Meet Mrs. Harper
Hi! I’m Meredith Harper, founder and teacher at Grace Academy.
Education has always been about so much more than academics to me. I believe students thrive when they are known, encouraged, challenged, and given the confidence to become who God created them to be.
My background includes years of experience in Christian education as both a classroom teacher and school leader, including serving as an Upper School Director. Through those experiences, I saw firsthand how powerful a smaller learning environment can be—especially for middle and high school students who may get lost in a traditional classroom setting.
That vision is what led me to create Grace Academy.
Grace Academy combines the structure and academic accountability of school with the flexibility, relationships, and individual attention of a small learning community. I want our students to receive a strong education, but I also want them to enjoy coming to school. We work hard, laugh a lot, move our bodies, have meaningful conversations, study Scripture, ask questions, and learn how our faith applies to real life.
One of my favorite parts of teaching is getting to know each student individually. Every child brings different strengths, struggles, interests, personalities, and learning styles into the classroom. Rather than expecting every student to fit into exactly the same mold, I believe part of my job is discovering what helps each student succeed while still holding them to meaningful expectations.
Faith is woven naturally throughout our days at Grace Academy. My hope isn't simply that students know more about God when they leave my classroom. I want them to learn how to think deeply about their faith, ask meaningful questions, recognize truth, serve others, and develop a relationship with Christ that becomes their own.
I’m also a mom, which has shaped the way I approach education tremendously. I understand that parents aren't simply choosing a curriculum or a school schedule—they're trusting someone with a person they love more than anything in the world. I don't take that responsibility lightly.
Grace Academy was created to be a place where students can receive an excellent education while being genuinely known and cared for.
Small classes. Strong academics. Authentic relationships. Faith at the center.
That is the heart behind Grace Academy—and I feel incredibly grateful to get to do this work.
At Grace Academy, I strive to integrate biblical truth into every aspect of our curriculum. I believe that academic excellence is not just about knowledge, but about building Christ-like character that prepares students for a life of purpose, integrity, and service to others.
Outside of my role here, I am deeply committed to community outreach and continuous learning. My mission is to ensure that every family at Grace Academy feels supported and every student feels seen, challenged, and empowered to reach their full potential in God.
My Role
Founder & Lead Educator
At Grace Academy, my role is about much more than teaching lessons and assigning grades. My greatest responsibility is to truly know each student—to recognize how they learn, what motivates them, where they struggle, what makes them unique, and who God created them to be.
I believe children thrive when they feel seen, known, valued, and safe to be themselves. In a small learning environment, I have the opportunity to notice the things that can easily be missed in a larger classroom: when a student needs a concept explained differently, when they need to be challenged a little further, when confidence is beginning to grow, or when they simply need someone in their corner reminding them that they are capable.
Academically, my goal is to provide students with a strong, structured education while recognizing that children are individuals—not identical learners moving through identical boxes. I want students to understand what they are learning, not simply complete assignments. That means slowing down when necessary, providing extra practice, encouraging questions, celebrating progress, and giving students room to develop confidence and independence as learners.
Just as importantly, I want Grace Academy to help shape character as well as intellect. Faith is woven naturally into our days as we encourage kindness, integrity, responsibility, perseverance, compassion, and respect for others. My hope is that students leave Grace Academy knowing more than they did when they arrived—but also knowing themselves better, believing in their abilities, and understanding that their gifts and individuality have purpose.
My role is to teach, guide, encourage, challenge, and advocate for each child entrusted to me—and to make sure that, in the process of receiving an education, no child gets lost in the crowd.
Interests
- What makes me, me? My faith, my family, teaching, good books, morning walks, worship music, healthy living, animals, a great cup of coffee, lots of laughter, and creating a place where kids feel loved, challenged, and genuinely excited to learn.