Families who Choose Covenant: The Grinnens

Jamen and Tracy Grinnen never thought they’d enroll their boys in private school. After all, they had intentionally moved into the Northern York School District so that their boys could go to school there. But in 2020, it became clear that their family needed a new educational setting. Initially attracted by Covenant’s dedication to in-person education while many schools were shut down, the Grinnens scheduled a Covenant tour just to rule it out. After all, there were other options that were much closer to home. 

“As we pulled into Covenant for our tour, it felt different,” remembers Jamen. “After the tour, we got into our van, looked at each other, and declared, ‘this is the place.’”

Jamen and Tracy’s three boys, now in grades 5-10, have been enrolled at Covenant ever since. They participate enthusiastically in the school’s opportunities for athletics and music. “Our children have grown so far beyond the trajectory they were on when they went to public school,” Jamen says.

Commuting from Dillsburg is not always easy, but carpooling has relieved some pressure. Most days, Tracy drops off her boys at the home of another family, who transports them the rest of the way to school. In the afternoon, Tracy returns the favor by bringing their son home from school.

Back in 2020, the Grinnens would never have predicted they would be crossing the river for school, but five years later, they see it as a blessing and an answer to prayer. “The classical education and rigorous study set Covenant apart. While our boys sometimes grumble about how ‘easy’ their peers have it compared to their curriculum, I gladly accept it, knowing the quality of education they are receiving will set them apart in their life,” Jamen reflects. “All sacrifices we have made to go to Covenant are worth it.”