Is classical Christian education worth it? That’s a big question to answer, and while our faculty and administration could talk all day about their thoughts on the matter, we decided to turn to a different group to get their opinions. 

On January 29, 2026, several ECCS alumni joined us for a panel discussion to answer questions about the value of classical Christian education.

We had panelists from all different seasons of life and a variety of vocations. They had many insights to share, including funny stories about teachers and the community that surrounded them at ECCS, which our Director of Admissions, Kristi Culpepper, says is a really special part of the school. She also added:

“Our students are our best advertisement, and the same is true for our alumni. Classical education builds on itself as you move through the different stages, and you cannot see the entire fruit of it until you see older students and alums who have been out in the world using the skills they were given here, especially the rhetoric, logic, and critical thinking. It’s important for parents to see the value and benefit to their kids.”

Logic & Rhetoric (L&R) Principal, Julie McGuffey, who organized the event, said that through the testimony of these panelists, you see the vision of what we’re doing at ECCS. “Classical Christian education has proven itself.” 

Kendyll Weeks, 2013 graduate, started at ECCS in the 9th grade, and that alone posed a unique set of challenges. Coming from public school, things were much different, but in a very good way for her, and she talked about how much she loved her four years at ECCS. From extra help from teachers and classmates to get caught up in math and rejoicing with Mrs. McGuffey in the hallway over good history grades, she noted that the smaller class sizes and teachers who truly knew and saw her really mattered the most. 

“I know you've heard the small class sizes are so good, but my teachers saw me, and if I didn't believe in myself, they believed in me, and that made all the difference for me,” Kendyll said. “You also really learn people skills that personally, I don't think I would have learned if I had stayed in public school, and I really owe that to Evangel and just being able to speak and articulate myself well.”

Stephen Kirkland graduated in 2010 as part of our first senior class. He’s now an entrepreneur and business owner. “I am eternally grateful for the things that I received and that I learned here, but far beyond the books, far beyond the curriculum, I also learned life skills. I learned personal skills, I learned time management skills that are just not common amongst other peers outside of this particular house.”

Jonathan Parker, 2013 graduate, is a Criminal Investigator with the Department of Homeland Security and Air Force Reserve. He brought up something that he said might sometimes be overlooked. “Evangel is very counter-cultural in so many ways, but manners and basic respect is something that I think is overlooked a little bit, but it's still very important. Having that ingrained in you throughout high school, when you're becoming an adult, and then being able to take that with you when you're applying to jobs, going to the workforce or going to college, that's something that unfortunately makes you stand out in a very good way. That should be the standard, but it's not. And so I think that's something that Evangel does a really good job of.” 

When asked about how their education at ECCS has impacted their current vocation, the answers often went back to things like writing skills, personal skills, and even public speaking.

“I'm a shy person by nature, but we had to speak so much at Evangel, from memory time to sixth grade Bible verses to everything you do in high school. My knees would start shaking, I would feel like I'm about to throw up, but I'd still get up there and remember what I'd prepared,” says Elise Helton, 2015 graduate who is an Associate Attorney at Baker Donelson. “I got to my first trial last year, and I felt all the same symptoms of nerves and anxiety. But I had the skills to recognize the emotions and press on. I can't think of a better education for the job I'm in now than what I received at ECCS, and I'm very grateful.”

Lavens Maginnis, 2021 graduate, also mentioned the many years of speaking and projects being helpful to her throughout college and in her role as a Graphic Designer with Shelby County Newsmedia. “We were prepared so well in the basics. When I got to college, I saw a lot of peers really struggle with writing, because it wasn’t something they had been challenged with at whatever school they attended. I realized I had been given everything I needed to do that,” Lavens said. “With graphic design, I also had to do presentations of my work, including a senior project, which was reminiscent of senior thesis. I was so well prepared, and I knew what it was to defend what I had created.”

Learning everything from a Christian worldview is another topic that came up several times among the panelists. 

“I think the biggest way that Evangel impacted my vocation has to do with Christian worldview, because, let's be honest, the world is a terrible, terrible place, and we are fairly lucky to be in such an insulated environment from how terrible life can be,” Jonathan said. “I was given the opportunity to debate my fellow students in systematic theology and apologetics, especially in junior and senior year. If I had left before those two years, I would not have gotten 50% of the benefit that I got those last two years because of those classes.”

Lastly, a topic that comes up often is the thesis process. One question came in from an audience member who wanted to know what the panelists would say to students and parents who were apprehensive about the thesis. This answer from Jonathan sums it up well:

“This is an opportunity for the student. This is not something someone is trying to punish them with. The teachers are not trying to see anyone fail, the adjudicators are not trying to see anyone fail. They are trying to see everyone succeed. It’s an opportunity to flex creative and critical thinking muscles and have fun with it. Finding something they’re passionate about might help them enjoy it more and relax a little,” he said. “For the parent, look at the fruit that it bears. Yes, it’s hard and stressful, but the fruit that it bears cannot be gained any other way. There are no shortcuts.”

Thank you to all of our panelists for providing such thoughtful answers and insights!

Stephen Kirkland (2010): Entrepreneur and Business Owner, WAV Install

Jonathan Parker (2013): Criminal Investigator, Department of Homeland Security and Air Force Reserve

Kendyll Weeks (2013): Admissions and Recruitment Representative, Faulkner University

Elise Helton (2015): Associate Attorney, Baker Donelson

Grant Petersen (2018): Assistant Project Manager, Brasfield and Gorrie

Lavens Maginnis (2012): Graphic Designer, Shelby County Newsmedia