Publication: Mountrail County Promoter
Writer: Mary Kilen
Date: Nov 19, 2025
CCA Holds Informational Meetings
Christian Crossroads Academy in Stanley held two visioning nights recently. On Monday, Nov. 3 they held a virtual meeting. An in-person meeting was held on Thursday, Nov. 13.
Danita Bye, one of the founding board members, along with her brother Burl Evans, also a founding board member, welcomed everyone to the facility located at 6161 Highway 8. Both are Stanley High School graduates who recognize the importance of a Classical Christian model of education. The goal with the academy is to help students thrive and flourish through a different educational model.
The idea of the academy started with conversations between Fred and Joyce Evans, also founding board members, and Dr. Mark Pearson, president of Liberty Resources. They reconnected in 2010 at a ND Petroleum Council meeting. He talked about his journey with his family in the Bakken and now in Denver. Their children were attending a private non-religious school, but they found that it had different viewpoints counter to a Christian worldview. They wanted a new direction that would give their children an education with a foundation in faith. They started checking out schools and found an ACCS school 17 miles from their home. They were impressed by the fundamentals and foundation that would equip their children with a biblical worldview as well as quality in the outcome of education.
They made the move to this K-8 grade school and then transferred to a nearby Christian high school. They are glad they made the move to the ACCS education pointing to the values and quality academic education that allowed their children to live to their full potential.
Mark’s daughter Victoria also joined the meeting virtually as well, saying that from a student perspective, her education has taught her so much about the Bible, but it also taught her about organization and provided a solid foundation. Going from situational to biblically based education has changed her view and helped her look at things from both sides.
Paul Fisher, the headmaster at Capstone Classical Academy in Fargo was also at the meeting. He said that the founding of Capstone came at a time when they could not find a school grounded in eternal truth. Having been a Christian school principal in the 90s, he knew what he was looking for.
He points to a traditional education that separates all subjects and is silent on faith. He says that as he started the journey, he knew they needed to incorporate God into all classrooms to hold it all together. All three of his children have gotten that Classical Christian education now after Capstone opened in the fall of 2022. He points out that the move to this type of education is not a movement just in North Dakota, but a renewal of the values and education internationally that is gaining momentum.
Christian Crossroad Academy’s founding director Andrew Nyhus also attended the meeting virtually. A native of Harvey, his life has taken him to Fargo and then Capital Hill. He worked for Senator Hoeven and then Representative Cramer, focusing on education. He says that through all of his experiences, he prayed for Capstone’s existence in Fargo and that it has been the answer for so many. He and his family will be moving to Stanley and says that he cannot wait to be part of the community.
He highlighted the academy’s mission, hope and educational philosophy.
“Christian Crossroads Academy offers a Christ-centered education that is rooted in the Classical Christian model preparing students to be excellent learners, rigorous thinkers, and effective doers. We equip students with wisdom and confidence so that they can navigate a complex world and thereby succeed as life-long learners. The wholeness of body, mind, and spirit is developed through our model alongside the nurturing of strong relationships with families, teachers, and our community. (The Classical Christian model moves the student from knowledge to understanding to wisdom. This is known as the “trivium” which involves the stages of learning known as grammar, logic, and rhetoric.)
At Christian Crossroads Academy, our deepest hope is to walk alongside families as they raise children who know God and follow His call. We aim to shape strong leaders who live for God’s glory, not just for themselves. We pray our students will rise above the world’s noise, guided by wisdom and truth. We want them to use their gifts with purpose, courage, and joy. In every way, we hope they reflect Christ: thinking wisely, living faithfully, and loving what is true, good, and beautiful.
At Christian Crossroads Academy, we train students to conform to Christ Jesus, not to the fallen world. Our students are rooted in truth, formed in virtue, and prepared to lead. We believe classical education shapes the whole student: mind, heart and soul. This journey starts with a humble heart ready to listen to God and ends in strong obedience that bears lasting fruit for His Kingdom. We aim to educate young men and women of integrity, guided by wisdom and virtue. We desire that they steward their God-given gifts that truth commands their loyalty, and that they commit to serving the Lord.”
Partnering with Concordis Education they are working hand-in-hand to launch this classical Christian education. Concordis’ executive director Heather Lloyd explained the classical education process that focuses on ways to steep children in all things Christ, learn the art and skill of word, and the skill of numbers finding ways to deeply know and learn forever.