In the spring of 1970, the Education Committee of the Saint Christopher Episcopal Church contacted Margaret Heely, a local educator, proposing that she establish a “creative” school with high scholastic standards. This school was to be nonsectarian, function as an independent entity, and be a tenant of the Saint Christopher Episcopal Church.
In the fall of 1970, Mrs. Heely opened the doors of the St. Christopher School to 15 Pre-K4 and 18 Kindergarten students. With the assistance of co-teachers, Mariana Sumner and Dorothy Seward, the school quickly became a success and by 1976, the School had grown to include third grade.
Mrs. Seward assumed the role of Director in 1978 and introduced the Pre-k3 program in 1983. Mrs. Seward's tenure continued until 1998 when Mrs. Phyllis Shannon took over as Director, a position that she continues to occupy today.
In 2004 at the request of parents, the School's Board of Directors adopted a strategic plan for further expanding the school. By leasing space from the neighboring Centenary United Methodist Church, the first fourth grade class was offered during the 2005-2006 school year. This expansion continues into the 2006-2007 school year when the first fifth grade class will be offered.
The 2005-2006 school year also saw the school's name change to Christopher Academy to more accurately reflect the nonsectarian, independent status of the School.
On October 5, 2005, Christopher Academy received full accreditation from the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS).