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administration & staff

Passion for the School

Our Administrative Team combines more than 100 years of commitment to Fideles—most having successfully educated their children at Fideles. We walk the talk.

ADMINISTRATION & STAFF
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THE FIDELES MODEL

Rigorous Academics from a Christian World View

As Christians, we believe in the importance of acknowledging God as the author of all things including scholastic subjects. Therefore, our program seeks to honor God by acknowledging His preeminence in all subjects, and His guidance in all activities.

We believe that students should be equipped with the knowledge, tools, and skills necessary to function effectively in a competitive world. Our program is accredited by Cognia (SACS), and follows the Georgia College Board entrance requirements, includes SAT and ACT readiness, and exceeds the Georgia Performance Standards. We are continually re-evaluating our academic program for improvement.

We primarily use BJU Press curriculum in early elementary through middle school, supplementing with novel studies and other publishers’ materials. In high school we continue to use BJU Press curriculum for many of our classes. We use College Board required textbooks in AP classes. Our English Language Arts classes use a variety of resources from different publishers along with novel studies that are age appropriate.

Adminstration & Staff

Carla Rutherford

Carla Rutherford

Executive Director

Having served on the administrative staff at Fideles since 2004, Carla Rutherford oversees the academic, business, admissions, marketing, and development operations of the school. Carla has three grown children, two of whom graduated from Fideles. She and her husband, Ken have been married since 1983 and are founding members of Grace Fellowship of South Forsyth.

Kristi Bailey

Kristi Bailey

Academic Director

Having served on the Fideles staff since 2007, Kristi Bailey serves as Academic Director for the school. Kristi holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and an MA in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama. Prior to serving at Fideles, Kristi taught for seven years in public schools. She and her husband Rich attend Christ Fellowship Church.

Krista Reilmann

Krista Reilmann

Academics Administrator

Krista Reilmann has been teaching upper school math and science at Fideles since 2011 and also currently serves as the Academics Administrator. She holds a BA in Middle Childhood Math and Science Education from Cedarville University and an MA in Biological Sciences Education from Western Governor’s University.

Jill Harrison

Jill Harrison

Dean of Students

A staff member at Fideles since 2005, Jill Harrison serves as Dean of Students. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education (specifically in middle school education) from Valdosta State College. Prior to working at Fideles, Jill taught 6th grade in public school. She and her husband, Robin attend Perimeter Church.

Silas Ford

Silas Ford

Director of Admissions & Business Development

Silas Ford has served as Chaplain of Fideles since 2016. He has served in recruiting and admissions since 2019. He has a passion for impacting lives for Christ. He serves as Pastor of Bethany Primitive Baptist Church in Cumming. In addition to spiritual supervision, Silas serves as first contact for families interested in learning about Fideles and he manages the school facility.

Michelle Whitfield

Michelle Whitfield

Administrative Assistant

Michelle Whitfield has been working on staff at Fideles since 2012. She currently serves as the Administrative Assistant. Michelle holds an Associate of Science degree in Nursing from Clayton State College. She and her husband, Jesse attend Local Church Forsyth.

Jennifer Matthews

Jennifer Matthews

Financial Administrator

Jennifer Matthews, a registered CPA in the state of Georgia, handles all the financial transactions for our school with the help of our business office team. She studied accounting and math at Georgia State University. She graduated from GSU in 1993 with a BS in Accounting. Prior to coming to Fideles, she worked for a public accounting firm and in the tax department at United Parcel Service. She and her husband, Bill attend First Redeemer Church.

Erin Brown

Erin Brown

Athletic Director

Erin Brown has served as Athletic Director since 2020. She has been the Assistant Coach for Cross Country and Track & Field since 2018. Her two children attended Fideles in high school and were athletes with the Rangers from 2017-2023 (Volleyball, Track and XC). Erin holds a B.S. in Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute and is an avid runner and encourager of student-athletes to make the most of their athletic opportunities at Fideles and beyond! Character, Discipline, Teamwork and Heart are our core values in Rangers Athletics!

Sara Deal

Sara Deal

Middle & High School Student Support Coordinator

As a part of the Fideles Family since 2013, Sara Deal currently serves as a teacher in the lower school and the Student Support Coordinator for the upper school. Sara holds a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education with a Minor in History from the University of Delaware. Prior to serving at Fideles, Sara has taught for over twenty years in general education and special education classrooms across many grade levels in both private and public settings. She and her family attend Browns Bridge Church.

Raelyn Walter

Raelyn Walter

Elementary Student Support Coordinator

Having served on the Fideles staff since 2015, Raelyn Walter serves as Student Support Coordinator for the lower school grades. She also teaches 5th grade. Raelyn holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Valdosta State University. Prior to serving at Fideles, Raelyn has taught and been an advisor for Special Education for over twenty years in both private and public settings. She and her husband attend First Redeemer Church.

Alanna Young

Alanna Young

Parent Success Coach

Alanna Young has been a part of our Fideles Family since 2009. She started her position as Parent coach in 2017, helping families transition into the model. Alanna also serves as the Executive Assistant to Carla Rutherford. She is a 1992 graduate of Bob Jones University. Prior to her role at Fideles, she worked as an Executive Assistant to the President of a Fortune 500 company. She and her family attend Shadowbrook Church.

A Word

From Our Head of School

“At Fideles Christian School we believe families are the foundation for a successful Christian school. The mission of Fideles that guides everything we do is best illustrated with the acronym HEART. We desire to HONOR God in every aspect of our program. We EMPOWER families with an educational model that leaves students in the home two or three days a week under the guidance of their parents. We have AFFORDABLE tuition so private Christian education is accessible to more families. We offer RIGOROUS, accredited academics that prepares students to succeed in college and beyond. Our goal is to TRANSFORM students through the renewing of their minds so they in turn can transform the culture in which they live and work.​ These five values are at the HEART of everything we do.”

- Carla Rutherford

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Get In Touch

Location: 1390 Weber Industrial Drive
Cumming, Georgia 30041

Telephone: 770.888.6705

Email: Silas.Ford@FidelesChristianSchool.com

Office Hours: M-F: 8:30am - 4pm