Meet the McCuskers
Introducing a Covenant family that puts passion in everything they do.
by Ashley Greene on December 13, 2024
Covenant offers a Classical Christian college preparatory education bolstered by competitive athletics, fine arts, engaging co-curricular activities, and opportunities for student leadership. Our school attracts families from all over the Houston area because of this well-rounded student experience, free from overcrowded classrooms or curriculum that is limited by standardized test requirements. The McCuskers embody the spirit of a true Covenant/parent partnership and this month we get an opportunity to learn more about their family, their business, and their passion for Christ.
Tom and Jillian both grew up in Kingwood, Texas, and now they are offering their 6-year-old daughter, Laura, the opportunity to grow up in this great community as well. Currently a first grader, Laura started with Covenant in Kindergarten and the McCuskers can’t dream of ever sending Laura to a different school.
It all started with mixed martial arts and tactical defense. Wait–what? Yes, truly! The McCuskers own and operate a local family business, McCusker Mixed Martial Arts, and when they learned that some of the students at their gym went to Covenant, they began to ask a lot of questions. Hearing only positive and encouraging things about the school and the Covenant community, the McCuskers were eager to learn more. “We prayed over our daughter’s education and the Lord led us to Covenant,” says Jillian. “As a Christian family, we wanted a place where Laura could be taught and influenced by like-minded teachers that shared our values, and we found Covenant to not only be a safe environment spiritually, but physically as well given the onsite security officer and the other measures that are in place.”
Because we live in the Greater Houston area, there is no shortage of great schools to consider; however, what makes Covenant unique are our distinctives, and the McCuskers identify with all four of these…
Classical and Christian. “My family is on a mission to raise up a warrior for the Kingdom,” explains Jillian. “To know that she would not only be learning about God’s Word at home, but also at school makes us know that she is going to grow up firmly rooted in Christ.”
Community and Caring. “What I like most about Covenant is the community and the comradery,” Jillian says. “We are forming strong relationships with other parents, with the teachers, with the administration and leadership. We find the teachers and staff to be welcoming and accepting.”
For most of our Covenant parents, raising kids and keeping the dynamic needs of work, household, and familial obligations in balance takes a great deal of intention and effort. With time as one of our greatest limited resources, it can be difficult to walk alongside our kids, connect to our school community, and feel like we have satisfied all of our work-related obligations as well. “Even in Kindergarten and now in first grade, we strive to make attendance and schoolwork a priority, because I believe this is the way to ensure her success,” Jillian states. “And personally, I have found success in building community here at Covenant by easily plugging into the Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF) and volunteering for classroom activities–as much as my schedule allows. There seems to be an opportunity for anyone and everyone to join-in and contribute.”
The McCuskers, like many of our other Covenant families, hold themselves accountable to Christian parenting– training up our children in the way they should go, so that as they grow they will not depart from it. “Raising our daughter with Covenant’s help is our best attempt to steward what God has blessed us with.” says Jillian. “She is our precious gift from up above and we don’t take the responsibility to raise her the way God wants us to lightly.”
So what does the McCusker’s 6-year-old daughter, Laura, think of all this? “The teachers are nice,” says Laura. “I feel safe here-the drills we do keep us safe.” She goes on to say, “I love playing with my friends outside. They love Jesus, too!”
Well said, Laura. We do love Jesus here at Covenant, and we also love our community of parents, grandparents and caretakers. We appreciate the time, the energy, and all of the effort that goes into walking alongside our students as they grow and experience our rigorous Classical Christian curriculum.
If your family would like to be featured in a future Covenant Community Family Spotlight, or if your family owns a business and would like to be featured on our Covenant family-owned business directory webpage, please reach out to Ashley Greene at agreene@CovenantKnights.org today.