From the Head of School
Dear Friends and Family of Westminster Christian Academy,
For nearly 50 years, God has written a remarkable story at Westminster through the faith, courage, and pioneering spirit of Christian families in St. Louis. In this Annual Report, you will see this story in action through the lives of our students over the past year.
As you look back, I also invite you to learn about the new chapters God is writing through the prayers and generosity of our community today. Approved by our Board of Directors in 2021, The Campaign for Westminster started as a $25 million vision to make a transformational impact for current and future generations of students through:
• Strengthening Westminster’s long-term financial foundation by accelerating our debt’s principal payments and building a robust endowment. Our original $35 million dollar loan is now effectively under $15 million – praise God!
• Increasing access to Westminster for mission-fit families through need-based tuition grants. This academic year, we’ve awarded $3.8 million in financial assistance to 35% of the student body.
• Investing in our educators and staff who share their knowledge and expertise with students and families. It is vital to honor and competitively compensate the Kingdom work of our 196 teachers and staff members.
• Equipping our students through innovative programs preparing them to honor Christ in a rapidly changing world. We’re eager to expand our computer science department, Academies, and more.
Many generous, kind, and faithful friends have already led the way in giving to The Campaign for Westminster. As of writing, we are more than $21.5 million toward our $25 million goal! Our hope and prayer is to finish strong this year.
Please join us and pray about how the Lord would have you participate in this important and exciting chapter of Westminster’s story! It’s our faith. It’s our future. And it’s our time.
Dr. Barrett Mosbacker Head of School
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Thom Avery, President
John Ranheim, Vice President
Allison Kats, Secretary
Rhoads Hall, Treasurer
Lyndsay Borage
Anita Chimento
John Hartwig
Jackie Hibbler
Tim Holley
Scott Koenig
Chris Moellenhoff
Stefanie Ravenhill
Matthew Ring
“It is a joy and privilege for each member of the Board of Directors to serve the Westminster community. We are committed to praying for faculty, staff, students, and families, and humbly ask the Lord to direct our every decision. We encourage you to join us in prayer for our school and community.
The longer I serve, the more I see God’s great care and provision for our school. Thank you to everyone who prays, volunteers, sacrifices, and serves to make Westminster a place where students are equipped, and God is glorified.”
Thom
Avery Board President and Westminster Dad
“O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.”
1 CHRONICLES 29:16
A SPECIAL YEAR OF SERVICE
Last year, students from every grade participated in our new Faith in Action service program. The goal of the program is to teach students the importance of serving like Jesus and using their gifts to help others.
Middle school students served at least 10 hours throughout the year. Students in 9th, 10th, and 11th volunteered a minimum of 20 hours, and seniors continued their capstone tradition of Senior Service.
In all, Westminster students provided 29,056 hours of service on campus and throughout the St. Louis community — an economic value of $790,330!
“We are called to serve others like Jesus did, so spending time to help out fulfills a deep calling in our own hearts. It’s like we give our time away, and in its place comes deeper intimacy with the heart of our Savior.”
DEMETRI CROOKS
“The Faith in Action program has taught me that serving is not about gathering hours, feeling accomplished, or making myself look good. It’s about furthering God’s Kingdom on earth and, by God’s grace, displaying the selfless character that makes others look at and worship him.”
ELLIE BORAGE
“We have been blessed with so many abilities, and Jesus calls us to go out and serve others with those abilities. Last year, I served with DASA (Disabled Athletes Sports Association) and helped teach kids with disabilities how to swim. In the past, I was a competitive swimmer, so I was able to use the swimming skills I have to help other kids feel more comfortable in the water.”
DAVID CREEL
HONORING THE CLASS OF 2024
In May, 162 graduates became Westminster alumni as they received diplomas during a beautiful outdoor ceremony. Continue praying for these young men and women as they pursue college degrees, serve in the military or ministry, and shine a light for Christ in their communities.
98% ATTENDING COLLEGE
2%
MILITARY & OTHER
8,318 HOURS SPENT SERVING THE COMMUNITY
$26.5 MILLION
TOTAL SCHOLARSHIPS EARNED $163,580 AVERAGE OFFERED PER SENIOR — MORE THAN ANY OTHER YEAR —
31.7 AVERAGE ACT OF TOP 25%
4 NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS
COLLEGE ATTENDANCE INCLUDES:
Baylor University, Belmont University, Case Western Reserve University, Clemson University, Florida State University, Miami University–Ohio, Penn State University, Purdue University, Samford University, Texas Christian University, University of Southern California, University of Tulsa, Washington University
BUILDING COMMUNITY
There is always something to get involved in at Westminster. From sports to theatre to community events, Westminster students used their gifts and had a lot of fun last year!
Clockwise from Top: Homecoming 2023 Carnival, Our Town, Senior Class Spirit Week Champions
Clockwise from Top Left: Boys Soccer, Class 2 State Champions, RPS 2024, We Are One Black History Month Program
“But we thank God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
15:57
LEARNING WITHIN A CHRISTIAN
WORLDVIEW
Westminster teachers excel at educating students through the lens of God’s Word.
Whether students are learning science, math, drama, history, business, or music, they are taught to think critically and biblically about our world. WestminsterYOU Academies and Enrichment courses add another layer of hands-on experience as students gain a college-preparatory education while discovering unique interests and skills.
MISSION
Westminster Christian Academy honors Jesus Christ by providing an excellent education, rooted in biblical truth as interpreted by the Westminster Confession of Faith, for the children of Christian parents. Faculty and staff enable students to discover and embrace a biblical view of the world and integrate that view into every area of life.
FINANCIAL REPORT
OPERATING INCOME STATEMENT
(unaudited; does not include restricted giving or related expenses)
REVENUE
EXPENSES
$565,000
As of July 31, 2024
BALANCE SHEET
THE CAMPAIGN FOR WESTMINSTER
A Plan for Westminster’s Future
Westminster is the school it is today because of the unwavering faith, remarkable generosity, and deep commitment of families dedicated to providing a worldclass Christian education for middle and upper school students in St. Louis.
Since 2021, our community has been working toward the following strategic priorities through The Campaign for Westminster
Accessibility for Any Mission-Fit Family
We want to remove financial barriers that prevent Christian families from seeking a Westminster education and increase need-based tuition grants.
Investing in Our People
We love our teachers, coaches, and staff and will establish programs to recruit, retain, and reward our world-class Christian staff.
Creating Innovative Programs
Our students thrive when their God-given gifts are cultivated. We want to change more lives through innovative and excellent programs that educate, nurture, and excite.
Increased Financial Strength
We must accelerate debt principal reduction and grow our long-term financial strength through estate gifts and a robust endowment.
THE LIFE-CHANGING IMPACT OF TUITION GRANTS
Westminster’s heart has always been to partner with missionfit families who desire an excellent Christian education for their children.
One way we increase access is through a robust tuition assistance program that supports families based on financial need — a growing need.
This year, Westminster has extended $3.8 million in tuition grants to 35% of the student body.
TESTIMONIALS FROM GRATEFUL FAMILIES
“Being able to enroll our children at Westminster, which is unaffordable for us without financial assistance, has given them (and us) the gift of a lifetime. There are surely other schools that offer a good education, academically speaking, but the environment at Westminster, especially the incredible faculty, has instilled much more than knowledge. We’ve seen our students develop character, understanding, critical thinking, genuine faith, and inspiration to live for Christ. Thank you for making this possible. There is no way to fully express our gratitude, but we hope you know how much your gift means to us.”
“From the bottom of my family’s heart, thank you very much for your willingness to share your blessings so that we can attend Westminster Christian Academy. My family has been attending Westminster for the past six years. As a result, God has done great things for our children and family. We are very fortunate and blessed to be a part of the Westminster community. Without your donations, this would not be possible. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity. You are making a Godly difference in our lives!”
GIFTS TO THE CAMPAIGN FOR WESTMINSTER WILL ENABLE US TO INCREASE NEED-BASED TUITION GRANTS AND ACCESS TO MORE CHRISTIAN FAMILIES IN ST. LOUIS.
THE TRANSFORMATIVE INFLUENCE OF TEACHERS
Our teachers, coaches, and staff deliver the school’s mission. They see their work not as a job but as a divine calling. We thank God for them!
Gifts to The Campaign for Westminster will:
• Accelerate our ability to offer competitive compensation and retirement benefits.
• Fund Faculty Innovation Grants to support teachers who propose innovative and sustainable program ideas.
• Provide professional development for faculty and staff to access bestpractice insights and educational resources.
• Support our Faculty Fellows program to recruit and train the next generation of educators committed to serving at Westminster.
2024 ARLEN DYKSTRA AWARD WINNERS
Aaron Layton, Middle School Bible & Upper School History
JD Perona, Middle School Math & Department Chair
This honor is presented annually to teachers who demonstrate outstanding expression of the Christian life and worldview, mastery of subject matter, and involvement in student life through co-curricular activities. They are consulted by students and colleagues for counsel, model a consistent Christian lifestyle, and are creative in the classroom. Congratulations Mr. Layton and Mr. Perona!
Consider how Westminster teachers and coaches have impacted your family. Is there someone you’d like to honor through a gift to The Campaign for Westminster?
THE STORY OF WESTMINSTER IS A GOD STORY
It is written by the prayers of families, the sacrifice of parents, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the miraculous opening of doors along the way.
Our current 70 acres in Town and Country came about through the purchase of an old technical college and the extreme generosity of a family who purchased an adjacent property and gifted it to Westminster.
What we currently have and use is a gift from God. All He asks in return is that we steward it well.
Since the 2011–12 school year, our first year at this campus, faithful founders, generous families, and gracious friends have remained steadfast in paying down our existing debt so that students today can experience this incredible, world-class facility and all the opportunities it provides.
The Campaign for Westminster ensures the continued acceleration of debt principal payments to be financially sound and free to build a robust endowment as soon as possible.
“I stand in awe of God’s grace and our community’s faithful and generous support in helping Westminster to reduce its debt and secure the future of our school. Retiring the debt must be a priority to ensure Westminster’s financial sustainability for the next generation.”
JIM MARSH Head of School Emeritus
Why do you give to Westminster?
“The Westminster Strategic Plan and Campaign is well thought out and provides for an excellent Christian education as well as developing young men and women to serve Jesus Christ. We know of no other investment that can give that great of a return now or in the future.”
DAVID AND DONNA LEMOINE WESTMINSTER GRANDPARENTS
“Because of the difference we’ve seen in our own children’s lives, Tami Jo and I count it our great joy and privilege to be part of this effort. We are absolutely convinced this is the right campaign at the right time for Westminster, and the initial response has provided validation. We need many more to come alongside us as we lean into the goals of this campaign, which will ensure future generations of students can flourish and grow in an excellent, Christ-centered educational environment.”
KEVIN AND TAMI JO ALM PARENTS OF WESTMINSTER ALUMNI
“Our family has seen firsthand the value of a Westminster experience and the desire for others to have the same opportunities that have so richly blessed us. We feel convicted that there is a growing need for Christian education to be offered to all believers regardless of their financial means, which is why we support the mission of the campaign, Our Faith, Our Future, Our Time.”
MATT AND SUSIE RING PARENTS
“It’s a blessing to have a school partner with us as parents and reinforce what we are teaching Joseph at home. When we learned about The Campaign for Westminster, we wanted to invest because we wanted to see the school continue to minister to students but also allow for more students to attend who normally could not afford to do so. It’s a privilege to invest in such a great school, and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Westminster in this way.”
JACK AND DANA GALBRAITH PARENTS
“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” — 1 CHRONICLES 29:14
THANK YOU!
Dear Westminster Community,
God is good. All the time. And it is humbling and exciting to be part of a community that comes together to collectively meet the needs and priorities of this incredible school and its families.
Here’s the truth: I am a Westminster newbie. I was growing up in the cornfields of Illinois when God was dreaming up Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis, while my husband was in Russia… but that’s another story for another day.
We recognize with great clarity that our family is personally benefiting from the faith and generosity of those who have gone before us. My son, Jakob, is receiving an education from teachers who not only love Jesus but who deeply care about his academic, social, emotional, and spiritual growth. The partnership with the school is invaluable.
As we get ever-so-close to reaching our $25 million Campaign for Westminster goal, I invite you to prayerfully consider how you can be part of this chapter of Westminster’s story.
The chapter when we pay off the debt! The chapter when we remove any financial barrier to a family enrolling their children at Westminster. The chapter when a new generation of parents rises to the occasion to sacrifice and give so that others can be blessed by this school next year and 50 years from now.
Michelle Burke
Carolyn Holt ADVANCEMENT TEAM
Shannon Kekhaev
Mike Lemp
Kelly Johnston Dale Ribble
Katie Yeadon
Together, we can have a transformative impact on the future of Westminster. Together, we can make Westminster more accessible, excellent, and financially strong. Together, we can come alongside our teachers and give them the resources they need and the salaries they deserve.
As a good friend and former Head of Advancement, Jeremy Marsh, once shared, “May it be said of us what was said of David in Acts 13, that we served the purpose of God in our own generation.”
It’s our faith. It’s our future. And it’s our time.
Gratefully,
Shannon Kekhaev Director of Development Operations
We are grateful to partner with and serve you to advance the mission of Westminster.
