January 2026
Our journey began with a single family, a few students, and a prayer. As a speech-language pathologist and former special education teacher, I started The Paracletus School with a backpack on my shoulder and a bold vision in my heart. After witnessing my own child’s educational journey—with the tension between being “not ready” in kindergarten and “held back” in first grade—I knew a change was needed. With four students and a classroom at St. Thomas of Canterbury, The Paracletus School was born.
The Paracletus School traces its spiritual foundation to the words of Christ in the Gospel of John. Jesus promises to send the Paraclete—the Comforter, Counselor, and Advocate—to be with us always (John 14:16, 26). In that same spirit, we see our calling as advocates for children whose gifts are too often misunderstood or overlooked. Our very name reflects this mission: to come alongside learners as they discover not only how they learn best, but who they are created to be.
We believe that students with learning differences are not problems to be fixed but possibilities to be cultivated. At The Paracletus School, we affirm that every child—regardless of diagnosis—is made in the image of God and equipped with a divine purpose. That’s why our students don’t wait to grow up before they begin building. They begin now—creating, leading, and participating in an inclusive, real-world environment that fosters invention and enterprise.
For example, one of our students with ADHD is developing a business plan for his future construction company. Inspired by his own interests and learning strengths, this student is not only studying entrepreneurship but actively seeking out experiences—shadowing families who run businesses and working side-by-side with construction crews as they erect our school’s new educational building. He is not on the sidelines; he is on site, hands-on, learning in context.
This is the heart of our model: pairing therapeutic and academic instruction with practical, purpose-driven application. Whether our students dream of owning a bakery, building homes, designing logos, or leading worship, we provide the structure, guidance, and space for them to begin now. They are not just receiving support—they are receiving vision.
In this way, The Paracletus School models the very advocacy we teach: empowering students to advocate for themselves, to pursue meaningful work, and to see their learning differences as part of their calling, not a barrier to it. Our students are the inventors, builders, and business leaders of tomorrow—formed today through truth, goodness, beauty, and boldness.
With Love and Gratitude,
Dr. Erika
Litchfield Christian School has been such a beautiful blessing to our family. LCS is a Christ-centered school that challenges students academically, nurtures their creativity, promotes a positive learning environment, and contributes to their spiritual growth. LCS is very supportive, and they encourage their students and their families. Our daughter came into LCS completely broken and empty. Public school had taken a drastic toll on her mental health. She had pleaded with us for over a year to homeschool her. We were at a loss. Our daughter is a very social person, and we knew she needed more. We decided to check out LCS as an alternative. From the very moment we stepped inside LCS, we could see and feel the genuine love. EVERYONE felt as if they belonged. Before our day of observing was over, she had asked if she could please come to LCS. She was smiling and said this place is my kind of place. It's definitely been just that!
Today she is thriving, and she is truly enjoying herself. She loves to go to school, and she loves all of the teachers. She has made good friends and is blossoming in all areas of life. She's even started singing on stage during chapel. This has been the best decision we could have ever made as parents for our daughter. We are incredibly thankful for this opportunity in our hometown, and we truly appreciate that LCS offers grades K-12. How blessed we are to be a part of Litchfield Christian School. We look forward to many more amazing years here.