hunter remarked. “Spanish! I can’t wait to learn Spanish.”
Growing up at Covenant, leaving, and then coming back
Now let’s meet Alli Dean, who spends her time learning, socializing and playing sports here at Covenant. Alli joined us as a preschooler and left right after 5th Grade. After two years had passed, we were thrilled to welcome her back. “I came back for 8th Grade and it is my hope that I will stay here through my senior year and graduate from Covenant,” said Alli. “My family and I chose Covenant because of the community here,” she explains. “This school puts Christ first, and this is very important to me and my family.”
Like Hunter, Alli believes that she is greatly benefiting from a Classical Christian education. She believes not only her writing skills but also her ability to present and deliver speeches has greatly improved. But perhaps the greatest thing she has learned thus far is how to properly set priorities. “I have learned so much, and I am really looking forward to Rhetoric,” she explains, “But I am most excited about how my Covenant education has brought me closer to God.”
Alli feels especially grateful for the community here, and so that of course is her favorite Covenant Distinctive at this season of her life. “I love how everyone comes out and supports each other in sports,” she said. Alli believes the Community that Covenant offers is top notch. When asked what she is looking forward to next, she emphatically replies, “High School and of course High school sports!”
Infusing logic across all academic disciplines
Our middle school students not only learn logic here at Covenant, but they are also learning how to socialize, what characteristics to look for in friends, and how to treat and respect elder leaders. Our students are starting to form worldviews and think for themselves. No longer content to accept what their parents have told them, they begin to desire to know the truth for themselves, thereby becoming argumentative at times. Classical education understands that this is a natural development if students are to truly become Godly thinkers. Rather than running from this, Covenant embraces it by giving the students the tools they need to analyze and reason in an appropriate and gracious manner.
Giving back through our House system and Buddy program
Covenant also embraces and teaches the importance of helping others and becoming authentic servant leaders. This is played out daily with our House system and also our Buddy program. Students build community and mentor others in our competitive House challenges, and our Buddy program pairs older students with younger ones to help them in their academic journey and Christian walk.
Certainly, Hunter and Alli are not strangers to mentoring and so when asked what advice they would share with either their younger selves or students in lower school, they jumped at the opportunity. “Don’t procrastinate,” said Hunter. “There are a lot of opportunities here at Covenant and so it is important to seize them.” Alli shares the importance of choosing a school based upon quality and content, and offers a few life lessons for the future. “Bigger is not always better,” she says. “Put in the work now so as to create solid habits when you are older. But, remember to have fun, take time to enjoy the experiences in lower school.”
Cultivating leaders and disciples
From the Reading-, Writing-, History-, Mathematics- and Bible-infused curriculum of Lower School, to the Logic of Middle and the Rhetoric of High School, Covenant goes beyond equipping our students with knowledge. We offer Christ-centered academics in a nurturing environment, thereby cultivating the next generation of leaders and disciples.
If your family would like to be featured in a future Covenant Community Family Spotlight, feel free to reach out to Ashley Greene at agreene@CovenantKnights.org today.