When StoneBridge School was founded 30 years ago, Dr. Carole Adams and her husband, John Adams, merely hoped to home school their two children using a Christian approach.

At the time, no school nearby offered an education that incorporated Christian principles in every subject and placed the Bible at the heart of education.

Several of the couple’s friends asked that their children be included in the home school, and StoneBridge opened in the Adams’ home with four teachers and 31 students.

Thirty years later, the school is celebrating its three-decade milestone with a fundraising gala.

“We’re very excited,” said Connie DeBord, chairman of the event and board member of the school. “This is a very special thing.”

Included in the event will be a meal and speeches by special guests, including George Barna, founder of the Barna Group. The Barna Group is a market research firm specializing in the intersection of faith and culture in American life, and has done numerous studies on the importance of starting a Christian education early.

“He has done a lot of research that identifies how important it is, if you want to raise your children Christian, that that Biblical worldview starts very early in life,” DeBord said. “We’re very excited to hear from him.”

In addition, Adams will talk about the importance of the school’s mission, its history and its vision for the next 30 years. Students will serve at the registration desk and in other capacities at the event.

The school, which grew from the original 31 students to its current 290 students, now encompasses preschool through 12th grade. More than 300 have graduated from the high school, and graduates have attended colleges and universities such as Virginia Tech, Princeton University and the College of William and Mary.

School officials also are excited this year to be preparing to open an additional campus for preschool through fifth grade in the Greenbrier section of Chesapeake. The new facility will increase the number of the school’s campuses to three.

Proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships for the gala will go towards the school’s Scholars Annual Fund, which provides scholarships for children who desire to go to the school, but whose families cannot afford it.

“We think it’s important that children from all backgrounds be able to get this great education,” DeBord said. “I just have seen particularly the high schoolers grow stronger in their faith. They appreciate it so much.”

The gala will be held at the Chesapeake Conference Center on March 4 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $60 for an individual or $100 for a couple, and four additional sponsorship levels are available. For more information or to purchase tickets for the event, visit www.stonebridgeschool.com or call 488-2214.