Leora Hooper, founder of Abundance Educational Academy in Yazoo City, Mississippi, has achieved remarkable success, growing her private Christian school from just six students in 2021 to approximately 50 today.
Driven by faith and a mission to provide better educational opportunities in an underserved community, Hooper has poured her heart into the school, taking on roles ranging from executive director to janitor—all without drawing a salary.
Abundance Academy, accredited by the National Association of Private Schools, serves students from prekindergarten through 12th grade.
Its $300 monthly tuition helps fund teachers, staff, rent, and supplies.
Despite limited resources, the school has become a beacon of hope for families seeking alternatives to struggling public schools.
Hooper’s commitment to creating a nurturing, spiritually grounded learning environment has resonated with parents, many of whom have transferred their children from public schools.
“What I don’t get here, I’ll get on the other side,” she said, stressing her Christian values.
Abundance has gained a waitlist, and Hooper dreams of expanding to a larger facility to accommodate up to 150 students and staff—and to finally pay herself.
Moriah Beckford, a senior at Abundance, credits the school for transforming her life after she faced bullying in her previous school.
“Here, I can just breathe,” she shared, as she looks forward to pursuing a music degree at Baylor University.
