Solid Foundations, Strong Futures: A Faith-Based Option for Scott County Families

Across Arkansas, families are navigating new choices in education. With the rollout of Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), parents are exploring school options that reflect their child’s needs, their family’s values, and their vision for the future. For many in Scott County, one small school in Boles is becoming a big answer.

Solid Foundations Christian Academy, located just south of Waldron, has served students for the past two years with a focus on faith, structure, and academic growth. The school operates on a Monday through Thursday schedule, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., offering an environment where students receive focused instruction with time for spiritual development. This year, the school was approved to participate in the state’s EFA program—not as a traditional private school, but as a microschool. That distinction allows the school to maintain its own instructional model while helping parents access state-funded tuition support.

“We’re not here to compete with public schools,” said Jenna Shaddon, principal of Solid Foundations. “We’re here to support families—to assist them in the academic and spiritual growth of their children.”

The school’s mission centers around working in partnership with parents, recognizing that each child’s educational journey is unique. “This is about meeting students where they are,” Jenna added. “We believe that education is most effective when parents and schools work together to guide a child’s growth.”

The Education Freedom Account (EFA) program, launched under the LEARNS Act, provides eligible families with up to 90% of the state’s per-student education funding—about $6,600 per year—to use on private school tuition, curriculum, or educational expenses. Families approved for EFAs register their children as homeschoolers, then apply those funds toward tuition at approved microschools like Solid Foundations. The funds are managed through a secure portal called ClassWallet, which schools use to receive payments directly.

Solid Foundations has seen a surge in interest since joining the EFA program. “We’ve had many families come to visit, and they often leave saying this is exactly what they’ve been praying for,” said Jan Shaddon, who helped establish the school alongside her husband, Mike Shaddon. “In the past, the cost kept them from moving forward. But now, they won’t have to walk away because of that.”

The school expects to be at full capacity next year, with many new students coming from homeschooling families looking for a more structured, faith-based classroom setting. “We anticipate that a large portion of our students will be coming from home-educated backgrounds,” Jenna said. “They’ve wanted an environment like this all along—EFAs are just making it possible.”

Serving grades pre-kindergarten through 9th, Solid Foundations offers a traditional academic model built on Christian values. Instruction is primarily paper-and-pencil based, but the school plans to introduce technology and computer skills classes next year, teaching responsible internet use from a biblical perspective. Chapel services are held every Wednesday, and students participate in a variety of hands-on experiences—from science fairs and cooking classes to field trips, themed dress-up days, and community projects. Students also complete the Iowa Test of Basic Skills annually to track academic progress and help parents monitor their child’s development.

The school’s story is deeply rooted in faith and community. Years ago, the children of Solid Rock Pentecostal Church raised money each Sunday—pennies, nickels, and dimes—to buy a school playground and a bus. “They saved for three years,” Jan recalled. “Then one day, Mike Shaddon felt led to attend an auction, and both items were there. The total cost was so close to the exact amount the kids had raised—it was a God thing. Everything just started falling into place.”

Those moments reflect the heart of Solid Foundations—not just a school, but a reflection of the values and hopes of the families it serves.

Parents interested in applying for the EFA program can visit the Arkansas Department of Education’s LEARNS website and complete a brief online application. Once approved, families gain access to ClassWallet funds, which can be used to pay tuition and other approved expenses at participating schools. Enrollment at Solid Foundations is first-come, first-served, with returning students given priority.

“We encourage families to come by before the end of the school year,” Jan said. “Let us give you a tour, let us show you what we do here. Our students work hard, we have clear expectations—but they also have a lot of fun.”

For many parents, Solid Foundations Christian Academy represents more than just an academic decision—it’s a place of peace, purpose, and partnership. When your 4-year-old comes home joyfully reciting the Lord’s Prayer or singing Jesus Loves Me, you know they’re learning more than just letters and numbers. And when your 8-year-old can name all the books of the Bible and quote dozens of scripture verses, it’s a special kind of reassurance—proof that your child is growing in both knowledge and faith, in a place where they’re truly known.