2017-2018
From the Head of School and Board Chair Dear Friends of Veritas, Many of our families were directly impacted by the flooding from Hurricane Harvey. While it has been a challenge for us all, it has also been inspiring to see the spirit of generosity and support in our community. Your gifts not only helped our families, but our entire school community, and we are grateful for your support. It is in this same spirit of generosity and support that we launch the 2017–2018 Veritas Fund, I Am Veritas, our annual giving campaign, to ensure that our students recieve the best educational experience possible. With a strong commitment to our mission of being “an independent Christian school in the classical tradition that prepares students for lives of service and learning through biblical literacy, academic excellence, character formation, and intentional engagement opportunities,” we ask for your support as we strive to continue a legacy of excellence. It is through your support that we are able to provide such a range of curricular and co-curricular offerings. Each gift allows Veritas to sustain excellence into the future. We are grateful for the ways you support Veritas – with your gifts of volunteering and financial resources. We hope you will prayerfully consider contributing to this year’s Veritas Fund Annual Campaign. Additionally, anyone with outstanding pledges from our “Rooting for the Future” Captial Campaign can fulfill those by the end of the calendar year. Please help us continue to make Veritas the best academic program for your children!
Brad Sewell Daniel Droog Head of School Board Chair
Dear Veritas Community, After more than a decade of Veritas preparing students to be godly leaders in the world through innovative, classical educational programming, we are thrilled to present the 2017-18 Veritas Fund Annual Campaign - I Am Veritas. The Board of Trustees joins families, friends and corporate sponsors in support of the 2017-2018 fundraising initiative. Gifts from I Am Veritas support students at Veritas Christian Academy with continued personal and intellectual growth and development. Your generosity helps underwrite academic curricula that focus on Veritas’ core values and philosophical commitments: classical foundation, biblical literacy, academic excellence, character formation, and intentional engagement. The academic success at Veritas is possible because of the financial support from family and friends like you! Your support will allow Veritas Christian Academy to continue delivering classical educational programs that meet the spiritual and intellectual needs of our students and foster scholastic excellence. An investment in our youth is an investment in the future. Thank you for your support of the Veritas Fund Annual Campaign. We look forward to 100% participation this year. Blessings, Kendra Thomas Board Trustee
Veritas at a Glance Veritas students attend over 68 churches and 10 denominations. Caucasian African American Multiracial
15% 8% 51%
5%
Asian Hispanic
21%
A culturally diverse community allows Veritas students to have a “real world� experience and provides them a unique perspective as they learn. For the past 3 years approximately 70% of Veritas students in 3rd-8th grades qualifed for Duke TIP by scoring in the 95th percentile on their standardized test in a core subject.
Veritas has National Blue Ribbon qualifying scores for three consecutive school years.
Veritas students reside in 13 different cities which span Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, and Galveston Counties within the Houston Metropolitan area!
Income by percentage
Tuition 85.2%
Auxillary Programs 9.3%
Interest Income 0.1%
Fundraising & other donations 5.2% Grant Funding 0.2%
What income does Veritas receive? Only 85% of the income that Veritas receives is from tuition, so your donations help us to bridge the gap in our income and provide funding for future projects, such as educational program enhancements, technological advancements, and campus improvements.
2017-2018
I am It is by far one of the best programs, if not the best, for a student to learn. ~ Neala Fogarty, former parent
Veritas has taught me how to have perseverance and grit. ~ Class of 2016 Veritas is a challenging, nurturing, truly Christian school...It is a special place. ~ Parent review on GreatSchools.com
Have you ever been directed to a new place and when you got there, you knew God had gone before you and prepared the place? Well, I have...and Veritas is the place. ~ Tina Baylor, parent of a Veritas graduate
Every gift counts - I
am all in!
Every gift counts
I am... a Board Member a Staff Member a Parent an Alum a Grandparent an Aunt or Uncle a Friend
I
am all in
for this year’s Annual Fund!
Technology Enhancement Operational & Facility Needs These funds help support the operational budget with needs such as plumbing, HVAC, and campus improvement, which greatly impact day-to-day activities and programs for Veritas students, faculty, and staff.
A part of the Veritas learning experience includes technology integration that is cocurricular in many subject areas. Funds help to keep and improve technological resources at Veritas.
Fine Arts
A part of the “classical foundation” of Veritas includes an emphasis on the Fine Arts. The arts help to develop students beyond the classroom in areas of focus, discipline, concentration, and creativity. The Fine Arts program at Veritas includes a combination of the visual and performing arts.
6 Ways Your Giving Makes an Impact at Veritas Professional Development
Professional growth and development of Veritas faculty and staff helps to ensure our students’ achievement. Trainings include specific subject competencies and pedagogical strategies.
Financial Aid
Athletics
The athletic program at Veritas helps students learn necessary life skills: perseverance, time management, teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship.
Financial Aid helps Veritas provide a quality education to students who otherwise would not have the opportunity. It also helps build a socioeconomically diverse community which provides Veritas students with a realistic and godly perspective of the world.
How can I give to The Veritas Fund? The following are ways you can give to The Veritas Fund: Stocks and Mutual Funds
You can give to Veritas from your personal portfolio of assets. To ensure that your gift is efficiently processed, please initiate the gift with your brokerage advisor, then fax a copy of the completed Letter of Authorization to the National Christian Foundation of Houston at (832) 255-2021.
Credit Card or Bank Account Transfer
You can give through a one-time or recurring credit card or bank account transfer. It’s easy and hasslefree. Go to www.veritasca.org > “Support Veritas” > “The Veritas Fund.” Follow the link to the secured National Christian Foundation website to set up your donation.
Cash or Physical Check
You can always give the old-fashioned way! Just drop by our campus at 7000 Ferris Street, Bellaire, TX 77401 and drop off your gift.
Non-liquid Assets
You can give other non-cash assets, such as business interest, that could increase your tax deductions and cash flow while helping to support Veritas.
Matching Gifts
Many companies match charitable donations. Please inquire with your company’s human resources department or corporate giving office about their matching gifts policy. Veritas Christian Academy of Houston is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. All gifts should be postmarked or received by December 31, 2017 in order to be included in your 2017 taxes. Speak to your tax professional for more details on deductions and charitable giving.
Questions? Please contact Marilyn Hughes, Director of Finance (713) 773-9605 or via email at marilyn.hughes@veritasca.org.
Frequently Asked Questions What is The Veritas Fund?
The Veritas Fund was established in 2017 to provide donors more options for their contributions. It is currently administered by the National Christian Foundation (NCF). Donations can include non-cash gifts, such as stocks, real estate, and business interests, as well as cash donations.
Doesn’t tuition cover the expenses of the school?
Tuition alone does not fully cover the cost to educate a Veritas student. Consequently, every student receives a subsidy that is made possible through annual giving. Approximately 5% of the operational budget is funded by annual giving; therefore, your gifts have a significant impact!
Who gives to The Veritas Fund?
Members from every area of the Veritas community give annually to Veritas; this includes faculty and staff, board members, alumni, current families, grandparents and other family members, and even matching gifts from corporations and companies.
How much should I give?
Since every gift is significant - no matter the amount - we ask that each person participate at a level that corresponds to his or her circumstances. Our goal is 100% participation from every member of the Veritas community, so gifts of every level are appreciated!
When should I give?
Although you are able to give to Veritas at any time during the year (including the summer), we are asking that donations be made by December 13, 2017. In order to receive any tax deductions on your 2017 tax return, we must receive donations by December 31, 2017.
How can I give?
You can give in many ways! You can mail gifts to 7000 Ferris Street, Bellaire, TX 77401, or drop them off in the school office. You can also give online by visiting www.veritasca.org > “Support Veritas” > “The Veritas Fund,” and follow the link that will direct you to the NCF website.
Are my contributions recognized?
We recognize those who give to Veritas through our Annual Report unless gifts are given anonymously.
How can I fulfill my Capital Campaign pledge?
If you have yet to fulfill your “Rooting for the Future” Capital Campaign pledge, you may do so in the office or by using the “Donate Now” button under “Support Veritas.”
Mission
Veritas is an independent Christian school in the classical tradition that prepares students for lives of service and learning through biblical literacy, academic excellence, character development, and intentional engagement opportunities.
Core Values
Classical Foundation
Veritas is committed to a classical pedagogy to develop our students’ intellectual abilities and acquire the skills of good scholarship. The principles of classical thought inform and guide the school in its curricular aims to prepare our students for success beyond Veritas.
Biblical Literacy
Veritas seeks to shape our students’ thinking through scripture both by understanding biblical content and through a deeper awareness of its meaning and ethical application. We believe that our students’ minds are informed and fashioned through Christian studies and by mastering core competencies of the Bible.
Academic Excellence
Veritas embraces a history of excellence in academic achievement. We are committed to challenging our students to their highest potential in academics and stretching their intellectual boundaries, seeking to model and impart the virtues of inquiry, preparation, and discipline, in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
Character Formation
At Veritas, to educate holistically means educating one’s character and mind. Moral formation and mature behavior are of equal value with the acquisition of knowledge. We are committed to developing students’ hearts and minds, seeking to instill in them both knowledge and Christian values.
Intentional Engagement
Veritas values providing a variety of engagement opportunities both curricular and co-curricular for the development of each student. The classroom, the playing field, travel exposure, fine arts integration, and community service are all part of the laboratory of learning experiences for Veritas students.
“For it is in giving that we receive.� ~ Saint Francis of Assisi