School to focus on young women

The key to reaching young women at the School of Grace in Houston begins with a 30-minute prayer session at the start of each class.

School of Grace, one of two programs offered through Christian Growth Family Ministries, is accepting applications for its first class beginning on Jan. 10 for girls ages 14-19.

Christian Growth Schools, located at 17440 FM 529, opened Oct. 23 with a mission to promote leadership, career planning and positive self-image among its participants.

"Most of the time we see girls and they're comparing themselves to Hollywood or Vogue magazine or to the model that is fictitious and not authentic," Cheryl Perry, executive director of Christian Growth Schools, said.

"We're trying to help young women captivate their inner essence and not focus so much on what the world is saying that they are, but primarily the truth of who God has created them to be."

The school provides instruction on social etiquette, goal setting, mind management and academic direction.

Perry, a part-time academic adviser at Lone Star College, said the program will complement educational instruction offered through the private and public school system.

Using biblical teachings as a foundation for lessons offered through the curriculum, students will participate in five-hour class sessions held twice a week, beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Applicants will pay a one time fee of $25 as well as a $12 fee for a T-shirt to wear as part of the uniform.

Those who are accepted in the program will participate in a free seven-month foundational class.

They can enroll in additional lab classes for $10 each.

"A lot of our classes our going to be hands-on, labs, activities so that they can grasp what the concept is that we're trying to teach them," said Bridgette Jones, program coordinator at Christian Growth Schools.

Jones, a community outreach coordinator for Family Services of Greater Houston, said the idea to implement the program emerged in April 2009, and is an extension of the ministry's adult program, "School of the Spirit."

The ministry, a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2001, relies heavily on donations provided throughout the community and is currently seeking a bus to transport students to and from field trips, as well as computers and other learning resources.

For more information, call 281-861-4660.

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