Our children’s education is one of the most important and most sacred responsibilities of parents. Parents have the largest impact on their child’s education and parent involvement is one of the most significant indicators of a child’s success in school (Mapp, Carver, & Lander, 2017). Not every child is the same, nor is every family. Parents, therefore, deserve options in their child’s education. Whether it is a more rigorous education, a Christian-centered education, or simply a small school and class-size environment, parents deserve to have those choices.

During the 2023 legislative session, the Iowa Legislature passed legislation that offers parents an Education Savings Account (ESA), funding that can follow the child to an accredited private school of their parents’ choice, regardless of a family’s income. A growing number of states have passed legislation offering some type of parent’s choice initiative. Christian schools nation-wide are seeing a tremendous increase in families seeking to take advantage of a Christian education for their children. Last spring Marshalltown Christian School had a doubling of interest in enrollment and are now considering a building expansion due to full capacity limitations. Central Iowa Christian School in Grinnell saw a significant increase as well. With the demands increasing in nearby towns, why not start a Christian grade school in the Tama-Toledo area? Other than homeschooling, there are no other non-public educational options for our area for parents to take advantage of the ESA opportunities.

Inspired by God, a group of interested community members have started the planning of a Christian school for the Tama-Toledo area. Plans have been steadily progressing for the new Tama-Toledo Christian School, yet there is a great deal of work to be done. Thus far, the board is an established independent non-profit organization and is awaiting approval of our 501(c)3 application. We will be an accredited Christ-centered K-8 school. Accreditation means the school will be held accountable to state standards and to continuous school improvement and will be allowed to receive the ESA funding. The rigorous process of obtaining accreditation has begun through the Iowa Association of Christian Schools (IACS) and the accreditation agency Christian Schools International (CSI). In addition, we have adopted a Purpose, Mission, Vision, Statement of Faith, and Philosophy statements that will guide our Christian teaching.

“The mission of the Tama-Toledo Christian School is to assist families in equipping students with a Christ-centered education and Biblical worldview, while preparing them to impact the world for the glory of God through life-long learning, servant leadership, worship, and stewardship.”

Other works have been started as well, such as policy writing, curriculum, and determining a site for the facility. We intend to start classes in August 2025.

If you would like to stay updated on the exciting development of the facility, on the development of the school, on fundraising opportunities, or a link of how to donate to the Tama-Toledo Christian school, send an email to TTChristianSchool@gmail.com. The donations will go toward the facility and the many up-front expenses such as furniture, instructional materials, and resources which must be acquired before we can start classes. This is an exciting endeavor, but it will not happen without a great deal of support from our churches and the community. We will need your help in making this school become a beacon of light in our community.

The Tama-Toledo Christian School Board of Directors includes Dean Fisher, President, Vicki Fisher, Elaine Gibson, Linda Rosenberger, Megan Rosenberger, and Marja Leena Turner.