State of the School Zoom Session

Thank you to the 60+ individuals/couples who were able to join us. For those unable to attend, we regret to inform you that due to an unexpected computer error when manually closing out our Zoom meeting this morning, the live recording of the session was not saved properly and is therefore inaccessible. However, we have transcribed the conversation to the best of our abilities for your reference.

To ensure everyone has the opportunity to engage further, we will be available on Friday, March 13th, at 8:15 AM in the Worth Street Library. Additionally, we have planned time for the evening of March 31st—please stay tuned for specific details on the time and campus location. If you have questions you would like to have addressed and/or plan to attend tomorrow, please click here to let us know. If you are attending the Elementary Leadership Rally, please stop by after. 

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to connecting with you soon.

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Opening and Celebration
“This is a slightly different format. This isn’t a presentation to you — it’s a conversation with you.”

We want to start by celebrating something truly incredible: 25 students have come to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! Let’s take a moment to pray and give thanks.

“Father, thank You for these 25 students. Thank You for the work You are doing in their lives and in our school. We pray for continued guidance and blessings as we pursue Your mission. Amen.”

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Responding to Questions
We’ll address most of your questions during this conversation. Some of the big topics we’ll cover include tuition, fundraising, curriculum, and upcoming events.

Reminder: We’ll meet in person tomorrow morning at Worth Street at 8:15 AM. Also, mark your calendars for the evening of March 31st, right after spring break.

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1. Why This Race Matters

“That’s the race we’re helping them run.”

Every day at our school, the spiritual formation of children is at the heart of what we do. Teachers, coaches, and staff who love Christ are pouring into students’ lives, shaping their faith and character.

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2. Tuition

We know tuition increases create concern, and several families have asked thoughtful questions.

Key Point: Tuition is not arbitrary.
“We know most families aren’t making a one-year decision — that’s something we take very seriously.”

To understand tuition, we first need to understand a word that gets used a lot but is rarely defined correctly: curriculum.

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3. What Curriculum Actually Means

The word “curriculum” comes from the Latin word currere, meaning “to run a race.” Curriculum is not just textbooks — it’s the entire course students run each year.

Curriculum includes, but is not limited to:

• Teachers
• Instruction
• Spiritual formation
• Leadership rallies
• Music and athletics
• Relationships and mentoring
• Facilities and safety
• Experiences and discipleship

“Curriculum is the entire race our children run each year — the teachers, the conversations about faith, the friendships, the chapel services, and the experiences that shape who they become.”

Tuition simply funds the course — curriculum.

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4. The Actual Cost Structure

Approximately 80% of school expenses are salaries and benefits. Why? Because teachers are the primary drivers of Christian education.

“In a Christian school, teachers are not just delivering curriculum — they are the drivers.”

One of our school-wide objectives states: 

• hire and retain professionally equipped Christian role models who pursue lifelong learning.

If we want professionally equipped, Christian role models shaping our children every day, we must invest in attracting, cultivating, and retaining exceptional talent. For many years, we have worked to keep Grapevine Faith salaries competitive with those in the surrounding school districts as well as our peer schools. Click here to review these comparisons.

Other fixed costs include:

• Utilities
• Property insurance
• Maintenance and custodial services
• Security

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5. Tuition vs. Fundraising

There’s a common misconception we want to clarify:

Tuition funds curriculum (operations). Fundraising funds improvements.

For example, over the past 3–4 years, more than $6 million has been invested in campus improvements and security upgrades through philanthropy.

“Tuition keeps the school running. Fundraising keeps tuition from being higher.”

If those projects had been funded through tuition, tuition would have increased by an average of 12% per year over the past four years.

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6. Ireland

Many of you may be aware that in August of this year we have been invited to participate when TCU plays North Carolina in Dublin. Our football, volleyball, cheer, dance, and drumline will have opportunities to perform/compete on this international stage.

We have been asked if any portion of tuition dollars will help cover the cost of this travel opportunity. This trip is in no way funded by the school. No tuition or advancement fundraising dollars will be paying for travel or any expenses related to the trip - including coaches and/or staff who are attending, This is an optional trip. Individuals and families who choose to participate will be responsible for all expenses. 

7. National Context

Demand for Christian education is rapidly growing, but accessibility remains a challenge.

We’ve been involved with the Herzog Foundation and national school leadership, visiting schools across the country and engaging in conversations with Christian school leaders. A council is actively studying how to make Christian education more accessible.

Here at home, we are investigating what a third revenue stream might look like for Faith. As an example, a school we have worked with through Herzog has invested in apartments with rent going directly to the school as an additional revenue stream. We have a small team investigating this idea. If you have thoughts or suggestions, we would like to know about them.

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8. Future Opportunities – TEFA & 2027 Federal Tax Credit

We encourage families to apply for state programs like TEFA (Texas Education Funding/ Education Savings Accounts).

Why?

• It demonstrates demand.
• It may expand eligibility.
• It helps more families access Christian education in the future.

We also want to clarify. This is not a voucher that comes to the school. These are funds that go directly to the family to help them offset or cover costs associated with their child's education. Additionally, it is important to understand that our admissions standards will not change and we do not see this as a means to grow our student body. 

There’s also huge potential with a federal tax credit beginning in 2027 estimated at $1,700 per taxpayer. This allows the taxpayer to designate where the funding goes. Tracey and I will specify Grapevine Faith Christian School. Imagine if 500 parents and 500 grandparents/alumni participate, that could generate $1.7 million to support tuition assistance for Christian education.

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9. Long-Term Sustainability

We calculate tuition based on the cost of delivering the curriculum well.

Our goal is to balance two responsibilities:

• Accessibility
• Excellence

“The greatest threat to accessibility isn’t tuition increases — it is declining quality.”

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10. Facilities and Maintenance

We understand concerns about campus care. Maintaining and improving our facilities is a priority, and we’re committed to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for our students.

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11. Closing – Return to Mission

Let’s end where we began: with our mission.

“That’s the race we’re helping them run — and it’s a race worth running together.”

We stand strong in our mission: “We Stand Firm in Faith.”

Actions for Families:

• Pray for the school and its leadership.
• Stay informed on TEFA and tax policy changes.
• Partner with us in fundraising and advocacy.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we’re shaping the next generation of Christ-followers.