Faith seeking understanding
Fides Quaerens Intellectum
OurMission
To equip students to love God with all their hearts, souls, and minds. We draw on the classical tools of learning to prepare students to reason clearly, communicate effectively, and act responsibly in the world – all for the Glory of God.
Clas
We em and a stude gramm
Love of Learning Through the influence of Charlotte Mason, we seek to bring life and love to learning and uncover delight, wonder, and beauty in all we study.
As we study the world, we learn more about the character of God and seek to acknowledge God in all areas of learning Christian Worldview
Intentionally Ecumenical
We seek to respect and understand the variety of Christian ideals, convictions, denominations, and traditions passed on throughout Christian history and held by our families and teachers.
Core Values
Virtue
We challenge our students to think and act rightly, preparing them to engage in a world that is increasingly untethered from Christian faith and virtue.
Stewardship
We strive to cultivate and utilize our resources wisely so that Live Oak is affordable for our families
We encourage character formation, leadership, and community involvement through service We provide clear expectations and rules for disciplined behavior. Citizenship
Live Oak Classical began in 2004 with 3 founders, 35 students, and a handful of faculty all committed to Classical Christian education. Today, almost 500 students learn and grow each day across our 74,000 square foot campus in downtown Waco.
Founder’s Message
Alison Moffatt Founder & Head of School Emerita
Faithful Vision
“Just as a cathedral stands pointing its visitors to Christ long after its builders are gone, so will the work you have done in founding and leading this school continue to point students, parents, and teachers to Christ for many years to come.”
– Alisha Barker, May 13, 2025 Celebration of Our Founders
Live Oak Classical School was founded with bold hope and humble beginnings, and it has been one of the greatest joys of my life to watch it blossom into a remarkable community of students growing in wisdom, virtue, and joyful pursuit of truth There is so much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to With God’s faithfulness as our foundation and a shared vision to guide us, I believe Live Oak’s best years are yet to come.
Thus, with that peaceful confidence and after 21 years as our founding Head of School, I stepped into a new role this spring that allows me to continue supporting Live Oak in meaningful ways while entrusting day-to-day leadership to the next generation. I remain deeply committed to the mission that shaped this school from its first day, and I am honored to walk alongside our leadership team and Board of Trustees as we look to the future!
School Snapshot
2024-2025
Our 21 year was an exciting one marked by record enrollment and the largest graduating class in school history. Each milestone is a testament to God’s goodness and the faithfulness of our families and faculty.
Deeply Rooted, Growing Each Day
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness." – Psalm 115:1
A Year of Cultivating
From the Board of Trustees
Sustaining Our Mission Through Stewardship
This year, we took vital steps to strengthen the long-term vitality of our school and invest in our faculty. One of those steps was approving a multi-year tuition adjustment beginning in the 2025–2026 academic year. This change will help us faithfully fund the daily work of education supporting our teachers, maintaining a balanced budget, honoring our financial commitments, and laying a stronger foundation for future growth. We are also dedicated to growing a culture of giving. Tuition alone has never fully covered the cost of a Live Oak education, and we are grateful to the families who continue to generously support our mission.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2024-2025
Paul Barbieri, President
Alta Vann, Vice President
Lanissa Willis, Treasurer
Nicki Wilson, Secretary
Grant Coburn
Joey Carona
Zach Depew
Jacqueline Hee
Brice Helton*
Melissa Ishio
Alison Moffatt*
Callie Schrank
Mark Siegmund
Endyia Sterns
*Non-VotingEx-Officioas HeadofSchool
Preparing for a New Season of Leadership
This year also brought a significant moment in the life of our school as Alison Moffatt transitioned roles after faithfully serving for 21 years as our Head of School. We are thrilled that she will continue on as a Board Trustee and in an Emerita position, ensuring that her founding vision and values remain steadfast in this new era During this season of transition, the Board unanimously appointed Brice Helton as Interim Head of School through the 2025–2026 school year Brice brings a steadfast commitment to Live Oak’s mission, and we are confident in his leadership and the team surrounding him. Looking ahead, the Board has launched a formal search process for our next Head of School a prayerful, collaborative effort guided by input from across our school community. We are excited about what God has in store and confident that He will guide us in His timing.
Standards that Strengthen
Accreditation Report
Financial Sustainability
Financial planning and development efforts by Board and Admnistration to increase cash reserves, reduce debt, and establish endowed scholarships.
Campus Planning
Establish a Campus Master Plan for facilities to accommodate increased enrollment, faculty needs, and programming. Reclassify schools to align with educational needs and programming.
Flourishing Student Experience
Fulfill a commitment to share classical education with more families by prioritizing staffing and space that provides enhanced support for students with learning differences.
Faculty & Staff Flourishing
Invest in faculty and staff compensation and benefits packages and provide increased opportunities for mentorship and professional development
ACCREDITATION PROCESS
Every five years, Live Oak undergoes an accreditation review by the Southern Association of Independent Schools, an internationally recognized organization that supports schools in pursuing excellence through selfreflection, peer review, and strategic improvement. The external accreditation team examined these four key areas and goals identified by the Live Oak Strategic Planning Committee.
Guided by Wisdom
The SAIS visiting team comprised of heads of school and other executive leaders of five independent schools throughout the U.S. recommended Live Oak Classical’s 5-year re-accreditation, providing a thorough analysis and report with commendations and recommendations per key area including:
Financial Sustainability
COMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDATIONS
Establishing key financial controls and processes; commitment to debt reduction
Campus Planning
Flourishing Student Experience
Faculty & Staff
Flourishing
Shifting from ad-hoc to comprehensive site planning; adapting spaces to accommodate enrollment and program needs
Dedicating future staffing and space to support the 25% of students diagnosed with learning differences
Student-centered faculty; implementing a faculty evaluation process; recognizing the need for competitive compensation and benefits
Develop a multi-year operational budget plan; engage in future planning for facility maintenance and Head of School recruitment and compensation
Prioritize campus security; engage City of Waco to explore secure street crossings; enhance visible school branding onsite
Provide ongoing professional development for faculty; clearly communicate to parents what needs can be supported
More professional development time on Classical education and operational processes and procedures; examine salaries in proportion to workloads, aimed at recruitment and retention
Highlights
Excellence Beyond the Classroom
Live Oak Classical School was named the 2024–2025 Henderson Cup Champion for TAPPS 3A, the highest recognition awarded by the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools based on 33 schools’ cumulative performance in athletics and fine arts throughout the year. We are thankful for the diligence of our students, the dedication of our faculty and coaches, and the faithfulness of our families. To God be the glory!
FineArts
TAPPS 3A Division
Overall Fine Arts Champion
Fine Arts Educator of the Year
State Champion Vocal Music
State Champion Academics
Large Ensemble Sweepstakes
One Act Play District 2 Place nd
Athletics
TAPPS 3A Division
Overall Athletics Champion
Boys Overall Athletics Champion
Male Coach of the Year
Male Athlete of the Year
State Champion Girls Basketball
State Champion Boys Tennis
5 State Runners-Up
2 State Semi-Finalists
7 District Championships
Each year, our 9 –12 grade students cultivate a heart for servant leadership and civic responsibility by devoting at least 10 hours in service to nonprofit organizations. Rooted in our Classical Christian ethos, this service requirement invites students to take learning beyond the classroom and foster a lifelong commitment to loving and serving others.
2,670
Community Service Hours
Class of 2025
A Heart for Service
The Class of 2025 had 39 graduates and was our largest class in school history Sixteen of those students had attended Live Oak since kindergarten
The Class of 2025 includes two National Merit Commended Scholars and eight AP Scholars.
School Admissions
Nonprofit Organizations 61 with National Merit Commended 2
Our 2025 graduates were accepted to 43 different colleges and universities across the country and will attend prestigious institutions and programs including the U.S. Air Force Academy, The University of Texas Plan II, and Baylor University Business Fellows and University Scholars.
43 Schools Attending 11 AP Scholars 8 Mean GPA 4.12
Financial Operations & Commitments
TheFinanceCommittee–composedof theHeadofSchool,FinanceDirector, andSchoolBoardTrustees–meets monthlytoreviewandreportonthe school’sfinancialhealth LiveOakalsoparticipatesinanannual auditprocesstoensurestrongfinancial accountability 2024-2025
LiveOak’stuitionissetbytheBoardof Trusteestocoverannualoperational needsincludingpersonnel,school programs,andoperations. Theschoolbudgethasalsohistorically providedforfinancialassistanceto approximatelyoneoutofeveryfour LiveOakstudents.
The Board approved a balanced 2025-2026 budget based on tuition revenue from a 484 student enrollment count and prior actual revenue from charitable gifts and additional income sources.
Debt from unsecured revolving credit has been repaid. All remaining debt is low interest, secured by real estate, and budgeted for repayment.
The budget process was additionally guided by these commitments:
INVESTING IN OUR FACULTY & STAFF
Our faculty are central to the life and mission of Live Oak. To support their faithful work, the 2025–2026 budget allocates a 7.5% increase to the total personnel budget to advance hiring and compensation adjustments.
SUSTAINABLE FAMILY SUPPORT
Reflecting our commitment to families, the 2025-2026 budget provides tuition assistance to 24% of our students The Live Oak Foundation has also partnered to establish scholarship funds that will help sustain our financial aid over time.
PRUDENT POLICY ON CAPITAL PROJECTS
The Board of Trustees has adopted a policy that all future capital projects at Live Oak will be fully funded through charitable giving without incurring debt and projects will be carefully scoped to ensure responsible stewardship
2 0 2 52 0 2 6 B u d g e t P r i o r i
GenerositySnapshot
Campus Security
Thanks to a faithful group of donors, $97,000 of the $100,000 needed to staff our uniformed police officer during school days and at schoolwide events was provided.
GRACE Fund
A remarkable $44,000 was donated in our first campaign to bless our entire faculty and staff with a bonus at Christmas.
Acorn Society
In partnership with Parent Council, Booster Club, and Friends of Fine Arts, $74,000 was raised in support of teacher appreciation, community-building events, and fine arts and athletics programs
Tuition Assistance
Proceeds from our Readathon and Jubilee Gala and Auction events helped make a Live Oak education more affordable for our families, including our faculty and staff whose children attend the school. Families and friends of Live Oak gave generously this year, with net revenues after event expenses totaling $40,000 for Readathon and over $176,000 for Jubilee.
More than two-thirds of Live Oak families gave in support of our mission in 2024-2025.
We are deeply grateful for the distinguished generosity of these families – and for all gifts given in faith this year!
Dana & Joey Carona
Craig & Dr. Christina Crenshaw
Dr. Mitchell & Joy Eichhorn
Debbie & Holt Getterman
Sue Getterman
Nanci & Timothy Griesse
Kristin & Brandon Haire
Dr. Celeste & Dr. Scott Hecox
Jennifer & Michael Hillman
Dawn & Chris Holmes
Dr. Paul & Elizabeth Maupin
Lindsey & Greg McEachern
Doug & Dr. Lacy McNamee
Dr. Todd and Alison Moffatt
Nikki & David Oates
Alice & Greg Ogden
Dr. William & Katherine Pitts
Kimberly & Benjie Polnick
Dr. Ross Reagan
Esmerelda & John Sawyer
Brooke & Mark Siegmund
Dr. Beau Swann
Jordan & Brad Swann
Susan & Gordon Swanson
Visiting Angels
Lanissa & Blake Willis
Kendra & Brad Wilson
Pam & Steve Wilson
Our 2025 Jubilee Gala & Auction was a grand success thanks to the generous support of these corporate sponsors!
LiveOakFoundation
$146,400
Gifts and Pledges
Funds for the Future
This year the Live Oak Foundation established three funds that are meant to grow over time and provide enduring support for the heart of our mission: our curriculum, our faculty, and our students. Each fund bears the name of a beloved teacher whose wisdom has shaped countless students’ lives.
MICHELE JACKSON LEGACY FUND
The Michele Jackson Legacy Fund supports faculty development, provides tuition assistance for faculty children, and celebrates the tireless hospitality that Mrs. Jackson bestowed on every grammar student, family, and colleague she met during her 14 years at Live Oak. A special thanks to the Crenshaw, McNamee, and Willis families and Mrs. Jackson’s parents for planting seed gifts to help this fund grow
KATHERINE PITTS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Katherine Pitts Scholarship Fund honors a dedicated teacher who ensures that every student feels valued and has the opportunity to grow The fund supports students especially those with financial need to foster a school community where all can learn, lead, and live for the glory of God We are grateful to the Willis Family for establishing this fund – and to Mrs. Pitts for investing in all students!
DAWN HOLMES EDUCATIONAL FUND
After 16 years nurturing Live Oak’s children to embrace the beauty and wonder in God’s creation, Mrs. Holmes retired this year – but the Dawn Holmes Educational Fund ensures that her love of nature studies and the Charlotte Mason teaching philosophy carries on! We are grateful to the Holmes and Griesse families for providing the seed gifts to sustain this education for generations to come.
Building a Foundation for the Future
Rooted in Legacy
Thanks to a generous gift to the Live Oak Foundation, we were honored this year to name the Pam and Steve Wilson Gymnasium celebrating two of Live Oak’s most devoted grandparent supporters. This naming affirms our school’s enduring commitment to two values that Pam and Steve exemplify with graceful abundance – faith and family.
LIVE OAK
CLASSICAL FOUNDATION
Board of Directors 2024-2025
Smith Getterman, President
Kimberly Lucas, Secretary
Zack Maldonado, Treasurer
Craig Crenshaw
Brandon Haire
Kristi Hayes
Scott Omo
Lanissa Willis
Nicki Wilson
Preparing for Our Future
Flourish Campus Masterplan and New School Divisions for 2026-2027
This past spring, the Board of Trustees adopted the Flourish Campus Masterplan, a bold multi-phase vision for the future of Live Oak Classical School that begins with these Phase One initiatives:
Newlyalignedschooldivisions(seeright), creatinganopportunitytohouseall Grammarstudentsunderoneroofby renovatingtheexistingGrammarfrontoffice toincorporatetwo5 gradeclassroomsand affordingmorespaceforLogicstudents by dedicatingtheCottagesforLogicSchooluse th
RestorationofthehistoricFortHouseto providevitalspacefor Rhetoricstudentsto learnandgrow,familiestogather,and administratorstooffice
Criticalsafetyupgradesacrosscampus includingsecurevestibuleswithtwo-stage entryatmainbuildings
Phase One provides 4 classrooms for Logic & Rhetoric and minimizes street crossings for younger students.
9 - 12 Grade th th RHETORIC New School Divisions 2026-2027
Supporting Students, Building Relationships
Blessing Our Faculty and Staff
Following a remarkable inaugural year, we are excited to redouble our efforts to bless Live Oak’s faculty and staff with a meaningful Christmastime bonus. The 20252026 campaign will officially begin in November, but families are welcome to contribute at any time. Every gift to the GRACE Fund honors and uplifts those who serve our students with such dedication and joy
Cultivating A Vibrant Community
Formerly our general annual fund, the Acorn Society is a fundraising campaign that now directly supports the work of Friends of Fine Arts, Booster Club, and Parent Council groups that nurture our co-curricular programs, uplift our teachers, extend hospitality to families, and host beloved community events. Supporting the Society collectively strengthens our entire school culture
...and he will establish your plans. – Proverbs 16:3
