Angela Wilhight is the Head of Student Recruitment and Admissions at Hope Academy, a private Christian K–12 school in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that provides a remarkable, Christ-centered education rooted in academic excellence, spiritual growth, and family partnership. In her role, Angela helps connect families with a school community known for small class sizes, close student-teacher relationships, strong parent involvement, and a culturally diverse environment where more than 30 languages are represented. Angela is a recipient of Christa McAuliffe's Excellence in Education Award, previously served as an adult education instructor and trainer, and worked as a recruiter for Minnesota's third-largest school district. Joshua Gillespie is a Student Recruiter at Hope Academy, where he helps connect families with a Christ-centered school community in Minneapolis. As a former Hope Academy student, Joshua brings firsthand experience to his role, sharing how the school supports students through faith, discipleship, strong relationships, and academic growth. Ruben Rodriguez is a Student Recruiter at Hope Academy, where he helps welcome and guide families through the admissions and recruitment process. With a heart for the Latino community, Ruben supports families by building relationships, sharing Hope Academy's mission, and helping students find a school environment rooted in faith, belonging, and opportunity. In this episode… A child's school can shape far more than report cards. When students are anxious, bullied, overlooked, or unsure of their worth, what changes when faith, family, and community become part of their everyday education? For Angela Wilhight, Joshua Gillespie, and Ruben Rodriguez, the answer is Hope Academy's Christ-centered approach to seeing and supporting the whole child. Joshua explains that smaller class sizes, real relationships with teachers, and discipleship allow staff to notice struggles like anxiety, depression, bullying, and insecurity before students feel lost in the crowd. Angela emphasizes that love, belonging, accountability, and family involvement help students understand their worth in God, while Ruben points to the power of meeting families in the community, praying with them, and showing students that faith can shape every part of life. In this episode of the Align & Abide podcast, Dr. Kim Tran is joined by Angela Wilhight, Head of Student Recruitment and Admissions at Hope Academy, and Student Recruiters Joshua Gillespie, and Ruben Rodriguez to discuss building strong, God-centered students. They talk about addressing bullying, discipling students through Christian education, and partnering with families. The trio also shares details on school tours, affordability, and community support.
