...the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
I S A I A H 6 1 : 3
As we finish celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Live Oak Classical School, I marvel at how a start-up school of less than 30 students became the largest private school in Waco. Live Oak was truly the planting of the Lord! As we begin a new chapter, we renew our commitment to rigorous academics with a Christian worldview. We give thanks for the bonds created between students, teachers, and families that extend well beyond our doors, and with great anticipation, we look ahead to see how God uses Live Oak Classical School to nurture the intellect, habituate the hearts, and feed the souls of the next generation.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Allison Moffatt Head of School
OUR MISSION
The mission of Live Oak Classical School is to equip students to love God with all their hearts, souls, and minds (Matt. 22:37). 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.
HIGHLIGHTS
Much of the 2023-2024 school year was spent cultivating the people, plans, and projects essential to sustaining Live Oak for years to come. With our mission as our guide star and a commitment to stewardship, our leadership:
Pursued a year-long process assessing Live Oak’s sustainability as defined by Independent School Management’s 15-Point Stability Markers Index.
Established additional staff positions to sustain school programs and operations including Assistant Deans for Grammar and Logic & Rhetoric, a Director of Fine Arts, Director of Advancement, and an additional Accountant in the Finance Office.
Began the Fort House construction project and selected an architect firm to craft Live Oak’s Master Campus Plan in Fall 2024.
Expanded the vision and purpose of the Live Oak Foundation to benefit tuition support and capital projects.
468
273
89
24
255
A F O U N D E R ’ S F A R E W E L L
After sharing her vision as a founder and serving for 12 years as Grammar Dean, Allison Buras faithfully completed her time with Live Oak this year In her parting announcement, she offered this blessing:
“I know that the tradition of teaching the grammar of virtue as well as pointing students to the fount of all virtue in the Father will flourish in Live Oak’s next 20 years.”
We lift up this prayer along with deep gratitude for all that Allison Buras has meant to Live Oak!
3rd Place Overall
Best Actor
All-Star Cast
All-Star Crew
District One Act Play
All Judges
Superior Rating
State Large
Ensemble Choir
5th Place B&W Drawing
5th Place Color Drawing
3rd Place Communication Design
2nd Place Computer Rendered Art
2nd Place Painting
6th & 7th Place 2D Mixed Media
2nd & 7th Place B&W Photography
8th Place Color Photography
3rd & 4th Place Relief Sculpture
2nd Place Fashion/Textile
1st & 2nd Place Applied Ind. Design
2nd Place Pottery
2nd & 7th Place On-Site Still Life
3rd-8th Places Art History
8th Place B&W Seek & Sketch
8th Place Color Seek & Sketch
TAPPS State Art Championship
Area Finalist Baseball
Regional Finalist Boys Basketball
Regional Finalist Girls Basketball
3rd Place State Cheer
Our Mission
State Champion Boys Cross Country
State Runner-Up Girls Cross Country
Regional Finalist Football
Area Finalist Girls Soccer
State Champion Boys Tennis
6th Place State Girls Tennis
9th Place State Girls Track
Bi-District Finalist Volleyball
TAPPS 3A Boys Overall Athletic Champion
A generous gift provided by Sue Getterman made possible this beautiful Live Oak bus that provides essential transportation for school trips and activities. Also, thanks to the incredible support of Jennifer and Michael Hillman, our community celebrated the “great American pastime” in beautiful Falcon Park this spring.
$4,991,726
* Does not include ongoing expenses associated with capital projects
$4,788,642 T
$253,492 $240,554 CASH DONATIONS
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
$289,000 GRANTS
Students received tuition assistance
29%
Families rely on tuition assistance
More than $600,000 was awarded in tuition assistance this year. Charitable giving makes a Live Oak education possible for more families in our community and helps provide excellent teachers and school programs.
DEVELOPING OUR DEVELOPMENT PHILOSOPHY
Much of what God has accomplished at Live Oak in the past 20 years has been financed through gifts large and small. As we build upon this foundation and plan for the future, cultivating a philosophy and strategy for resource development is one of our key priorities. We are honored by your heartfelt gifts no matter the size, knowing that God blesses the sacrificial and faithful giver (Luke 21:1-4). We trust that God will meet our needs in accordance with your faithful giving, and we pledge to steward those gifts toward enduring value for the future of our students, our school, and God’s kingdom. We also pledge to share with you the ways that God is blessing your gifts.
This year, we made significant enhancements to campus safety by providing a uniformed officer during school hours and at major events. Small and large gifts as well as funds raised at our annual Jubilee Gala helped to fund our $100,000 goal for this initiative.
FUNDS RAISED: $70,000
T u i t i o n A s s i s t a n c e
To sustain our enduring commitment to make a Live Oak education possible for more families in our community, we launched a dedicated campaign to create awareness and support for tuition assistance. Our inaugural Readathon event marked the beginning of an essential effort to fund the more than $600,000 in tuition assistance that is awarded annually to one fourth of our students.
FUNDS RAISED: $31,000
T e a c h e r s
As part of our strategic commitment to attract and retain excellent teachers, we raised funds at our annual Jubilee Gala dedicated to provide resources (e.g., laptops) and professional development opportunities.
FUNDS RAISED: $25,000
LEADERSHIP
2023-2024
LIVE OAK SCHOOL BOARD
PRESIDENT
Neil Luft
VICE PRESIDENT
Paul Barbieri
TREASURER
Heath Ivy*
Nicki Wilson SECRETARY
TRUSTEES
Grant Coburn
Jeremy Counseller
Melissa Ishio
Callie Schrank
Lanissa Willis*
2023-2024
LIVE OAK FOUNDATION BOARD
PRESIDENT
Smith Getterman
Kimberly Lucas SECRETARY
*also fill Ex-Officio positions on Live Oak Foundation Board
The Live Oak School Board is responsible for monitoring the school’s success in fulfilling its mission and advancing our strategic vision and plan. The Live Oak Foundation exists to generate funds to foster the overall enhancement of the school. The Foundation holds gifts designated to capital projects, tuition assistance, and other major gifts.
Kristi Hayes
Ben Lacy
Scott Omo DIRECTORS
The Carona Family
Christina & Craig Crenshaw
Kelly & Scott Drew
Kristin & Brandon Haire
FranGrowth
Sue Getterman
Tim & Nanci Griesse
Thrivent
Drs. Scott & Celeste Hecox
Jennifer & Michael Hillman
Nikki & David Oates
Job Link Personnel Services
Berkley & Kyle Knas
Lacy & Doug McNamee
Alison & Todd Moffatt
Alice & Greg Ogden
Esmeralda & John Sawyer
Brooke & Mark Siegmund
Cherry Johnson Siegmund James
Jordan & Brad Swann, Beau Swann
Brazos Eye Surgery
Pollyanna West
Lanissa & Blake Willis
Kendra & Brad Wilson
Pam & Steve Wilson
In addition to the generosity of these supporters, we are deeply grateful for each and every gift made in support of our school’s mission. Your generosity is like refreshing water! ~ Proverbs 11:25
SUPPORTERS
24
Students Class of 2024
GRADUATES
1 National Merit Commended
388 Service Hours Completed
11
Colleges Attending
71 College Acceptances
1 Military Enlistment
ALUMNI
With the addition of the graduating class of 2024, there are now 255 alumni of Live Oak Classical School. Fifty alumni returned to campus this fall to celebrate our 20th Anniversary Homecoming.
Two alumni, Hannah Tucker and Will Pitts, are now Live Oak faculty members. Alumni marriages and babies have begun, and we look forward to many more to come!
A GLIMPSE AHEAD
A C O R N S O C I E T Y
The 2024-2025 school year will mark a renewal and rebranding of the Acorn Society as a cornerstone fund of the school. Previously known as our annual fund that supported the general operational needs of Live Oak, gifts
T E A C H E R S & F A M I L I E S made to the Acorn Society will now directly support fine arts, athletics, teacher appreciation, and other events and programs that foster school community. Funds raised through the Acorn Society will empower the vital efforts of longstanding parent organizations like Parent Council and Booster Club, as well as new groups like Friends of Fine Arts.
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $50,000
Building our Tuition Assistance Fund remains a key priority as we strengthen our commitment to making a Live Oak education possible for more families. Likewise, we will renew our commitment to providing personnel and resources to enhance campus safety. Finally, as we work to recruit, support, and retain excellent teachers, we will launch new efforts focused on increasing financial support for benefits and compensation, classroom needs, and resources for professional development.
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $800,000
Flourish
CAMPAIGN
In fall 2024, the Fort House will undergo renovations to become the “Welcome Center” of Live Oak. This historic building will become the new home for our admissions and business offices previously housed in the Grammar School as well as much needed space to host meetings and small school gatherings. It will also include classroom space for Logic & Rhetoric use during the 2025-2026 school year as we enter the next phase of campus development.
Also this fall, the architectural design firm Studio8 will craft the campus master plan that will provide the vision for our future facilities and grounds. This phased plan will integrate wideranging community input and focus particularly on the needs of our Logic & Rhetoric School and programming needs such as Fine Arts.
