First Presbyterian Day School

What First Presbyterian Day School does

First Presbyterian Day School (FPDS) is a private Christian elementary school founded in 1965 in Jackson, Mississippi, operating as a ministry of First Presbyterian Church and accredited by the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools. The school serves children from infants through sixth grade at a single campus at 1390 N State Street, with families drawn from approximately 25 Jackson-metro communities. Programs span Early Childhood (infants to age 2, licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health), Preschool (K3-K5), Elementary (grades 1-6), and a specialized Dyslexia Program established in 2017 offering immersion classes, hybrid classes, and academic coaching. The curriculum integrates daily Bible class, weekly chapel, low student-teacher ratios (6:1 in preschool up to 15:1 in upper grades), an Apple-school iPad deployment model, and an Innovation Lab featuring 3D printers and podcasting equipment. Enrichment spans fine arts (choir, strings, theatricals), athletics (basketball, football, volleyball, track, cheerleading, swim), 20+ extracurriculars, after-school care, and summer programs.

FPDS generates revenue primarily through tuition and enrollment fees structured by grade band, with annual enrollment fees ranging from $295 (Early Childhood) to $595 (Grades 1-6). Auxiliary subscription and usage-based revenue streams include After School Care (Company) at $160/month or $30 drop-in, the Under The Oaks summer camp ($375-$1,650 tiered), specialty summer camps ($85-$150), and extracurricular activities ($40-$119 monthly). Annual fundraising is anchored by the Holiday Potpourri event (in operation since 1974), which generates $200,000-$250,000 for educational and extracurricular improvements, supplemented by Patron donations ranging $250-$20,000. In 2025-2026 the school awarded $344,000+ in need-based financial aid to 90+ families. Mississippi Children's Promise Act participation enables dollar-for-dollar state tax-credit corporate donations. Admissions are managed through FACTS/RenWeb with priority consideration for staff, First Presbyterian Church members, and siblings. The school is governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees elected by First Presbyterian Church and led by Head of School Jonathan Lancaster; in 2025 the Board engaged The Canaan Group to develop a 2026-2031 strategic plan.

Name

First Presbyterian Day School

Legal name

First Presbyterian Day School

Website

https://fpds.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

First Presbyterian Day School is a private Christian elementary school in Jackson, Mississippi serving children from infancy through sixth grade with a Christ-centered curriculum, low student-teacher ratios, an Apple-school technology program, and a specialized Dyslexia Program, operating as a ministry of First Presbyterian Church since 1965.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Christian Elementary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Early Learning Academies (EDACADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Preschools (EDACABAF), Faith-Based Before/After Care Programs (Early Years) (EDACAHAE)

Keywords

• Private elementary education
• Christian school programs
• Early childhood education
• After school care
• Dyslexia intervention

Headquarters

HQ city

Jackson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Enrollment Fees: Annual tuition payments from families across multiple programs including early childhood (infant-K4), preschool (K3-K5), and grades 1-6. Enrollment fees vary by grade level from $295 to $595 per student.
2. After School Care (Company): After-school care program billed monthly at $160 or drop-in at $30/day, with Sports+Company option at $40/season
3. Summer Programs: Under The Oaks summer day camp generating revenue through tiered registration options including Full Camp ($1,650), One Month ($875), Two Week Drop-In ($600), and One Week Drop-In ($375)
4. Summer Camps: Short-term specialty camps including Garden Camp ($150), First Grade Prep ($120), and Basketball Camp ($85)
5. Extracurricular Activities: After-school enrichment programs including music lessons, dance, martial arts, and clubs with monthly tuition ranging from $40-$119
6. Holiday Potpourri Fundraiser: Annual fundraiser generating $200,000-$250,000 for educational and extracurricular improvements, supplemented by Patron donations at various levels ($250-$20,000)
7. Children's Promise Act Donations: State tax credit program allowing businesses to make tax-deductible contributions to FPDS as an Educational Services Charitable Organization

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

First Presbyterian Day School is a private Christian elementary school that provides faith-integrated academic instruction for children from infants through 6th grade on its Jackson, Mississippi campus. Its core offering is a continuous educational journey spanning Early Childhood (licensed infant and toddler care), Preschool (K3-K4), Kindergarten (K5), and Elementary grades 1-6, supported by auxiliary programs including After School Care (Company), Under The Oaks Summer Camp, specialty Summer Camps, Athletics, Fine Arts, Extracurricular Activities, and a specialized Dyslexia Program. The school delivers this as a single on-campus service through tiered tuition, enrollment fees, and financial aid.

Product overview

First Presbyterian Day School is a private Christian elementary school offering a unified educational program spanning Early Childhood (infants to age 2), Preschool (K3-K4), Kindergarten (K5), and Elementary (1st-6th grade). The core academic program is supplemented by specialized services including a Dyslexia Program (immersion classes, hybrid, and academic coaching), Fine Arts (Choir, Strings, theatrical productions), and Athletics (basketball, football, volleyball, track). Auxiliary services include After School Care (Company), Summer Programs (Under The Oaks camp and specialty camps), and Extracurricular Activities. Technology integration throughout the curriculum includes iPad programs, Innovation Lab STEM experiences, and Apple school infrastructure. The school operates as a single integrated educational institution, not a modular software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Program Nurturing child care and developmental program for infants through two-year-olds, operating Monday through Friday 7:15am-6:00pm, licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health, with a 5:1 infant-to-teacher ratio and 7:1 ratio for Pre-K2.
• Preschool Program (K3 & K4) Play-based preschool curriculum for three- and four-year-olds with certified teachers focusing on social and academic foundations, including half-day and full-day options with daily specials in art, music, library, and movement.
• Kindergarten (K5) Full-day and half-day kindergarten program building academic foundations in reading, writing, and math through a hands-on curriculum, introducing technology with smart boards and Idea Lab STEM experiences.
• First and Second Grade Elementary program developing reading, writing, and an introduction to science labs, with smart boards, iPads, and weekly Idea Lab visits for coding and robotics engineering.
• Third and Fourth Grade Elementary program emphasizing the transition from learning to read to reading to learn, including Innovation Lab STEM projects, 3D printing, an annual STEM Fair, and assigned personal iPads for fourth graders.
• Fifth and Sixth Grade Upper elementary program preparing students for middle school through the Learn to Lead program, with personal take-home iPads, Innovation Lab work in 3D printing and podcasting, accelerated math, and the Quest program.
• Dyslexia Program Christ-centered dyslexia support program offering immersion classes for 2nd-4th grade, a hybrid class for 4th grade transition, academic coaching for 5th-6th grade, and individual or small group dyslexia therapy for grades 1-6, using structured multi-sensory language intervention.
• Company (After School Care) After school care program available for preschool through sixth grade students needing supervision after 2:45pm carpool, with monthly, drop-in, and Sports+Company enrollment options from $30/day to $160/month.
• Under The Oaks Summer Camp Summer day camp running June 1-July 24 for rising K4-6th grade students, featuring water days, music, STEM building, crafts, team games, and field trips, with registration options from $375/one week to $1,650/full camp.
• Summer Camps (Garden Camp, First Grade Prep Camp, Basketball Camp) Short-term specialty camps including Garden Camp (rising K3-K5) for $150/student, First Grade Prep Camp for $120/student, and Basketball Camp for $85/player across rising 3rd-6th grade sessions.
• Extracurricular Activities After-school enrichment catalog including Soccer Shots, Jr. LEGO Engineering, Kinder Piano, Ukulele Karate, Tiger Rock Martial Arts, Arise and Shine Dance, Creative Kids Art, Chess Club, Robo-Coders, and The Buzz Podcast, offered by semester or school year with monthly tuition between $40 and $119.
• Fine Arts Program Choir program (Honor Choir for 6th grade, Fifth Grade Choir), Strings Music Program teaching cello, viola, violin, and string bass, plus annual grade-level theatrical productions from K3 through 5th grade.
• Athletics Program Competitive sports including basketball (3rd-6th grade), football (5th-6th grade boys), volleyball (5th-6th grade girls via Mississippi Volleyball Club partnership), cheerleading, swim team, and track, emphasizing sportsmanship and participation.
• Innovation Lab / Idea Lab (STEM facilities) STEM education facility featuring 3D printers, podcasting equipment, and hands-on technology projects in the Innovation Lab and an Idea Lab with age-appropriate coding, robotics engineering, and interactive learning tools serving students K through 6th grade.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6:1 student-teacher ratio in preschool
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Canaan GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Strategic planning partnership established in 2025 with The Canaan Group of Chattanooga, Tennessee to develop unified roadmap for 2026-2031 strategic plan identifying key areas of impact, strategic priorities, and measures of success.
• Mississippi Volleyball ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Mississippi Volleyball Club to provide competitive volleyball teams for 5th and 6th grade girls with clinics and 3-4 week competitive season.
• Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS)coreOthersFPDS is accredited by the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools, a state-level accrediting body for independent schools.
• Elior Independents School Dining (Lexington Independents)minorOthersProvides food service for FPDS including daily lunch menus posted on fpds.campus-dining.com. Contact: Food Service Manager Joseph Bonner.
• First Presbyterian Church JacksoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent church organization whose officers elect the 15-member Board of Trustees. Church pastors speak monthly at chapel services. FPDS founded on church campus in 1965 in response to Supreme Court rulings on prayer in public schools.
• Christ Covenant SchoolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts Teams Camp for 5th-6th grade boys basketball on June 11-12; FPDS teams participate in this combined regional athletics event.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Academy at Good Hope: Independent private school in the Jackson, Mississippi market. Comparable to FPDS as a tuition-driven day school serving local families with a K-8 educational offering.
• Jackson Preparatory School: A leading private PreK-12 day school in Jackson, Mississippi. Operates in the same metropolitan market as FPDS, serves a comparable tuition-paying parent segment, and competes directly for families seeking independent education in Jackson-metro.
• Stratford Schools: Network of private, faith-friendly day schools in the Southeast U.S. serving preschool through middle school. Comparable business model — tuition-driven, faith-adjacent, STEM and enrichment-augmented — though operating in different geographies.
• Hartfield Academy: Private Christian school serving the Jackson-metro area. Closely comparable to FPDS in faith-based positioning, programmatic structure (academics plus athletics and fine arts), and family demographic.
• Brandon Academy: Private PreK-12 school located in Brandon, a Jackson-metro suburb. Operates in the same regional parent market and competes for families seeking independent education in the tri-county area.
• Christ Covenant School: Christian school in the Jackson-metro area that partners with FPDS for combined athletics events. Competes for the same Christian-education family segment with overlapping grade-band and value proposition.

Regional players

• Mississippi University for Women: Public university located in Columbus, Mississippi. Not a direct competitor but operates in the same Mississippi educational landscape, with overlapping faculty/talent pool and similar faith-community roots in the state's independent school ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Magnolia Speech School: Mississippi-based specialty school with a learning-differences focus, including services for students with dyslexia and language-based learning needs. Directly comparable to FPDS's Dyslexia Program offering and competes for the same specialized-learning-support family niche.

Others

• Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS): State-level accrediting body for Mississippi independent schools, of which FPDS is an accredited member. Functions as an ecosystem/regulatory peer — comparable category member institutions to FPDS include dozens of faith-based and secular private schools across the state.

Broad incumbents

• KIPP Mississippi: Charter school network operating public schools in Jackson, Mississippi. Competes with FPDS for the same families weighing tuition-paying private against free public options in the Jackson-metro market, particularly for elementary grades.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FirstPDS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/first-presbyterian-day-school---jackson-mississippi

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Presbyterian Day School