Dr. Jessica Drexel grew up learning at home with a classical homeschool program. She later went to Hillsdale College and then earned her Ph.D. in English and literature from UNC Chapel Hill. At first, she planned to teach in college full-time—but that changed.
A New Path Back to K–12
While teaching at Baylor University, Dr. Drexel felt a strong pull to return to her roots in classical K–12 education. She saw that many college students were struggling, even in great schools. That made her want to help younger students build a strong foundation early on.
Helping Other Schools Get Started
Before starting her own school, Dr. Drexel worked with others to help launch new classical schools across the country. She and her team created helpful tools for school boards—like how to write a budget or design a school website. She loved supporting schools in their first big steps.
The Start of Bonner Classical Academy
When her family moved to North Idaho, she met people who also wanted to start a school. In just 14 months, they opened Bonner Classical Academy. Dr. Drexel became the Head of School, leading with heart, vision, and lots of hard work.
Making the School Affordable and Strong
One big challenge was funding the school. Dr. Drexel worked on a plan to keep tuition low, stay independent from government money, and still pay great teachers well. This three-part plan became a key part of how they run the school and share their mission with supporters.
Small Moments, Big Impact
Dr. Drexel believes that even small events can make a big difference. She shared how sometimes only one or two families would come to an event—but those families helped spread the word in big ways. She says it’s always worth showing up and giving your best.
Looking Ahead
Bonner Classical Academy now serves grades K–5 and will grow one grade at a time until it becomes a full K–12 school. Dr. Drexel’s story shows how one person’s passion and prayer can lead to something amazing.
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