Calvary Christian School Campus Expands!
Calvary Christian School is grateful to announce the purchase of the neighboring property at 1699 County Road 9! With this acquisition, Calvary’s campus now encompasses 41 acres, creating exciting possibilities for the school’s future.
This purchase is a testimony to God’s provision and the generosity of those who believe in Calvary’s mission. An extraordinary 78% of the purchase price was funded through donor-given funds. We are deeply grateful for the individuals and families whose faithful generosity made this opportunity possible.
David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29 captures our thoughts well: “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all.” Continued in verse 14, “Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” We recognize that this property, the resources used to purchase it, and every future opportunity it provides ultimately belong to the Lord. Our responsibility is to steward them faithfully.
The addition of this neighboring property gives Calvary greater flexibility as we continue our campus master-planning process. The expanded campus opens possibilities for new programs and spaces that will help us pursue our mission, serve our students, and bless families throughout our community.
This is about more than acquiring additional acreage. It is about preparing for what God may call Calvary to do in the years ahead. The property could support future educational programs, student activities, spiritual formation opportunities, outdoor spaces, or other areas of biblical formation and community service. Each possibility will be considered prayerfully and evaluated through the lens of our mission.
Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” We will plan carefully, seek wise counsel, and move forward with patience, trusting God to direct how this expanded campus should be used.
We are thankful for the property owners, donors, board members, and other individuals who helped make this possible. Their generosity and careful work have provided Calvary with an opportunity that can benefit students, families, and the surrounding community for generations.
The full impact of this acquisition will unfold over time, but we celebrate this important step with gratitude. Please join us in thanking God for His provision and praying for wisdom as we consider how these 41 acres can best be used to advance Calvary’s mission and serve others faithfully.
Building a Stronger Calvary Community
What in the world is Advancement and Development?
It has to do with vision and getting ready for what God is doing in the lives of our students and families. As we carry out the mission of Christian Education and all the complicated pieces and parts of making our school great, helpful, and useful, we are required to plan and prepare for those future needs. We have big dreams, not to build bigger or more buildings, not just to have a greater student enrollment, but to see transformation in our students through the Holy Spirit and really make a difference for the Kingdom of God!
The last five years have been full of God working out so many details to allow us to become independent, have our own property, and pursue that mission. The wonderful professional people who have joined our movement (about 75) are huge miracles and blessings to the program. Even now, we are interviewing and have hired amazingly gifted and talented people who want to passionately use their gifts for the work ahead. God has blessed us with a subset in the Body of Christ that invests and participates in volunteering and giving so that the mission of Christian education has the needed fuel to move (even speed) forward! Our givers have contributed more than $4 million over the last five years! If you had asked us what was possible for Calvary in 2020, we would never have thought that what we are doing and where we are would be possible!!
And by the way, what the State of Ohio is doing in the promotion of school freedom and choice is phenomenal! The Ed Choice, Jon Peterson, and SGO programs are a great help to our school families! God is at work, and I believe that Christian education is a key lever towards transformational work. Remember that students will spend up to 17,000 hours in K-12 education, and there’s no such thing as a neutral education…so the question is, what beliefs are forming the next generation?
But we must do it right. We must be in prayer, intentional, and led by the Holy Spirit. Body of Christ strong!! I had an investor ask me a sincere question recently, “Are we still trying to raise money? Are we done? The building has been built!” The past has been great, but we’re always pushing to be more effective and to better serve our entire community! Many things can still improve! As we sit, we are only educating about 5% of the population. Where better can we invest those 17,000 hours to learn from a Biblical perspective and figure out what it means to live an abundant life in His Truth!? Where else can kids go to find out they are fearfully and wonderfully made to do what God has gifted them and called them to do? Where else can kids go to learn and understand what the family has been established to do and be? It is the three-legged stool of the home, the church, and the school working together to overcome worldly influence and power.
In an effort to better connect our community of believers, would you be open to filling out the following survey? I am trying to put together a “blue pages” digital resource that we hope will better connect and tie us together. Who are we? How can we help each other? How can we team up? What business do we run? What roles do we have? What are the things, programs, and organizations we believe in and support? The questionnaire will require more conversation, dialogue, and engagement, which will also serve our purpose to better connect us.
Thanks so much for your feedback! Expect Dr. Bragg or other team members to be in touch!
Understanding Ohio’s Ed Choice Program: Opportunities for Your Family
What if Christian Education Was Within Reach?
Every parent desires the best for their child, not just academically but also spiritually. You want your child in a school where they are known, loved, and where truth is both taught and lived.
For many families, the greatest challenge in choosing a Christian school has been affordability. At Calvary Christian School, we understand that concern, and we want you to know that there is real help available.
That help is called Ed Choice, and it is opening doors for families across Ohio.
A Life-Changing Opportunity for Ohio Families
Thanks to the Ohio Ed Choice Expansion Program, every family in the state is now eligible to receive scholarship assistance to attend Calvary Christian School. This program is one of the most important tools available for families who desire a faith-based education without carrying the full financial burden.
More than a financial benefit, Ed Choice allows families to choose schools that reflect their values and shape their children for lives of purpose and truth.
How the Ed Choice Scholarship Works
Ed Choice scholarships are based on your household income. If your income is under the threshold of 450% of the Federal Poverty Level, then you will receive the maximum scholarship amounts available for the 2025 to 2026 school year. This chart can help you determine where you fall on the FPL (Federal Poverty Levels).
- Kindergarten through 8th grade: up to $6,166 per student
- 9th through 12th grade: up to $8,408 per student
Even families earning well above average can qualify for partial scholarships. You can view the full income eligibility chart on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce website.
Calvary Christian School is a registered Ed Choice provider. Our team will help you understand your eligibility, walk you through the paperwork, and make sure your questions are answered.
The Numbers at Calvary Tell the Story
- More than 96 percent of Calvary families receive financial assistance
- Every single family at Calvary is eligible under EdChoice
- After scholarships are applied, the average out-of-pocket tuition is $1,380 per student per year
This program is not just helping a few families. It is transforming what is possible for nearly everyone who desires a Christian education.
The Impact Is More Than Financial
The real value of Ed Choice is not just in the dollars it saves. It is in the freedom it gives families to pursue an education grounded in biblical truth. It is the confidence parents feel when their children start the school day in prayer, hear Scripture woven into each subject, and are mentored by teachers who love Christ and care deeply for their students.
The impact of a Christian education reaches far beyond the classroom. It shapes worldview, builds character, and prepares students to live boldly and faithfully in the world.
“We love that the boys' learning revolves around the LORD. We love that the staff leads with Love, all of them! When people say ‘It takes a village!’ CCS is just that! The village that you never knew you needed! Every teacher proves to our kids and us that the boys are capable of so much more than we ever knew!” -Chris and Pam Stout
<< Read their full story here >>
How to Begin Your Ed Choice Journey
Getting started is simple, and our team is here to help. Here are three ways you can take the next step:
- Request more information about Calvary and the scholarship process
- Schedule a family visit to meet our staff and tour the school
- Let our admissions team walk you through your EdChoice application and calculate your family’s tuition estimate
A Christ-Centered Education Is Within Reach
You no longer have to choose between faith and affordability. You can give your child a place to grow academically, spiritually, and personally — and Ed Choice makes that possible.
You still lead as a parent. At Calvary, we simply walk with you.
Calvary Christian Pursuing New Dual Accreditations
At school, we’re always pursuing growth in the lives of our students, and we want that same push for growth and excellence to permeate through the lives of our staff and organization as a whole. With that in mind, we’re excited to announce that Calvary will begin the journey toward a new dual accreditation with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Cognia this fall! This is a significant and time-consuming process that we are choosing to pursue as a strategy to ensure academic excellence, intentional biblical worldview development, and continuous improvement.
Why Accreditation Matters
Accreditation is more than a formal recognition; it's a comprehensive evaluation process that ensures Calvary meets rigorous standards of quality and effectiveness. By pursuing accreditation from both ACSI and Cognia, we aim to pursue excellence in:
- Educational Quality: Adhere to best practices in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
- Biblical Worldview Development: Integrate a biblical worldview throughout our programs and culture.
- Promote Continuous Improvement: Engage in ongoing self-assessment and refinement of our practices.
- Gain External Validation: Receive recognition from respected accrediting bodies, affirming our commitment to excellence.
What This Means for Our School Community
Embarking on this dual accreditation journey signifies our dedication to providing a high-quality, Christ-centered education. It ensures that we are continually evaluating and improving our practices to better serve our students and families. Accreditation can also enhance our school’s credibility and open doors for further opportunities, such as college admissions and educational partnerships.
A Season of Miracles: Reflecting on Calvary Christian School's Journey in 2024
Welcome to the Fall of 2024! As I reflect on these past four years, it’s hard to believe I’ve been blessed to serve at Calvary Christian School for this long. This year marks my 40th in Christian education, and I can say that my current role at Calvary is a dream come true. Through the highs and lows, I’ve witnessed God’s hand at work, guiding this school through challenges, victories, and growth beyond what we could have imagined.
A School with a Rich History
Calvary Christian School has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Starting in 1979 as a small ministry of the church, the school often faced questions about its survival. Could it continue with limited resources and support? Would the church be able to sustain it? Despite these uncertainties, Calvary pushed forward, and by 2012, we took a major step by establishing our high school program, leading to our first graduation in 2016.
Looking back, it feels like a series of miracles. Just as the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 fought for victories they would never see, the leaders of Calvary laid the foundation for the thriving institution we have today. Without their vision and perseverance, none of the incredible growth we’re experiencing now would have been possible.
Mission and Momentum
At the heart of our success is our unwavering commitment to Christian education. Under the leadership of Ryan Hyde, our Head of School, we’ve developed a program that nurtures the heart, soul, spirit, and mind of our students (Deuteronomy 6:4). Our mission extends beyond academics to include athletics, fine arts, leadership, and discipleship relationships, all centered on God’s Word. It’s a joy to see adults mentoring kids on their spiritual journeys while also excelling in academics and extracurriculars.
Still, challenges remain. Space constraints, limited resources, and a lack of a dedicated gymnasium are just a few of the obstacles we’ve faced. But when a community comes together to champion a cause, God works through His people in magnificent ways. We’ve seen this time and time again, and it’s a powerful reminder that when we align ourselves with His mission, incredible things happen.
Growth by the Numbers
The last four years have been marked by significant growth. Consider these numbers:
- Enrollment: From 230 students in 2019 to 482 in 2024, with projections reaching 655 by 2030.
- Budget: Our operating budget has grown from $800,000 in 2019 to an impressive $4 million in 2024.
- Staff Expansion: We’ve increased our team from 28 to 65 dedicated teachers and staff members.
- Assets: What started with $0 in assets has grown to more than $11 million.
These numbers tell a story of God’s provision and the dedication of our community. But the true impact of these changes goes beyond figures on a page—it’s reflected in the lives of our students.
A School Where Christ is at the Center
Every day at Calvary Christian School, we celebrate moments that matter for eternity. I’ve seen students accept Christ into their hearts and publicly declare their faith through baptism. I’ve watched teachers dive into the Word with their students, guiding them through spiritual formation. Our athletic teams, too, are living out their faith, joining hands in prayer with opposing teams after games and showing their allegiance to Christ in everything they do.
In a world that is increasingly hostile to Christian values, Calvary Christian School is standing firm. We are equipping our students to face the challenges of today’s culture with the truth of God’s Word, and we’re doing it with passion and purpose.
The Road Ahead: Phase 1 and Beyond
We’re not done yet! Since 2021, we’ve embarked on a major building project, starting with Phase 1, which saw the construction of new classrooms and administrative spaces. In January 2023, we moved into our new facility, but Phase 2—a 50,000-square-foot expansion including a gymnasium—is well underway. By December 2024, we expect to complete construction and, God willing, move the entire school to our new campus in January 2025.
This project is a monumental undertaking, and we’ve already raised over $5 million towards our $9 million goal. We still need to raise about $500,000 to fully complete the project, but I am confident that, with God’s help and the continued support of our community, we will reach this goal.
How You Can Help
As we approach the finish line, I invite you to consider joining us in this endeavor. Whether you’ve contributed before or are considering giving for the first time, your support will help make Christian education more accessible and impactful than ever before. We’re planning to honor our donors with a special recognition board in the foyer of our new gymnasium, and we’d love for your name to be part of that legacy.
Thank you to all who have supported us over the years. Your prayers, contributions, and encouragement have been invaluable. Together, we’re building something that will impact generations to come. Let’s continue to lean on God’s faithfulness and pursue His mission with passion and perseverance.
This journey has been nothing short of miraculous, and I am grateful to walk alongside so many faithful servants of Christ as we continue this mission. We’ve come a long way, but the best is yet to come. Will you join us in finishing what we’ve started? Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of students for eternity.
You can read the full Development Report for 2024 to see all the details of our journey and growth, including more stories of God’s faithfulness and the milestones we’ve reached along the way.
Click here to read the entire report.
In His service,
Dr. Bragg
Calvary Christian School
A Testament to God's Provision: $250,000 Grant Received!
A Testament to God's Provision: $250,000 Grant Received!
In moments of reflection on this incredible journey to build our new school, we can’t help but stand in awe of God’s provision. The dream of a new facility, one that will build a biblical worldview, nurture young minds, and shape future leaders seemed daunting at the outset. Yet, here we are, having just received another miracle…a $250,000 grant—an amount that is nothing short of miraculous.
The Power of Faith and Community
When we embarked on this mission, we did so with faith in God’s plan and confidence in our community’s support. Time and again, we’ve seen how God moves through the hearts of His people, prompting generosity and a shared vision for what this school represents. Each donation, large or small, has been a testament to the power of collective faith and the willingness to invest in the future. This recent grant was the result of a senate fund that was earmarked for projects that were community based. We went through the application process last spring and followed up with several meetings both at Calvary and in the Ohio Statehouse. We are thankful to be 1 of only 5 school in Ohio that received any funding!
A Milestone Worth Celebrating
Raising $250,000 is no small feat and we are thankful for the continual miracles that are making this new campus a reality. Our plan is to use the $250,000 to pay for items in the gym including our new gym floor and gym bleachers. But just as importantly, this achievement stands as a reminder that when we place our trust in God, He is faithful to provide!
The Finish Line is Near: $300,000 More to Go
While we rejoice in this accomplishment, our journey is not yet complete. We now turn our focus to the final phase of initial funding for the phase 2 project, raising the remaining $300,000 needed to equip the inside of the building. The kick here is we need to raise this money by the end of December! This timeline is crucial because that's when our invoices for the inside of the building items will be due.
Stepping Out in Faith
As we look ahead, we do so with the same faith that has brought us this far. We believe that God, who has provided for us so abundantly already, will continue to move in the hearts of those who share our vision. Whether through financial contributions, prayers, or spreading the word, there are many ways to be part of this final push!
A Call to Action
We invite you to consider how you might contribute to reaching this final goal. We know this is going to be a campus that transforms the lives of students and families for decades to come. Your support will not only help us complete the physical building but will also play a vital role in shaping the lives of countless students who will walk through its doors.
Let’s continue to trust in God’s provision as we work together to see this dream fully realized. With $300,000 more to raise, we know that with God’s guidance and your support, we will cross the finish line.Thank you for being part of this journey, and for believing in the future we’re building together!
Anyone wishing to donate online can do so here Race to the Finish of Phase 2!
We’d also love to meet with you! Meet with our Development Director Dan Bragg and hear more about this project by emailing dbragg@calvarybellefontaine.org