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.
SOME OF THE WAYS WE FULFILL OUR MISSION:
FINE SCHOLARSHIP WITH ITS FULFILLMENT AT COLLEGE
TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL HAS FOUR MAIN OBJECTIVES FOR ITS STUDENTS. 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
1005 2025-2026 ENROLLMENT
18% STUDENTS OF COLOR
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).
22% OF STUDENTS RECEIVE NEED-BASED FINANCIAL AID
94% OF STUDENTS RE-ENROLLED 47 DIFFERENT ZIP CODES
STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 11:1
TEACHING FACULTY AVERAGE YEARS TEACHING: 21
TEACHING FACULTY AVERAGE YEARS AT TVS: 10
TEACHING FACULTY WITH MASTER’S DEGREES: 43%
TEACHING FACULTY WITH DOCTORAL DEGREES: 9%
THERE ARE MORE THAN 50 STUDENTDRIVEN CLUBS IN UPPER SCHOOL
THE TVS CAMPUS CONSISTS OF 317,000 SQUARE FEET OF BUILDINGS ON 75 ACRES
TVS FUNDED OVER $266,000 IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & CONTINUING EDUCATION
XPLORE OFFERS MORE THAN 180 SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASSES FOR ALL AGES
TVS FAMILIES REPRESENT MORE THAN 88 DIFFERENT HERITAGE COUNTRIES
ENDOWMENT BALANCE APPROXIMATELY $53 MILLION
AVERAGE CLASS SIZES
GRADUATE
STATS FROM THE LAST FIVE YEARS
426
Total Graduates
16 15 12
33
19
Total Number of Community Service Hours Served (Over 107 Hours per Graduate)
Number of States in Which Graduates Attend College, Including the District of Columbia 21%
Graduates that Received National Recognitions by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation or by the College Board Recognition Program
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
• Lower 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.
• Students engage in Spanish and in Chinese classes five days per week, learning not just the language but also the culture.
• Various after-school clubs allow students to explore new interests, including Trojan Tunes Choir, Dance classes, Chess Club, Chinese Club, Yoga Club, and Bricks4Kidz.
• Teachers 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.
“ TVS 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.
CLASS OF 2025
2024-2025 SPC STATS
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
3-PEAT CHAMPIONS
FIELD HOCKEY BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS
GIRLS’ SOCCER
3-PEAT CHAMPIONS
COURTNEY M cCRACKEN
800, 1600, 3200
3-PEAT CHAMPION
BEN NGISHU TRIPLE JUMP
SCHOOL RECORD
3-PEAT CHAMPION
COLLEGIATE SIGNING DAY
Benton Cantey Auburn University Football
Ben Ngishu Hillsdale College Football
Jayden Lopez University of the Ozarks Baseball
Mac Unruh Dordt University Volleyball
AJ Deem University of Utah Tennis
Courtney McCracken Massachusetts Institute of Technology Track & Cross Country
“ 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.
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
ON-CAMPUS FACILITIES INCLUDE:
TOE PAVILION
HIGH ROPES COURSE
40-FOOT CLIMBING 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
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.
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
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 ʼ 25, 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.
TVS
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
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.
