Did You Know? A Brief History of CCS and the Generous Giving that Makes It Possible

I still remember arriving at Calvary Christian Schools in July of 2000. My wife and I had served at a very similar ACSI school in Iowa for 18 years when I accepted this position. These 23 years have been a blessing, and they’ve gone by so fast that I sometimes forget that many of our new families may not know the amazing story of Calvary Christian Schools. 

I firmly believe that knowing our story will bring joy to our giving this Christmas because it is an incredible gift to be a part of Calvary.

Ours is an incredible story. For instance...

• Did you know that, for our first 20 years, CCS was located right next door to the old

  

  The original CCS building on Clinton Street in Muskegon

  Hackley Hospital in Muskegon (now the site of the new Middle School)? The CCS Fruitport campus was completed in1999. This building was one of the largest new construction projects in the county. (The Lakes Mall came a couple years later along with restaurants, banks, businesses. Soon after our move to Kendra Road, more than 500 new residential addresses came to our neighborhood.

• 

  1998-99 Yearbook cover..

  Did you know that the original investment in the land purchase, clearing / excavation, sewer/water/utilities, construction and landscaping was a nine
  million dollar commitment taken on by the former host church? A school our size could never have made such an investment. In the years to follow, the largest church in Muskegon County met in our gymnasium (three services each Sunday for many years). During those same ten years, that congregation paid down the original mortgage balance to 3.5 million dollars. That’s amazing, and had it not happened, CCS would not exist as we know it today.

• Did you know that in 2012, CCS became a Michigan non-profit and independent 501(c)(3) governed by a board rather than a host church? That same year, Calvary Church relocated, and the school was temporarily displaced. Then in August the mortgage-holding bank allowed CCS to return and occupy the building for one year while the bank attempted to sell it.

• Did you know that, upon moving back into this building, the school budget took on full responsibility of all utilities, inspections, maintenance, and mortgage payments. This was more than $250,000 above tuition income and any previous budget. We sometimes refer to that year as a “loaves and fishes” miracle because of how God provided through donors. (Our 501(c)(3) status means all donor gifts are tax deductible.)

• Did you know that the bank was so impressed with our ability to meet our obligations while taking great care of their asset that they renewed the lease for the 2013-2014 school year. It was announced at Commencement, and many people wept for joy.

• Did you know that in 2014, after two years as renters, the bank graciously applied every dollar we had paid them (including all other building-related expenses ) to a negotiated purchase price that was below half of the building’s appraised value. Ever since, we have "owned" this building (with the help of a mortgage).

• Did you know that since 2012, the mortgage obligation has been paid down a million dollars? Even so, our monthly payment on the 2.24M balance is over $15,000. While that is an enormous commitment, our loan history is excellent and our debt-to-equity ratio (D/E) is about .33.

• Did you know that when we add in the cost of heating, cooling, maintenance, inspections, trash removal, snow removal, insurance, etc. to our mortgage payment, all building-related costs come to over $324,000 / year. This does not include any salaries.

• 

  Did you know that within a few years of 2012, God began using three things to help lower the formidable costs of running an independent faith-based school: First and foremost, a growing group of CCS donors who want the mission of CCS to continue; second, a lease with a wonderful local church that uses some office space and the building on weekends; and third, our teachers who are qualified and certified with servant’s hearts (some of whom are also contracted in a share-time program that substantially assists that portion of the CCS budget.

• Did you know that while also absorbing the overhead costs of this fine campus and facility, CCS has also provided more and more families with need-based financial assistance?. This ensures that CCS never becomes a school only for those who can fully afford private education. This assistance helps dozens of families who could otherwise not share this wonderful journey with us. Providing this help is a scriptural principle responsibly applied.

• Did you know that the need-based assistance CCS offers is unfunded? Some people think that because FACTS processes the applications that the actual dollars awarded to qualifying applicants are provided by FACTS or some other source. No. There is always a strong correlation between each year’s GAP fund (annual appeal for needed donor gifts) and the amount of need-based aid awarded. CCS donors share the value of keeping CCS available to all applicants who know both the cost and value of Christian education. (Even so, unfunded financial assistance never goes below half of the published tuition rate, and families of all income levels are asked to help close the GAP.)

Thank you for taking the time to read this short history of CCS. Now you know why we share our need each year and why so many people in our community consider CCS worthy of their support as this “loaves and fishes” story continues to unfold. 

Now you know how such a relatively small school (currently 243 in Pre-K through 12^th grade) enjoys such a fine campus and building while constantly “learning to lean” on the Lord each year. It’s because CCS is a family of believers, educators, and donors who believe “learning to lean” is the first step in Christian education. Thank each of you for doing your part.

Tom Kapanka   

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