Angela Howdershelt, founder and visionary behind Covenant Christian Academy, spoke briefly to the Journal on Tuesday afternoon about her strong convictions on affordable Christian education, the school's curriculum, and open enrollment for all local students.

Covenant Christian Academy Founder Reflects on School’s Beginnings, Curriculum Focus, and Future Enrollment By Jennifer Bailey Staff Writer   Clifton Forge, VA (Apr. 14, 2026)— Covenant Christian Academy (CCA), located at 1601 Chestnut Street in Clifton Forge, stands as a beacon of faith-based education which is dedicated to nurturing the minds and spirits of its—to date—22 students. Founded by Angela Howdershelt in 2018, it was her vision to offer an affordable, Christ-centered education in the Alleghany Highlands. "About 2016, '17, the Lord put it on my heart that there was a need for a Christian school in this area," Howdershelt said. "We don't have one other than this one. We didn't have one at the time, and it was just a heavy burden that I couldn't shake, so in obedience to God, I said, 'Ok, Lord, you have to lead me down this path and I'm trusting you for the results.'" About a decade later, the Covenant Christian Academy Lions will soon be wrapping up their eighth year in existence, with a graduation scheduled for two of its students next month. This will be the school's second graduation ceremony. Their first-ever graduate, Abigail Bush, is currently a student at Liberty University. The Journal learned a great deal about the "fiercely faithful" school as we chatted away with Howdershelt Tuesday. For example, CCA's syllabus is not limited to Bible classes, but offers a well-balanced curriculum for all children. "Our school is open to everyone," said Howdershelt. "Everyone. We have kindergarten through the twelfth grade here, and anyone's welcome to attend. We do have a small tuition that we do charge to pay our bills, but we would not turn anyone away based on their ability to pay. We want the option for Christian education to be available to everyone that would desire that for their children." As for the curriculum, Covenant Christian Academy integrates rigorous academic standards with a strong emphasis on personal and spiritual growth. It provides a well-rounded education that includes core subjects like math, science, language arts, and history, while also providing arts and humanities, including auto mechanics, and even a French class taught by Pastor David Hanks. "We would meet the requirements for Virginia's state diploma in the courses that we provide," Howdershelt stated. Although it is much too late to enroll this year, parents interested in sending their children for the 2026-2027 school year can visit the school's website at https://www.covenantchristianalleghany.org/, send an email to ccaalleghany2018@gmail.com, or call the school directly at 540-862-1958. The Journal's full video interview with Angela Howdershelt will be available soon on our Alleghany Journal Facebook page. Covenant Christian Academy is located in the former Oak Hill Bible Church building, located at 1601 Chestnut Street in Clifton Forge. Howdershelt told the Journal that the building was generously donated by the church for the school's use. Angela Howdershelt shared that her granddaughter was the mastermind in knitting together the school's mascot: the Covenant Christian Academy Lion, pictured here.

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