Our Core Beliefs

Building Living Cathedrals

Looking up at the Duomo, Florence, Italy

The parable is told of three stone masons working together at a construction site. The first mason, being asked what he was doing, replied, “I’m cutting and shaping stones.” When asked the same question the second stone mason responded, “I’m building a wall with these stones.” Much to the delight of the interviewer, the third mason answered the same question by asserting, “I am building a cathedral!”

What hard, arduous work it must have been, day after day, month after month, and year after year for the first two stone masons. With such limited perspective, no vision for the greater accomplishments of their labor, it must have seemed like nothing but drudgery to go to work each day and have no more idea of why they were cutting and shaping each stone. By contrast, what an exciting prospect each day must have held for the third mason despite the fact that he was doing exactly the same work as the other two each day.

When translated to education, the parable may have similar application. In the same classroom, one student might answer the question of what she is doing by saying, “I go from class to class to class all day long.” A second might respond by volunteering, “I’m fulfilling state graduation requirements so as to go to college so as to go to yet more classes in the hope of getting more good grades.” The visionary third student is eager to make it known that she is hoping to attain the stature of a virtuous scholar whose lifelong learning will contribute to a flourishing Christian life. Only the third student will build a cathedral with her life.

Dome of St. Peter's Basilica
The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy

The Geneva School is about casting a vision for building living cathedrals. Our goal is to cast a vision before each one of our students concerning the true and proper ends for which they are being privileged with a Christian and classical education. Our goal for each one is not so short-sighted as to be only about grades and test scores and transcripts, regardless of how significant they are in attaining the ultimate goal. Our goals for them include being a responsible servant leader in the kingdom of God. We aspire for them to attain wisdom and scholarship by cultivating the virtues of faith, hope, and love conjoined to goodness, truth, and beauty. We trust that each student will maximize his and her academic capabilities as well as their artistic, athletic, and leadership skills. We intend to educate and lead souls; our fervent desire is to see students grow into the image of Christ, and to bear the fruit of the Spirit, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Medieval cathedral building was a lifelong endeavor. Likewise, education is a lifelong pursuit animated by wonder. Who is not captivated by the architectural marvel and aesthetic beauty of a cathedral? Why would we not desire the same lofty vision for each and every one of our students?

Let’s build living cathedrals at The Geneva School!

Rev. Robert Ingram
Founding Board Member (1993–2003) and Headmaster 2003–2020)

The Geneva School
The Geneva School
May 13, 2024
  • Senior Thesis Presentations

    Date: May 13, 2024 - May 16, 2024
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • 5th Grade - Brave and Free Rehearsal

    Date: May 13, 2024 - May 13, 2024
    Time: 8:10 am- 3:00 pm
    See more details

  • Moms in Prayer

    Date: May 13, 2024 - May 13, 2024
    Time: 8:15 am- 9:30 am
    See more details

  • Youth Golf K4-2nd Grade (playground cement area and side of LS building grass area)

    Date: May 13, 2024 - May 13, 2024
    Time: 3:15 pm- 4:15 pm
    See more details

May 14, 2024
  • Senior Thesis Presentations

    Date: May 13, 2024 - May 16, 2024
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Chamber Orchestra

    Date: May 14, 2024 - May 14, 2024
    Time: 7:15 am- 8:15 am
    See more details

  • 5th Gr - Brave and Free Rehearsal

    Date: May 14, 2024 - May 14, 2024
    Time: 8:10 am- 12:00 pm
    See more details

  • GPC Ambassador Coffee

    Date: May 14, 2024 - May 14, 2024
    Time: 8:15 am- 10:30 am
    See more details

  • 5th Gr - Brave and Free Performance & Closing Ceremony

    Date: May 14, 2024 - May 14, 2024
    Time: 12:30 pm- 3:00 pm
    See more details

  • K4 Garden Club

    Date: May 14, 2024 - May 14, 2024
    Time: 1:20 pm- 2:20 pm
    See more details

  • 1st & 2nd Grade Garden Club

    Date: May 14, 2024 - May 14, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Philharmonia Orchestra

    Date: May 14, 2024 - May 14, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

May 15, 2024
  • Senior Thesis Presentations

    Date: May 13, 2024 - May 16, 2024
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Chamber Orchestra

    Date: May 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
    Time: 7:15 am- 8:15 am
    See more details

  • Track State Meet

    Date: May 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
    Time: 8:00 am- 10:00 pm
    See more details

  • US Chapel (Speaker: Russ Kapusinski)

    Date: May 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
    Time: 9:25 am- 10:10 am
    See more details

  • Kindergarten Garden Club

    Date: May 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
    Time: 2:15 pm- 3:15 pm
    See more details

  • 3rd & 4rt Grade Garden Club

    Date: May 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • NHS Tutoring

    Date: May 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Stitch Lab (3rd–6th)

    Date: May 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

May 16, 2024
  • Senior Thesis Presentations

    Date: May 13, 2024 - May 16, 2024
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • 6th Gr - Wax Museum

    Date: May 16, 2024 - May 16, 2024
    Time: 8:10 am- 11:00 am
    See more details

May 17, 2024
  • Senior Trip

    Date: May 17, 2024 - May 22, 2024
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Fathers Watch

    Date: May 17, 2024 - May 17, 2024
    Time: 8:00 am- 9:30 am
    See more details

  • US Academic Awards

    Date: May 17, 2024 - May 17, 2024
    Time: 8:25 am- 9:50 am
    See more details

  • Strategy & Board Games Club

    Date: May 17, 2024 - May 17, 2024
    Time: 3:20 pm- 5:20 pm
    See more details

May 13, 2024
  • Senior Thesis Presentations

    Date: May 13, 2024 - May 16, 2024
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • 5th Grade - Brave and Free Rehearsal

    Date: May 13, 2024 - May 13, 2024
    Time: 8:10 am- 3:00 pm
    See more details

  • Moms in Prayer

    Date: May 13, 2024 - May 13, 2024
    Time: 8:15 am- 9:30 am
    See more details

  • Youth Golf K4-2nd Grade (playground cement area and side of LS building grass area)

    Date: May 13, 2024 - May 13, 2024
    Time: 3:15 pm- 4:15 pm
    See more details

May 14, 2024
  • Senior Thesis Presentations

    Date: May 13, 2024 - May 16, 2024
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Chamber Orchestra

    Date: May 14, 2024 - May 14, 2024
    Time: 7:15 am- 8:15 am
    See more details

  • 5th Gr - Brave and Free Rehearsal

    Date: May 14, 2024 - May 14, 2024
    Time: 8:10 am- 12:00 pm
    See more details

  • GPC Ambassador Coffee

    Date: May 14, 2024 - May 14, 2024
    Time: 8:15 am- 10:30 am
    See more details

  • 5th Gr - Brave and Free Performance & Closing Ceremony

    Date: May 14, 2024 - May 14, 2024
    Time: 12:30 pm- 3:00 pm
    See more details

  • K4 Garden Club

    Date: May 14, 2024 - May 14, 2024
    Time: 1:20 pm- 2:20 pm
    See more details

  • 1st & 2nd Grade Garden Club

    Date: May 14, 2024 - May 14, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Philharmonia Orchestra

    Date: May 14, 2024 - May 14, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

May 15, 2024
  • Senior Thesis Presentations

    Date: May 13, 2024 - May 16, 2024
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Chamber Orchestra

    Date: May 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
    Time: 7:15 am- 8:15 am
    See more details

  • Track State Meet

    Date: May 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
    Time: 8:00 am- 10:00 pm
    See more details

  • US Chapel (Speaker: Russ Kapusinski)

    Date: May 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
    Time: 9:25 am- 10:10 am
    See more details

  • Kindergarten Garden Club

    Date: May 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
    Time: 2:15 pm- 3:15 pm
    See more details

  • 3rd & 4rt Grade Garden Club

    Date: May 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • NHS Tutoring

    Date: May 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Stitch Lab (3rd–6th)

    Date: May 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

May 16, 2024
  • Senior Thesis Presentations

    Date: May 13, 2024 - May 16, 2024
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • 6th Gr - Wax Museum

    Date: May 16, 2024 - May 16, 2024
    Time: 8:10 am- 11:00 am
    See more details

May 17, 2024
  • Senior Trip

    Date: May 17, 2024 - May 22, 2024
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Fathers Watch

    Date: May 17, 2024 - May 17, 2024
    Time: 8:00 am- 9:30 am
    See more details

  • US Academic Awards

    Date: May 17, 2024 - May 17, 2024
    Time: 8:25 am- 9:50 am
    See more details

  • Strategy & Board Games Club

    Date: May 17, 2024 - May 17, 2024
    Time: 3:20 pm- 5:20 pm
    See more details

Recent Stories from Geneva's Blog

Wisdom and Eloquence: Worldview and Formation

By Christina Walker

In this series of blog posts that explore the book Wisdom and Eloquence by Ro…

Wisdom and Eloquence: Integration and Inspiration

By Christina Walker

It’s been a minute since we visited Wisdom and Eloquence, but now we’re g…

Wisdom and Eloquence: Our “Hope-Filled” Goal

By Christina Walker

Society is constantly changing; in the midst of that constant change, we are …

A Thousand Words

By Christina Walker

If a picture is worth a thousand words, it would take volumes to impart the s…