She Left Public School to Build a One-Room Schoolhouse on Her Property—Here’s Why
- Pauline Rivera
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 9
After 24 years in public education, Trudy Wischropp never imagined she’d be launching her own school—let alone moving an actual 1800s-era schoolhouse to her rural Kansas property. But when the Lord placed a vision on her heart during COVID, she eventually realized: this wasn’t just a daydream. It was a calling.
Today, Armor Academy operates just upstairs from her home while construction continues on the one-room schoolhouse just 300 feet away. With a small, multi-age class of students and a Christ-centered rhythm to each day, Trudy is building something both old-fashioned and radically new: a creative Christian learning environment that puts faith, family, and flexibility at the center.
A Public School Teacher with a Persistent Dream
Trudy’s path to school founding started early—third grade, to be exact. She used to line up her nieces and nephews and “play school,” complete with a chalkboard her dad painted on the back of her dresser. That passion carried her through two decades of service in public education, including roles as a classroom teacher and Title I director.
But during COVID, something shifted. Teaching K–4 students online was the most challenging experience of her career. Despite her dedication, the disconnect wore her down—and dimmed her vision of starting a school. “If I can’t do this online,” she thought, “how could I do it in real life?”
That doubt didn’t last long.
Once students returned to in-person learning, her dream reignited. Over the next few years, her classroom became harder to manage, and she felt the Lord nudging her toward something new. “I was wrestling with Him,” she says, “and He was asking me to do something I didn’t want to do.”
In May 2024, she finally took the leap.
From Vision to Reality: Finding—and Moving—a One-Room Schoolhouse
Trudy envisioned a classic red schoolhouse with a bell, nestled in the Kansas prairie. What she found instead was a local one-room school building—not red, not cute, and without a bell—but perfect in every other way. She purchased it, had it moved to her property, and began renovating it with help from her students.
While the building is still in progress (modern plumbing is on the wishlist), classes are already underway upstairs in her home. Students start each day with Scripture, prayer, and a thematic Bible verse. Subjects include reading, math, literature, music, PE, art, and even off-campus library time. The week runs Monday through Thursday, leaving Fridays free for family life, farm chores, or special activities.
Education That Feels Like Family
With a student age range from 1st to 8th grade, Trudy rotates instruction in small groups and adapts lessons based on ability—not just grade level. She also welcomes part-time students, offering homeschool families a chance to outsource academics a day or two a week.
Enrichment is woven into daily life: read-alouds, character-based literature (like The Bronze Bow), outdoor recess, and hands-on projects—even helping with the schoolhouse restoration itself.
And perhaps most importantly: Armor Academy offers belonging. Some students come from homeschool backgrounds and crave social interaction. Others simply need a smaller, more supportive environment to thrive. Trudy has built both.
Community Support—and Kingdom Purpose
Though she didn’t announce her plans right away, Trudy eventually shared a video about Armor Academy’s launch—and the response was overwhelming. Neighbors, friends, and local families donated books, furniture, and encouragement. One church even provided a full student scholarship, helping Trudy offer affordable education to more families.
“We’re learning math and reading,” she says, “but what we’re putting in kids’ hearts is eternal.”
She sees the academy not just as a school, but as a mission field. Some of her students arrive with little spiritual knowledge. One asked, “How are God and Jesus related?” Trudy didn’t expect to become a spiritual guide—but now she sees it as central to her calling.
A Word for Other Teachers and Parents
Trudy is quick to affirm that public school teachers are still doing important Kingdom work, especially those who see their classroom as a mission field. But for those feeling the stir to do something different, she offers this:
“If you feel the nudge, ask questions. Find people who’ve done it. Don’t ignore what the Lord is doing in your heart.”
And to parents who feel trapped by the status quo, she says:
“You are the number one teacher. You don’t have to do it the way the world tells you.”
Learn More About Armor Academy
📍 Armor Academy – Horton, Kansas
🔎 Facebook: Armor Academy | Horton KS
▶️ YouTube: Armor Academy
Whether you’re a parent, pastor, teacher, or homeschooler, Armor Academy offers a model of what’s possible when obedience, creativity, and courage come together under one roof—even if that roof used to belong to a schoolhouse from the 1800s.
This blog post was generated from the following episode of the WISE and Otherwise Podcast with Dalena Wallace. Find more at:
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