Frequently Asked Questions about Re-Enrollment

What is the most important thing I can do to ensure the long term strength and stability of Village Christian Schools?

What is the value of Merit Awards?

Does tuition assistance need to be paid back?

Why not charge the average tuition as the complete tuition across the board?

How does this approach help us maintain the kind of environment we are trying to build?

What drives the tuition cost?

What kind of an academic program can we expect in the future?

What would it take to adopt the University model?

Permanent endowment?

Will there be communications in the future?

How is Village Christian Schools governed?

Where does tuition assistance come from?

How can each parent mitigate tuition increases in the future?

What about the purchase of Legacy Academy?

What about the new building projects?

Can you really get need-based assistance at an income of $200,000, or even above?

What if I am turned down for need-based financial assistance?

Will the Tuition Assistance Program continue in the future?

What is the school doing about grants, foundations, and corporate sponsorships?

What happens if enrollment exceeds 1500?

What happens if enrollment drops below 1500?

What is the most important thing I can do to ensure the long term strength and stability of Village Christian Schools?

There is nothing more powerful than a body of believers earnestly and consistently praying for the Lord’s wisdom and guidance regarding the future of the school.  Please place Village Christian Schools at the top of your daily prayer list!  

What is the value of Merit Awards?

Range $250 - $5,000.

Does tuition assistance need to be paid back?

Any award given through scholarship, merit or the financial need based program are educational grants that do not require repayment.  They are grants given on an annual basis and require a new application each year.

Why not charge the average tuition as the complete tuition across the board?

The actual cost to educate a student without cutting programs, and based upon current demographic trends (local population), is $12,150.  Some parents can pay the full amount and consider it their responsibility to do so.  However, it is anticipated that the average tuition will be around $9,150 after completing the TAP application.  The average tuition is a projection of what we expect to happen based upon the diversity of our families. The average means some will pay more than the average and some will pay less.  If everyone paid the average of $9,150 it would not cover the expenses related to operating the school.  If we were to set the tuition at a “one size fits all” level it would have to be about $11,000.  Because we do not want any families to have to leave because of affordability an aggressive program of tuition assistance has been put in place.

How does this approach help us maintain the kind of environment we are trying to build?

Village Christian Schools has existed for nearly 60 years with a mission to provide a distinctly Christian education to the broadest population of students possible. This mission, including its admissions policies and practices, represents an inclusive not an exclusive approach to enrolling students from diverse backgrounds of faith, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. The school’s track record – its long history – in achieving this mission is exemplary and nothing in the recent board decision to fund the school differently will change that mission. The board and administration remain committed to the mission. Although the school has now moved to a “cost-to-educate” model for setting tuition (increasing base tuition), it has also created an aggressive tuition assistance program (TAP) that opens the doors of financial assistance to many more students through need/scholarship/merit-based financial aid, providing accessibility to a broader and more diverse population of students and perpetuating the school mission. This system is very much like the private college and university model where the vast majority of students receive some sort of financial assistance. The key to the success of this program (now and in the future) is encouraging parents to APPLY for the VCS tuition assistance program. VCS has not changed its mission. As a matter of fact, the new model of funding our educational program allows the school to continue the VCS mission for the next 60 years.

What drives the tuition cost?

The primary factors that determine the tuition level are projected expenses, anticipated student enrollment and the success of the Excellence Fund (annual fund).  Approximately 75-80% of tuition costs are personnel expenses. There are other expenses such as utilities, facility upkeep, academic and extracurricular programs, textbooks, etc.

I think it would be helpful for you to know that each year we submit all our financial information for a full audit.  The audit firm is Goehner Accountancy and they complete their full audit in accordance with GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles).  One of the points of interest was their determination of the percentage of revenue Village Christian Schools spends for General Management and Administration compared to the industry standard (the national average for private schools).  The industry standard is 18% while Village Christian Schools is 9%.

What kind of an academic program can we expect in the future?

First we will continue to provide the current program that consistently produces test scores at or near the top 10% nationally on standardized, nationally normed standardized achievement tests.  We will continue our efforts to increase the number of passing scores on AP exams.  We will be adding more foreign language choices and providing the opportunity for students to take on-line college courses while still enrolled in high school.  Offerings of Advanced Placement (AP) courses will be increased and we are giving serious consideration to adding the International Baccalaureate Program (IB).

We are planning to introduce what we are calling “The University model” where the middle school and high school will be composed of various academies such as The Academy of Global Studies, Applied Sciences, Public Service, Business & Entrepreneurship, Athletics, and Arts & Entertainment.

One of the end results we seek is the placement of our graduates in the college or university of their choice.  This email recently received from a parent of one of our soon to be graduating seniors clearly demonstrates that a student graduating from Village Christian Schools will be accepted into some of the most competitive universities: 

Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 9:15 AM
To: Gray, Bob
Cc: Luketic, Barrett; Sipus, Ron; Nare, Tom
Subject: Erik Solberg College Update

Dear Mr. Gray:

I want to thank you and the Village Christian Team for the wonderful set of college choices that were made available to my son Erik.

I know our multiple college applications created a lot of work for you and your staff this past year but we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

Today Erik will come by your office with his written request for his midyear transcripts (excluding his test scores as they are already submitted) to be sent to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Erik accepted early decision into Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Global Environmental Policy and Management Program. This program is one of the top ranked programs in the nation and the only one offering a combination BS MBA degree program in this highly valued specialty area.

As you know we applied to may schools but I wanted to give you a summary of how one Village Christian senior was viewed by top private and public universities admissions boards around the United States.

Erik was accepted to all but 2 Universities he applied to for the fall 2008 admission cycle. Listed below are the schools he was accepted to but had to decline:

·         University California Davis and Riverside

·         University North Dakota Aviation Science Program: Rated number 2 in the US behind the Air Force Academy  

·         University of South Dakota

·         Cal Poly Pomona

·         Cal State Fullerton, Northridge, Long Beach

·         Arizona State

·         Whitworth

·         Baylor University

Thank you again for all your support and for the fine college preparation you provided for Erik.

Marty

Martin Solberg

Global Vice President Regulatory  Affairs

åALLERGAN

What would it take to adopt the University model?

Some aspects of the model could be implemented right away.  There would need to be additional funding to cover the cost of additional programming and personnel to provide the instruction and leadership.  Other aspects will require some modification of facilities as well as additional personnel and programming. 

Permanent endowment?

One of the most serious problems all Christian Schools face is how to ensure financial stability for the long term.  Frankly, most Christian schools live from year to year and never have the resources to generate an adequate reserve fund that would allow them to work through difficult changes in demographics, enrollment, etc. 

We are currently pursuing a plan which has the possibility of providing a permanent endowment for Village Christian Schools.  That means that an amount of money is generated and properly invested in such a manner as to provide annual, non-tuition income to offset or augment major portions of the operating budget.  This would come from dividends and interest earned on a principal amount that would never be touched for operations.  We will soon be contacting many of you to show you how you can be involved in helping us achieve this significant and worthy goal.

Will there be communications in the future?

We will continue to provide ongoing communication through the normal channels of letters, newsletters, packets sent home and the Village Voice.  Following the end of this fiscal year we will be preparing an annual report that will be made available to all parents which will include a great deal of information intended to be helpful including financial summaries.  We will continue to do the pin point parent/student survey every three years and we are working toward an email system of communicating with parents who provide us with their accurate addresses.  We will plan for an annual parent meeting to provide updates on the status of the school.  As always, should a parent have a specific concern they should request an appointment with the person able to provide the help necessary.

How is Village Christian Schools governed?

There are several acceptable and common methods of private school governance.  The model used by Village Christian Schools is the “Self-perpetuating” model.  That means the Board of Directors is the final authority in all matters pertaining to the school.  The Board of Directors acting in unity elects new board members of which 75% must come from the membership of Village Church, sets policy for the operation of the school, hires and supervises the Superintendent and accepts full legal and fiduciary responsibility for Village Christian Schools a 501 (c) 3, Non-profit corporation in the State of California.

Where does tuition assistance come from?

The funding for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) comes from all non-tuition revenue sources, i.e. fees and charges for summer school, transportation, food service, magazine drive, other fund raisers, and the Excellence Fund (annual fund).

How can each parent mitigate tuition increases in the future?

Give and encourage others who can afford to give to contribute to the Excellence fund (annual fund).  Introduce the school to contacts you have with members of foundations who might be able to support the various programs of the school.  Check to see if your employer offers a matching gift program, a great many do.  Speak positively and often about the school in your social settings.  Recruit other students to ensure that the maximum numbers of students are enrolled.

What about the purchase of Legacy Academy?

It is evident that the Santa Clarita Valley is a prime location for an exemplary Christian school.  While there are some good Christian schools now they are limited in size and scope.  The demographics and the limited private school offerings make the SCV an excellent site.  With that in mind Village Christian Schools began negotiations with the owners of Legacy Christian Academy for the purpose of establishing a footprint in the SCV that would allow us to expand into a full K-12 program.  This would be an extension or division of Village Christian Schools.  However, after months of work toward the end of bringing VCS and LCA together that has not been possible.  Despite a significant amount of work and commitment toward that end we could not seem to come to mutually agreeable terms.  Therefore, if all things remain as they are currently, Village Christian Schools will not be purchasing Legacy Christian Academy.

We have not abandoned the idea of developing a high school in the Santa Clarita Valley.  That will require a great deal of work and money. 

Where would the money have come from to purchase Legacy, had that happened, and to build a new high school, should that materialize?  No funding for either of those projects would have or will come from any tuition or fees connected with Village Christian Schools.  The funding would come from a combined fund raising effort in the Santa Clarita Valley (capital campaign) and the possibility of acquiring Tax Exempt Bonds. 

What about the new building projects?

The renovation of this campus is sorely needed and is still in process.  The process is very lengthy and includes many groups other than just us.  There is an extensive political and legal process that has and will continue to take a great deal of time and effort.  Beyond that, of course, is how to pay for the renovations.  We are currently seeking non-tuition revenue sources to provide the necessary funding.  As many of you already know one of our grandparents has made a $4,000,000 donation toward the building of a performing arts theatre.  That is an incredible commitment of faith and belief in Village Christian Schools.  However, before we can break ground on that building we need to complete the political and community process and raise an additional $4,000,000.  All the money to complete any and all of the renovation project is expected to be funded through a capital campaign supported by major gifts and the possibility of acquiring Tax Exempt Bonds.  A question that some people have asked is how much of the current tuition increase will be going toward the renovation project?  THE ANSWER IS NONE!

Can you really get need-based assistance at an income of $200,000, or even above?

The three factors that are considered in awarding a need-based award are income, assets and expenses.  Because those vary from family to family it is impossible to say that a family income of X-amount will result in and award of X-amount.  But, because those three variables are considered in concert, yes it is possible that a family with a household income of $200,000 + could (not guaranteed) receive a need-based award.

What if I am turned down for need-based financial assistance?

You may appeal to the Superintendent by providing additional extenuating circumstances.  Remember, it is important to fill in the spot on the TAP application that asks how much financial assistance will need to remain at Village Christian Schools.  We are trusting that each person completing that line will take seriously the difference between need and want.

Will the Tuition Assistance Program continue in the future?

Yes. The amount awarded may vary based upon yearly financial status and the amount of funding available.  You must re-apply each year to be considered for continuing assistance.  If your financial status does not appreciably change by the next year you should reasonably expect to receive a comparable amount of help.

What is the school doing about grants, foundations, and corporate sponsorships?

These are continually explored. However, they tend to turn down requests because of “religion” being taught and governmental funding is not accepted by Village Christian Schools for philosophical reasons.  The most successful efforts in acquiring help in any of these areas will come from you as parents knowing someone personally involved in the management of the organization.  Your introduction can make all the difference if being considered for an award.

What happens if enrollment exceeds 1500?

There are three areas that could be impacted by a larger than anticipated enrollment.  There will be more money to put toward Tuition Assistance, additional program improvements can be added more quickly, and the tuition increase for the following year will most likely be lower than it would have been otherwise.

What happens if enrollment drops below 1500?

Programs may have to be cut; staff may have to be reduced. It depends upon how low enrollment becomes. The best program will be put in place within the constraints of the working budget.