Email
Print
Christian school facing difficult financial challenges
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: September 18, 2009
As a not-for-profit private school, the Mooresville Christian Academy faces challenges that public school districts and most other private institutions may never see.
Not only does MCA receive no state funding, but the 12-year-old school charges a tuition rate to student families that remains lower than those of many other private schools which solely rely on high fees.
In order to maintain their vision of creating "hope and home for alternative learners," according to Director of Development Tami Brode, MCA relies on donations, sponsorships and other community contributions.
And those, due to the downtrodden economy, have decreased.
For the first time since opening their doors in 1998, MCA has had to deny student applications for enrollment because scholarship funding simply was not available for those children, Brode said.
Additionally, the school's monetary reserves have been depleted as they utilize all available dollars to assist current MCA families who face financial hardship.
MCA, Brode added, does more than provide an education to its 93 students; it serves as an extended family to the 60 to 70 families the school serves, offering financial assistance toward medical bills, food, clothing, housing and other needs as well as emotional support.
Continuing those supportive efforts, however, has been challenging since the economy began to slow.
Enrollment has dropped, said Brode, and "families that could afford (tuition) before can't anymore."
She added, "The economy and our desire to grow has pushed us to this place."
As a result, Brode said school officials have begun reaching out into the Mooresville community, seeking any possible assistance and forming relationships with local businesses, officials and community leaders in the hopes of educating students for many years to come.
"We're trying to get the word out and our value out to the community," she said, "(telling people) why we are worthy of that financial support as well."
But for a school that has been "quietly serving Mooresville for 12 years," few people realize MCA's mission and educational vision, said Brode. Some people, she added, don't even know such a school exists in town.
Since its inception by founder Janet Moore more than a decade ago, MCA has aimed to provide a Christ-centered curriculum to students that highlights education as well as the importance of family and community service.
Brode noted that the school is also ideal for "alternative learners" who may struggle in a typical classroom. With smaller enrollment, more one-on-one learning is capable at MCA that allows students to meet their own personal potential and calling, she added.
"We diversify our lessons to learner's needs," said Brode who recently moved to the position of director of development after teaching at MCA.
"The dedication of our staff to students rivals anything I've seen in my many, many years in education."
She said those individuals who choose to teach at the academy are there out of their own personal desire to be part of the not-for-profit school.
Offering no benefits to teachers, MCA's staff salaries are low, said Brode, noting that many volunteer for positions with the school following retirement from previous educator jobs.
"It's a struggle and a sacrifice," she said about teaching at MCA.
But those teachers and other staffers – approximately 40 including a 15-member school board – have committed their time, money and services wholeheartedly, she said.
A long-range goal of the school is to "provide our teachers with security in their financial lives." But that and several other desires – including finding a permanent facility for the school, which houses its Lower School behind River Life Fellowship and its Upper School at Fieldstone Presbyterian Church – for the local Christian Academy have taken a back seat to dealing with the school's current monetary issues.
"It's really hard to get the help," said Brode. "You go to get support and they hear 'private,' and shut the door. People don't know who we are.
"It's been a difficult hurdle for us to fulfill this ministry that we want it to be."
Despite those struggles, Brode noted that the MCA community refuses to be anything but optimistic as they host fundraisers, wash cars – as they did this summer – and seek contributions around town.
"I do believe we can do it with the support of our community," she said, mentioning that the deep Christian beliefs say the school will survive.
"We have a large faith and it has gotten us through a lot of difficult times. The Lord has confirmed this path with us in a short period of time."
And although they know what dark possibilities lie ahead if donor funding and contributions don't become available, Brode said school officials "aren't even thinking about it" as they optimistically forge ahead in this new school year.
With a strong desire to grow as both an educational environment and a service leader within Mooresville, Brode said a variety of avenues are being examined in order to allow the K-12 school to flourish. But above all else, they are working to keep their doors open and students enrolled.
They are also working toward making MCA a comparable private institution in the community with what dollars and efforts they have.
MCA will host its first homecoming celebration in October, crowning its very first homecoming king and queen at a school-wide Fall Festival. Students will also perform their first Christmas play, "A Christmas Carol," this winter.
Many of the required materials for these events, such as food for homecoming and costumes for the holiday performance, were donated, noted Brode.
Utilizing the assistance of several local businesses – including Lowe's, Mooresville Glass, Four Corners Framing, Home Depot, Valspar, Sherwin Williams and Portrait Pizzazz – MCA facilities received a facelift this summer with new paint, framed photos of academically-achieving students and faculty members and new furniture, such as desks for school offices.
"Getting out there and talking to the community about who we are has really brought support so far," said Brode, who hopes continued and regular supportive businesses can be found within the Mooresville area.
While keeping MCA alive and running in town remains a priority when seeking donations, Brode said the school remains in dire need for six families who require monetary assistance from others through the academy's Family Scholarship Fund, which is currently depleted of funds.
For more information about those families or to donate to MCA, contact Brode at tamibrode@yahoo.com or 704-402-8077.
Email
Print
