ABOUT ADI

A school built on Scripture. A community built around families.

Ark Discovery Institute is a Christ-centered K-12 school launching August 19, 2026 in Fort Barnwell, NC. We exist to come alongside families in raising the next generation of thinkers, disciples, and image-bearers.

Discover. Discern. Disciple.
Open Bible placed on a tree stump outdoors, symbolizing faith in nature.
A collection of colorful backpacks hanging outside on a sunny day. Perfect for back-to-school themes.
Group of children enjoying outdoor playtime in a green park during summer.
Christian Education at its Best

WELCOME TO ADI

Ark Discovery Institute is not simply a school. It is a community of families, educators, and Kingdom builders who believe that every child is made in the image of God and deserves an education that honors that truth from the very first day of kindergarten.


At ADI, learning does not stop at the classroom door. The fields, gardens, forests, and open skies of The Father’s Refuge are extensions of our classroom, living laboratories where children encounter the handiwork of their Creator and grow into curious, courageous, and Christ-centered young people. We integrate rigorous academics, biblical truth, and hands-on discovery into every part of the school day.


We are honored to walk this journey with your family.

our

MISSION

Ark Discovery Institute exists to equip children with the knowledge, character, and faith to glorify God, connecting biblical truth, rigorous academics, and the wonder of creation in a nurturing, Christ-centered community.

our

VISION

ADI envisions a generation of young people who know who they are in Christ, love learning, care for God’s creation, and carry the Kingdom of God into every sphere of life.

Close-up of a person holding a leather-bound book, suggesting themes of study and faith.

OUR VALUES

As ADI pursues its mission, the following commitments guide everything we do:

  • Christ is the center of all instruction, activity, and community life.
  • Scripture is the foundation for all truth, the inspired, inerrant Word of God.
  • Parents are the primary educators of their children. ADI is a partner and support, not a replacement.
  • Creation is a classroom. The natural world reflects the glory of God and is a primary context for learning.
  • Excellence honors God. We pursue academic rigor, creative thinking, and skilled craftsmanship.
  • Community matters. Families, staff, and students form a covenant community committed to one another.
  • Character is curriculum. The formation of Christlike virtue is inseparable from academic instruction.
  • Every child is uniquely designed by God with gifts, purposes, and a calling worth developing.

OUR EDUCATIONAL APPROACH

ADI is built on three interlocking pillars that shape every day of learning:

  • Biblical Integration Scripture is not a separate subject at ADI. It is the lens through which all subjects are understood. We ask “What does God’s Word say about this?” in every classroom.
  • Academic Rigor We hold students to high standards because we believe every child is capable of more than they realize. We work to identify each student’s unique learning style and push them toward their God-given potential.
  • Creation-Based Discovery The natural world is a living textbook. ADI uses the outdoor environment of The Father’s Refuge as a primary learning context, believing that hands-on engagement with creation produces deep, lasting learning and a lifelong reverence for God’s handiwork.

Through these three pillars, students grow to Discover the world God made, Discern what is true, and live as Disciples of Christ.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” — Ephesians 2:10

Monochrome image of a religious congregation in Jakarta, Indonesia, with raised Bibles.
Wooden tiles spelling 'DISCOVER' arranged neatly on a rustic surface.
Close-up of a student writing math equations in a notebook with a pencil indoors.
A graduate in a blue gown stands outdoors, reflecting by a tree.

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE

ADI nurtures students toward a well-rounded identity rooted in Christ. Our graduates will be known by four marks:

  • Spiritually Formed A personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A growing understanding of Scripture and biblical worldview. A life marked by Christlike character: honesty, humility, kindness, and courage.
  • Academically Prepared Proficiency across core subjects. Confidence in public speaking and leadership. Curiosity, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate clearly. Foundational skills for the next stage of education and life.
  • Creation-Aware A reverence for God’s handiwork. Hands-on experience with agriculture, ecology, and outdoor learning. A commitment to responsible stewardship of the earth.
  • Socially and Emotionally Grounded Respect for authority, peers, and property. Empathy, service, and personal responsibility. The ability to navigate conflict in a Christ-honoring way and to contribute positively to family, school, and community.
Statement of Faith

WHAT WE BELIEVE

ADI holds the following doctrinal positions as the foundation of our educational ministry:

  • We believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
  • We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30)
  • We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, and His personal return. (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
  • We believe salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. (Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 10:9-10)
  • We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit who indwells and empowers believers to live godly lives. (Romans 8:13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
  • We believe in the resurrection of the saved and the lost. (John 5:28-29)
  • We believe God created the heavens and the earth as described in Genesis and that creation reveals His glory and design. (Genesis 1-2; Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20)
  • We believe God created humankind, male and female, in His image, and that gender is a gift established by God at creation. (Genesis 1:27)
  • We believe marriage is the covenant union of one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6)
  • We believe all human life is sacred from conception to natural death and bears the image of God. (Psalm 139)
The ADI Advisory Board, in submission to The Father’s Heritage, holds final authority on matters of biblical interpretation as they relate to ADI’s faith, conduct, and educational practice.

A MINISTRY OF THE FATHER’S HERITAGE

Ark Discovery Institute is a ministry division of The Father’s Heritage, a 501(c)(3) umbrella ministry organization based in eastern North Carolina.

The Father’s Heritage oversees multiple ministry divisions:

01/
The Father’s Refuge A 40-acre Christ-centered camp and discipleship property in Dover, NC, where ADI is located
02/
Ark Discovery Institute K-12 Christian education
03/
Father’s Heritage Network (TheFHN) Global Christian media and broadcasting
04/
The Father’s Heart Outreach and community ministry
05/
Abba Studios Production for ministry content

A Passionate Group Committed to Student Success

Scott Murphy
Founder
Jane Mccoy
Head of Math & Science Curriculum
Susan Mills
Head of English & Social Studies Curriculum