In 2019, Jonathan joined The King School for its inaugural year. In 2024, Jonathan will finish his final year at The King School.
THE KING SCHOOL
NEIGHBORHOOD K-5 PARTNER SCHOOLS
BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR MORE SIXTH-GRADE READY STUDENTS IN CHATTANOOGA
THE GLENWOOD SCHOOL
PURPOSE POINT LEARNING ACADEMY
WHAT ARE NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNER SCHOOLS?
They are elementary schools located in under-resourced neighborhoods, designed to SERVE STUDENTS & FAMILIES by educating children and assisting parents and families with existing wraparound services.
Each school has a LOW STUDENTTEACHER RATIO with one class per grade level and a student to adult ratio of 1:9 for the entire school. The curricular focus is on mastering the fundamentals of reading and math.
“Neighborhood partner schools provide parents with the academic and emotional support needed to help carry their kids to the next level.”
Ms. Nicha Jean, Principal of The King School and The Glenwood School
Each school has a COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP with a church that offers their facilities at no cost.
The schools are DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE. Some families pay full tuition, some receive partial scholarships, and others participate in ESAs.
In partnership with donors, the ESA program creates a SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION for needbased tuition assistance. In 23/24, the schools will serve over 200 students in three locations.
HOW DO PARTNER SCHOOLS BENEFIT CHATTANOOGA?
AN EARLY FOUNDATION IS KEY
Partnering with families of elementary students will increase their academic success and provide a pipeline for more sixth-grade ready students in Chattanooga.
38%
THIRD GRADERS WHO ARE NOT PROFICIENT IN READING ARE
62%
More than 60% of third graders in local public schools are NOT proficient in reading.*
Non-proficient readers
Proficient readers
4X MORE LIKELY TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL BEFORE GRADUATING.**
MEETS A CRITICAL NEED
The state of Tennessee only spends 2.9% of all taxable resources on public education. That’s the lowest rate of any state in the nation.
* Chattanooga Times Free Press, ** American Education Research Assoc.
STRATEGIC LOCATIONS
We have placed micro schools in or adjacent to seven zip codes with residents that are 65% non-white and have an average household income of $31,575.
ZIP CODES : 37403, 37404, 37406, 37407, 37408, 37411, & 37416
2.9%
The chart to the left tracks our first graduating class and their progress in reading over the last three years. READING
During the 2022/23 school year, all students at TKS and TGS made significant progress. Over 80% were at or above grade level at the end of the year.
• BELOW
• PROGRESSING
• AT OR ABOVE
*SOURCES: Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment, NWEA Assessment
WHAT ARE THE ACHIEVEMENT RESULTS?
DO PARTNER SCHOOLS HAVE SUPPORT?
MOUNT CANAAN BAPTIST CHURCH
Dr. Ternae Jordan, Sr., Senior Pastor
“I have learned over 30 years of experience that it is better to catch children and families before they enter their educational funnel than to catch them later in their development. These partner schools will greatly impact our communities for years to come.”
CITY OF CHATTANOOGA
Raquetta Dotley, Council Chair
“This initiative ties nicely into our One Chattanooga strategy because it focuses on young students and whole families, making sure both are prepared for middle school.”
Alexis Bogo, President
“Hamico supports the partner schools! Utilizing existing spaces is an efficient and impactful model that can be expanded. The small class sizes and safe neighborhoods make the learning environments ideal for students and parents.”
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA
Maeghan Jones, President & CEO HAMICO FOUNDATION
“The opportunity for students to learn in a small, yet diverse environment can create a solid academic, social, and emotional foundation for them to flourish in and out of school.”
YES THEY ARE!
In the spring of 2023, the EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (ESAS) were expanded to Hamilton County. The program was piloted in Nashville and Memphis in 2022.
ESAs are scholarships for eligible students to attend participating non-public schools. They can be used for tuition, textbooks, technology, and uniforms. Families have to live in Hamilton County and meet an income requirement to qualify. The award for the 2023/24 school year is $8,756, which more than covers the costs at the partner schools.
Many existing partner school families were grandfathered into the program.
In the 2023/24 school year, nearly 50% of partner school students are recieving ESAs. This program will make these schools sustainable for years to come.
ARE PARTNER SCHOOLS SUSTAINABLE? Education Savings Account Program
“We love the school as a family because we have the freedom to learn every day. The teachers are so loving toward our kids. It is a very happy place.”
Amalia and Johnny Andres, parents of Junior (2nd grade), Diego (4th grade), and Jonathan (5th grade).
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE?
WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED:
• The partner school model is working, and it is having a positive impact on the families and our city.
• Many students who come to the partner schools require academic intervention, counseling, and other support services.
• Churches with exisiting robust children’s programs make the strongest partners.
• The state-funded Education Savings Accounts provide full tuition support for families that meet the income requirements. This allows families the security of knowing their child’s education is provided for all six years.
HOW WE HAVE ADJUSTED:
• Students from The King School and The Glenwood School will be merging to form one school located on the Glenwood campus.
• The class size will change from 12 students to 18-20 students per class. There will still only be one class per grade.
• The low student-to-adult ratio will remain the same in the lower grades. Kindergarten through 2nd grade will have two staff per class, and other administrative staff (counselor, interventionist, assistant principal, STEM) will be added.
• To better serve our students, we’re adding additional support services, which are vital to student success. The COVID funds that were providing additional services will go away in 2024/25.
HOW CAN YOU HELP SUPPORT PARTNER SCHOOLS?
PARTNER SCHOOL GENERAL FUND
A NEW OPERATIONAL FUND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AT CCS to help with ongoing costs. This undesignated fund helps with capital costs, food assistance, extended care, uniforms, special scholarships, and admissions/fundraising for the schools.
The immediate need in 2024 is to enlarge classrooms at The Glenwood School. This construction will be completed during the summer of 2024 and will involve moving walls in the current wing to make sure classrooms for grades 2-5 are over 500 square feet. Additionally, an annex will be added to the east of the current wing for Kindergarten and 1st grade classrooms. The annex will be connected to the main building with a secure walkway. The cost for this work is estimated to be $450,000.
- BY MAIL
HOW TO GIVE TO THE PARTNER SCHOOLS?
SCHOLARSHIPS CAPITAL
Enclose a check made payable to:
Community Foundation of Greater Chatt. (CFGC) 1400 Williams Street
Chattanooga, TN 37408
Memo line: “Micro School Opportunity Fund”
- THROUGH THE WEBSITE FOR CREDIT OR DEBIT
• Go to cfgc.org.
• Scroll to the bottom and click “donate to a fund.”
• Scroll down and click “donate online.”
• Choose “Micro School Opportunity Fund” in the Scholarship Funds section.
GIVE SECURITIES OR BY WIRE:
Contact Caroline von Kessler at CFGC for details: CvonKessler@cfgc.org, 423.265.0586
THE GOAL is to raise all scholarship monies (in gifts and pledges) for each student in advance so families start kindergarten with the assurance that they will be able to complete 5th grade.
All gifts go directly to CFGC and will be used for Partner School Scholarships that are awarded by CFGC. Chattanooga Christian School and CFGC work together on the award amounts.
- BY MAIL
Enclose a check made payable to:
Chattanooga Christian School 3354 Charger Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37409
Memo line: “Partner School General Fund”
- THROUGH THE WEBSITE FOR CREDIT OR DEBIT
• Go to ccsk12.com/donate.
• Choose “Partner School General Fund” in the designation section.
GIVE SECURITIES OR BY WIRE:
Contact Kim Cash at CCS for details: kcash@ccsk12.com, 423.362.4065
All Partner School General Funds gifts are set aside for use at the partner schools only.
2024 FUNDRAISING GOAL
$450,000
a
“An oasis for the voiceless.
” Partner School Donor
CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL initiative