School History
PVCP was established in 1974, when founders Robert and Barbara Fraley set out to establish a school where they could ensure that their children, including six adopted children, would receive a Christ-centered education and learn from teachers committed to their spiritual and academic development. As the Fraleys sought the Lord’s counsel, they were moved by Psalm 1:1-3, and it became clear that they were being called to move across country to ensure their children had an education that truly taught them to delight in the law of the Lord. The Fraleys arrived in Arizona, and, through a series of events, partnered with several other families to found Paradise Valley Christian School, now Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory.
From these humble beginnings and just 37 students enrolled when the doors opened, PVCP has expanded to include preschool through upper school with over 350 students in attendance. As a testament to the lasting impact of PVCP on the lives of alumni, many early students return to educate their own children at PVCP. Graduates are in high demand, receiving average scholarship offers to college exceeding an average $135,000 per student.
PVCP Leadership
Brant Nyhart, Head of School
B.A. History and Italian, M.Ed. in Educational Administration
Brant attended Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory through the eighth grade before PVCP launched its upper school. Following stints in both the non-profit and government sectors, including an internship at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy, Brant is honored to be in leadership at the institution he credits with helping establish his Christian worldview.
In addition to leadership responsibilities, Brant teaches upper school American History, Church History, and Government. Brant shares the belief of America’s Founders that proper education is necessary for self-government, and he strives to use the humanities to prepare students to be leaders in both the church and society. Brant finds fulfillment in seeing students realize that history is not simply the memorization of facts, but is a path to understanding the present, enabling them to make prudent decisions in the future.
Sarah Sims, Director of Early Education Program & Lower Elementary Principal (Grades K-2)
M. Ed. Early Childhood Education
Sarah joined Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory in 2023 as the Early Education Program Director. She has worked in the early childhood education field for 10 years as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher and a Director. Sarah has also worked with infants, toddlers, and school-aged children in various roles.
As a mother herself, she understands the priority of a child being in a Christ-centered education. Sarah believes that a quality early education program that loves and respects the child as a whole can lead to lifelong learners. Through her experience, she has learned the importance of a quality early education program that supports the development of the child. Sarah strives to uphold this quality of education through play-based learning, developmentally appropriate practice, and Christian values and biblical principles.
Her prayer is that each student feels loved and safe, that they not only become lifelong learners but that they love to learn, and ultimately that they come to know and follow Christ.
Gil Nadolny, Upper Elementary Principal (Grades 3-5)
B.A. Psychology and Education
Gil has served at PVCP since 2005 and has over 35 years of teaching experience. Gil is drawn to PVCP because of the unique position it holds in the world of Christian education. As Gil states, “Academic rigor is stressed, but not as a student’s only endeavor. PVCP tempers workload so students can maintain family time and pursue other interests to be fully equipped for their distinct calling.” This unique emphasis on developing the whole child is why Gil chooses to serve at PVCP.
It is Gil’s prayer that students realize that through a redemptive relationship with Jesus Christ, they can play a leading role in building God’s Kingdom through hard work and putting aside selfish desires and adopting the mind of Christ to serve Him in all they do. One of Gil’s greatest joys is helping young men understand and strive to fulfill their God-given role in his Kingdom. He has seen his investment in students’ lives bear much fruit as they mature in Christ and become even more faithful in their service to Him. These mentoring relationships often continue on even years after students graduate from PVCP.
Melody Biddinger, Middle School Principal (Grades 6-8)
B.S. Elementary Education, M. Ed Curriculum & Instruction
Melody is passionate about partnering with families to help students grow academically, spiritually, and personally. Building meaningful relationships with parents and students is one of her greatest joys she believes a strong school community is built on trust, encouragement, and shared purpose.
Before serving in administration, she spent more than 10 years teaching in the classroom and also homeschooling her six sons. Her teaching journey has taken me through public schools, charter schools, Christian schools, and even to Port-au-Prince, Haiti—an experience that strengthened both her faith and love for serving others.
Her relationship with Jesus Christ is the foundation of her life and teaching. She is passionate about helping students grow in wisdom, character, and a deeper understanding of God's love. She and her husband are blessed with six sons who keep life full of adventure. Outside the classroom, she enjoys cooking, reading, teaching, watching sports, and cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs. Above all, she considers it a privilege to serve the Lord by walking alongside students and families in their faith and learning.
Trudy Boothman, Dean of Academics
B.A. Foreign Languages and Cultures, M. Ed Educational Administration
Trudy joined the PVCP team in 2025 as an intern. She quickly recognized PVCP's unique commitment to providing a Christ-centered education that equips students to serve God wholeheartedly. After serving in public education for several years, she is excited to use her passion for educational excellence to support Christian education. A graduate of a K-12 Christian school, Trudy is profoundly grateful to her Bible and history teachers who prepared her both with a lifelong love of learning and the resolve to hold true to the Faith in college.
Trudy serves as Academic Dean and teaches Freshman Seminar and Senior Thesis, where she loves helping students experience the joy of learning and discover where they excel–especially through the challenge of writing.
Trudy studied foreign languages at Washington State University and has been a teacher since 2019.
Rebekah Cornelius, Dean of Enrollment & Family Connections
B.S. Family Studies, M.S. Leadership
Rebekah joined PVCP in 2020 after many years working in higher education admissions and leadership. Through her work at two local Christian universities, Rebekah discovered her love for helping families find Christ-centered education for their children. Her years in university admissions are not only a benefit in welcoming new PVCP families but have also equipped her to guide Upper School students through the college selection process. Rebekah serves PVCP enthusiastically each day knowing that this is an institution raising up the next generation of Christian leaders that will proclaim the gospel around the world.
Rebekah’s prayer is that PVCP will be a place every student will grow in his or her knowledge of Christ’s love and learn that their true purpose comes from Christ alone. As a parent herself, Rebekah knows the value of “training children up in the way they should go...” (Prov. 22:6) and is committed to PVCP’s partnership with home, church, and school in the spiritual and academic growth of the students.
Nathaniel Haskin, Head of Bible and Spiritual Life
B.A. Bible and Theology, M.Div. Bible and Theology
Nathaniel joined the PVCP team as a Bible Teacher in 2024. He now serves as the Head of Bible and Spiritual Life for PVCP as well as teaching 8th and 12th grade Bible. He is passionate about forming students who love what God loves, and deeply desires that students develop rightly ordered affections towards the true, the good, and the beautiful. He is excited to use this passion to help build the already thriving culture of spiritual development here at PVCP.
Nathaniel holds a BA in Bible and Theology from Multnomah University and moved to Arizona in order to pursue his MDiv from Phoenix Seminary (Now Talbot Seminary Phoenix). Before PVCP and Arizona, Nathaniel served as a Pastor in Washington State for four years.
Nathaniel and his wife Emily have been blessed with six children (Four Girls, Two Boys), and when he is not at school or work, he is probably at home enjoying time with them. He and his family enjoy playing sports, board games, going on hikes, or settling down to a good book. Basically anything to get them away from screens. They are also very passionate and involved in their local church, Desert City in North Phoenix.
Matthew Haeger, Director of Athletics
B.S. Secondary Education
Matthew Haeger became Director of Athletics at Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory in 2025. He is committed to shaping student-athletes through Christ-centered leadership and a holistic approach to education. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Matthew has devoted the better part of two decades to coaching in multiple sports at private Christian schools, striving for excellence, effective mentorship, and integrity.
In 2023, he joined PVCP to launch the school’s football program as its founding head coach. He believes that athletics are an essential part of a complete education—one that embraces faith, academics, fine arts, and extracurricular activities. His heart for ministry drives him to disciple coaches and guide young people toward living and leading in a Christ-like manner.
Matthew and his wife Kayla are the proud parents of a daughter who attends PVCP, deepening his personal investment in the school community. Whether on the sidelines, in the gym, or walking the halls, he seeks to inspire others to pursue excellence for the glory of God.
Ryan Lalonde, Athletic Enrichment & Operations
B.A. History, M.Ed.
As a graduate of a Christian high school himself, Ryan understands and values the tremendous blessing of having a Christ-centered education and the impact it makes in one's life.
Prior to PVCP, Ryan spent several years working in public charter schools in Phoenix, teaching and coaching as well as serving in athletic administration at a school in the Arcadia area. In 2019, God brought Ryan back to Christian education to serve at PVCP.
Ryan's passion lies in student-athletes and coaches competing and succeeding to the best of their abilities, to being better each day and finding joy in the process. He is committed to developing and coming alongside coaches and student-athletes, while working to ensure everything we do inside and outside of the realm of competition points people to Jesus. Alongside his administrative duties, Ryan serves as head coach for girls varsity basketball and for the state champion varsity softball team.
Laura Marr, Business Manager
B.A. Economics, M.S. Accountancy
Laura joined the PVCP team in 2024. After more than a dozen years in corporate and nonprofit accounting and business administration roles, she felt called to use her expertise in a position that offered greater purpose and meaning and aligned with her faith. Having sought out the best Christian education for her own family and finding PVCP, joining the team herself was an easy decision. Laura is grateful for the opportunity to serve the PVCP community by using her gifts and talents to create and maintain organized business and HR processes. She is the proud mom of four future PVCP graduates.
Laura's prayer for our students is that they grow into robust disciples of Christ, graduating with a deep knowledge of God and the world He created. She hopes the diverse, interdisciplinary education they receive will equip them to be salt and light in whatever spaces God calls them to, including the business world.
