We wanted to share a quick update on the Building for Generations Campaign, and more importantly, say thank you. We have seen God move in incredible ways, and through gifts received and commitments made, the total now stands at $10 million toward our $20 million goal. We are truly grateful.
We also wanted to share a special milestone ahead. As we approached the $10 million mark, a grandparent has committed to give an additional $2 million. Their generosity is a powerful encouragement, and we are prayerfully trusting God to bring the remaining support needed to reach this next step. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for our school and for this campaign. Thank you to those who have given a one-time gift, those who are giving monthly, and those who have chosen to do both. Your generosity and faithfulness are making a real difference for our students—now and for generations to come.
If you have not yet had the opportunity to participate, we would love for you to prayerfully consider joining us—whether through a one-time gift, a three-year commitment, or a combination of the two. Every gift matters, and every family’s involvement helps move this vision forward.
If you have questions, would like to learn more, or simply want to sit down and talk through the campaign, please don’t hesitate to call, text, or email me at 615-578-3021 or bmyers@gcalions.com. I’m happy to connect anytime.
Thank you again for your continued prayers, support, and belief in the mission of Grace Christian Academy. We are thankful to be on this journey together.
Gratefully,
Brad M yers Development Director Grace Christian Academy
Grace Christian Academy Named
"Best Private Educational Institution in Franklin" for 2025
We are proud to announce that Grace Christian Academy has been ranked the Best Private Educational Institution in Franklin, Tennessee for 2025 by BusinessRate! This recognition highlights GCA’s strong reputation among families in our community and the high level of satisfaction reflected in recent online reviews.
BusinessRate is a national ranking platform that evaluates local institutions using a datadriven methodology based on Google review performance within the same category and geographic area. Their process goes beyond star ratings — it emphasizes recency of reviews, consistency over time, and review quality to give a current and reliable picture of how an organization is experienced by its community.
This achievement is a reflection of the consistent excellence demonstrated across Grace Christian Academy’s academic programs, spiritual formation, student life, and community engagement.
It’s a tribute to:
Our dedicated faculty and staff, whose passion for teaching and mentoring inspires students every day;
Our supportive families, who partner with us in educating and nurturing students;
Our remarkable students, whose growth in character and intellect is evident in every classroom and activity.
We are grateful for the many families and community members who share their positive experiences through online reviews your voice helped make this recognition possible. And most importantl gi th k t G d f Hi f ithf l ess and grace as we continue our mission serve faithfully, and follow Christ with joy
to these GCA athletes on their commitment to continue their athletic careers and further their education.
Senior, Lily Conrad Volleyball
Lily Conrad Is headed to Trevecca University in Nashville, TN to play volleyball.
Senior, Kensley Elam Soccer
Kensley Elam is headed to Covenant College in Lookout Mountian, GA to play soccer.
Senior, Jameson Napper Baseball
Jameson Napper Is headed to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN to play baseball.
Important Dates for second semester:
19: Men’s Breakfast
19-21: High School Musical - Mary Poppins
3: No School - Good Friday
6: No School - Easter Monday 11: Jr./Sr. Prom
16: Men’s Breakfast
17: Grandparents Day - ½ Day of School
23-25: IS Musical - Finding Nemo
March 2026 April 2026 May 2026
1: Mother/Son Nerf Wars
5: Come Away Dance Recital
8: HS Awards Ceremony
11: 4th Grade Blessing
14: 8th Grade Blessing
15: All School Chapel/Senior Walk 17: Graduation
18: Elementary Awards Ceremony
19: IS/MS Awards Ceremony
21: Field Day
22: Last Day of School - ½ Day of School
25-29: School Offices Closed
28: 1st-8th Talent Show June 2025
1: GCA Summer Camps Begin 3-5: GCA Consignment Sale
Student Accomplishments: Miss Bozarth’s Art Class
In early 2024, Miss Bozarth's Advanced Sculpture & Ceramics class received approval for a group project to design and build a 30" x 30" stained glass window to be installed in the GCA cafeteria. Miss Bozarth drew up several plans, focusing on the old GCA mansion and the Bible verse: Matthew 5:14-16, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Her students consulted on the final design, combining aspects of each of the sketch ideas.
Having already completed individual stained glass designs, students were familiar with the processes involved in stained glass. They set up an assemblyline collaboration, each helping with the tasks they knew best. Some traced out the 130+ pieces needed, using a light-tracing table and Sharpie markers. Some took the traced pieces and carefully cut them out using glass-cutting tools and grozing pliers. The next group took each cut piece to a glass-grinder and refined all edges until they were smooth. Then, other students took the smooth glass "puzzle" pieces back to the original template to make sure each fit perfectly in its place. Any pieces that didn't fit correctly were marked and taken back to the grinder or recut completely. Pieces that DID fit correctly were scrubbed clean, dried, and marked with blue painter's tape to keep track of their location in the design. Finally, a group of students would carefully wrap the edges of each finished piece in copper foil tape.
The entire process took weeks of work! The huge stained glass "puzzle" was completed a few days before school ended. Several students worked outside of class time to do the next important step: soldering all the puzzle pieces together. Students wore masks (due to solder fumes) and gloves as they spent back-breaking hours leaning over the table with a soldering iron, melting solder in long lines that followed all of the copper foil edges. This had to be done for both the front AND the back of the design.
Over the summer, Miss Bozarth soldered a metal frame around the finished design to give it more stability. Then, she carefully cleaned all soldering chemicals off the front and back of the artwork and waxed the solder lines to prevent tarnishing. Over the next few months, she built a back-lit wooden frame for the window so it could hang in the cafeteria. She also had an engraving company create two metal plates. One features the verse that inspired the design. The other features the signatures of everyone involved in the project. Those students have now graduated: Hudson Barton, Caroline Collins, Isabelle DeShong, Ellie Hardwick, Ansley Harris, Jayse Huxford, Ellie Karner, Maggie McConnell, Kade Nord, Maren Spencer, and Brock Woodard.
Next time you're in the high school cafeteria, take a minute to enjoy the stained glass and read the verse and signatures! It was a truly memorable growing experience for all involved. They got to leave a permanent mark on this campus.
Student Accomplishments:
Congratulations, Ella Grace Fua
Senior Ella Grace Fua has been named a recipient of the DAR Good Citizen Award, a distinguished honor recognizing outstanding character and leadership among graduating seniors.
Established in 1934 by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the Good Citizen Award celebrates students who exemplify patriotism, service, dependability, and leadership in both their school and community.
Ella Grace, accompanied by her family, attended the Williamson County and Old Glory Chapter meeting, where she was formally recognized alongside fellow honorees from Battle Ground Academy and Franklin High School.
Each local recipient receives a DAR pin and certificate and advances to participate in a scholarship essay contest at the local, state, and national levels.
This honor reflects Ella Grace’s commitment to leadership, integrity, and service — qualities that will undoubtedly continue to shape her future endeavors.
Ella Grace Fua with Old Glory Chapter member
Warren DeGraff Warren DeGraff
We wanted to share an update on Warren as he is entering one of the most exciting seasons of his life - and one of the most victorious.
His official end date of cancer treatment is July 9, 2026. That means he has just four months remaining of daily oral chemotherapy and only one more lumbar puncture.
We stand in complete awe of all the Lord has done throughout his journey. For the past year, Warren’s bloodwork has remained completely normal — something that is not typical during this phase of treatment. Because of how well he has responded, doctors have consistently increased his daily chemotherapy dosage. Even more incredible, he has experienced no side effects. What an amazing testimony of faith, perseverance, and God’s faithfulness.
In the midst of treatment for leukemia, Warren has continued to live fully and serve faithfully. He works at Logo Brands during the day and then heads to GCA to participate in Mary Poppins. After the musical concludes, he will assist Coach Jordan with the throwers for track and field and help coach 7-on-7 football this spring. He went on the MissionX trip to Ecuador. His schedule is full — and his spirit even fuller.
He recently experienced another incredible milestone: Warren committed to play football at Berry College in Rome, Georgia. What an extraordinary gift from God! He plans to redshirt his freshman year to continue building strength and health, with hopes of contributing on the field in his sophomore or junior season. He has dreamed of playing football in college, and we are so excited to watch it unfold.
Warren’s journey is a powerful testament to faith, endurance, and hope — and as his treatment nears completion, a new and exciting chapter is just beginning.
The DeGraff family is deeply grateful for their GCA family and the overwhelming love and support they have received over the past two years. There truly is no better army to walk through a battle like this alongside.
Warren playing football this past fall with his brothers Kipton and Grayson. The DeGraff family on senior night Warren sharing at Chapel
Listed are our 5th-8th grade students who made the All-A Honor Roll for the 1st semester (an average of 1st and 2nd quarter grades).
