Foundations School reached a historic milestone last week as the private school celebrated its first high school graduate since opening its doors. 

Emily Wisberg became the school's first graduate during a June 5 commencement ceremony that also recognized preschool, kindergarten and eighth-grade students. 

For school founder and director Charli Turner, the moment represented far more than the presentation of a diploma. 

"Having our first graduate at Foundations School means far more than simply handing out a diploma," Turner said. "It means that a dream became reality." 

Turner said the milestone reflects years of prayer, sacrifice and perseverance by staff, families, volunteers and supporters who believed in the vision of creating a Christ-centered educational environment focused on academics, faith, character development and practical life skills. 

When Foundations School opened, leaders envisioned a school where students would be known individually and prepared for life through faith, academics and hands-on learning. Today, the school serves approximately 60 students from preschool through high school. Programs include Bible education, trade exploration, culinary arts, choir, technology, entrepreneurship and project-based learning. 

During the ceremony, principal Julie Montgomery welcomed families and community members, describing Foundations as a school committed to equipping students academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally. 

"We believe that education is about more than academics," Montgomery said in her opening remarks. "It is about developing young people who know who they are, understand their purpose, and are prepared to impact the world around them for Christ." 

Turner echoed those themes in her graduation address, encouraging students to measure success not by achievements or recognition, but by faithfulness. 

"The world often measures success by numbers, titles, bank accounts, followers, and achievements," Turner said. "But Scripture paints a very different picture. God measures success by faithfulness." 

For Wisberg, who has attended Foundations School since it opened, the graduation marked both a personal achievement and a chance to witness the school's growth firsthand. 

"I liked attending Foundations because it's like a community," Wisberg said in an interview following graduation. "The whole class and all the grades are just like a family, and we all take care of each other." 

Wisberg said one of the most rewarding aspects of being the school's first graduate has been watching its evolution. 

"I've seen doing school in basically a one-room classroom and then seeing how it's grown," she said. "That's pretty cool. I'm proud of Charli and everybody for bringing it up." 

After graduation, Wisberg plans to work through the summer before taking college core classes online. She hopes to eventually pursue studies in wildlife science, which could lead to a career as a park ranger or another outdoor profession. 

"I'm really excited to start budgeting and investing," she said, noting that courses in entrepreneurship, personal finance and a Dave Ramsey curriculum helped prepare her for life after high school. 

Wisberg also credited the school with helping her stay on track academically. 

Turner said the school's first graduate represents the fulfillment of a vision that once seemed distant during the school's early years. 

"There were moments when the challenges felt overwhelming," Turner said. "Like many small schools, we faced financial hurdles, enrollment concerns, staffing challenges, facility needs, and the countless obstacles that come with building something from the ground up." 

Despite those challenges, school leaders continued moving forward, focusing on students and trusting the outcome to God, she said. Today, they view the first graduation as the beginning of a legacy rather than a finish line. 

"This first graduate is not the finish line," Turner said. "It is the starting point." 

As Foundations School looks toward the future, leaders hope to expand educational opportunities, strengthen community partnerships and continue preparing students for lives of purpose, service and leadership. 

For now, however, school officials are celebrating the student who went first. 

"Today, we celebrate one graduate," Turner said. "But we also celebrate the beginning of a legacy." 

    Emily Wisberg with the staff of Foundations school.