KEY RE-ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
Our 2026–2027 plan deepens the feast before every child, clarifies the financial resources needed to sustain it, and invites you to join us in shaping the future of SCCS.
Explore the three key components below, each with additional details and links to dive deeper:
Schedules & Programs
Tuition & Tuition Assistance
Middle School Plans & Classroom Construction
PART 1: SCHEDULES & PROGRAMS
SCCS is making several thoughtful shifts to strengthen the day-to-day experience your child receives in the classroom. These changes are designed to ensure strong academic preparation, deeply relational teaching, appropriate pacing for young learners, and consistent teacher collaboration that enriches every lesson.
Beginning next school year, SCCS will move to a weekly late-start on Wednesdays. This protects one hour each week for teachers to collaborate, align lessons, review student progress, and plan the rich, idea-centered learning that defines our program. By replacing monthly early-release days with a single weekly start-time adjustment, students gain more consistent instructional flow, and teachers receive the support they need to deliver excellent instruction. Please note: with the new Wednesday late-start, Chapel will now take place each Tuesday.
Additionally, our 1st and 2nd grades will undergo an important schedule change over the next two years. Currently, 2nd grade serves as the “transition year” to full-day school, with three days of 1:00 p.m. dismissal (MWF) and two days of 3:15 p.m. dismissal (TTh). We are shifting this transition year to 1st grade. In 2026–27, both 1st and 2nd grades will utilize a transition-year schedule with three short days (MWF) and two long days (TTh). This will allow our current 1st grade students and families to still experience a transition year. Then, in 2027–28, 1st grade will remain the transition year, and 2nd grade will move to five full days with a 3:15 p.m. dismissal.
Over the past two years, SCCS has invested significantly in our Student Support Team. We have added a full-time school nurse, a literacy interventionist, and a math interventionist—strengthening our ability to support a wide variety of academic, medical, and social-emotional needs.
These investments are part of our commitment to ensuring that every child can fully participate in the “feast of ideas,” even when life circumstances, learning differences, or health needs require additional care beyond what a classroom teacher alone can provide.
These changes reflect what our teaching teams have observed for several years: certain grades need more consistent instructional time; each child has unique gifts and needs that are best served through an interdisciplinary team of care; and teachers need weekly collaboration built into the rhythm of the school if we want the feast to remain rich, calm, and well-prepared.
Why move to a weekly late-start?
To give teachers weekly collaboration time without reducing overall instructional hours for students.
Why are 1st and 2nd grade schedules changing?
To ensure enough time for literacy, math, and relational reading instruction during the years when these skills are most critical.
How were these decisions made?
Through observations and recommendations from teachers, learning support staff, and academic leadership over multiple years.
Will these changes affect class size or core programming?
No. These shifts strengthen the existing program and maintain small, stable class sizes.
What will the new 1st and 2nd grade schedule changes be?
In the 2026-27 School Year:
For several years, our teaching and student support teams have noted how few hours our first graders have within the schedule of a shortened school day (8:40 am – 1:00 pm) to develop the skills necessary in such a pivotal year, particularly with math and literacy development. We have felt a pinch of time when it comes to preparing our first grade students in these specific ways, accompanied with the emphasis of a slow, thoughtful, contemplative learning experience of the lovely Charlotte Mason education.
Additionally, the Wilson Fundation Phonics program is formatted to be used for 5 days each week, and having the shortened school day didn’t allow our educators to use it to its full capacity while preparing and presenting the rest of the feast to students.
This shift for our 1st grade schedule is intentionally being done alongside the weekly late-start schedule, to ensure that our first grade students aren’t missing a critical hour of instruction, while it was already limited.
In the 2027-28 School Year:
Then, the following school year (2027-28) our second grade schedule, while currently a blended schedule, will shift to 5-full days, instead of the current model of only 2 full days a week, for many of the same reasons mentioned above.
Our educators note that 2nd grade is such a vital year for honing in reading skills, and having 5-full days each week as a class allows teachers to have the hours necessary to read individually with students. This emphasis comes out of the desire to continue with the highly relational educational experience SCCS is designed around, while preparing our students to progress grade by grade through the curriculum sequence.
We are fully aware that these schedule shifts not only affect your student academically, but emotionally and relationally as well. As we finalize the details within the daily schedule, we are conscious of our expectations of students at varying times of day considering energy levels and ability to focus. For example, implementing educational ‘choice-time’ in the afternoons has been a great hit in this year’s second graders on the full school days they attend.
Where can I learn more about student support?
To learn more about our approach, including Student Action Plans (SAPs), Student Support Plans (SSPs), and our tiered intervention model, click here.
2026–27 Key Dates Calendar
Attached is a link to view our current draft calendar for the 2026-2027 school year. An official calendar will be released later this spring. We know families value seeing when school will start and when some of the longer breaks are for travel planning.
PART 2: TUITION & TUITION ASSISTANCE
SCCS is committed to keeping the feast of ideas accessible while ensuring that the school remains financially strong for years to come. To do this responsibly, tuition must move closer to the true cost of providing a small, relational, academically rich education in a historic facility. Even families paying full tuition do not cover the full cost of their child’s education; the gap is bridged every year by donors, church partners, legacy gifts, and the Annual Fund.
For the 2026–27 school year, tuition increases average approximately $60 per month per student, with the highest increases just over $100 per month in the oldest grades. These adjustments reflect rising program costs, facility needs, and ongoing commitments to small class sizes and teacher support. The increases also allow SCCS to avoid a model where teachers subsidize excellence through their exhaustion or where deferred maintenance weakens the student experience.
To ensure continued accessibility, SCCS dedicates close to 20% of its operating budget toward tuition assistance. Families with demonstrated need are encouraged to apply through the FACTS Grant & Aid system and to complete the required TTEF and MoScholars applications. These programs, along with staff tuition discounts and donor-funded support, help maintain a diverse, mission-aligned school community.
Our goal is a sustainable financial model in which tuition more closely reflects the true cost per student while continuing to provide robust support for families for whom full tuition is not feasible.
Why are tuition rates increasing and what are the new rates?
To move closer to the true cost per student and maintain small class sizes, strong teachers, and responsible facility care. Most families will see an increase of about $60 per month per student; older grades are slightly higher. You can view the 2026–27 Tuition and Fee Schedule here online.
What if our family cannot afford the new rates?
SCCS encourages families to apply for financial aid; multiple scholarship programs are available and often work together.
Does applying for aid impact our re-enrollment?
No. Aid is awarded after applications and documentation are complete, and does not influence admission or re-enrollment status.
How much of the school’s budget supports financial aid?
Approximately 20% is set aside each year for need-based assistance.
MoScholars Eligibility and FAQ
MoScholars applications for 2026-27
opened October 1st, 2025 and close April 3rd, 2026
The Herzog Foundation is passionate about providing private school tuition scholarships through MoScholars to cover the cost of accessible, high-quality education, no matter the zip code. SCCS partners with the Herzog Foundation by accepting funds students receive from the MoScholars program. MoScholars awards do not require families to requalify each year. However, an annual renewal is required. See below for the most up-to-date instructions for current recipients.
SCCS does not have access to viewing or editing MoScholars applications. If you have any questions, please directly contact Josh Hurlbert at [email protected].
NEW STUDENT QUALIFICATION: To qualify for the MoScholars scholarship for the 2026-27 school year, the student must be a legal Missouri resident who meets one of these conditions in both lists:
- Has a formal IEP/ISP issued from a formal Missouri LEA within the past 36 months; OR
- Has a household income under 300% of the reduced lunch threshold (for a family of four, $173,160 this year)
AND either:
- Going into K or 1st Grade; OR
- Attended public school for a semester the immediate prior year; OR
- Is a sibling of a renewal scholarship student.
CURRENT STUDENT RENEWAL: Families can renew their scholarship by completing this survey.
- If a student is a K-2 student, this will be all they need to do to renew for 2026-27.
- If a student is currently in third grade or older, the family will also need to send a standardized test score from the 2025-26 school year whenever those scores are released.
- All students attending a school designed for special learning needs are not required to turn in any standardized test score.
All current families have already been emailed this information!
There is also a great opportunity our community has to support the Herzog Foundation, by direct donation, or by deferring up to half of your Missouri tax liability. Each year, we host representatives from the Herzog Foundation on campus to meet families and share their mission with our school community. Questions on how to support the MoScholars program? Contact Kristi Miller at [email protected].
Helpful Links:
Today & Tomorrow (TTEF) Scholarship Information
New & Requalifying Students applications
open January 20th, close February 28th, 2026
We partner with The Today and Tomorrow Education Foundation through student scholarships in the Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow program for Kindergarten – 8th grade students. Scholarships are assigned based on household size and income levels and are paid directly to SCCS on behalf of the scholarship student. We ask all families seeking tuition assistance from SCCS, complete a TTEF application for each of their qualifying children entering grades K – 8th.
* Each year, every family must submit a re-qualifying application per student on the TTEF website to receive the award again. If a family doesn’t meet the criteria to receive the scholarship by surpassing the income threshold, there is a one-year grace period they may receive the award.
Helpful Links:
Submit application for a re-qualifying student
Apply for the Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow scholarship as a *NEW family
FACTS Grant & Aid Application Instructions
SCCS Tuition Assistance
opened December 13th, 2025 and close February 28th, 2026
Creating access to the SCCS education means setting aside close to 20% of our operating budget to provide tuition assistance to families with demonstrated need. Families who are seeking financial aid from SCCS directly must complete a FACTS Grant & Aid application (including submission of all required documentation), a TTEF scholarship application, and a MoScholars scholarship application.
By using the third party system, FACTS Grant & Aid, produces a demonstrated-need after gathering all information within your family’s application.
Tuition Agreements for all families will be available starting March 6th, 2026, pending the verification of tuition assistance applications. Please note, it can take up to 2 weeks from the time of submission within FACTS Grant & Aid to verification of a families award and confirmation of a Tuition Agreement.
Get started on your SCCS FACTS Grant & Aid application.
If you have any questions, please contact our Director of Community Life, Riley Vossen.
How Tuition Assistance works at SCCS
As a school, we don’t view the cost of tuition to reflect simply what it costs to attend this school – we believe it is a worthwhile investment you are making in your child. By paying tuition, you are allowing your child, and family, to be a part of something deeper and greater than simply ‘a good education.’ For each family, we understand that this investment is a sacrifice financially, and as a school we believe that sacrifice leads to joy as you experience the priceless blessing of being transformed by the Charlotte Mason education. As a reminder of our core value of personhood, we strive to ensure that all families are equipped and aware that tuition assistance remains available. Should you find that these new tuition rates, or life’s circumstances, place an undue burden on your family’s ability to live, work, play and worship, we want to hear from you. Legacy givers, church partners, and community partners like DITTO, give generously to come alongside families to assist with tuition, providing access to our school to families who need it.
When applying financial aid, tuition discounts, and scholarships, SCCS follows this order:
- MoScholars, TTEF Scholarships and Other External Scholarships
- Faculty/Staff Tuition Discounts
- Institutional Financial Aid
PART 3: MIDDLE SCHOOL PLANS & CLASSROOM CONSTRUCTION
SCCS is planning carefully for the long-term growth and stability of the school so that students can continue experiencing a rich, relational education for many years to come. As enrollment increases and students move through the grade levels, we are preparing our facilities, staffing, and program structure to ensure small class sizes and a deeply personal learning environment remain core to who we are.
Beginning in 2026–27, SCCS will operate two sections of both 5th and 6th grade. This expansion allows students to remain in small cohorts during the academically rigorous middle school years. This shift is possible because of thoughtful scheduling and space planning within our current footprint. Our team has designed a model that allows six homerooms (fifth and sixth grade combined) to function effectively across five existing classrooms for one year.
Looking ahead to 2027–28, SCCS plans to renovate the garage and the current gymnasium stage to create two additional classroom spaces. These improvements support the strategic plan’s commitment to long-term accessibility, stable class sizes, and facilities that align with the quality of the program. The goal is not rapid expansion, but responsible stewardship of space so that students continue learning in environments that are well-designed, safe, and conducive to Charlotte Mason–inspired teaching.
These steps reflect a broader strategy: to modernize and maintain our historic facility, strengthen our middle school program, and ensure the physical campus continues to support the school’s mission for today’s families and future generations.
Why expand 5th and 6th grade sections?
To maintain small class sizes and strong relational teaching as more students move into middle school.
How will SCCS accommodate two grade sections with limited space?
Through intentional scheduling in 2026–27 and by adding two classrooms through renovation in 2027–28.
Will class sizes increase?
No. The plan is designed to preserve small, stable class sizes across all grades.
Why renovate instead of building new?
Renovations provide needed classroom space at a lower cost and align with the long-term strategic plan for facility stewardship.
Does this expansion change the school’s mission or culture?
No. These changes strengthen the mission by protecting small class sizes, accessibility, and program quality.
Who can I contact if I’m interested in learning more about the future campaigns and expansions of SCCS?
Our campaign manager, Brianna Pope, can be reached via email at: [email protected]
Additional Resources
• Strategic Plan Overview
• Facilities Renovation Timeline and Summary
• Middle School Program Snapshot
• Annual Fund and Giving Opportunities
NEXT STEPS: Re-Enroll & Invite Others
Secure your child’s spot for 2026-2027. On January 16, open the re-enrollment email and follow the steps to complete your Enrollment Packet in the FACTS Family Portal.
Invite a family you know to explore SCCS for their child. Send them this link: Take Tour.
bud!
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