Strategic Plan 2018-2023
Mission Veritas is an independent Christian school in the classical tradition that prepares students for lives of service and learning through academic excellence, character development, biblical literacy, and intentional engagement opportunities.
Core Values In pursuit of its mission, the Veritas community is guided by five core values. Our core values represent the philosophical commitments of our community; these values are reflected in our past and guide our commitment to the future. The core values of Veritas embody the promises made for our students’ development.
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
Veritas educates holistically, both 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.
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.
Classical Foundation
Veritas is committed to a classical pedagogy to develop our students’ intellectual abilities and assist them to acquire the skills for good scholarship. The principles of classical thought inform and guide the school in its curricular aims to prepare our students for success beyond Veritas.
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 for Veritas students.
A Brief History Veritas Christian Academy of Houston is an award-winning, independent Christian school in the classical tradition for students in preschool through eighth grade, located in the heart of the greater Houston area in the residential neighborhood of Bellaire, Texas. Veritas is a co-educational school founded in 2002 with a selective admissions process based on its mission and core values. The School, from its founding, was intended to be a community of faculty, students, and families that share a deep commitment to academic excellence, Christian instruction, and moral training. In 2003, Veritas opened its doors with approximately one hundred students and has since doubled its size in a short period. In 2016, Veritas purchased its current campus that is set on four acres and 40,000 sq. ft. of buildings. It consists of four academic wings, science and technology labs, a playing field, outdoor learning area, playground, gymnasium, and auditorium. Approximately thirty classrooms are used to support students’ academic and extra-curricular needs. The School represents over seventy churches throughout the greater Houston area and serves a very ethnically and racially diverse student body with a full range of academic and co-curricular offerings. Veritas is a dually accredited educational institution by SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) and ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) and a member of SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools). Since 2014, Veritas has qualified approximately seventy percent of its students for Duke Tip’s Gifted and Talented Program and has maintained qualifying scores for Blue Ribbon Recognition through an outstanding academic program.
2002
2003
2004
Founding and incorporation of Veritas Christian Academy of Houston.
First Board Meeting of Veritas Christian Academy of Houston’s Board of Trustees.
Veritas moves to its current location at 7000 Ferris Street and begins its second school year in Bellaire.
Stephen Zeal named Head of School.
Veritas begins Gymnasium is its first school remodeled. year at St. Phillip Lutheran Church. School opens with approximately 100 students.
2005 Veritas installs the playground to provide an outdoor playspace for students.
2006 Veritas gains initial accreditation with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
2008 Veritas appoints Lamia Raad as Head of School. Second floor of D Wing and School Offices remodeled.
2011 Veritas undergoes its first financial audit.
2012
Veritas gains dual accreditation with both ACSI and Gains the Southern membership and Association of accreditation Colleges and with the School (SACS). Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
2016 Veritas puts down roots in Bellaire with the purchase of the campus at 7000 Ferris Street.
2017
The Green is created adding 3,200 ft2 of outdoor space for dining, a learning area, and expanded Expands D Wing playspace. with additional classroom space The Green with the creation opens for of four new student use in classrooms. the 2017-2018 School Year. School reaches 200 students. Veritas appoints Brad Sewell as Head of School.
Great schools look to the future to serve their students well. As we encourage our students to learn and grow, Veritas is preparing for what is next. Our strategic planning process identifies key areas of growth for Veritas over the next five years. The Strategic Plan focuses specifically on several initiatives to unify and provide a coherent set of goals to place Veritas on the best path for continued excellence in Christian education in the classical tradition. Our commitment to strategic planning reflects Veritas’ understanding that what constitutes ‘academic excellence’ is a dynamic, ever evolving process, yet rooted in our mission and core values. We desire to provide the best education that creates A Foundation for Life. We are committed to incremental change, building on past successes, and pushing forward to higher standards. From the 2016-17 academic year through early 2018, Veritas underwent a self-study that was developed to spotlight areas to enhance the overall student experience. The self-study focused its research on a wide spectrum of school experiences. Surveys and input were collected from students, parents, alumni, faculty, and administration. Our Head of School attended workshops on strategic planning in independent schools. The Veritas Board of Trustees were engaged in strategic thinking and established a strategic planning subcommittee. After study and reflection, four particular areas emerged that school leadership believed Veritas could improve. Given the broad range of potential goals, the scope of A Foundation for Life establishes four goals to guide the School’s process of continuous improvement. While the School remains committed to pursuing excellence in all areas of its operations, the Strategic Plan is primarily focused on making the vision a reality for all Veritas students. As aspirational and comprehensive as it is, A Foundation for Life is poised for success because Veritas is already enthusiastically pursuing many aspects of the Strategic Plan.
Goal 1 Enhance Programs & Curriculum Through our programs and curriculum we strive to be both classical and innovative. We have identified several key areas to enhance our programs and curriculum over the next five years. Implementation Strategy: • Emphasize critical thinking and inquiry based curriculum. • Further develop a Great Books Program to strengthen the existing liberal arts curriculum. • Help students identify and solve problems with project-based learning through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) initiatives. • Develop a more comprehensive program of service learning. • Broaden students’ learning options outside the classroom using project based learning, field trips, and educational travel through the alignment of core values. • Attain accreditation through Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). • Redesign class schedules to further promote innovation, creativity, and discussion.
Goal 2 Transform Campus & Facilities We aim to expand the overall educational experience of our students through targeted facility transformation. To accomplish this, we will update and renovate existing facilities to improve and create new learning spaces. Implementation Strategy: • Create a Student Learning Center equipped with: • A library for research, reading, and contemplation. • A collaborative technology center. • A multipurpose community space. • A space designed for student collaboration. • A space designed for faculty collaboration.
• Renovate the Auditorium into a multi-use Fine Arts Building to: • Remodel interior to expand opportunities for music and theater productions. • Create multi-purpose space for school day activities. • Optimize use for classes, school events, and social functions through the redesign of the interior space. • Accommodate larger school and community events.
Goal 3 Maintain Financial Sustainability In order for the School to realize its strategic potential throughout the next several years, we will balance various objectives to maintain institutional financial health. The following goals have been established to ensure our longterm sustainability. Implementation Strategies: • Enhance fundraising to cover the full cost of school operations not covered by tuition and also implement the Strategic Plan. • Maintain a significant financial aid program. • Enhance non-tuition revenue sources. • Expand enrollment to reach full campus capacity. • Consistently reduce the mortgage from purchase of the property while strategically enhancing campus facilities. • Maintain competitive tuition within the Houston private school market to reflect best quality for cost.
Goal 4 Develop Our Faculty The heart of Veritas’ appeal is in the School’s meaningful relationships that provide transformative learning. Our dedicated teachers demonstrate authentic interest in the development of our students’ intellect and character. We strive to create a faculty full of individuals that are intellectually curious, compassionate, engaging, and challenging our students to be their best. The School’s greatest investment, for student success, is its faculty. Through various initiatives, our goal is to support, strengthen, and further cultivate excellence in teaching. Implementation Strategies: • Expand professional development opportunities. • Cultivate and celebrate excellence in the faculty. • Invest in STEAM and inquiry based initiatives through professional development training of faculty. • Redesign faculty space to foster greater faculty collaboration. • Foster a culture of experiementation and innovation in classroom teaching to help every student reach their highest potential. • Enhance evaluation model for faculty growth.
Making The Foundation a Reality Preparing Our Graduates
We have grand aspirations for our graduates. Our desire is to prepare students with A Foundation for Life that sets them apart for high school, university, and beyond. A well-rounded education must be holistic in nature and one that prepares students not just academically but spiritually, socially, and ethically. Each goal and priority of our Strategic Plan were formed through the lens of our mission and core values that we aim to cultivate in every student.
Alumni Schools after Graduation High Schools and Universities
Private High Schools
Episcopal High School • Fort Bend Christian Academy • The Kinkaid School Houston Christian High School • Westbury Christian School • Saint John’s School Saint Agnes Academy • Lutheran High North • Saint Thomas Episcopal School Saint Thomas High School • Saint Pius X High School • Second Baptist School Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School • Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Public High Schools
Bellaire High School • Lamar High School • Carnegie Vanguard High School The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts • Ridge Point High School Debakey High School • Challenge Early College High School • Elkins High School Memorial High School • Stratford High School • Dulles High School
Colleges and Universities
University of Alabama • University of Texas • Texas A&M University Cornell University • Auburn University • Baylor University • Harvard University University of California - Berkeley • Texas Tech University • Samford University Texas Christian University • University of Miami • Purdue University Texas State University • University of Houston • University of Southern California Colorado School of Mines • Trinity University in San Antonio • Southern University
Board of Trustees
Daniel Droog, Chair (outgoing) Managing Counsel Chevron Corporation
Tina Ipe Physician Houston Methodist Hospital System
Lisa Hafemeister, Vice Chair Division Administrator MD Anderson Cancer Center
Bradley Marks Owner IW Marks Jewelers
Lanette Johnson, Treasurer Homemaker
Elise Mueller Ministry Manager City Church Houston
Don Grieb, Secretary (outgoing as officer) Real Estate Consultant Development Systems Marc Boucher (outgoing) Chief Executive Officer Boucher Design Group Chris Dewhurst (Chair elect) Private Wealth Advisor Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Neil Hanchard Physician Texas Children’s Hospital Ramy Hanna (Secretary elect) Chief Executive Officer, Founder Tiltpixel
Brad Sewell Head of School Veritas Christian Academy of Houston Kendra Davis Thomas Managing Attorney Harris Center for Mental Health Daniel Leung (incoming) Physician Texas Children’s Hospital Teandra Gordon (incoming) Director of Therapy Services Legacy Community Health Services
Veritas Administration Brad Sewell Head of School
Allicia Tillman Dean of Academics
Kimberlee Hering Director of Early Education
Marilyn Hughes Director of Finance
Amy Leonard Lower School Principal
Zachary Villafuerte Director of Admissions & Communication
Lina Delgado Middle School Principal
All members of Board of Trustees, Officer Positions, and Administration as of May 2018
7000 Ferris Street • Bellaire, TX 77401 www.veritasca.org • 713.773.9605