Early Vision & Foundations

• In Barre, Susan Hayward and a committee began a Christian preschool rooted in a philosophy she refined during seminary. After eight years, she and co‑founder Susan Caron explored expanding into elementary education.
• After 5 or 6 years directing Preschool, she and co-founder Susan Caron began to build their plan to expand this vision of educating students in ways that are experiential and integral to include elementary and middle school students.
• Simultaneously, a feasibility committee formed at Holden Chapel, led by Pastor Dan Curtis, aimed to establish a Christian school within their congregation’s facilities.
• In 1993, the two committees merged—combining Barre’s educational leadership with Holden’s facility and organizational support. Together, they crafted the mission, philosophy, and founding vision of HCA.

Opening & Growth

• In September 1994, HCA began with 64 students in Kindergarten through Grade 6 and a dedicated team of ten staff members. In 1995 and 1996, respectively, Grades 7 and 8 were added as a more comprehensive, rigorous academic program was developed 
• From the outset, HCA embraced an experiential, concept‑based curriculum modeled after Cranston Academy and Westbay Christian Academy, institutions recognized for integrating Scripture with learning that is engaging.  Mentorship from Dr. Peter Blackwell and Dr. David Greenhalgh helped seed this approach within HCA’s teaching framework.

Milestones & Enhancements

Over the years, Holden Christian Academy has grown significantly while remaining true to its faith‑based roots: 

• 2006 — Earned accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI); re‑accredited in 2013 and 2021.
• Expanded facilities to include playground equipment, a regulation soccer field, a library, upgraded gym, and reconfigured office space.
• 2009 — Introduced Preschool programming 
• 2013 — Implemented raised‑bed gardens, a Food for Life curriculum integrating gardening, nutrition, and fitness, iPads for classroom use, and an aeroponic tower garden.
• 2016 — Grand opening of our nationally certified Nature Explore Playground to support outdoor, experiential learning.
• 2018 — Became a founding member of the Redemptive Education Association of Christian Schools (REACH), an association of schools that are philosophically aligned as biblical, relational, integral, and experiential
• 2026 — We expect to successfully complete our third re-accreditation with the Association of Christian Schools International in the Spring of 2026