How Costs are Covered at GHCA
Tuition and fees cover only about 78% of what it actually costs to educate a student here—leaving an unfunded gap of about 22% for every student. Tuition does not cover program enhancements or facility improvements—it just helps keep our school running. This means that every student at GHCA actually receives a substantial form of tuition assistance.
We depend upon all parents’ involvement in fundraising activities to fund the remaining 22%. This difference between tuition and actual cost is made up through our Annual Fund campaign which consists of fundraising events and letter appeals to our current families, alumni families, friends, businesses and churches. Your direct participation in responding to these appeals and actively supporting the fundraisers are crucial to your school’s ability to succeed. This is a parent-sponsored school that cannot continue its educational ministry to students without the meaningful, sacrificial support of our parents. We are not eligible for direct government funding of any kind, nor do we desire it for a number of reasons.
Our budget and tuition costs are based primarily upon conservative enrollment and tuition revenue goals. Tuition revenue is estimated well in advance of our actual fall enrollment. If it becomes clear later in the year that our actual tuition revenue (and/or Annual Fund goal) is likely to be less than budgeted (meaning that we are looking at a deficit), the Board of Directors will report to all our school families what amount per student would make up the deficit. Families would not be billed for this amount but would be asked to donate as much of it as possible.
Fundraising Events
GHCA hosts at least two major fundraising events per year to supplement tuition and fund the operating budget.
- Harvest Festival Auction: Held annually each fall, this event features a day of fun family activities and a lively and entertaining auction with hundreds of donated items and services from local businesses and individuals including homemade goodies, and handcrafted quilts and crafts. Over 200 guests join in the event. Families are asked to help with the activities, donate auction items, and join in the day of fun.
- Bike-a-thon: Held annually in June, every student, faculty, staff member, and parent are asked to participate, either in sponsoring someone with a donation or in seeking sponsorship for themselves. Each family is asked to send letters to friends or family who will financially sponsor their child’s day of biking, running or walking.
Other fundraisers that support the school include activities such as benefit concerts by outside groups, indoor yard sales, dinner and dessert auction, produce sales and similar. These events require the support of our families to be successful, and their success is critical to the school's success.
