ABOUT
Information isn’t the goal, Transformation is…
Core PRINCIPLES
Creating a comprehensive educational foundation for a Christian private school that aims to teach biblical principles, core curriculum, life skills, and Socratic thinking involves integrating spiritual, academic, and practical elements.
Here are five foundational pillars that can support this vision:
1. Biblical Foundation
- Purpose: Instill a deep understanding of Christian values and biblical teachings.
- Components: Regular Bible study, prayer, and integration of Christian perspectives into all subjects.
- Goal: Help students develop a strong moral compass and understand their faith in the context of everyday life.
2. Core Curriculum Excellence
- Purpose: Provide an age appropriate, Need to Know academic foundation that prepares students for future educational and career opportunities.
- Components: Comprehensive education in subjects like mathematics, science, literature, and history, all integrated with Christian values.
- Goal: Ensure students achieve academic excellence while understanding how their learning connects to their faith and future goals.
3. Life Skills Development
- Purpose: Equip students with practical skills necessary for personal and professional success.
- Components: Financial literacy, time management, communication skills, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence.
- Goal: Prepare students to navigate life’s challenges confidently and responsibly, guided by Christian principles.
4. Socratic Thinking and Critical Analysis
- Purpose: Foster critical thinking and encourage students to engage in thoughtful dialogue.
- Components: Socratic seminars, debate, and reflective questioning that challenge students to think deeply and articulate their beliefs.
- Goal: Develop well-rounded individuals who can reason logically, ask meaningful questions, and defend their views respectfully.
5. Vocational and Purpose-Driven Guidance
- Purpose: Help students discover and pursue their unique calling and purpose.
- Components: Career exploration, mentorship programs, and opportunities for service and leadership within the community.
- Goal: Guide students in identifying their passions and talents, and align these with their faith to find a fulfilling vocation and life purpose.
Each pillar supports the holistic development of students, blending spiritual growth with academic achievement and practical skills. This approach aims to prepare students not only for their future careers but also for a life of meaningful and purpose-driven service.
Vision
At HWCA, we envision a nurturing community where each child discovers their purpose through a strong Christian foundation. We focus on developing well-rounded individuals equipped with essential life skills and entrepreneurial thinking, fostering personal growth and a lifelong love of learning.
Mission
We aim to equip the next generation through a Christ-centered education that encourages students to discover and develop their unique gifts and talents. Our commitment to academic excellence, character development, and essential life skills is fostered within a supportive community that actively promotes parental and community involvement.
Experts In Giving Your Child The Best Start
Meet The Staff

Amy Howe
Amy Howe grew up in Texas and married her high school sweetheart, Justin, twenty-five years ago. Together, they have three children: Jaret (20), Ashton (17), and Audrey (9). The Howe Family attends HighRidge Church. In addition to their strong faith, they have a vast entrepreneurial background, a tendency for breaking norms, and a passion for life-long learning that extends beyond the traditional school setting.
As a child, Amy loved school and was an exceptional student. This resulted in her completing high school in just three years, one of many unconventional paths Amy’s life has taken. Her refreshing perspective to do things dierently has played out in unique ways and is a testament to her desire to follow God’s plan for her life.
Those positive experiences in school led Amy to dream of her children having similar experiences, but that has not always been the case. Over time, she has observed students become standardized rather than individualized, and has watched as children have fallen between the cracks in a cookie-cutter public school system.
In 2015, the Howe Family felt a divine call to make Aledo their new home. At the time, Amy didn’t know why, but she now believes it was her destiny to build something dierent academically for our community. Almost a decade after moving here, her visions, dreams, and prayers for creating a school are coming to fruition in HeartWood Life Skills Academy.
Amy’s strong educational background has become the blueprint for what she still believes is possible for every child. Through a Christ-focused lens, she envisions students at HeartWood Life Skills Academy reaching their full potential and discovering their true calling. It is her heart’s desire to make the students feel seen and known, for them to believe that they were created on purpose, for a purpose.
As a child, Amy loved school and was an exceptional student. This resulted in her completing high school in just three years, one of many unconventional paths Amy’s life has taken. Her refreshing perspective to do things dierently has played out in unique ways and is a testament to her desire to follow God’s plan for her life.
Those positive experiences in school led Amy to dream of her children having similar experiences, but that has not always been the case. Over time, she has observed students become standardized rather than individualized, and has watched as children have fallen between the cracks in a cookie-cutter public school system.
In 2015, the Howe Family felt a divine call to make Aledo their new home. At the time, Amy didn’t know why, but she now believes it was her destiny to build something dierent academically for our community. Almost a decade after moving here, her visions, dreams, and prayers for creating a school are coming to fruition in HeartWood Life Skills Academy.
Amy’s strong educational background has become the blueprint for what she still believes is possible for every child. Through a Christ-focused lens, she envisions students at HeartWood Life Skills Academy reaching their full potential and discovering their true calling. It is her heart’s desire to make the students feel seen and known, for them to believe that they were created on purpose, for a purpose.
- Phone:817-880-9192