Much of what was covered in Mr. Thomason’s presentation below is from the StoneBridge Family Manual. We are making updates to this manual and look forward to redistributing it to our families in the near future. As with all things, the best is yet to come!
By Noel Thomason, Head of School
StoneBridge School is a unique and blessed family, remarkable for its God-given vision and active, vibrant community life. We are a family of families, educators, and ministries, providentially chosen by God to uphold and exercise His truth in American Christian education.
The family, as God’s first ordained sphere of government, was divinely established for procreation (Genesis 2:24), and our children are a precious gift from Him. Scripture makes it clear that parents bear the exclusive responsibility for educating their children, instilling Christian character that glorifies God, and preparing them to fulfill His plans for their lives (Deuteronomy 6). At StoneBridge, we consider it a sacred trust to serve and support parents in this divinely mandated calling.
The root meaning of the word family sheds light on our identity as part of God’s greater family. Derived from the Celtic word famul, meaning servants, we at StoneBridge strive to embody servanthood—as dynamic, committed Christians serving Christ and one another in generous and loving ways. Together, we aim to cultivate the qualities of servanthood in ourselves and our children, raising up a generation of leaders who exemplify the excellence of Christ in every sphere of life and learning.
Our Place in His Story
StoneBridge holds a special place in His Story. Like every family, we have a family tree with many branches, each contributing to our collective identity. Since our founding in 1980, the StoneBridge family has grown to include members not only across Tidewater but also throughout the nation and the world. We share a rich heritage, celebrate meaningful traditions, and impart an ennobled legacy to our children.
As part of the greater American Christian community, we co-labor with other ministries and Christian leaders to educate both parents and children in a Biblical worldview—one that reasons from God’s Word and actively restores Truth to the heart of education and character training. This work extends the Gospel’s governing influence into homes, churches, and society.
Your Role in the StoneBridge Family
The students who thrive most at StoneBridge are those whose parents actively participate in their children’s education. Whether it’s praying for the school, staying in touch with teachers, volunteering, attending events, or supporting programs, engaged parents play an indispensable role in their children’s success.
We celebrate the individuality of each member of our community. At StoneBridge, there is no single “model” parent, student, or faculty member. Instead, we embrace God’s Principle of Individuality, encouraging everyone to contribute uniquely to our shared mission of restoring Christian education and character.
Our mission is clear: “StoneBridge is a classical Christian school established to restore the Christian character of the Republic. We serve Christian families, enabling each child to reach the fullest expression of his value in Christ through a Biblical, Principle Approach® education.”
This mission is rooted in a heritage passed down through generations, originating from the principles of Christian education and the Christian idea of man and government. Our educational philosophy—shaped by God’s Word—is reflected in every aspect of school life, from academics and athletics to the arts and everyday interactions.
Our Sacred Commitment
At StoneBridge, every student is uniquely precious, chosen, and placed by God for eternal purposes. We take great joy and honor in serving these students, committing ourselves to their spiritual, intellectual, and character development. This commitment is guided by the Biblical Principle Approach®, which views all knowledge as the knowledge of God. Whether teaching algebra, phonics, or basketball, our aim is to identify and apply the Biblical principles inherent in each subject.
We are also committed to academic excellence. By setting high standards, employing an enlightened curriculum, and emphasizing Biblical reasoning, we help students reach the fullest expression of their God-given potential. While we do not screen for academic ability, our students consistently perform in the top 25 percent nationally on standardized tests, excel in regional competitions, and grow through a tutorial approach that meets each child’s individual needs.
Character development is central to our mission. True Christian character, shaped by the discipline and conviction of self-government, is essential to success. Our classroom practices, policies, and curriculum aim to instill Christlike character, inspiring students to embrace responsibility, integrity, and a vision for service.
Finally, we are committed to cultivating servant-leaders. Leadership at StoneBridge is defined as serving others, and our high school mentoring and prefect programs exemplify this principle. Through service projects, mission trips, and community partnerships, our students learn to contribute meaningfully to God’s purposes.
Educating for the 21st Century
As we prepare students for the challenges of today’s world, we draw inspiration from Biblical models like Daniel, who thrived as a scholar and statesman under four kings and two empires. Our goal is to equip students to overcome the spiritual and cultural challenges of their generation, becoming ambassadors of Christ who advance His Kingdom.
At StoneBridge, there are no customers—only co-laborers.
Together, as parents, teachers, and students, we share the responsibility of rowing the boat toward the fulfillment of God’s purposes. We pray that it may be said of each StoneBridge graduate, as it was of David in Acts 13:36, that they served God’s purposes fully in their own generation.
