SCHOOL PROFILE
Foundation Christian Academy
2011-2012 School Year
Founded:
1995
Location:
39-acre campus on Three Springs Road in Bowling Green, Kentucky
Grades:
K4 - 8th Grade
Accreditation:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
National Christian School Association (NCSA)
Enrollment:
151
Mission:
The mission of Foundation Christian Academy is to provide a strong Christian foundation for students and to prepare them for spiritual, intellectual and social growth while in a Christian setting.
Tuition:
$3900
Faculty:
16
Teacher/Student Ratio:
1 to 9
Average Class Size:
9
Boy's Athletic Teams:
Cross Country
Girl's Athletic Teams:
Clubs and Activities:
Beta
Student Council
Academic Team
Band
Art
Music
Choir
Standardized Testing:
Stanford/OLSAT
School Mascot:
Freddy the Falcon
School Colors:
Navy and Gold
"The Dream Goes On" Report - November 2010
"The Dream Goes On" capital campaign is near the end of the second year. Generous donors have pledged/given $534,588. This is a large amount of money and we are grateful for all who have/are helping students receive a quality Christian education.
The three year goal is $700,000. Each month, we get closer to the goal. Achieving the goal helps to remove indebtedness and provide day-to-day operating expenses.
A record enrollment of 145 students reveals that having Bible class everyday with their academics is appealing and appreciated by many parents. The students excel in a Christian environment. Donations to FCA is a great investment. Would you consider a year-end gift to "The Dream Goes On" capital campaign?
Contact Jack Ray, Director of Development, at (270) 780-6100 if you would like more information.
"The Dream Goes On..."
Foundation Christian Academy opened her doors in 1996 with twenty-two students in kindergarten. The school has enjoyed steady numerical growth, but just as important has been the progress of the quality of the academic and spiritual emphasis.
All along the dream has been to own our own campus and to have a beautiful and functional facility built especially for our school. Our prayers were answered when land became available on Three Springs Road and sufficient funding was secured to construct the present building.
Words cannot express the excitement in October 2007 when we moved to the new campus on forty-nine acres what was not only ideally located, but are virtually level. This will make expansion much less expensive. "The Dream Goes On" as more and more parents entrust their children to our care, and our faculty and staff help each child reach for his maximum potential.
Under the direction of a committed Board of Directors who give generously of their time, expertise, and finances, Foundation Christian Academy continues to improve in every way. We do not believe we have reached our goals, but we are doing everything in our power to be the best we can.
One day Foundation Christian Academy will offer pre-K through the twelfth grade and be accredited by Southern Association of Colleges of Schools. The school will provide a wide range of extra-curricular activities and be looked at as one of the premier educational institutions in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
As the Dream moves forward new successes are achieved daily...
FCA Vision
FCA Vision Planning -- Update: January 2006
In response to their desire to set high standards and achievable long-range goals for Foundation Christian Academy, the Board of Directors authorized a Vision Planning process to begin in March 2005. The board contracted with Custom Development, Inc. of Fort Worth Texas to guide the process. After four months of research and analysis, a final report of observations and recommendations were submitted to the Board in July 2005.
We would like to thank the 81 who volunteered to participate in the process through surveys and special interviews. During the four months of research, 7 areas of the school were evaluated for strengths and weaknesses: Educational Offerings, Admissions, Staffing, Administration, Budget & Finance, Buildings & Facilities, and Resource Program.
The Study revealed the Top Strengths of the Academy as:
The study revealed the top weaknesses of the Academy as:
When asked what focus of the Board of Directors of FCA should be for the next three years, participants said their overwhelming top priority should be a single campus for the entire school.
Summary recommendations from the report included:
Many of these items have already been addressed, while others are under still in the planning stage. The Board takes this Vision Planning process seriously and is moving forward to see that Foundation Christian Academy is the premier Christian School in south-central Kentucky.
calendar.pdf
2nd - Open House _ 6:30pm
9th - First Day of the 2011-2012 School Year
5th - No School
3rd-7th - Fall Break (No School)
7th - Teacher In-Service (No School)
23rd-25th - Thanksgiving Break (No School)
19th-January 2nd - Winter Break (No School)
2nd - Last day of Winter Break (No School)
16th - LNo School
20th - No School
16th - Teacher In-Service (No School)
6th-13th - Spring Break (No School)
20th - Last day of classes
January
Monday, January 30th - Hot Dogs, Tater Tots, Green Beans, Ice Cream
Tuesday, January 31st - Breakfast - Sausage Patties, Biscuits, Gravy, Scrambled Eggs, Tater Tots, Juice
February
Wednesday, February 1st - Chicken Noodle Soup, Cheese Sandwich, Carrot Sticks, Brownies
Thursday, February 2nd - Hamburgers, Fries, Baked Beans, Chocolate Cake
Friday, February 3rd - Pizza, Corn, Salad, Pudding
Monday, February 6th - Chicken Nuggets, Mashed Potatoes, Green Peas, Roll, Ice Cream
Tuesday, February 7th - Baked Ziti, Layered Salad, Roll, Cherry Cobbler
Wednesday, February 8th - Chili, Hot Dog, Orange Wedges
Thursday, February 9th - Fish Sticks, Baked Beans, Mac and Cheese, Cookie
Friday, February 10th - Sloppy Joe's, Smile Fries, Veggies, Icee
Monday, February 13th - Breakfast (Sausage Patties, Scrambled Eggs, Tater Tots, Biscuits/Gravy, Juice)
Tuesday, February 14th - Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Roll, Cookie
Wednesday, February 15th - Vegetable Soup, Cheese Sandwiches, Cookie
Thursday, February 16th - Corn Dogs, California Veggies, Green Beans, Brownie
Friday, February 17th - Haystacks (Taco meat and Cheese), Corn on the cob, Apple Wedges
Monday, February 20th - OUT OF SCHOOL
Tuesday, February 21st - Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Chips, Carrot Sticks, Cookie
Wednesday, February 22nd - Hot dogs, Tater Tots, Broccoli and Cheese, Ice Cream
Thursday, February 23rd - Chicken Sandwiches, Smile Fries, Baked Beans, Cake
Friday, February 24th - Pizza, Salad, Corn, Pudding
Monday, February 27th - Hamburgers, Fries, Baked Beans, Chocolate Cake
Tuesday, February 28th - Pizza, Layered Salad, Corn, Strawberry Cake
Wednesday, February 29th - Breakfast - Sausage Patties, Biscuits, Gravy, Scrambled Eggs, Tater Tots, Juice
February Lunch Menu.pdf
The Beginning
The idea for another attempt to establish a Christian school in Bowling Green, Kentucky was expressed in a letter from Roger Wood, Administrator of Potter Children's Home, to area congregations in the spring of 1995. He called for a meeting of interested area brethren. This meeting was held April 22nd at the Greenwood Park church building, with an encouraging number of brothers and sisters present. Interest was determined to be such that plans should be pursued toward this endeavor. To take the lead in the project, a volunteer committee was formed consisting of the following: Ralph Brewer (Alvaton), Carl Harris, Howard Frasier, Alicia Sowders, Wanda Knabe and Steve White from Greenwood Park; David Hamilton from Lehman Avenue, and Brad Young and Kelly Young from Richardsville. The Volunteer Committee met on May 1st and June 1st. At the June 1st meeting the Committee decided that an interim Board of Directors should be created and empowered to conduct necessary business for the school. This Board would be in power for only one year, after which a permanent Board should be established.
Other general meetings were conducted May 15th and June 5th. At the latter meeting, David Vester, principal of Mars Hill Bible School in Florence, Alabama, addressed the group and answered a number of questions. At yet another such meeting, a brother from a "for-profit" Christian school in the Louisville-Middletown area came and contributed many good ideas. In order to keep the school from appearing to be a product of Potter Children's Home, Roger dismissed himself from any public part in the formation of the school, and Dr. Steve White became the chairman of the Volunteer Committee.
At some point early in the process, we were advised to form a non-profit corporation which would require a Board of Directors, Articles of Incorporation, and By-laws. Howard Frasier, an attorney, and a member of the Volunteer committee from the beginning, took the lead in getting the legal work done. The intention was to get everything in place for the opening of a kindergarten in the fall of 1995, since the Greenwood Park elders had kindly offered the use of one of their classrooms. The process of getting all the required legal work finished in time to open in 1995 was too lengthy, however, and, although we did have a few who had registered for the August opening, there was money refunded.
A Name for Our School
Several names for the school were suggested, but one that met the greatest degree of approval was suggested by Brad Young: Cornerstone Christian School. Unfortunately, the State ruled against this name because of the existence of another school with that identical name, in eastern Kentucky. The Volunteer Committee, therefore, decided upon the name Foundation Christian Academy (foundation is not far removed from the cornerstone!).
As the legal work took form, the Interim Board became the first Board of Directors, and the Board has served ever since on a strictly volunteer basis. The school's newsletter, The Foundation of January, 1996 lists the following Board of Directors: Dr. Steve White, President; Kelly Young, Secretary; Alicia Sowders, Treasurer; Garnet Baker, Howard Frasier, and Carl Harris. Several have come and gone from the Board through the years. Others who have served include: Marvin Burgess, Katina Cole, Bobby Gilbert, Mike Watson, Mark Woodward, Richard Huffman, Martha Raymer, Wayne Riley, and Marilyn Smith. Some Board members resigned for various reasons such as job relocation, work load, health problems, etc. Two members are now deceased: Marvin Burgess and Martha Raymer. In 2004, members of the Board consisted of: Gil Ray Cowles, President; Kent Guthrie, Vice President; Rick Emerson, Secretary; Blake Fritsch, Treasurer; Jack Ray, Administrator; Garnet Baker, Paul F. Davis, Darrell Dubree, David Dymacek, Howard Frasier, Jr., Louise Goodman, Kelly Jackson, and Andy Wagoner. The above Board members were from Alvaton, Delafield, Greenwood Park, Lehman Avenue, and Mt. Pleasant.
Foundation Christian Academy officially opened, August 15th, 1996, with an all-day kindergarten consisting of 22 students, taught by Mrs. Lee Duff and Mrs. Lucy Mason, in a classroom leased from Greenwood Park Church of Christ. That congregation has ever been supportive of the school and as the student enrollment grew, they went out of their way to locate more room for us within their facility.
Continued growth demanded still more space, so negotiations were initiated with Potter Children's Home to renovate their former cafeteria. This was done at a cost of approximately $35,000, but it afforded space for two classrooms, an office and restroom facilities. This campus opened for our Pre-school Department in August, 2000. The Potter addition enabled the school to offer an all day program for four-year-olds in addition to kindergarten. This was so successful that a second classroom had to be found to meet the increased number of requests for pre-kindergarten. Thus, through the generosity of a Board member, arrangements were made with Potter to move the school office into an adjacent apartment. By the 2003-04 school term, with two four-year-old classes, kindergarten and grades one through six, FCA was leasing from both Greenwood Park and Potter Children's Home, eleven rooms (not counting kitchen space where hot lunches were served) and the office space at the Potter campus.
Excellence
Foundation Christian Academy has continued to maintain an excellent curriculum, the fruit of which is noted in results from the Stanford Achievement Test, administered annually. The students consistently rank from one to three grades higher than their regular grade level. The majority of our teachers retired from public school systems and came to FCA because of their love for children and their love for teaching. All possess college degrees and most of them have Masters Degrees and Rank One status. The students, therefore, are held to high standards, while small classes assure that no student lacks personal attention. In addition to the excellent regular curriculum, students are instructed in Spanish, art and music. One hundred and six students were enrolled in 2004, but settled to the mid to upper 80's by 2007.
Educators who have met with us in recent years are Dr. Milton Sewell, President of Freed-Hardeman University; Bill Ruhl, of Goodpasture Christian School; and Dr. Phillip Patterson, President of National Christian School Association, of which the school is a member. Each of these men gave us invaluable advice and encouragement.
FCA engaged Andrew Ellis to be a part-time fundraiser and administrator shortly after the beginning of the 1999-2000 school year. His work with us ended during the spring semester of 2001. Since he was from Memphis and was not in a position to move his residence, it was apparent that he would not be able to continue a long-term relationship with our school. We appreciated, so much, Dr. Paul Ford Davis' willingness to step in as volunteer full time administrator. He was "in his element" having retired from lengthy service in the administration of Morehead State University.
By the time Dr. Davis felt the need to be relieved of his duties, the Board decided that the school needed a full time administrator. Board member Jack Ray was retiring from full-time preaching at the Lehman Avenue Church of Christ and was deemed by the Board to be in the right position "for such a time as this". Jack had helped establish a Christian school in Indianapolis, Indiana, several years earlier. That experience combined with his wisdom and dedication to the Lord, proved to be a definite asset to FCA.
We are also indebted to Judith Frasier for her many hours of work as volunteer secretary before the work load consumed so much time that she was hired by the Board. During the 2003-2004 school year, Lori Newcomb was employed to share the secretarial duties part-time.
Steve White resigned his position as President of the Board and as a Board member January 18, 2000. Howard Frasier, who had been serving as Vice President, moved up as President, and served until his resignation in the fall of 2001. Gil Ray Cowles was then elected President.
The annual Spring Dinner has been an important fundraiser. Speakers who have been with us include: Ray Frizzell, Jim Bill McInteer, David Slater, Mark McInteer, Marlin Connelly, Walt Leaver, David Dymacek, Dr. Milton Sewell, President of Freed-Hardeman University, Steve Higgenbotham, Mary Taylor Cowles, head coach for the Lady Toppers basketball team at Western Kentucky University and Sonny Banning, about whom more will said in a later paragraph. The other major fundraiser for FCA is the Chili Supper and Auction which is held annually in October. Besides being an occasion of fellowship and enjoyment, it has proved to be a significant source of revenue for the school.
Seeing the need for assistance in the field of fundraising, in late 2003 the Board employed Richard Huffman, preacher for the Woodburn congregation, and retired insurance executive, as Director of Development on a part-time basis. Although his term of service was short, it was helpful to the school.
The Board attempts each year to take several hours of one day for a retreat for review of the school's status and to plan for the future. These retreats have proven to be very productive from the standpoint of evaluation of progress and setting goals for the future.
A New Campus
A major step toward the advancement of FCA was taken on August 5th, 2003, when President Cowles signed a contract for the purchase of fifty acres of land for the establishment of a permanent campus. The purchase price was $450,000, of which $45,000 was initially paid, with the balance due to be paid within one year. Individual Board members pledged at least $94,000, and they appealed to others for help as well. It was an occasion of joy when the final payment was met on time and the land became free and clear of indebtedness. A prime location, frontage of this property is on Three Springs Road (KY 884). It is bounded on the north by William Natcher Parkway and on the east by Interstate 65.
After the land purchase was completed, raising funds for the school building remained the greatest challenge. The Board, therefore, began formulating plans to launch a three-year Capital Building Campaign. They were advised to secure the services of a Wichita, Kansas firm, Custom Development, Inc., to guide the Board through this process. Representing that company was Sonny Banning, who spoke at the 2006 Spring Dinner. This firm conducted a thorough study of FCA, acknowledging both strengths and weaknesses, offering recommendations as to how to improve the school. Many interviews were conducted with parents of present and former students, faculty, staff, the Board and others. Upon opening the Campaign, before issuing a challenge for others to give, Board members led the way by personally pledging and/or donating more than $253,400 to this project. At that time, the Board was approximately twelve or thirteen members strong.
Faithful Volunteers
Thirty-five is the number of faithful Christians having served on the Board of Directors from time to time since the school was organized in 1995. All Board members serve without pay. In addition to the two lost through death, some served out their term and chose to resign; others moved away, while still others found it necessary for one reason or another to resign before their terms expired. Although the maximum number of Board members allowed by the by-laws is fifteen, that number has never quite been reached. In 2007, those listed in the newsletter as Board member were: Chris Young, President; Gil Ray Cowles, Vice President; Becky Painter, Secretary; Lisa Crowe, Treasurer; Garnet Baker, David Cook, Paul Ford Davis, Emerson Dickerson, Bryan Dyer, David Dymacek, Louise Goodman, Kent Guthrie, and Floyd Mosley. Board members who resigned since 2004 include Darrell Dubree, Rick Emerson, Howard Frasier, Blake Fritsch, James Grimes, Kelly Jackson and Andy Wagoner.
Two teachers retired at the end of the 2005-2006 school year. Lucy Mason was one of the two original teachers, decided it was time to have more family time. Gracie Foster, who has been with the school several years, needed more time to help care for her aging mother. Lea Dye, who had taught one of the four-year-old classes resigned to take a position as tutor of infants with special needs. All of these ladies had served FCA with dedication, and everyone regretted their leaving.
Mrs. Phyllis Turner taught French during the school terms of 2004-2005 and 2005-2006. After the completion of her commitment, the school reverted to teaching of Spanish at the request of several parents.
The 2006-2006 faculty consisted of the following: Mrs. Phyllis Roberts and Mrs. Celeste Edwards taught the two four-year-old classes; Kindergarten, Mrs. Lee Duff; Grade 1, Mrs. Shirley Solzman; Grade 2, Mrs. Elaine Burgess; Grade 3, Mrs. Marilyn Smith; Grades 4 and 5, Mrs. Brenda Brown; Grade 6, Miss Ann Lovelady. Mrs. Heather Vernon taught Spanish the first semester and Mrs. Sandy Howell took it in the spring. Art was taught by Mrs. Veronica Cary, and music classes were covered by Mr. Garnet Baker, completing ten years as a volunteer.
Groundbreaking
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