A new Christian private school is starting this fall in the Pembina Valley.

Prairie Crossroads School opens in September and Founder Travis Penner explains they wanted to create a place that combined the educational curriculum with a Christian perspective. He notes the smaller class sizes also create a more intimate, effective learning experience. An intentionally shortened school day also encourages more family time at home, Penner explains. Prairie Crossroads School's first Principal is Cyndie Wiebe

"The motivation hasn't been to provide a better education than what you receive in the public spaces... we've had really great support in the public system, so this isn't to be negative on public schools, it's just more an opportunity to reinforce the faith-based aspects."

After the first week of open registration, Penner says they've reached 50 percent capacity and are encouraged by the response from the community.

However, he says the road to opening the school wasn't always easy.

"We've felt times of both discouragement and encouragement... there were hurdles we just couldn't seem to overcome, one being finding a location... and then suddenly the Lord would open a door and answer our prayers."

The school operates out of the EMMC church in Morden, but would not be affiliated with the organization.

"We've seen God work in mysterious and wonderful ways in aligning things, the confirmation we've seen over and over and certainly been encouraging," Penner adds.

Penner explains they would adhere to the Manitoba curriculum and would receive approximately 50 percent of the funding public schools receive. However, there is a three-year waiting period until those funds would be made available to the private school.

For now, they hope to offer grades K-8, with the vision of eventually operating a K-12 facility.

Learn more by emailing admin@prairiecrossroads.ca.