Wildwood Christian Academy, located in Marble Hill, Georgia, near Big Canoe, is a college preparatory independent school dedicated to providing excellence in education and growth in a Christian environment.

Nearly six years ago, Wildwood Christian Academy was the vision of Larry Ruff, an attorney at law for over thirty years, and his wife, who also was employed in the legal field.  That vision became reality when on September 2, 2003, the first group of students entered the Academy doors on a path to academic excellence.

Wildwood is unique in offering curriculum that is interdisciplinary in nature, hands-on in practice and age-appropriate in design. The focus is to meet the needs of the children where they are developmentally, to challenge them intellectually and to provide a nurturing environment where true potential can be realized.  Wildwood Christian Academy accepts children from kindergarten through 8th grade.

Head Master, Nancy Hammer, formerly with The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, states, "Wildwood Christian Academy Does NOT Teach Academic Subjects." Knowing that would get your attention, she explains, “It’s true. We don’t teach academic subjects; we teach children.  It is one thing to simply take a textbook and teach the material on each page; it is quite another thing to teach children to think, question, analyze and love what they are doing. That’s what we do at Wildwood Christian Academy.”

Wildwood Christian Academy is non-denominational.  In addition to its core curriculum, or math, social studies, Bible/values, language arts, and science, Wildwood Christian Academy offers Spanish, art, drama, music, physical education and several after-school programs such as golf, tennis, chess, orchestral strings, archery and intramurals.  Wildwood’s weekly chapel program is directed by Lamar Helms, the school’s Chaplain.  Each Wednesday the students from a different class present to the entire student body a play, song or other presentation relating to their studies in Bible/values.  The chapel program is attended by several parents and always features clergy from a visiting congregation of all denominations.  In addition to the weekly chapel, the upper school students have classes in Biblical and historical studies.

Learning at Wildwood is not limited to the classroom.  In fact, the curriculum and scheduling reflect the school’s emphasis on education outside the classroom where students also learn in different ways and begin to understand themselves, others and how they relate to nature. Subject related field trips are a regular occurrence at Wildwood.  For example, when studying state government, symphonic music or the environment, students generally will visit the capital and meet with the Governor, attend the Atlanta Symphony, and hike and study at Amicalola Falls.  In addition, each day students enjoy a mid-morning snack and free play outside on the ball field, basketball court or play structures. Lunch is always special under the lunch program where the Wildwood chef prepares fresh meals in the school’s own kitchen to the students and faculty daily.  In the afternoon, students have physical education which includes gross motor skills practice, games, free play or a nature hike on the trail around the campus’ thirteen acres. In addition to these daily activities, students take advantage of the area in which Wildwood Christian Academy is located to enrich the curriculum being taught in the classrooms.

Wildwood Christian Academy is noted for excellence in education in a Christian environment.  When Pamela and Larry Ruff founded Wildwood, they insisted that Wildwood would start out with the intention of being accredited by the toughest accrediting bodies in the world, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools.  Generally the accreditation process takes four to seven years.  However, Wildwood Christian Academy accomplished complete accreditation with both accrediting bodies in just a year and a half.  “Not surprising”, said Larry Ruff, “when you consider that most of our faculty have Master’s degrees and over twenty years of teaching experience.”

You are invited to visit Wildwood Christian Academy or take a virtual tour by clicking here.

Wildwood Christian Academy is located at 695 Whitley Road South, Marble Hill, Georgia 30148. 

For more information phone 770-893-3300 or visit www.wildwoodchristianacademy.com.