Hilger Higher Learning: A History of Homeschool Excellence in Chattanooga
Hilger Higher Learning (HHL) has become a cornerstone of the Chattanooga homeschool community, providing academic support and fostering a strong sense of community. From its humble beginnings with a handful of students and classes to serving hundreds of families with a diverse range of courses and activities, HHL's journey is a testament to the dedication of its founders, faculty, and the supportive network of parents and community partners.
The Genesis of a Vision
The story of Hilger Higher Learning begins with a vision shared by Carlee Hilger, who dreamed of teaching science to children with a strong desire to learn. Recognizing the unique needs of homeschoolers in the Chattanooga area, she sought to create a program that offered excellent classes within a Christian worldview. This vision resonated with Rev. Peters, who recognized the potential for a partnership between HHL and First Alliance Church.
Rev. Peters recalls when he first came there, “Carlee Hilger came to me and said, ‘Pastor, I have a vision. I really feel that homeschoolers need help. Her vision was to offer homeschool students excellent classes within a Christian worldview. When she laid it out, it was quite interesting.”
A Partnership with First Alliance Church
The relationship between Hilger Higher Learning and First Alliance Church has been instrumental in HHL's growth and success. The church provided a physical space for HHL to operate, starting with a couple of rooms and eventually expanding to occupy almost every room in the building. This partnership extends beyond mere space-sharing. The church has actively supported HHL through various means, such as assisting with facility improvements and fostering a collaborative environment.
Mr. Hilger said, “We’ve had a great relationship with [First Alliance]. We started with a couple rooms, and now we’re in almost every room.” Rev. Peters added, “I’ve been delighted that our church has adopted them. I’ve appreciated how they have trusted us to hire teachers and staff.”
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The collaborative spirit is evident in various initiatives, such as the nursery makeover, where parents and students from the HHL community contributed funds, labor, and artistic talent to create a vibrant space. Mr. Hilger said, “One of the neatest things the Hilger Higher Learning community did was make-over their nursery. Parents and students donated money, helped do the work, and drew murals on the walls. It’s a give and take.”
Growth and Expansion
Hilger Higher Learning began in 1998 with 45 students, 4 science classes, and one excited teacher. As more and more homeschool families asked for Chattanooga homeschool classes, Hilger quickly grew while maintaining Biblical integrity and academic excellence. Today, Hilger serves over 700 families through 33 amazing faculty and staff members while offering 60+ exciting courses and workshops for elementary, middle, and high school students. We also offer a host of extra-curricular activities!
HHL's growth can be attributed to its commitment to providing a supportive and enriching learning environment for homeschool students. The program offers a variety of classes, ranging from core disciplines to electives, for students in elementary, middle and high school. All of our classes meet once or twice a week with work also assigned for students to complete at home. HHL's qualified tutors lead college preparatory classes from a Biblical worldview, while parents remain the final authority and oversee work completed at home.
Experienced Faculty and Staff
Over half of Hilger Higher Learning’s faculty and staff have 10+ years of teaching and administrative experience, with more than 325 years combined across private and public schools and at HHL. This depth of experience, along with many who have homeschooled their own children, makes us the premier homeschool tutorial in Chattanooga. HHL's teachers provide weekly accountability, graded feedback, and supportive guidance to help students succeed in and out of the classroom.
The faculty includes experienced educators with diverse backgrounds, such as:
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- Pam Fields: Social Studies Department Chair and a high school teacher for Hilger Higher Learning. Pam holds a B.S in Elementary Education and a M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Tennessee at Martin and also earned certification in Special Education and Reading. Pam has 40 years of experience as a teacher and educational diagnostician. Pam is also a Faculty Director/Lead Teacher for Signal Mountain Christian Co-op, where she teaches History, Latin, Bible, and Study Skills for a group of Middle School students.
- Pam: Lead Teacher; Latin 2&3, History, and BiblePam holds a B.S. and M.S. in Education focused on Curriculum and Instruction, with certifications in Elementary, K-12, Special Education, and Reading Specialist. She is a seasoned educator with more than 46 years of experience as a teacher and educational diagnostician, including 10 years homeschooling her 2 daughters. As an SMCC founding teacher, Pam serves as the Lead Teacher/Faculty Director for SMCC and teaches History, Bible, and Latin. Pam also serves on the faculty of Hilger Higher Learning, where she chairs the Social Studies department and teaches high school social studies classes. Pam is a Faculty Fellow with the UTC Center for Reflective Citizenship and has been awarded the Chattanooga Chapter of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Distinguished Teacher Award. Pam and her husband Jim have been married for 43 years and are actively involved as members of First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga. They have two daughters and sons-in-law, 4 granddaughters, and a loveable Golden Retriever named Huckleberry! Pam enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling.
- Hunt Davidson: A high school teacher in the Upper School History Department at Chattanooga Christian School. Hunt holds a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Covenant College, an M.A.T. from Covenant College, and an M.A.L.A from St. John’s College. History course. History at the Center for Creative Arts. History at Hixson Middle School for 12 years.
- Jeremy: Earned a B.A. in History and a M.Ed. in Secondary Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he received the Iphigene Ochs Sulzberger Scholarship in American History. When he was a graduate student, Jeremy was awarded a six-week study fellowship to India through UTC’s Departments of Religion and Communications to learn about India’s pluralistic religious traditions. In 2007, Jeremy was the recipient of a Japan Fulbright Memorial Award for Teachers, which enabled him to study Japanese culture and education.
- Linda Moss Mines: Was Chair of the History Department at Girls Preparatory School (GPS) in Chattanooga where she taught and coordinated senior level AP classes, Constitutional Law, and the “Partnerships in the Community” program. In spring 2017, she was inducted into the GPS Faculty Emeriti program. She completed both her Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science and Master’s degree in Curriculum (History) from Tennessee Tech University. She also is an ABD Ed.D at the University of Tennessee and has done further graduate work at Stanford and Georgetown Law Schools. Linda is the Chattanooga and Hamilton County official historian, a lifetime appointment awarded by both the Chattanooga City Commission and the Hamilton County Commission. Linda is the State Historian for the Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution. In addition, she serves on a number of boards and commissions including the Tennessee Historical Commission, the Education Committee for the Charles H. Coolidge Medal of Honor Heritage Center, and the Chattanooga-Chickamauga National Military Park committee.
- Michael Breakey: Teaches US History I, II, and College Success at Georgia Northwestern Technical College. Mike is also a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and has a B.S. in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, an M.A. in History from American Military University, and a PhD in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Learning and Leadership Program. In twenty-two years of military service, Mike deployed in support of numerous operations including Operations Desert Storm, Provide Comfort, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. Government at LaFayette High School where he was recognized as 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year. He holds a B.A. in History from Kennesaw State University and an M.A.T. from the University of Southern California.
A Supportive Community
The supportive relationships fostered through the Hilger Higher Learning community are sincerely some of our greatest joys! HHL's dynamic homeschool program - combining excellent faculty, college-preparatory curriculum, wonderful students, and engaging activities inside and outside the classroom - provides amazing opportunities for academic, spiritual and social growth.
Parents appreciate the care taken in selecting fine teachers and the creation of a tool that has so blessed their families. Families recognize that HHL wants the best for their child’s education and provides reliable, stable options that cultivate healthy students with an excellent education. Whether families have always anticipated homeschooling or are being thrust into considering it unexpectedly, HHL is there to help.
A Model of Community Engagement
First Alliance Church's partnership with Hilger Higher Learning exemplifies its broader commitment to community engagement. Rev. Peters highlights the church's dedication to serving others, both locally and globally. The church supports organizations like Shepherd's Arms Rescue Mission and opens its field to East Hamilton Football, demonstrating a willingness to collaborate with various groups to meet the needs of the community.
Rev. Peters came to First Alliance after 30 years as a missionary in The Philippines. “We are serving in 80 different countries,” he said, “300,000 members in The Philippines, one million in Vietnam. When I was a field director in The Philippines, I would have several people say to me, ‘We’ve just been on a trip through Asia. Everywhere we go, the Alliance church is bigger than any other evangelical church.’ We’re bigger than the Southern Baptists in The Philippines. This little church gives about half of its money to overseas work,” he said, speaking of his congregation.
By working with others in the community, whether it’s opening their doors to Hilger Higher Learning, supporting the work of Shepherd’s Arms Rescue Mission, or opening their field to East Hamilton Football, First Alliance hopes to build the relationships needed to help people follow Jesus Christ.
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