Freeman Academy infuses Christ’s call into all learning through Anabaptist principles.
We seek to stimulate students to think critically and integrate knowledge with faith, service, artistic expression, and practical experiences.
Freeman Academy cultivates the unique God-given gifts of each student in a safe, caring, and creative environment.
This is the center of our life as a school, most visible in worship together, but infusing all other aspects of Freeman Academy as an institution. All that we do—academics, the arts, athletics, peacemaking, service is part of working out discipleship and a faithful witness to Jesus Christ.
Freeman Academy educates for life-long learning, notmerely for grades, testing, or college admissions. We focus on critical thinking, critical reading, critical writing, and critical listening. While we are a college-preparatory institution, we see learning as a good in its own right, not merely as a tool to get to some other goal. We focus on developing creativity across our programs, cultivating the imagination as a central aspect of learning.
We are committed to justice, peacemaking, and service. We focus not only on the classroom and our local community, but on wider society in our learning, worship, and creative work. Restorative justice, reconciliation, and peacemaking are ongoing and active pursuits. Community service, volunteerism, and relationships are parts of our everyday life as a school as we aim to cultivate empathy and active concern for the vulnerable.
All lives have inherent dignity as creations of God. We are mindful of the variety of stresses on the lives of students and staff, of the many ways their self-worth is challenged externally and internally on a daily basis. We are committed to upholding student dignity and well-being, and to helping students and staff alike to discover and exercise their God-given gifts in order to realize the potential God has given them.
Our rigorous curriculum and dedicated faculty prepare students for success in higher education and beyond.
We foster a Christ-centered environment where students can deepen their faith and develop strong moral character.
Our students actively engage in service projects, making a positive impact in our local and global communities.
We encourage creativity and self-expression through our vibrant arts programs and cultural activities.
Our sports programs promote teamwork, discipline, and physical well-being, helping students achieve their full potential.
We prepare students to be responsible global citizens through international partnerships and cultural exchange programs.
748 S. Main St.
Freeman, SD 57029
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Brad (Braden) grew up in Wichita, Kansas, part of a family of educators. He earned a BA in Political Science/History from Wichita State, at which point he worked as a quality assurance manager for aviation-related companies in Wichita. Discerning a call to academics, he then completed a MA in Political Science from the University of Kansas. After reading Anabaptist theology and political thought, Brad shifted his focus to theology, earning a MA and PhD from Marquette University, with a focus on Theology and Society. He went on to teach courses at the college level in theology, ethics, and politics, as well as work in academic administration, non-profit program direction, and private consultancy. He is the author of Chosen Nation: Scripture, Theopolitics, and the Project of National Identity, as well as journal articles on Christian nationalism and biblical interpretation. Brad came to FA in 2017, teaching high school Bible and Social Studies, and serving as Assistant Head of School and then Academic Dean. He began as Head of School in July, 2022. Brad is married to Elizabeth, with whom he shares three children: Benjamin (FA ’21), Madelyn, and Katelyn. He enjoys piano and arranging music, reading fiction and history, watching movies, playing strategy games, and conversation and laughter with friends. The Andersons are active at Salem Mennonite Church, southeast of Freeman.