About Christ Classical Academy
A joyful, classical, and Scripture-rooted school cultivating Christ-confessing scholars who think critically, pursue truth and virtue, and serve faithfully in their vocations.
About Us
Christ Classical Academy is located in East Manhattan, Kansas off Green Valley Road and offers families a joyful, classical, and Scripturally rooted education that teaches students to think critically, pursue truth and virtue, and serve others.
Students do not sit behind screens all day. They worship daily, explore the captivating stories of literature and history, diagram sentences (in English and Latin), and master arithmetic. They also study nature and enjoy three recesses a day, because formation happens through work, play, and wonder as much as through books.
The result is a generation of graduates equipped for lives of faith, virtue, wisdom, and service.
Our Motto
Verbum Gratia Veritas - The Word of Grace and Truth
Our motto, Verbum Gratia Veritas, is inspired by John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” As we seek to be imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1-2), our motto reminds us to live by the Word and pursue His grace and truth.
Our Beliefs
Christ Classical Academy adheres to the historic Lutheran confessions, particularly as expressed in the Book of Concord. We believe:
- The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
- In the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- In the deity of Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His atoning death, His resurrection, His ascension, and His future return in power and glory.
- That salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Board of Education
Joseph Corn
Joseph Corn is a lifelong LCMS Lutheran and member of Christ Lutheran Church. He is the chair of the Board of Education for Christ Classical Academy. A Baxter Springs native and 2009 BHS Graduate, he is an Eagle Scout and a Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who served twelve years on active duty, developing Marine Corps Air traffic control training and directing USMC leadership schools before his honorable discharge in 2021. He now serves as a Department of the Army Civilian Air Traffic Control Specialist at Fort Riley. Joseph holds an Associate of Science in Aeronautics and is completing his Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He and his wife, Tomoko, raise their two daughters, ages 8 and 10.
Sen. Kenny Titus
A lifelong Lutheran, Kenny is the head elder at Christ Lutheran Church. Kenny has served in the State senate since 2025, and in the Kansas House 2022-2024. He is a practicing attorney and served as chief counsel at the Kansas Department of Agriculture before entering the legislature. Kenny has served as attorney for the KS department of transportation, and under Derek Schmidt in the Attorney General's office. Kenny has a great appreciation for education demonstrated by his bachelors in both History and Journalism, his Masters in History from Kansas State University, and his Juris Doctorate from Kansas University. Kenny serves on the Christ Classical Academy School board in hopes of enrolling his own two sons there.
Kara Titus
Kara is a member of Christ Lutheran Church and a member of the LCMS Kansas District Board of Directors. Kara received a classical education herself, attending Veritas Christian School in Lawrence, KS for four years. She founded Titvs Classics in 2020 - creating Latin and Lutheran coloring books for children which ignited her pursuit of seeking a classical education for her two sons. She holds a Master's of Public Administration from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor’s degree in Government with minors in Humanities and Business from Oral Roberts University. Her career began in public service, including roles with the Kansas State Senate, and United States Senate. She now leads the US public affairs team at a Fortune 500 global energy company.
Rev. Justin Panzer
Rev. Justin Panzer began serving as president of the LCMS Kansas District in August 2019. He was re-elected as president during the June 2025 District Convention. Prior to serving as president, Rev. Panzer served Faith, Abilene from July 2003 – January 2020. Rev. Panzer was a member of the Kansas District Board of Directors for four years, first serving as second vice-president (2015-2018) and then as first vice-president (2018-2019). He is a 1996 graduate of the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in education and a 2003 graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He also spent one year in a seminary exchange program with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England (ELCE) from 1999-2000. President Panzer and his wife, Shelli, have two children, Eli and Grier.
Rev. James Woelmer
Pastor Woelmer has served as pastor of Christ Lutheran Church since he was installed on August 26, 2023. He previously served Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, Texas (2002–2023) and St. John Lutheran Church in Madison, Nebraska (1990–2002). He earned a B.A. in Theology from Concordia University Ann Arbor (1986), a Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (1990), and a Master of Science in Family Life from Concordia University Nebraska (1998). He served on the Board of Regents for Concordia University Nebraska and as a board member on the Randolph Foundation.
Rachel Woelmer
Bio coming soon.
Dr. Steven Byerly
Dr. Steven Byerly holds at Ph.D from the University of California, Riverside, and has been listed in the Who's Who in America as an expert in pedagogical practices. He has served as a newspaper columnist and published a number of articles on preferred educational practices. Dr. Byerly spent twenty years as a high school and university instructor prior to a lengthy tenure as a school administrator and director of curriculum design and implementation.