FORT WAYNE – The former executive director of Keystone schools has started a private Christian school on Maplecrest Road.

The school, called Horizon Christian Academy, serves 34 students in grades 6 through 12. Executive Director Tammy Henline said most of the students and teachers came from Keystone, a Christian school that was closed last year due to financial strains.

“We felt there was a need in the community for a school where God is put first,” said Henline, who founded the school with Assistant Director Anthony Beasley, who was previously dean of students at Keystone. “Students can come here and know there is faith and values and that their academic needs are going to be met.”

Horizon Christian Academy opened this week in Christ’s Church at Georgetown, 3131 Maplecrest Road. Students are taught by seven teachers and have access to six classrooms. Tuition is $3,000 a student.

Henline said she started the school through tuition, donations and community partnerships. She will seek funding and rely on fundraisers to keep the school afloat.

“We’re still talking daily to people and trying to build partnerships,” she said. “We wanted our tuition to be attainable for families in this difficult economic time.”

Steve Riethmiller, a science teacher and former Keystone teacher, said he was pleased with fall enrollment and thought the year got off to a “great start.”

Still, he said, funding remained a concern.

“With non-public schools, (funding) is always in question,” he said. “You just say a little prayer and hope that it all works out, and it usually does.”

Keystone Schools, founded by Don Willis, closed this spring because Willis’ foundation could not give as much support as it had in the past. Keystone enrolled about 180 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

dhaynie@jg.net