TVS Viewbook 2025-2026

TVS

PK-12, COED, INDEPENDENT SCHO OL OF FORT WORTH | 2025-2026

At TVS, respect, wisdom, and compassion are not just values but lived experiences. Our students are encouraged to think deeply, act wisely, and engage with the world ethically, preparing them to navigate their personal and professional lives with confidence and integrity. Our commitment to excellence ensures there is no shortage of ways to learn and grow, because it is through exploration that students expand their potential. Let our experts partner with you to strengthen the heart and mind of your child!

BEN COURCHESNE TVS HEAD OF SCHOOL

Ben Courchesne is an educator and leader who believes the best schools launch students into the world with both confidence and humility. Drawing on a career spanning teaching, coaching, and school leadership, he has a collaborative and thoughtful approach to fostering communities of trust, curiosity, and moral purpose. Ben has a reputation for honoring tradition while fostering innovation, and for building cultures where every voice matters and every student is seen.

For Ben, education is about more than academics alone: it is about nurturing curiosity, building wide and constructive interests, developing intelligent citizenship, and guiding spiritual and moral growth. He believes leadership begins with listening and that the best schools are those where adults and students walk alongside each other, learning and growing together. Ben’s vision for TVS centers around student empowerment, academic excellence, and the lifelong pursuit of wisdom.

TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL HAS FOUR MAIN OBJECTIVES FOR ITS STUDENTS.

SOME OF THE WAYS WE FULFILL OUR MISSION: FINE SCHOLARSHIP WITH ITS FULFILLMENT AT COLLEGE

THE DEVELOPMENT OF WIDE CONSTRUCTIVE INTERESTS

100% of Students Attend College Multiple AP Exam Readers and Writers Visiting Authors/Artists/Experts Certificate Programs and Senior Projects Student-Faculty Interaction

Fine Arts/Athletics XPLORE Summer Classes Middle and Upper School Clubs Middle School Selectives International Visitors/Host Families After-School Programs

INTELLIGENT CITIZENSHIP

Trojan Outdoor Experience Program Global Education Program Community Service Community Partners Program Skills for Tomorrow Student Mentors Trojan Tutors Mind Makers

SPIRITUAL AND MORAL DEVELOPMENT WHICH PROMOTES LASTING VALUES Positive Action/Virtue of the Month Monthly Character Assemblies TVS Honor Code Buddy System Advisory Program Moral Compass

Second grade uses Ozobots in the STEAM Lab.

BY THE NUMBERS 2025-2026 ENROLLMENT

1005

18% COLOR 47 ZIP CODES 22% RECEIVE 94% STUDENTS OF

D I F F E R E N T

OF STUDENTS

NEED-BASED FINANCIAL AID

RETENTION: More than 94% of our students returned for the 2025-2026 school year; the national average for independent schools is 89.3% (all NAIS day schools) or 94% (similarly sized schools).

STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO:

OF STUDENTS RE-ENROLLED

11:1

TEACHING FACULTY AVERAGE YEARS TEACHING: TEACHING FACULTY AVERAGE YEARS AT TVS:

21

10

TEACHING FACULTY WITH MASTER’S DEGREES:

43%

TEACHING FACULTY WITH DOCTORAL DEGREES:

9%

TVS

THERE ARE MORE THAN

50 STUDENTDRIVEN CLUBS IN UPPER SCHOOL

THE TVS CAMPUS CONSISTS OF

317,000 SQUARE FEET OF BUILDINGS ON 75 ACRES

FUNDED OVER $266,000

XPLORE OFFERS MORE THAN

180 SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASSES

IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & CONTINUING EDUCATION

FOR ALL AGES

TVS FAMILIES REPRESENT MORE THAN

88 DIFFERENT HERITAGE COUNTRIES

ENDOWMENT BALANCE APPROXIMATELY $53 MILLION

AVERAGE

16

MIDDLE

19 15

UPPER

LOWER

PRE-K

CLASS SIZES

12

GRADUATE STATS FROM THE LAST FIVE YEARS

426 33

Total Graduates Graduates Awarded Merit Scholarships

Number of States in Which Graduates Attend College, Including the District of Columbia

Total Number of Community Service Hours Served (Over 107 Hours per Graduate)

21%

77%

45,729

Graduates that Received National Recognitions by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation or by the College Board Recognition Program

Committed Collegiate Athletes

22

LOWER SCHOOL Our foundation in the Lower School (grades Pre-K–4) is built on developmentally appropriate practices. The teaching of social and life skills while planting the seeds for a love of learning begins with our youngest Trojans and continues into grades K-4. Our most passionate area of teaching is a School-wide focus on life skills we believe will predict success for our children and our community at large. Our faculty and staff model thoughtful, intentional examples of how to make a significant difference in the lives of others. Empathy, compassion, respect, integrity, courage, determination, and cooperation are just a few of the values taught and lived out at Trinity Valley School. We believe these values, along with strong academics, will strengthen the hearts and minds of our children. Curriculum steeped in life skills, monthly assemblies celebrating students who exhibit strong character, and fourth-grade student leaders sharing words of inspiration daily with younger students are the bedrocks of our teaching.

JULIE KNUDSEN, HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

•L ower School engages our students in many

co-curricular areas, including physical education, music, art, library skills, technology, and world languages which are taught by specialists in each area.

•S tudents engage in Spanish and in Chinese

classes five days per week, learning not just the language but also the culture.

•V arious after-school clubs allow students to

explore new interests, including Trojan Tunes Choir, Dance classes, Chess Club, Chinese Club, Yoga Club, and Bricks4Kidz.

•T eachers incorporate a character value of the

month into daily lessons, as well as weekly social skills. The entire Lower School focuses on the same character value of the month and social skill of the week together.

Lower School Playground

“At TVS, children are known and loved, embraced for who they are today, and guided with care toward who they can become.”

THE MING FAMILY, LOWER AND MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS

“Kindergarten at Trinity Valley is truly magical! It is amazing to watch our young Trojans as they discover math, language, science, and social studies through handson play and exploration. My favorite part of teaching Kindergarten is watching my students learn to read and develop a love of learning. Being a part of the Trinity Valley School community is a wonderful experience, and I enjoy helping my students develop relationships that will last a lifetime!”

KATE MONROE, KINDERGARTEN Since 2008

MIDDLE SCHOOL The amount of physiological and neurological development that occurs during the middle-school years is second only to the first four years in a child’s life, and the Trinity Valley Middle School (grades 5-8) has adopted an approach that considers this pivotal time. Each day, we focus on an environment that not only accentuates individual strengths but also encourages students out of their comfort zones, building resiliency and perseverance. We strive to meet the social, emotional, and cognitive needs of Middle School students while fostering creative problem solving, innovative thinking, and community connection. Through a blend of traditional and unique programming, we provide our students with the tools to be successful inside and outside of the classroom, and more importantly, in life. Our incredible faculty members are constantly pushing themselves, and though they are experts in their fields, they are - first and foremost - experts in student engagement.

DR. ALEXANDRA CHANNELL, HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Once a week, fifth- and sixth-grade students participate in Skills for Tomorrow, a course that engages an experiential learning model to promote collaborative problem solving, empathic communication, and adaptability.

• Selectives is offered to our seventh and eighth graders, allowing students to choose from a variety of offerings designed by our innovative teachers to encourage discovery; out-of-the-box thinking; building and tinkering; and creativity.

• Our student committee model provides opportunities for authentic leadership development that includes more than 80 students in various committees. One example is the Assembly Committee where students plan and lead weekly assemblies that celebrate the contributions, talents, and achievements of our Middle School students.

• Each Middle School student is assigned to a faculty member who acts as a trusted advocate and guide for all four years of Middle School. Our advisory program helps foster a sense of belonging for all Middle School students and provides support and encouragement both from the advisor and within the group.

“ I teach science because in no other job can you make a mess, blow things up, play with microscopes, and ignite a lasting love for science. I teach science because it allows me to open students’ minds to our magical, mystical world. I want my students to embrace the possibilities of science through experimentation, develop a critical lens when looking at the world, and love the fun that goes with it. Guiding students to understand ‘why’ is my greatest joy.”

ROBIN PRESTON, MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE Since 1981

“The importance of the TVS culture cannot be understated - everyone is helping each other to become better versions of themselves. Better students, better teachers, better parents.”

DR. COURTNEY CRAWFORD, MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT

UPPER SCHOOL In the Upper School, every program, interaction, and opportunity is designed to prepare our young people for college and the broader world. Departments and faculty have the license and encouragement to make decisions about curriculum and offerings that prioritize: • Foundational, transferable academic skills • Utilizing faculty expertise and passion to capture student attention and inspire engagement • An increasing focus on structuring learning around authentic experiences (or at least strong simulations of authentic experiences) • Leveraging the power of existing and growing relationships to deepen and strengthen the efficacy and transferability of student learning We prioritize hiring and retaining faculty who are not only skilled and capable teachers, but highly educated and/or very technically capable in their fields.

KYLE KAHUDA, HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL

• Upper School offers a broad range of elective classes in each subject area from which students can meet and exceed the necessary number of classes in each discipline.

• The Upper School Advisory Program is designed to supplement the robust academic curriculum by providing content related to college planning, goal setting, and social-emotional skill building for Upper School students.

• Upper School clubs are student-led with faculty sponsorship and change yearly to reflect student interest and involvement.

• Our dedicated College Counselors guide our students as they prepare to further their education, provide one-on-one counseling starting sophomore year, and support students throughout the college-application process.

“ T VS provides an environment that focuses on kindness and compassion. You feel it the minute you step on campus.”

ALLISON JONES, UPPER SCHOOL PARENT

“I fell in love with Trinity Valley 10 minutes after I arrived, which was nine minutes after I began talking to School Founder Stephen Seleny! Mr. Seleny’s vision combined strong spiritual values with powerful intellectual growth. Dynamic athletic and artistic achievements are emphasized in Trinity Valley culture, giving all students the opportunity to become impressive, wellrounded people. Over my more than 35 years at Trinity Valley, I hope my love of studying history has been contagious to all in my classroom, transforming what might be viewed as merely a required course into an eagerly anticipated highlight of their day.”

JAMES SCOTT, UPPER SCHOOL HISTORY Since 1989

ATHLETICS The philosophy of the athletic program at Trinity Valley School is to enhance the students’ cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being through selected athletic activities consistent with the TVS mission statement. The athletic program provides the students with opportunities to compete against other schools, to be challenged as individuals, and to learn to work with others to achieve goals as a team.

2024-2025 SPC STATS GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL 3-PEAT CHAMPIONS

CLASS OF 2025

COLLEGIATE SIGNING DAY Benton Cantey Auburn University Football

AJ Deem University of Utah Tennis

Jayden Lopez University of the Ozarks Baseball

Ben Ngishu Hillsdale College Football

Courtney McCracken Massachusetts Institute of Technology Track & Cross Country

Mac Unruh Dordt University Volleyball

FIELD HOCKEY BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS GIRLS’ SOCCER 3-PEAT CHAMPIONS COURTNEY McCRACKEN 800, 1600, 3200 3-PEAT CHAMPION BEN NGISHU TRIPLE JUMP SCHOOL RECORD

3-PEAT CHAMPION

“ I am a Trojan lifer. I was a 13-year student, attended Wake Forest University on a field hockey scholarship, and am now in my 21st year at Trinity Valley as head field hockey coach. While winning is fun and ensures that everyone involved is content, we as a staff seek teachable moments. We believe that in order to promote growth and learning, we must instill attributes such as mindfulness, accountability, and resilience while creating an enthusiastic and fun environment.”

CLAIRE PEARCE ’01, FIELD HOCKEY COACH Since 2005

GRADES K-8 HAVE

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

5 DAYS PER WEEK

PRE-K: 4 DAYS PER WEEK

23 SPORTS

68 TEAMS/YEAR

TROJAN OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE A 45-plus-year tradition of taking our students out of the classroom to add to their overall education through experiential learning Do you want your child to succeed? Let him or her fail. Resilience is born through the Trojan Outdoor Experience (TOE) Program. By fostering an environment of healthy risk-taking, teamwork, and self-discovery, the program encourages students to explore the world in innovative ways.

Trojans adventure to Austria with TOE Beyond for hiking and exploration, Summer 2023.

ON-CAMPUS FACILITIES INCLUDE: 40-FOOT HIGH CLIMBING T O E ROPES PAVILION COURSE WALL

TVS ARCHAEOLOGY The Upper School course “Archaeology: Digging into History” is team-teaching at its finest. The course introduces the science and processes of an archaeological dig site.

Then themes are shared around Equity and Inclusion.

Archaeology gives voice to people whose stories have never been parts of written historical records. Students understand how archaeology helps us view a classical culture and community. The class works on digs at our Salado property with experts in the fields of archaeology and geology.

SALADO PROPERTY

IF YOUR CHILD WERE TO BEGIN TVS IN PRE-KINDERGARTEN, HE OR SHE WOULD SPEND 16-25 NIGHTS IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS THROUGH THE TOE PROGRAM BEFORE GRADUATION.

THAT EQUALS

645 TOTAL HOURS

OF ACTIVE OUTDOOR LEARNING EXPERIENCES

A TVS family has generously partnered with the School to provide our students and faculty access to the family’s land in Salado. There have been more than 2.5 million artifacts and mammoth remains collected on only 3% of the property.

Our Trojans are studying university-level archaeology and anthropology as part of our TOE program.

GLOBAL EDUCATION Do you want your child to see the world through different lenses? Do you want to instill respect and understanding of people of diverse backgrounds? We prepare all our students to become globally connected, conscientious citizens through online and in-person exchanges. We want our students to become leaders by cultivating the essential global competencies and life skills of self-awareness, cross-cultural communication and understanding, and empathy. Global Education is found in all grade levels, Pre-K–12, and in and out of the classroom.

Ed Wood and Ryan Ellis with Danish Assistant Teachers Signe Betzer and Christina Sørensen when Ed and Ryan visited schools and universities in Denmark in March 2020 for professional development.

192 STUDENTS

& TEACHERS HAVE HOME-HOSTED

465 INTERNATIONAL

GUESTS FROM 23 COUNTRIES SINCE THE LAUNCH

OF THE PROGRAM

IN 2011

47 INTERNATIONAL

ASSISTANT TEACHERS

FROM 5 COUNTRIES

HAVE TAUGHT IN

ALL GRADES

IN-PERSON

EXCHANGES

550 STUDENTS

HAVE TRAVELED TO

18 COUNTRIES SINCE 2012

IN 2024-2025

EVERY STUDENT CONNECTED VIRTUALLY

OR IN-PERSON WITH A GLOBAL FRIEND

SPANNING 201,855+ MILES 17 COUNTRIES

The arts faculty at TVS employs both traditional and non-traditional methods to expand and enrich each student’s creative capabilities. It is important for all students to understand the fundamental aspects of these disciplines and recognize that these experiences build intellectual curiosity and academic growth. Creativity is a tremendous asset in any endeavor, from the sciences and mathematics to law and back again to the arts.

FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS

LOWER SCHOOL VISUAL ART: Drawing, painting, ceramics, oil pastels, weaving MUSIC: Kodaly approach to music; ORFF instruments; pitched and non-pitched instruments; choir (3rd and 4th grades); OAKE Honor Choir; stringed-instrument instruction; orchestra PERFORMING ARTS: Class plays each year — stage production with costumes DANCE: Ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop available after school

MIDDLE SCHOOL VISUAL ART: Drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, industrial design, photography MUSIC: Vocal instruction; ORFF instruments; drums; video production; choir and OAKE Honor Choir; stringed-instrument instruction; orchestra PERFORMING ARTS: Drama Club, 5th- and 6th-grade musical, 7th- and 8th-grade musical with an average cast size of 80+ students DANCE: ABT ® ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop; competitive performance program; athletic credit available

UPPER SCHOOL VISUAL ART: 2D drawing and painting, 3D studies, mosaics and fused glass, ceramics, photography, professional artist workshops, juried art shows, and annual student-led exhibition MUSIC: Choir; Honor Choir; OAKE Honor Choir; drumline; All-State Choir and All-State Orchestra; stringed-instrument instruction PERFORMING ARTS: Annual musical, drama, and comedy productions; senior-directed one-act plays TECHNICAL THEATER: Full workshop, set design, and construction; lighting and sound design DANCE: Ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop; competitive performance program; athletic and fine art credit available Students participate in the ISAS Arts Festival with other schools

7,300 SQUARE FEET

OF STUDIO ART SPACE

IN FIVE STUDIOS

FOR STUDENTS

DAILY FINE ARTS

INSTRUCTION IN GRADES PRE-K–8

“ I love theater because of its power to effect positive change in the world. I love sharing that passion with my students.

I prefer to work on plays that are just a little beyond our reach, for it is in the stretching required to produce them that much growth happens. I never settle for mediocrity on the stage because I know what students are capable of achieving when they really give it their all. Often, when stretched, they end up surprising even themselves at how much they accomplished. I am thrilled when student actors and designers courageously overcome obstacles to gain confidence that will serve them for a lifetime. That’s the beauty — and magic — of theater!”

GENE SESSA, UPPER SCHOOL THEATER Since 2008

COMMUNITY SERVICE A Day of Service takes place each semester during which Upper School students spend the day volunteering for a local non-profit or helping with projects on campus.

In 2024-2025, the Middle School Community Service Committee coordinated a Middle School-wide community service project to support schools impacted by the California wildfires by collecting school supplies to be donated and creating cards of encouragement and support for the affected students and teachers.

TOE & GLOBAL EDUCATION Signature programs expand our students’ worldview, offer experiential education, foster a sense of global citizenship, and teach the importance of community.

INTELLIGENT CITIZENSHIP

BUDDY PROGRAM & TROJAN TUTORS Upper School students help chaperone TOE trips and mentor Lower School and Middle School students through Trojan Tutors and leading special groups/clubs. One example is Tejas Sukesh ʼ25, who led a TVS Lower School mathematics group during his time as an Upper School student.

VOTING Students are taught the importance of engaging in politics in a healthy way and honoring our right to vote. During election years, seniors who are of age to vote are taken to cast their votes during the school day with US Government teachers to put what they are learning into action with the help and support of TVS faculty.

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY TVS created a faculty and staff AI Research and Exploration (AIRE) team in the fall of 2023 to discuss the impact of AI on students and learning. From this, the “Responsible Use Menu” was initiated; development continues as AI changes. EdTech Innovation Specialist Lindsey Betsill created an advisory lesson for Upper School students which provided a safe space for students to give their opinions and insights into the positives of and concerns about AI. Because of the collaborative conversations with students, a new menu item was added to the “Responsible Use Menu” providing guidelines around using “AI as a Study Tool.” Student voices continue to be heard and valued in the ongoing conversation about AI, and young alumni will be included in future conversations to help TVS better prepare our current students for their futures.

INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT In pursuit of educational excellence, we believe fine scholarship and intelligent citizenship are best achieved in a welcoming, inclusive, and diverse community where every person experiences a strong sense of belonging. We commit to teaching and learning in a way that develops students to be upstanding and empathetic leaders to shape a more hopeful world.

ADMISSIONS OFFICE 817.321.0100 | TVS.org REGAN GILSTRAP ’01 Director of Admissions & Enrollment Management gilstrapr@tvs.org JACOB HAYLEY Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid hayleyj@tvs.org ALLISON SHAPARD Assistant Director of Admissions and Assessment shaparda@tvs.org ASHLEY RIEMITIS ’16 Admissions Coordinator riemitisae@tvs.org

TVS

Trinity Valley School is an independent, co-ed, college preparatory, day school for students in Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12. It is the policy of Trinity Valley to administer its educational programs, including admissions and financial aid, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethic origin, or disability.