Wildwood Christian Academy

1. Wildwood Christian Academy Providing Excellence in Education

2. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” -Proverbs 22:6 The Need for a Private Christian School is here • The surrounding counties’ growth rate is one of the highest in the nation. • Pickens County is the 24th fastest growing county in the United States. • Dawson County is the fastest growing county in the state. • Wildwood Christian Academy is centrally located to Jasper, Dawsonville, • Dahlonega, Canton, and Big Canoe. • Families are moving from Atlanta and other urban communities to the • Northern counties for a better quality of life and see a need of excellence • in education and Christian Principles. • The northern counties surrounding Wildwood Christian Academy, which • include the counties of Dawson, Pickens, Cherokee, Forsyth and Lumpkin, • have extensive residential planned growth for families with home prices • ranging from $350,000 to over $1,000,000. • No private Christian school exists within 40 minutes of the proposed • location of Wildwood Christian Academy to offer an alternative to public • education or home schooling. 1

3. Mission Statement W ildwood Christian Academy is a college preparatory Christian school dedicated to providing excellence in education and growth in the Christian faith and its principles through a Christ-centered environment. Philosophy Wildwood Christian Academy believes that a child’s mental, spiritual, intellectual and physical growth are best achieved in a Christian environment. Wildwood Christian Academy adopts the Christian World View and welcomes students from all faiths and denominations. Through the belief and teaching of Christian principles along with a strong educational curriculum the student will be able to acquire the necessary tools and support to meet the challenges of college and life’s experiences. Wildwood Christian Academy further believes that parents of our students must partner their time and be strongly involved in assisting their children in their studies and in their growth in the Christian faith. Students will be educated through a strong core curriculum in math, science, language arts and social studies. Students will be enriched in areas of art, music, drama, foreign language, physical education and computer training. Our students will also be educated through bible courses, chapel attendance and the daily teachings by our Christian teachers and administration. 2

4. About Wildwood Christian Academy W ildwood Christian Academy will be located in Pickens County on a 14 acre tract of land at the intersection of Cove Road and Steve Tate Highway. The area is rich in tradition and near the North Georgia mountain community of Big Canoe. Wildwood Christian Academy will be centrally located to Jasper, Dawsonville, Canton, Cumming, and Dahlonega. • Tuition to Wildwood Christian Academy will be kept lower than most private schools in Atlanta. Capital needs will be provided through charitable contributions, long term pledges, and financial grants. • The school will be a non-profit school of excellence that will focus on a strong core curriculum and the teaching of Christian principles through daily Bible classes, weekly chapel fellowship, and daily mentoring by our teachers and administrators. • The governance of the school will be through a lay Board of Trustees, which will include business, community,religious, and family leaders. • Wildwood Christian Academy will be open to all denominations and faiths who share the vision of the school and its mission and philosophy. • The families who attend the school will know that their children will have instilled the hope of attending an excellent college of their choice. • Wildwood Christian Academy, when fully constructed, will be able to educate up to 700 students. The initial enrollment is expected between 50 and 100 students. Grades are expected to open at Kindergarten through 5th Grade. • Wildwood Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin in administration or its educational and admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs. Projected Student Enrollment • Kindergarten-5th Grade 50-100 Students • Kindergarten-6th Grade 100-150 Students • Kindergarten-7th Grade 200 Students • Kindergarten-8th Grade 250 Students • Kindergarten-8th Grade 300 Students • 2008 Kindergarten-8th Grade 350 Students • Students and Families are expected to attend from Pickens County, Dawson County, Forsyth County, Cherokee County, and Lumpkin County. 3

5. Curriculum and Faculty Curriculum Faculty • Wildwood Christian Academy will provide a strong core curriculum in mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies in a structured learning environment. • In addition to the core curriculum, WCA’s students will attend Bible courses and weekly chapel programs. • Wildwood Christian Academy believes that in order to follow the vision of the school, our teachers and administrators must use their excellent skills to teach our children in a Christian environment. • Our faculty will be carefully interviewed for experience, quality, and desire to teach in a Christ- centered environment. • A low teacher to student ratio will enable the best opportunities for the children’s growth in education. • Classes will provide art, music, Physical education, and computer training. • Our teachers will be expected to continue their own education to promote the highest quality in teaching our children. • Clergy from surrounding communities will be invited to lead regular and special chapel programs. • The Faculty will foster the school’s belief that every child is unique. They will promote within each child a strong desire to learn and prepare for college, and prepare them for life’s challenges through guidance and leadership. • Caring for each child’s spiritual and educational welfare will be foremost and the desire of all faculty, staff, and administration at Wildwood Christian Academy. • Through the use of the internet, special programs of learning will be sought to provide the children the most advanced learning opportunities from all over the world 4

6. Extra Curricular Activities W ildwood Christian Academy believes that in addition to a strong core curriculum and Christian teachings, a well-rounded student must also participate in activities outside of the school classroom. Home of the Wildwood Wolves • Upon completion of the gymnasium and sporting fields, the school intends to provide intramural sports such as baseball, basketball, soccer, football, volleyball, track, golf, gymnastics, and wrestling. • The North Georgia Region is rich in talented teachers of music, art, photography, voice, drama, and dance. These programs will be offered throughout the year as courses and as extra curricular activities. • Athletic events will be coordinated with other private schools and use of sporting fields and swimming facilities will be sought through neighboring programs. • Supervised field trips will be planned to introduce the students to the rich history of the area and state. • Parents, teachers, and neighbors will be encouraged to participate in and assist with extra-curricular activities, to share their resources and experience with the children • The Chaplain and visiting clergy will conduct special programs including holiday and choral programs. • Home-schooled children will be invited to participate in science labs, extra-curricular and after school enrichment programs. 5

7. Wildwood Christian Academy Phased Development W ildwood Christian Academy will be constructed in phases, with the first phase to include classrooms, administrative offices, and a Library/Media/Computer Center. Subsequent phases will include the separate fellowship hall, cafeteria, gymnasium, and sports centers. The school’s design has been purposely created to permit future expansion without interference with existing buildings and activities. W ildwood Christian Academy will be located at the intersection of Cove Road and Steve Tate Highway. Encompassing 14 acres, Wildwood Christian Academy will be near the center of commerce. The school will be near the Foothills shopping center, adjacent to current and future office developments, and in the immediate area of over 2500 planned family residences. 6

8. Funding Requirements F unding for Wildwood Christian Academy’s capital needs (buildings), facility needs, operating expenses, and student scholarships will come from private support, endorsements, pledges, tuition, and foundation support. Projected building costs will approach 10.0 Million. Financial support will come from interested parents, business leaders, friends, Christian leaders, churches, and others who share the vision of educating our precious youth with knowledge and Christian principles. “…but with God all things are possible” -Matthew 19:26 C urrently, there is no other established Christian or private secular school within 40 minutes of Wildwood Christian Academy. The need to open Wildwood Christian Academy is important in shaping the future of our children’s minds and futures. Operating Costs (Pre-opening)$700,000 Architect Fees, Grading, Permits, Water, Roads, Etc. $500,000 Classrooms, Administrative Building, Fellowship Hall, Gymnasium, and Sports/Activities Fields $8,500,000 Total Estimated Cost $9,700,000 7

9. Opportunities to Share the Vision Cornerstone All donors of $250,000 or more are Lifetime Charter Members. Cornerstone donors will be honored at formal ceremonies and be invited to major school events. Cornerstone Members will be invited to Special Founders Day Ceremonies and may participate in naming certain portions of the school. Fellowship Hall Gymnasium Chapel Library Cafeteria Scholarship Named Program Soccer Field Football Field Media Center Meditation Park Classroom Lake Music Room Art Room Drama Room Activities Room Wildwood Living Room Prayer Room Kitchen Equipment Gardens Fountain Benches Classroom Desks (per classroom) Meditation Walkway Bricks $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $200,000 $200,000 $100,000 $100,000 $75,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $25,000 $20,000 $10,000 $10,000 $5,000 $1,000 $250 Fellowship Fellowship donors provide a minimum of $100,000 as a sign of their faith in sharing the vision of the school. Fellowship donors are Charter Members and may participate in naming certain portions of the school. Founders Founders give a minimum of $50,000. Founders become Charter Members, have an opportunity to name certain portions of the school, and are named founders of the school. Visionaries Visionaries give a minimum of $25,000. Visionaries will be honored with a plaque in the school entrance. Guardians Guardians will give a minimum of $10,000 and will be honored with a plaque in the entrance of the school. Helping Hand Helping Hand donors will give a minimum of $5,000 and will be given special recognition. Golden Gift All donors of $50,000 or more will become Charter Members of the school and will receive the Wildwood Award. A Plaque will be permanently placed on our fellowship hall honoring Charter Membership whose gift is received by September. Charter Members will be included in special events and called upon to honor their gifts from time to time. 8

10. Open the Door to the Future Governance W ith the recent tragic events of “9-11”, we have all learned that living everyday is a gift from God with His promise of the gift of eternity. Our children are the future and they are the ones that will lead us forward in this day of uncertainty. You are invited to share in making the future more certain and to participate in opening the doors of creativity, imagination, talent and success for our community and its children. With your commitment and support we will build a center of learning that will move our community to a new dimension, create endless possibilities for our children, and be respected by many. With your prayers and financial support, Wildwood Christian Academy will move from vision to reality. Be generous in your faith and your giving. God bless you. Board of Trustees “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” -Alexander Graham Bell Larry Ruff, Chairman of the Board and CEO Pamela B. Ruff, Executive Vice President/Treasurer Nancy Hammer, Headmaster and Accreditation Coordinator Jean Berry, Secretary Paul Castell, Construction Services Sam Rothermel, Chaplain Sean C. Powell, Director of Technology Jacque Jacobs Taylor McGown Dianne Rogers David Keller Becky Denney “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” -Galatians 6:10 9