Gardere Community Christian School

What Gardere Community Christian School does

Gardere Community Christian School (GCCS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian elementary school founded in 2009-2010 by Nancy Zito, located at 8538 GSRI Avenue in the Gardere neighborhood of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The school serves approximately 182 students from PreK 3 through 5th grade drawn primarily from low-income families in the Gardere area, offering up to 97% tuition assistance against a stated $11,500 annual tuition for 2026-27. GCCS reports academic outcomes on the 2024 Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) that exceed twice the statewide average in both English Language Arts and Math, and a "Highly Proficient" preschool rating under the state's CLASS scoring system.

The school's core product is a Christian educational program built around three stated pillars — Spiritual and Character Development, Academic Excellence, and Community and Family Involvement — delivered via Amplify CKLA, Eureka Math, and ElevateScience curricula, plus arts, music, PE, intervention services, and two daily meals. Supporting programs include a four-week Summer Enrichment Camp ($200 for the first child), the 120 Club monthly sponsorship ($120/month), and the multi-phase Living the Vision - Building Bright Futures capital campaign. Technology plays no differentiated role; the value proposition rests on instructional quality, parent engagement requirements, and community integration.

GCCS's business model is a hybrid non-profit revenue mix rather than a commercial SaaS or tuition-driven model. Funding flows from tuition net of assistance, individual donations (including recurring monthly programs), corporate sponsorships ($2,000-$20,000 event tiers), and grants from a network of roughly 30+ named partners (e.g., Huey & Angelina Wilson Foundation, Charles Lamar Family Foundation, Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Chevron Matching Employee Funds, Jacobs Engineering, Entergy Charitable Foundation). Go-to-market is community-led: word-of-mouth referrals from church partners and existing families, walk-in tours on Tuesdays/Thursdays, and events such as Brew & View and the Share Your Heart luncheon. A separate distribution channel reaches donors via monthly newsletters, Facebook/Instagram, and the Leadership Cup fundraising event. The operating model depends on 40-50 faculty and staff and 2,500+ annual volunteer hours from church, faith, and community partners.

Name

Gardere Community Christian School

Legal name

Gardere Community Christian School

Website

https://gardereschool.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gardere Community Christian School is a 501(c)(3) Christian elementary school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, serving approximately 182 PreK-3 through 5th grade students from the Gardere neighborhood with up to 97% tuition assistance, funded by donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 Christian Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

After-School Academic Support Programs (Centers & Clubs) (EDAJALAM)

Keywords

• Christian elementary education
• Private school tuition
• Tuition assistance program
• Summer enrichment camp
• After-school tutoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Baton Rouge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Tuition for the 2026-27 school year is $11,500 per student. However, significant tuition assistance is available based on household income and family size, with waivers up to 97%. Additional scholarships through federal and state programs further reduce costs for many families.
2. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through one-time gifts, monthly sponsorship programs (120 Club at $120/month), and annual campaigns. Donations fund tuition assistance, curriculum, classroom supplies, digital access, after-school enrichment, community programs, and teacher salaries.
3. Corporate and Foundation Grants/Sponsorships: Funding from corporate partners, foundations (Huey & Angelina Wilson Foundation, Charles Lamar Family Foundation, E.J. and Marjory B. Ourso Family Foundation, Butler Snow Foundation, etc.), church partners, and government grants. Includes sponsorship levels for events like The Leadership Cup ($2,000-$20,000).
4. Summer Camp Fees: Summer Enrichment Camp fees are $200 for the first child with discounts for additional siblings. Camp runs June 1-25, Monday-Friday, 7:30am-2:00pm, providing academics, enrichment, and two meals per day.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Gardere Community Christian School (GCCS) is a PreK-3 through 5th grade Christian elementary school located in the Gardere neighborhood of Baton Rouge, LA. It delivers private Christian education with full-day instruction, two meals per day, intervention support, and after-school enrichment, while offering up to 97% tuition assistance based on household income and family size. It also operates a four-week Summer Enrichment Camp.

Product overview

Gardere Community Christian School operates as a single-location Christian elementary school offering PreK 3 through 5th grade education. The institution provides a unified educational program centered on Christian values, academic excellence, and community involvement. Supporting programs include Summer Enrichment Camp, the 120 Club monthly sponsorship initiative, and the Living the Vision capital campaign for campus expansion. Financial accessibility is maintained through a tuition assistance program offering up to 97% scholarships. The school serves approximately 180 students with comprehensive academic programming, intervention services, volunteer opportunities, and community engagement activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 120 Club: Monthly giving program where donors contribute $120/month for 12 months to provide a low-income student with a full month of Christian education, meals, tutoring, and enrichment activities.
• Living the Vision - Building Bright Futures
• Eagle Family
• Eagles' Quest Summer Camp

Products and services

• Christian Elementary Education (PreK-3 through 5th Grade) Full-day Christian elementary education program serving approximately 180 students in PreK-3 through 5th grade, with curriculum in Language Arts (Amplify CKLA), Mathematics (Eureka Math), Science (ElevateScience), Visual Arts, Performing Arts, and Physical Education, plus breakfast and lunch daily.
• Summer Enrichment Camp (Eagles' Quest)

Quantifiable outcome

• Students scoring Mastery and Advanced in ELA on 2024 LEAP: more than 2x statewide average and 6x nearest school option
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Palacios House of ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Arts organization partner providing programming for summer camp and Creativity Day events.
• Of Moving Colors ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Dance and movement arts partner for summer camp enrichment programs.
• First TuesdayminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Volunteer organization that organizes monthly volunteer days at GCCS and other community locations.
• Baton Rouge Police DepartmentminorOthers · 1 January 2023Law enforcement partnership providing community engagement and support.
• Kids Hope USAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Mentorship program partner connecting volunteers with students for one-on-one mentoring relationships.
• ChartwellscoreOthers · 1 January 2023Food service management company providing meals to students including breakfast and lunch programs.
• East Baton Rouge Parish School SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership for intervention programs, sharing expertise and resources for early intervention support for students in reading and math, particularly in Kindergarten and 1st grade.
• Chick-Fil-AminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Corporate partner providing support for school events and programs.
• Trader Joe'sminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Grocery partner supporting school programs and field trips.
• Knock Knock MuseumminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Children's museum partner providing field trip opportunities for students.
• Louisiana Arts and Science MuseumminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Museum partner providing educational field trip experiences.
• St. George Fire DepartmentminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Emergency services partnership providing fire safety education and field trips.
• Walk-On's Sports BistreauxminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Local restaurant catering events including The Leadership Cup luncheon.
• The Dunham SchoolminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Local private school partnership and community engagement.
• Area Health Education Center - SoutheasternminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Health education partnership supporting student wellness programs.
• Acacia ChurchcoreOthers · 1 January 2023Church partner providing prayer support and community connection.
• First Presbyterian YouthcoreOthers · 1 January 2023Youth group partnership providing volunteer support and community connection.
• Healing Place ChurchcoreOthers · 1 January 2023Major church partner providing prayer support, volunteers, and community outreach.
• St. Jude Catholic ChurchcoreOthers · 1 January 2023Catholic church partnership providing faith-based community support.
• St. John's United Methodist ChurchcoreOthers · 1 January 2023UMC partnership providing volunteer support and community engagement.
• Community Bible ChurchcoreOthers · 1 January 2023Church partner providing prayer support and community connections.
• New Living Hope FellowshipminorOthers · 1 January 2023Church partner supporting summer programs including summer school grants.
• Broadmoor United Methodist ChurchminorOthers · 1 January 2023Church partner with active women's ministry involvement.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Hope Academy: Faith-based private school network serving inner-city Minneapolis low-income families with tuition assistance, similar to GCCS's Gardere model. Comparable as a small, faith-grounded, donor-funded school serving economically disadvantaged neighborhoods with strong academic outcomes.

Direct peers

• Trinity Episcopal School: Private Episcopal K-12 school with multiple locations; comparable as a faith-based independent school offering rigorous college-prep academics alongside values-based education to families across income levels.
• The Dunham School: Private Christian school in Baton Rouge serving PreK–12, already listed as a GCCS community partner. Highly comparable as a faith-based, college-prep independent school in the same metro, though serving a higher-income demographic and charging full tuition.
• Westminster Christian Academy: Private Christian college-prep school with multiple campuses (e.g., St. Louis, Opelousas LA). Comparable as a faith-based K-12 school combining rigorous academics with Christian formation, including a Louisiana location in the same state.
• St. Joseph's Academy: Private Catholic girls' college-prep school in Baton Rouge (9–12), directly comparable as a faith-based private school in the same metro serving families who choose values-based K-12 education.
• Catholic High School: Private Catholic boys' college-prep school in Baton Rouge (9–12), a comparable faith-based private school operating in the same metro and competing for the same family demographic segment.
• University Lab School (LSU Lab School): Public K-12 laboratory school in Baton Rouge affiliated with LSU, comparable as a high-performing K-12 school in the same metro and a potential competitor for academically-oriented families in the broader Baton Rouge area.
• Parkview Baptist School: Private Baptist Christian school in Baton Rouge serving PreK–12. Comparable as a faith-based private school in the same metro that competes for families seeking Christian K-12 education in the Baton Rouge area.

Broad incumbents

• Cristo Rey Network: National network of Catholic college-prep high schools serving low-income families via corporate work-study funding. Comparable as a mission-driven, low-income-serving private school operator with a sustainable philanthropy + work-based revenue model.
• KIPP Schools: National charter school network serving predominantly low-income communities with a college-prep mission. Comparable as an outcomes-focused, mission-driven operator serving low-income families, but operates public charters across multiple cities rather than a single faith-based private site.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gardereschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/gardereschool/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gardere-community-christian-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Gardere Community Christian School