School as a Ministry
Veritas Academy is a ministry of Veritas Chapel, an Evangelical Christian church, and our leadership submits to the authority of the one who gave the Great Commission as articulated in Matthew 28:19 (Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…). To accomplish our mission, Veritas Academy works with a great Board of Directors committed to the mission.
Leadership Responsibility
Veritas Academy is governed by a Board of Directors who meet 5 times a year to provide leadership, direction and oversight. The finance committee meets weekly to oversee the day to day operations and fundraising efforts. As a leadership team, we believe that excellence brings influence. Our commitment is to emerge as the best school that prepares the most qualified students to enter the most prominent universities and organizations if we are to produce the most excellent professionals who will influence and reshape the spiritual and moral values of our global society. We recognize that to be effective as Peter urges us to be in 2 Peter 1:3-11, we must become so excellent that we are unrivaled in the quality of our work. Our commitment is to emerge as the best school that prepares the most qualified students to enter the most prominent universities if we are to produce the most excellent professionals who will influence and reshape the spiritual and moral values of the 21st century. But, we would not have undertaken such an audacious task if it had not been for the great promise that the Lord himself would enable us to accomplish our work, step by step, so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it (Isaiah 41:20). We are not as concerned with the masses as we are in establishing and equipping the few who others will follow. Those students who choose to participate in our educational opportunity will be set apart because they will:
- Possess concrete skills and knowledge to participate fully and effectively in society.
- Uphold a standard of excellence.
- Emulate the moral virtues of heroes and heroines.
About
The Founders
Susie Brooks, Founder and President
Susie is an internationally recognized innovative educator with a demonstrated history of leveraging emerging technologies to improve, engage and educate. She earned her Doctor of Education degree from Hamline University in Saint Paul (EdD Education) and masters degrees from Bethel University, Saint Paul (MA Leadership) and Concordia University, Portland (MEd Curriculum and Instruction with a science education focus). Prior to that, she earned a bachelors in International Business from Hanze University in Groningen, Netherlands after spending two years at the University of Leicester in England where she pursued a degree in Economics.
While Susie has completed advanced degrees, she believes that having experienced learning in three different continents gives her a unique perspective on what really matters in student learning. But above all, her greatest passion is to participate in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) by walking alongside others and encouraging them to grow in their Christian faith.
Steven Brooks, Pastor and Director of Spiritual Formation
Steven is a pastor at heart. He obtained his degrees through Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, (MA, MDiv) and has worked cross-culturally and cross-generationally as a pastor, chaplain and adjunct instructor at several Twin Cities colleges. Since arriving in North Branch in 2014, he has been calling the community to come and help restore hope in our community. Imagine if future generations knew that we worked together to create the community that they will be enjoying, one that strives and thrives on Biblical principles and Godly values. Come, help us rebuild through a Christ-centered education!
Seraiah Brooks, Founding Member
Seraiah has been passionate about the mission of Veritas Academy since its inception, and is responsible for the GECKO mascot, an idea he coined shortly after a science project he had done for school when he was 9 years old. He played an important role on the Board as a student representative while he was still attending Veritas, and shared from a student perspective, and he has invested countless hours in growing Veritas, accounting for much of its success.
What Everyone Is Saying About Veritas
We want the best life for our child. A best life starts with a strong foundation. Veritas Academy is that foundation. We couldn’t be happier with our choice to choose Veritas.
Because of Veritas Academy’s commitment to students, my children are motivated to learn, they are challenged at their skill level instead of being held back due to their ages.
Transition from other educational models is seamlessly supported. Staff and teachers are proactive and caring to the smallest detail. Leadership goes above and beyond for ALL students.
Veritas Academy prepared my child for college. His biology professor said his papers are some of the best first-time college papers she has ever seen.