Ginger Wiley - Choosing Wisely
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The Wiley’s Story:
We are the Wiley’s—and we have six children. In our early years of parenting, it seemed obvious that we would educate our children through public schools.
First, we both graduated from public school in the 1990s and were quite pleased with the results of our education together. We studied Latin, read many of the Great Books, and as high school sweethearts, our first date was to the Shakespeare Festival’s showing of King Lear for extra credit. So, in our view, public school was classic and excellent! We had also adopted the prevailing mindset that Maryland’s public schools were well-respected, specifically the ones our children would attend. Lastly, as Christians raising children to know and love Christ, we were prepared to encounter the worldly struggles of secular school. We braced ourselves to parent above those struggles. Our family, including the children, would be "salt and light" within the public school system, challenging teachings that were antithetical to the Bible and leading peers into relationships with Christ. And perhaps some of those intentions were met—but only in part. Sadly, over the course of a decade, our early expectations for quality learning, meaningful friendships, and compassionate servitude eroded.
We became increasingly disappointed with the academic “dis”-rigor, character “de”-formation, and “dis”-invitation of parents into the classroom and discussions. Our kids were not thriving, and our family was struggling. The disenchantment compelled a search for something else, and during the summer of 2020, we found Classical Christian Education. By 2022, we had fully transitioned the children to Rockbridge Academy. The conviction to enroll was strong, but still drastic and daring, made possible only with a change in career and a 50-mile relocation to a new home.
“Rockbridge has become the helping hand—the lifeline—that we desperately needed.”
Upheaval and strain transformed quickly into abundant blessings, as we were welcomed into the fold of Rockbridge Academy. We had indeed “chosen wisely.” On day one during the car ride home, the children shared boisterous, detailed stories of the intense classroom discussions in ways they never had before. The content of these stories also blew us away. They recited Bible verses and poems, they argued the fallacies of our instructional logic, and they explained current events with a backdrop of God’s covenantal relationship with His people.
We had dreamed of raising children such as this. And a parent’s role is to train up his child in the way of the Lord. Our family struggled to accomplish this directive on our own. Rockbridge has become the helping hand, the lifeline, that we desperately needed. Dramatic but true: we raised our white flag, surrendered our old ways, and asked Rockbridge to come alongside our family. The core tenants within the mission of Rockbridge so perfectly aligned with our own imagined ideals. We are now able to provide an “unwaveringly Christian” education and partner completely with a school such that our values and needs are respected, promoted, and accomplished. Praise to God, from whom all blessings flow, for the privilege to walk through life within the Rockbridge community.
Favorite Rockbridge Memory: Our oldest of six married her college sweetheart in June 2025. To help ceremoniously celebrate the union, her three brothers boldly proclaimed scriptural truths to a crowd of witnesses. Fifteen-year-old Elliot read with confidence and careful articulation from 1 John, using his regular practice in oration from schooling at Rockbridge. Simon and Jesse, 5 and 7 years old, recited Psalm 150 with energy and lively gestures that they had learned from Mrs. Lytikainen in Rockbridge's Kindergarten class. The bride, groom, pastors, and our families teared up at the sweetness of a child's voice imparting such wisdom. But more importantly, we believe that God intended the children to be his gospel messengers on that sunny day, sharing what they know of the one true God with all of our guests. We thank Rockbridge Academy for equipping our children with wisdom and truth so that they can share this good news in all of their days.