"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." — James 1:27
This guide is for missionaries, remote families, and anyone who needs to run Christ-Centered Academy without a reliable internet connection. We built this platform so that the Gospel and a complete education can reach the hardest-to-access places on earth. Here is exactly how to set it up.
What You Need
Minimum Hardware
- Processor: Any modern 64-bit CPU (Intel, AMD, or ARM)
- RAM: 8GB minimum for the curriculum and a basic AI model; 16GB recommended for a full-featured AI tutor experience
- Storage: 20GB for the application and curriculum; 40GB additional if using larger AI models
- Operating System: Linux (Ubuntu 22.04+ recommended), macOS 12+, or Windows 10+
A used laptop from the last five years will work. A Raspberry Pi 5 with 8GB RAM can serve as a dedicated academy station for a small classroom.
What You Will Install
- Git — To clone the curriculum repository
- Bun — The JavaScript runtime that powers the application
- Ollama — The local AI engine for tutoring
- The Academy repository — The full application and curriculum
Step 1: Install Git
If Git is not already on your machine:
Linux (Ubuntu/Debian): ``` sudo apt update && sudo apt install git ```
macOS: ``` xcode-select --install ```
Windows: Download from [git-scm.com](https://git-scm.com) and run the installer.
Step 2: Install Bun
Bun is a fast JavaScript runtime that replaces Node.js and npm. Install it with a single command:
Linux/macOS: ``` curl -fsSL https://bun.sh/install | bash ```
Windows: ``` powershell -c "irm bun.sh/install.ps1 | iex" ```
Close and reopen your terminal, then verify: `bun --version`
Step 3: Install Ollama
Ollama runs large language models locally on your hardware. This is what powers the AI tutor without internet.
Linux: ``` curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | sh ```
macOS/Windows: Download the installer from [ollama.com](https://ollama.com).
Once installed, pull the academy model: ``` ollama pull llama3.2 ```
For machines with 16GB+ RAM, you can use a larger model for better tutoring quality: ``` ollama pull llama3.1 ```
Verify Ollama is running: `ollama list`
Step 4: Clone the Academy Repository
``` git clone https://github.com/christcenteredacademy/academy-chirho.git cd academy-chirho/app-chirho ```
This downloads the entire application, all 109 courses, and all 3,240+ lessons. The curriculum is part of the codebase — no separate download needed.
Step 5: Install Dependencies and Run
``` bun install bun dev ```
Open your browser to `http://localhost:5173` and the academy is running. Create a parent account, add your children, and start learning.
That is it. Five steps and you have a complete K–12 Christian education running on your local machine.
How the Daily Schedule Works Offline
The daily schedule functions identically offline and online. Each student sees their assigned lessons for the day, starting with Bible. The AI tutor responds to questions using the local Ollama model. Quizzes and tests are graded locally. Progress is stored in a local SQLite database.
The only feature that requires internet is cloud-based AI (for families who prefer larger cloud models). Everything else — curriculum, scheduling, grading, Bible memory, printable materials — works without any connection.
Syncing Progress When Internet Is Available
When you do have internet access — perhaps on a monthly trip to town, or when a satellite connection is available — the academy can sync student progress to the cloud:
- Progress data uploads to your family's cloud account
- Curriculum updates download if new content is available
- Community features become accessible temporarily
Sync is optional and manual. The academy never requires internet to function. Your children's education does not depend on a connection — it depends on God's Word and your faithfulness.
Ideal For
- Missionaries in remote villages across Africa, Asia, South America, and the Pacific
- Rural families in areas with limited or no broadband
- Developing nations where internet infrastructure is sparse
- Traveling families on boats, RVs, or mission circuits
- Emergency preparedness — education that works even if infrastructure fails
Minimum Setup Summary
| Component | Minimum | Recommended | |-----------|---------|-------------| | RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | | Storage | 20 GB | 60 GB | | CPU | Any 64-bit | Modern quad-core | | Internet | Only for initial download | Optional for sync |
The Mission
> "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." — Matthew 28:19–20
Christ-Centered Academy exists so that every child on earth can receive a rigorous, Bible-centered education. Geography should not be a barrier. Poverty should not be a barrier. Lack of internet should not be a barrier.
If you are serving in a remote area and need help setting up the academy, reach out to our community. We will walk you through every step. The same God who called you to the mission field will equip you to educate the children He has placed in your care.
Download once. Teach forever. Trust God always.