About Us

The Emmaus Road was founded in 2021 by the Rev. Mark Lauer in response to the social, emotional, spiritual, and learning needs of high school students. Local pandemic regulations at the time in the San Jose area unnecessarily restricted high schoolers from freely gathering to learn and socialize together in school and church settings. The psychological toll was overwhelming for many students and too great to ignore. Simultaneously, the extent of progressive secular propaganda within public schools and some private schools became obviously clear. Many parents want an alternative choice for their students.

High school students need to be with friends and classmates in person. They need to learn together in person. The Emmaus Road offers a hybrid model of homeschooling and in-class instruction to meet the needs of high school students and parents. The school does not enroll elementary or middle school students. Requests to enroll advanced 8th grade students will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The Emmaus Road takes its name from the Easter story in the Gospel of Luke, ch. 24, in which two disciples “journey” with the risen Lord Jesus on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. The encounter transforms their reality, excites their faith, and shapes their perception of learning from Jesus.

The school is rooted in Christian principles as formed in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible and confirmed by the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed, which is the Statement of Faith. Subjects are taught with a biblical worldview. Students are supported in prayer, in chapel services, through service projects and with social gatherings.

The Leadership team includes Mark Lauer, Denise Boiko, and Mary Herbst.