ANNUAL REPORT C O V E N A N T D AY S C H O O L 2025-2026
FROM THE
Head of School Dear Covenant Day Families, Alumni, and Friends: In 1989, ten teachers and a handful of volunteers welcomed 149 students to a new school built on faith, partnership, and a commitment to academic excellence grounded in a biblical worldview. Thirty-seven years later, Covenant Day has grown in ways those early founders could hardly have imagined. Our campus, enrollment, and programs have expanded, but our commitment to our mission remains at the center of all we do. God has been faithful to Covenant Day, and we are grateful for the opportunity to carry that mission forward. Our students lie at the heart of that mission. Through the dedication of our faculty and staff, students are challenged to become servant leaders, problem solvers, and disciples of Christ, using their gifts to be salt and light in their communities and the world. The 2025–2026 annual report celebrates the many people who make that work possible. Through your time, talent, and generosity, you help create an environment where students can grow in wisdom, character, and faith as we seek to transform hearts and minds for the glory of Jesus Christ. As we reflect on where Covenant Day began, we are especially grateful for the families, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends who have helped shape this community over the past 37 years. The generosity and commitment of many have helped carry Covenant Day from those first 149 students to the community we know today. This year, we are honored to build on that history by introducing the 1989 Society. Named for the year Covenant Day was founded, the 1989 Society (formerly Leadership Circle) will recognize members of our community who are making a significant investment in the mission of Covenant Day, honoring the connection between where we began and the community we are building today. From those first days in 1989 to the opportunities before us now, Covenant Day’s story has always been shaped by people willing to invest in something bigger than themselves. We are grateful for everyone who has played a part in that story and for those who continue to believe in what Covenant Day can mean for students, families, and our community. Thank you for being part of Covenant Day and for the many ways you make our mission possible. We are deeply grateful for your partnership as we continue to glorify God and prepare students to lead, serve, and make a lasting difference in the world. For Christ and His Kingdom,
Mark Helmer Head of School
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contents 02 F R O M T H E H E A D O F S C H O O L 04 O P E R AT I N G B U D G E T 05 S C H O O L - C H U R C H PA R T N E R S H I P 06 G I V I N G 08 Y O U R G E N E R O S I T Y AT W O R K 12 C A P I TA L C A M PA I G N 14 B O A R D O F T R U S T E E S & B U S I N E S S PA R T N E R S
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Operating Budget 2025-2026
Operating Revenue Gross Tuition and Fees Less: Financial Aid & Base Discounts Other Revenue (Interest and Endowment Draw) Church Direct Support Donations Supporting Operating Budget
$19,822,600 $1,406,137 $280,000 $234,000 $115,000
Total Revenue
$19,045,463
Operating Expenses Employee Compensation, Benefits, and Related Costs Operating Expenses (Curriculum, Classroom Needs, Technology, etc.) Buildings and Facilities Support Athletics and Warner Park Maintenance Debt Service
$14,205,437 $2,100,301 $1,419,125 $892,000 $428,000
Total Expenses
$19,045,463
SIGNIFICANT BALANCES AND OPERATING METRICS
As of June 30, 2026
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Total Value of Endowments Total Debt Total Enrollment Total Full-Time Employees
$8,384,504 $4,191,234 1,052 175
SCHOOL-CHURCH PARTNERSHIP Covenant Day School is governed by a Board of Trustees and operates as a distinct but integrated ministry of Christ Covenant Church. The school and church intentionally align their mission, leadership, and resources to ensure that all ministries on campus have the space and support they need to thrive. This partnership not only strengthens the school’s spiritual foundation but also provides a significant financial advantage. Although the full dollar value is hard to calculate, the support of Christ Covenant Church enables Covenant Day to keep tuition thousands of dollars lower than it would otherwise need to be, while continuing to provide students with a transformative Christian education.
Direct Financial Support Christ Covenant Church makes an annual contribution to the school’s operating budget (currently $241,000).
Use of Church-Supported Facilities Some key spaces used daily by students—such as Lower School Buildings A and B, the Community Life Center, and the Worship Center—are funded and maintained primarily by the church. Without these facilities, the school could not carry out its full mission.
School-Supported Facilities and Other Cost Sharing The school fully funds the High School, Middle School, Lower School Building C, Warner Park athletic complex, and all other student fields and courts. At the same time, the school and church share the costs of campuswide needs such as grounds maintenance, technology infrastructure, security, operations staff, and insurance. The school’s relationship with Christ Covenant Church continues to provide the rich spiritual grounding and greater organizational capacity that shape our unique calling and distinctive as a school. From a strictly financial perspective, while it is difficult to put an exact dollar figure on it, this partnership with our sponsoring church encourages a commitment to stewardship, enhances our sustainability, and allows us to continue providing a truly transformative Christian education to our students.
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Giving $458,110
2025-2026 DONATION BREAKDOWN
LIONS FUND
$92,565 BOOSTER MEMBERSHIPS/GOLF TOURNAMENT
$22,700 COVENANT ARTS MEMBERSHIPS/FINE ARTS
$30,946 ENDOWMENTS
$86,707 OTHER
$691,028
TOTAL (NON-CAPITAL CASH DONATIONS)
$2,707,136 WARNER PARK
$3,398,164
TOTAL (ALL CASH DONATIONS)
Donors by Constituency
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Current Parents Grandparents Alumni Parents Alumni Non-parent Faculty/Staff, Board Members, and Other Donors
348 102 57 10 112
Total Donors
629
giving day OCTOBER 21, 2026
Since 1989, generations of Lions have helped shape Covenant Day into the school it is today. This Giving Day, we’re coming together to support the Lions Fund, which enriches the Covenant Day experience for EVERY LION by providing resources for above-and-beyond needs as they arise. Together, we can continue a legacy of generosity that supports today’s students and invests in EVERY LION who comes next. In celebration of that legacy, we’re also excited to introduce the 1989 Society (formerly Leadership Circle), recognizing members of our community who give $1,989 or more annually to Covenant Day. From the Lions who helped build our foundation to those investing in our future, every gift is part of one shared legacy.
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Your Generosity at Work
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Auxiliary Gym Refresh: Stage Converted to Storage
New Screen Projector in Lions Theater
Expanded Lower School Sidewalk
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New Middle School Lockers
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New Sidewalk Added Outside the Worship & Choir Room
Window Shades in the High School
Electrical to Outdoor Classroom and Greenhouse Coming Soon
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What an incredible year for Forever Covenant! This past year, our Covenant Day community came together in an extraordinary way, bringing us to approximately $7.5 million toward our $10.5 million capital campaign goal. Because of this incredible generosity, Phase One is moving forward and includes the sitework for the entire project, a new track and field, paved parking, and the field house. The campaign has truly been a team effort. Current families, grandparents, alumni, friends, and even students with lemonade stands have found meaningful ways to contribute. Seeing so many people rally around a shared vision for Covenant Day has been incredibly meaningful. There is still work to be done, including the concessions and restroom building, permanent stadium seating, and a press box. The timeline for completing these final pieces will depend on the pace of continued giving, but there is already so much to celebrate along the way. Warner Park will be more than a place to play sports. It will be a place where students grow as athletes and teammates, mature as leaders, build meaningful relationships with coaches and one another, and find opportunities to live out their faith. As we welcome other schools and gather our own community together, our students will have countless opportunities to be salt and light through their character, sportsmanship, and relationships. It has been a privilege to be part of this special season at Covenant Day. We are deeply grateful for all our community has accomplished together and excited for what is still to come as we continue transforming hearts and minds for the glory of Jesus Christ. Thank you for being part of the Covenant Day story. Jessica Crumpton Development Director
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Board of Trustees The Session of Christ Covenant Church appoints the Board of Trustees of Covenant Day School to hold the school in trust, that is, to oversee the strategic operation of the school. The Board is comprised of up to 15 trustees. Each trustee serves a three-year term, renewable at the option of the Board of Trustees and Session of Christ Covenant Church. When trustees are convened in an official Board meeting, they speak as the Board. An individual trustee does not have any Board power outside of an official Board meeting. The Board employs only one person, the head of school. All other school employees report to the head of school.
2026-2027 Board of Trustees: Drew Peterson (Chairman), Brandon Ruby (Vice Chairman), Courtney Silver (Secretary), Josh Grissom (Treasurer), Mark Helmer (ex officio), Daniel Burns, Marisa Deaton, Kevin DeYoung, Jack Easterby, Beth Harrelson, Allison Nelson, Rich Protasewich, Lans Slack, Blair Smith, and Derek Wells
Business Partners THANK YOU TO OUR 2025-2026 BUSINESS PARTNERS!
Platinum: Ashley Homestore Dentistry of the Carolinas Gold: Brandon Ruby/Helen Adams Realty Interstate Foam & Supply River Pools Tassel Capital Management Winn’s Plumbing
Silver: Chick-Fil-A Facility System Services, Inc. Group Jones Realty Helen Adams Realty Modish Nail Spa & Salon Providence Eye & Laser Specialists Secure in Motion Star Orthodontics Vicus Builders
Bronze: Blue Trust The Collective Cafe Cutie Patootie Kids Spa Great Clips Hull & Coleman Orthodontics Kunkleman & Lucente Massey Family Dentistry National Christian Foundation Park Commercial Real Estate Tower Property Group
To view our 2026-2027 Business Partners or to learn more about the Business Partner program, visit covenantday.org/partnerships.
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800 Fullwood Lane, Matthews, NC 28105