A private academy in Gloster, Mississippi has been reborn as a private Christian school based on home-school curriculum.

This was done because of a several parents who were reluctant to send their children to local public schools shortly after Pine Hills Academy in Gloster closed down. The school was opened again with a new name ‘Pine Hills Christian Academy.’

Methodist pastor David Brooks, principal of the school, says Pine Hills is not much different from other private schools except that it is running based on a home-school curriculum called "Old Dominion," with more Christian emphasis, and low tuition.

"The curriculum has a lot of Christian teachings in it," he explains. "I teach Bible to all the different age groups, and we have P.E. We do basically what a [public] school would do, except we are using this home-schooling material."

Brooks says he is excited about the school’s potential as the enrollment has grown to 43 students. He is also planning to have a football team next year.

Brooks emphasizes that Pine Hills is not a private school, that it is open to anybody who would like to come. "We've had a black family join here, and they are very, very happy with the way things are going," he says. "We hope everything is going to continue to go and grow. In fact, we picked up some [students] after Christmas."