About Us
School Governance

Foundation Board of Directors

The JHCA Foundation is a non-profit corporation, organized as a charity under the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation supports JH Classical Academy and its mission of teaching a classical curriculum through Christ-centered teachers who are focused on student formation.



List of 5 items.

  • Rev. Dave Patty

    Board President

    Dave Patty is the founder and president of Josiah Venture, a leadership training organization focused on equipping next generation leaders throughout Eastern Europe. He oversees 300 staff serving in 14 countries.  The program has been recognized by the Minister of Education in the Czech Republic for its pioneering work in ethics education of high school students. Dave is well known in the region for his practical Bible teaching. He produced a weekly television broadcast called Exit 316 that aired for 82 weeks on national television and has been seen by over a million people in the Czech Republic.  Exit 316 focused on the stories of young people whose lives have been changed by the gospel. Dave lives with his wife Connie in Frydlant, Czech Republic.  They have three adult children, Tyler, Caleb and Claire. Dave has a BA in Theology from Multnomah University and a MA in Education from Wheaton Graduate School.

    "One of my favorite local proverbs in the Czech Republic where I live goes like this:  “Vsechno co stoji za to za neco stoji”, which can be translated into English as, "Nothing of worth comes without cost”.  This wise saying has been true of JHCA in so many ways this past year.  A relentless commitment to excellence has propelled the school forward with gifted new teachers, an outstanding curriculum, and significant growth in number of pupils.  In addition, the students themselves have shown great progress as they have energetically responded to the challenges given them.  The academic expectations placed on the students of Jackson Hole Classical Academy are unapologetically high, but the result is an education that will propel these young people forward for a lifetime.  It is a joy and privilege to be associated with this fine school."
  • Dr. Daniel Russ

    Vice President

    Dr. Daniel Russ is a recently retired Professor of English at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts where he also served as Academic Dean and the Director of the Center for Christian Studies from 2003-2015. Dan is a Senior Fellow with the Trinity Forum where he served as a project director and resource scholar.  He has contributed to a number of books on classics, biblical studies, and cultural leadership. Dan was Headmaster of Trinity Christian Academy, a K–12 College Preparatory School in Dallas, Texas, from 1994–2002.  He serves on the boards of Covenant Christian Academy, a K-12 classical Christian school in Peabody, Massachusetts and on the Salzburg Institute. He holds an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, an M.A. in English from the University of Dallas, and a Ph.D. in Literature and Psychology from the University of Dallas. Dan and his wife Kathy have four grown children, eight grandchildren, and live in Centennial, Colorado.

    "Having been involved in school education for over 40 years, I can truly say that Jackson Hole Classical Academy is the most impressive and transformative school I have experienced. The students are alive to learning and the faculty to teaching and learning with them. The faculty and administrators share the dual love of all great educators: the love of truth and the love of their students."
  • Mrs. Polly J. Friess

    Head of School; Foundation Board Secretary

    Polly Friess’ belief in classical education stems from her love for classical music, having toured through 26 countries, from 1987 through 1995, performing and recording sacred classical music in 16 languages. As the winds of freedom began to sweep across the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, Gloriae Dei Cantores was the first American choir to visit countries that had been closed to the West for more than 40 years. Bringing hope and inspiration through the universal language of music to those people at that historic time was a formational experience.

    Entering Boston College after her international touring, Mrs. Friess continued her love of singing with the Boston Pops at Tanglewood. She serves on the board of two charitable foundations that support education and the promotion of a just and free society. Her founding donations toward the establishment of The Trinity Forum and Relevate demonstrate her desire for Christians to think, work, and lead wisely and well.

    She also served for many years on two national advocacy boards dedicated to the transformation and renewal of culture through effective philanthropic giving, The Gathering, and strategic political action, Legacy.

    Mrs. Friess earned a B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Boston College, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She met her husband Steve at a conference on giving, only to realize they were united in their work for religious freedom and passionate about excellence in education. They were married in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and feel blessed to raise their four children, Jackson, Virginia, Thatcher, and Sarah in such a beautiful place.


    At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
    Matthew 18:1-5
  • Mr. Steve Friess

    Treasurer

    Steve works to advance the ideals of liberty and limited government at the Lynn and Foster Friess Family Foundation. Steve is an active participant in the national policy battle for education reform. Together with his wife, Polly, he founded Jackson Hole Classical Academy, modeled upon the public charter schools developed by Great Hearts Academies of Arizona and Texas. Steve was an Echols Scholar at the University of Virginia and received a Master’s degree from the University of Southern California. Steve and Polly are active in the growth and development of their beloved community, Jackson Hole. They have four children, Cotter, Ginger, Thatcher, and Sarah. 

     
    "Our family’s dream was to establish a classical academy steeped in excellence and virtue, with the purpose of nurturing each student so they may fulfill their God-given potential. As recognition of the value of classical education continues to grow, the Academy will be able to serve more families who perceive the merit of truth, beauty and goodness as guiding principles in the development of their children’s minds, bodies, and souls."
  • Mrs. Maggie Valiante

    After 13 years of living and teaching in Washington DC, Maggie encouraged her husband, John, to join her and their 3 young children in a 1-year exploration of the west, making Jackson Hole their home base. Twenty-six years later, their adventure continues. Maggie has spent many of those years helping students in Jackson learn to read and write.  Maggie has an M. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction.  She is honored to have a leadership role in a school that strives to educate both the minds and the hearts of its students. The Valiantes call Jackson home but spend part of each Spring and Fall in Scottsdale, AZ. They have three children, Chris, Margo and Anna and two grandchildren Cora and Juni.

    "The community of Jackson Hole (and beyond) sees something unique and wonderful going on at JH Classical. They are embracing our fledgling school and for that we are grateful. We are blessed by the leadership of a strong Head of School, a remarkably talented Board of Advisors, and a dedicated Board of Directors. Our students are growing and thriving in mind and in heart under the care and direction of a world class faculty. Thanks be to God for His hand in guiding JH Classical."
Mountain Range

Come visit us!

Physical Address:
2500 S. Park Loop Rd.
Jackson, WY 83001
 
Enrollment Inquiries:
Lisa Landis, Admissions 
(307) 201-5040 
 
All Other Inquiries:
School Office
(307) 201-5040

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 7466
Jackson, WY 83002

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Nondiscrimination Policy: Jackson Hole Classical Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Jackson Hole Classical Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.