A culture of kindness first drew the Davis family to WC. Today, they’re seeing their children grow in faith and develop hearts for serving others.
Every day at Worthington Christian, God is at work in the lives of students, families, and teachers. As we approach the end of the year, a season when many families consider their charitable giving, we’re sharing stories that offer a glimpse into the lasting impact of a Worthington Christian education and the difference made possible through the generosity of our community. Because every gift impacts a story.
When Ashley Davis picked up her two oldest sons after their first shadow day at Worthington Christian, their reaction was immediate.
“We couldn’t believe how kind everyone was to us.”
For her sons, Ashton and Ziloh, who had experienced some difficult years in public school before their family transitioned to homeschooling, the kindness they encountered that day made an impression. For Ashley, their reaction reinforced what had first drawn her to WC: a culture of genuine kindness and care.
The Davis family’s journey to WC began unexpectedly. Nearly four years ago, Ashley accepted a part-time remote position as the school’s Substitute Coordinator while homeschooling her children. After feeling God’s leading to remove her children from public school, she had embraced homeschooling and wasn’t looking for another educational option. But that changed when she attended her new employee orientation.
“I was immediately drawn into the culture,” Ashley recalls. “Much of our morning was spent in devotions, prayer, and uplifting conversation with coworkers.”
As she learned more about WC’s mission to develop the mind of Christ in students and equip them to serve His Kingdom, she began to see how God had been directing their family’s steps.
“I knew that this was more than just another private school,” she says. “This was a school that truly cares about the souls of its students.”
Today, Ashley serves as the Attendance Administrative Assistant in WC’s Upper School office, and she and her husband, Matt, have three sons attending Worthington Christian: Ashton, a senior; Ziloh, a junior; and a kindergartener.
Ashley has been impressed by the academic opportunities available to her children and how much they’ve learned, but what continues to surprise her most is the character she sees developing in each of them.
“I continue to be amazed at the servant hearts all three of my kids are developing,” she shares.
She especially values the daily opportunity her sons have to study God’s Word through required and elective Bible courses, and the impact that biblical foundation is having on their lives.
“Their love for the Word has grown exponentially,” she says. “They see the world with an eternal lens. They have learned so much, both academically and in life lessons. They are growing into young godly men, right before my eyes.”
That growth is encouraged through everyday interactions with teachers and staff who recognize that their work extends well beyond academics.
Ashley recalls how Ashton’s math teacher, Mrs. Trainer, recognized that math wasn’t necessarily his favorite subject. Rather than simply focusing on assignments and grades, she took the time to understand Ashton as an individual, finding ways to encourage and motivate him that made him feel seen and genuinely cared for. He has also shared with his mom how meaningful the encouragement and support of school counselor Mrs. MacCaughey has been during his time at WC.
And sometimes, that care shows up in unexpected places. After spending four days in the hospital with her youngest son, Ashley arrived at school, exhausted, to pick up her older boys. Having not seen Ziloh for several days, she noticed an injury to his arm from a recent bike ride that needed attention. She headed back inside in search of the school nurse, who had already left for the day.
That’s when Amanda, WC’s athletic trainer, noticed them outside the nurse’s office and stepped in. Though she had never met Ashley, Amanda immediately stopped what she was doing, carefully cleaned and bandaged Ziloh’s arm, chatting with them as she cared for his injury.
“Amanda showed us such care, and I was profoundly touched by her compassion!” Ashley remembers.
For Ashley, these moments are evidence of a school community that seeks to live out the values it teaches.
Perhaps one of the clearest examples has come through Ashton, now in his final year at WC. At the beginning of the school year, he approached his mom with a personal goal: to dedicate his senior year to being a leader and helping younger students.
Hearing her son express a desire to intentionally invest in the lives of others was a meaningful reminder of the growth Ashley has witnessed during his years at WC.
For Ashley, it’s the kind of growth that reflects the heart of what she sees in Worthington Christian’s mission: developing students who not only know biblical truth but increasingly demonstrate it in how they live and treat others.
When Ashley thinks about the individuals and families who generously invest in Worthington Christian, she hopes they understand just how significant their investment really is.
“You are making a lifelong investment. This experience is helping build a foundation these students will carry with them for the rest of their lives. The things they learn, the opportunities they have, and the way they are treated and learn to treat others will stay with them long after they leave WC. You are ultimately making an impact for the Kingdom.”
Every gift impacts a story. As you consider your year-end giving, we invite you to help make more stories like this one possible.