Our Mission
Through a Christ-centered approach to education, we aspire to cultivate lifelong learners who embody the values of excellence, integrity, and servant leadership and become ambassadors for the gospel in their communities and beyond.
Shiloh Christian Academy is a hybrid educational institution tailored to meet the needs of homeschooling families and individuals seeking an alternative to traditional secular education.
Our model offers two days per week of Christ-centered, interactive instruction. We aim to supplement homeschooling efforts by providing excellent educational opportunities in all core subjects K-12.
Shiloh Christian Academy is a ministry of the Summit Church and has been in operation since August 2024.
Through a Christ-centered approach to education, we aspire to cultivate lifelong learners who embody the values of excellence, integrity, and servant leadership and become ambassadors for the gospel in their communities and beyond.
Our school provides in-person instruction on Mondays and Thursdays, starting with chapel at 9am and covering all core subjects: math, science, english and history/geography. Class time will be interactive and hands-on, creating a learning environment where students collaborate and help each other grow in their understanding of the content and in Godly character.
8:45 AM - Student Drop Off
9-10 AM - Chapel and Bible Class
10-12 PM - Classroom Instruction
12-1 PM - Lunch and Recess
1-3 PM - Classroom Instruction
3-3:15 PM - Cleanup
3:15-3:30 PM - Student Pickup
3:30-5:30pm - Extracurricular activities (Spanish and Music)
Mrs. B has a degree in Early Elementary Education. She has been working with children in different capacities for many years including teaching preschool, in-home daycare provider, working in children's ministry, teachers aid & childcare site supervisor.
Her family includes 4 children & two cats. She is looking forward to being a co-teacher in the K-2 grades and getting to know all the students and families.
Mrs. Durham is a homeschooling mother of seven (and grandmother of 3 little ones) with 4 graduates so far and a couple more to go. She has a Montessori 6-9 teaching degree from NAMC, and she loves the eyes of children as they discover something for the first time.
Together with her husband Troy, Mrs. Durham is on the NDHSA board to serve the homeschooling families in North Dakota. She is looking forward to supporting homeschool families at Shiloh Christian Academy this school year.
Mrs. Reno has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Inclusive Education and a K-12 minor in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She taught small group language intervention in the West Fargo Public School district for six years, working with kindergartners the majority of that time. As her family grew, she later transitioned into opening her home daycare. She has loved being a stay-at-home mom to her four children for the past three years.
Mrs. Reno enjoys reading, baking, exercising, dancing, spending time with her family outdoors, and going on adventures. She and her family are very excited to start their homeschooling journey in the 2025-2026 academic year.
Mrs. Herges has a B.A. in math education, mathematics, and Bible from the University of Northwestern in St. Paul and a M.S. in math education from North Dakota State University.
She taught middle and high school math for five years before staying home and homeschooling her six kids. She loves spending time with her family, taking walks, and spending time with friends. She's excited to help students learn and enjoy math and to point them to the Creator of math!
Mrs. Walling has a Bachelors in Business Administration and a K-8 teaching certification from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
While gaining her degrees (2013-2020) she worked at several elementary schools as a tutor, after school program leader, kindergarten classroom aide, and student teacher. The dream was always to be a math teacher of some kind but when she and her family moved to Fargo in 2021 she became solely focused on being a mom. She substitutes in the free time available and did a long term subbing position at Horace High School's Family and Consumer Science classes for nearly the whole first quarter in 2023. She loves to cook/bake, go on outdoor adventures, and keep the house running with her two young children. Her current passions are providing wholesome and healthy meals for her family and learning how to dance on the weekends. She is extremely excited to dive back into her favorite school subject of math and have the freedom to connect it to our wonderful Creator.
Mrs. Lende has a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management and a Business Administration minor. After college graduation she taught English in Jeonju, Korea.
She is excited to encourage and equip children to read well, and develop the foundation they need to be lifelong learners. Mrs. Lende is a homeschool mom of five. She enjoys serving at church with her husband, and learning about God's creation through travel.
Mr. Ahrens has a B.S. in agronomy from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, a M.S. in Botany from Auburn University in Alabama, and a PhD in agronomy from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.
He did weed science research and taught Weed Science and Herbicide Chemistry at the University of Delaware and at North Dakota State University. In June of 1996, Mr. Ahrens moved with his wife, Peggy, and four children to northeast China to be part of God's work in building the church there. He and Peggy returned to the U.S. for official retirement in September 2020. He enjoys participating in various aspects of Kingdom work and is very much looking forward to fruitful time in the classroom with Shiloh Academy students preparing for life.
Becky Minion grew up in Fargo and is now enjoying life-including a homeschooling adventure of twenty years-with her family of eight in the Sabin, MN, area.
Beyond time with friends and family, she cherishes the little things in life such as watching sunrises, reading books and drinking coffee. Becky is excited to join the Shiloh Academy community to guide a combined English and history class on a journey of recognizing those who have ministered God's truth, beauty and goodness in difficult times, so we can better understand God's faithfulness to all generations.
Mrs. Rivera holds a Bachelor's Degree in Counseling Psychology with a minor in Bible and Theology from Toccoa Falls College. Last year, she served as an elementary teacher assistant at Shiloh Christian Academy.
She has been involved in various nonprofit organizations focusing on education and marriages in Denver, Colorado and has also worked at a Salvation Army camp and day camps. Mrs. Rivera and her husband are actively involved in The Summit Church, where her husband Thomas serves as an elder. Their responsibilities include overseeing the home group ministry, Women's prayer, baptism ministry, and supporting men's and women's ministries. Mrs. Rivera has homeschooled her four children, with three attending Shiloh Christian Academy. She enjoys outdoor activities, including kayaking, hiking, swimming, and exploring new adventures during her travels. She has a deep passion for teaching children about the joy and wonder of Jesus Christ, emphasizing his profound love for them.
Mr. Fendley earned his B.S. in Religion from Liberty University, with extensive Bible training coming from Toccoa Falls College. Since 2020, he has served as the lead Pastor at The Summit Church, a local church he helped establish in 2012.
With over 15 years of dedicated experience, Stephen has been fervently teaching the Bible and proclaiming the Gospel across various ministry platforms. Janna, his wife, holds a B.S. in Biblical Studies from Toccoa Falls College, and together, they embarked on their ministry journey upon their marriage in 2010. They've been instrumental in planting The Summit Church in West Fargo and supporting the development of new church leaders and teaching the Bible to all age groups. Janna is a gifted worship leader with over 15 years of experience, also excelling in evangelism, mercy ministries, and discipleship. The couple, blessed with five children, three of whom attend Shiloh Christian Academy, eagerly anticipates each day's opportunity to guide SCA students closer to Jesus through worship and the profound study of God's Word.
Mariane Wottrich started the youth choir at LifeStem Academy in 2022 and is excited to continue that adventure with her husband Tyler Wottrich at Shiloh Christian Academy. Mrs. Wottrich taught voice at NDSU from 2014 to 2024 and has performed opera and recitals in her native Montreal, around the US, and in Europe.
She also held different positions in music administration between 2009 and 2014. She received her B.M. from the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, her masters from Manhattan School of Music, and her doctorate from Stony Brook University where she met her husband. Tyler Wottrich studied both math and piano at the University of Minnesota and then specialized in piano for his masters and doctorate from Stony Brook University. He joined the professional ensemble ACJW, ensemble in residence at Carnegie Hall in New York City, from 2012-14. He then accepted an appointment as piano professor at NDSU where he created and runs the collaborative piano program. Tyler and Mariane Wottrich have performed together extensively and are excited to collaborate on this youth vocal group to encourage young musicians to glorify their creator with their gifts. The group will present a choir concert in December and a musical in the spring.
Mrs. Kamrud has a degree in Elementary Education from Minnesota State University - Moorhead. She taught in Fargo Public Schools for four years before staying home with her young children. She has worked and volunteered in different ways through coaching, teaching after school programs, and teaching sessions at Bible Camps.
She has been homeschooling three of her five children the last couple years and has enjoyed the partnership with Shiloh Christian Academy. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, swimming, skating, gardening, and trying new recipes! She is looking forward to teaching English and History with the intent to inspire a love of learning, and catching a vision for the plans the Lord has for them in God's story!
Nathan Christenson grew up in a homeschooling family and is continuing that tradition with his own family. He views homeschooling as the perfect solution to a sometimes challenging school system and a great way to ensure that his kids are learning God-honoring Biblical values. Nathan spends most of his free time with family and enjoys almost any outdoor activity.
He has taught fitness classes to children and adults in the past and, while the classroom is a different setting, he looks forward to getting back into teaching again. He is excited to teach science because it puts God's beautiful creation on full display.
Carisa Hoveland is a dedicated homeschool mom of three with a heart for helping students discover their God-given purpose and prepare for life beyond high school. With over a decade of experience as a small business owner, she brings real-world insight and practical wisdom to the classroom. In 2024, she taught American Government at a homeschool co-op, where she discovered a deep passion for engaging students in meaningful conversations about faith, leadership, and civic responsibility.
She is excited to incorporate prayer, biblical truth, and interactive projects into her teaching, creating a thoughtful and encouraging environment for students to grow both academically and spiritually.
