Alumni Kent Gieselmann (’89) and his wife, Rebecca Terry Gieselmann (’91), enrolled two of their children at ECS and found the familiar community and mission they remember from when they attended ECS. They also noticed an increased emphasis on excellent academics and intentional discipleship by teachers who truly know and invest in their students. Their oldest daughter, Vance (age 22), graduated from White Station High School; their son, Crews (age 19), graduated from ECS in 2024, and their daughter, Machin (age 14), is a freshman at ECS this year. Read what led them back to ECS and how it has made a difference in their lives. 

 

Q: What made you decide that ECS was the right place for your children’s education?

A: In the summer of 2020, Rebecca and I were reconsidering where to send Crews for high school. We toured ECS and were instantly reminded of the kind, caring and friendly environment we experienced as students at ECS. However, we were additionally impressed with the variety of classes offered, particularly the AP courses. We also loved that ECS had zero period and hoped Crews would be able to play sports his freshman year. Rebecca and I have always wanted our children to be in the school where the Lord wanted them to be. Our oldest graduated from WSHS, and we believe this was exactly where the Lord wanted her.

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When we felt the Lord leading us to ECS for Crews, we had no idea how that decision would be confirmed in so many ways. At ECS, Crews had the opportunity to participate in sports, take challenging classes, develop personal relationships with faculty, participate in the Head of School's Bible study, and many other things. Throughout Crews’ four years at ECS, he encountered teachers who challenged him to think critically, examine texts thoroughly and personally, and persevere when course material was challenging. We are so thankful that Crews had the privilege of attending ECS.

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Q: How did your experience as ECS alumni affect your decision to send your children to ECS?

A: When our children were young and we began to consider schools, we really wanted to be where the Lord wanted us to be. It was through touring ECS that we started to feel that ECS might be a good place for our family. It is fun to be a part of the ECS community again and to see how the Lord continues to use ECS in the lives of so many students.

Q: What are the biggest differences between private vs. public schools in your children’s experiences?

A: We have to say that we had a good experience at WSMS and felt our children grew in many ways throughout their years in public school. However, there are many things that we treasure about ECS, one being that they are known by the faculty and staff. Both of our children feel seen and known, and they feel safe and comfortable asking for help - if it is with a difficult math concept, a confusing passage of Scripture or a personal problem. It gives Rebecca and me great comfort to know that they have other adults in their lives who are pointing them to the Lord through difficult circumstances. We also appreciate that they are given a safe place to question, debate and discuss class material. There were many, many evenings around our dinner table where a classroom discussion continued with our family. Rebecca and I were often impressed with the way teachers challenged Crews and Machin to understand why they believed what they believed, and to be able to defend their beliefs.

Q: What has the transition to ECS been like for your children and for you as parents?

A: As Crews entered high school, he was immediately welcomed by teachers and classmates. He played basketball and soccer his freshman year and felt connected with both of those teams. It was particularly impressive to Rebecca and me how the older athletes were encouraging to Crews. He still talks about some of the guys who were seniors when he was a freshman, and how well they treated him and made him feel like he belonged. In all honesty, it did take a little time for Crews to build friendships with his classmates, but he always felt welcomed, comfortable and safe at ECS. Machin entered ECS in the 7th grade after graduating from CMDS. She had many friends that made the transition with her. However, it has been remarkable to us how the students who have been at ECS longer were so welcoming to her. Machin has played soccer, volleyball, lacrosse and basketball at ECS, and she has developed several new friendships on those teams.

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Rebecca recalls a time when Machin had just started ECS and they were walking on campus and, out of the blue, Machin said, 'I just love my school!' It meant so much to Rebecca and me that Machin already loved her new school.

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Q: What activities were/are Crews and Machin involved in at ECS?

A: Crews played basketball (9) and soccer (9-12). He participated in Model UN and was Student Life Prefect. Machin played soccer, volleyball and basketball in seventh grade. In eighth grade, she dropped soccer and started playing lacrosse.

Q: What do each of your children like most about ECS? What do you like/value most about ECS?

A: The people! They both have benefitted from relationships with administrators, teachers, coaches and D-group leaders. Rebecca and I are so thankful for these men and women who are speaking into their lives and encouraging them to think and live like Christians, to know and love the Lord and to pursue excellence in all that they do. 

Q: In what ways have your children grown since they came to ECS?

A: We can honestly say that they have both grown spiritually - especially in their knowledge of Scripture. They have both been able to witness men and women who are sacrificing daily to teach, love and care for the students. We believe this example will have a lasting impact on both Crews and Machin. It has certainly been an example for Rebecca and me. While they both entered ECS with a strong academic foundation, ECS has continued to build on this foundation and has challenged them to be disciplined students - to think critically, to work hard and to persevere even when they might not feel like it.

Q: For someone who is considering ECS, what would you want them to know about this community?

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A: From our experience at ECS, it seems that the school is genuinely striving to live out its mission. It is obvious that Christ is the driving force behind all that the school is doing. The faculty and staff are intentional about teaching students and families about the Lord - and discipling students to know and love the Lord and to love others.

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This is first and foremost. The mission is also woven into each part of the school, from classes to extracurricular activities to student life. It is a place that offers many opportunities for students to find their own niche where they can thrive and use the gifts and talents the Lord has given them. The larger ECS community is welcoming to parents and students alike and provides many opportunities for the entire family to be involved in ECS.