Grace Christian School

What Grace Christian School does

Grace Christian School (GRACE), founded in 1984 as Mount Olivet Baptist Church's preschool program and rebranded as an independent non-denominational Christian classical school in 1994-1995, is a private 501(c)(3) college-preparatory institution serving students from Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade. The school operates two campuses on Buck Jones Road in Raleigh, NC — a Lower Campus (TK-6th) at 801 Buck Jones Road and an Upper Campus (7th-12th) at 1101 Buck Jones Road — and is constructing a unified 150,000-square-foot campus on a purchased 52-acre site in Apex, NC, with a planned 2027/2028 opening. Enrollment is approximately 930 students for the 2025-2026 school year, drawn from 80+ area church denominations.

The school's product portfolio centers on a biblical-worldview college-preparatory curriculum (50+ AP and Honors classes), supported by a comprehensive Fine Arts program (Visual Arts, Theatre, Dance, Band, Choral Music), a 40-team Athletics program (with 75% eligible-student participation), and the LEAP (Learning Enrichment and Achievement Program) learning-differences support program for grades 2-12. Underlying technology is operational rather than product-distinctive: Blackbaud powers admissions/enrollment/parent communications, the school runs a 1:1 MacBook Air program in grades 7-12 with iPad/keyboard carts for grades 4-6, and Adobe Suite plus interactive boards support arts and lower-grade classrooms. There is no proprietary AI/ML or developer-facing technology surface.

Revenue is generated through differentiated tiered tuition ($10,600 TK to $15,600 grades 9-12 for the 2026-2027 school year, $19,645 for international students), one-time non-refundable application ($125) and enrollment ($1,000) fees, aftercare services, annual fund donations (the GRACE Fund), tiered corporate Business Partners sponsorships, and discrete events such as the annual GRACE Gala. A $12 million "One GRACE" capital campaign launched in 2024 funds the Apex build. Customer acquisition is sales-led, running on a structured rolling-admissions process: family inquiry, 2-hour campus tours (Lower at 8:30 a.m. for TK-6th, Upper at 9:00 a.m. for 7th-12th), online applications via Blackbaud, ISEE assessments for grades 6-12, and family interviews, with applicants placed in a wait pool once capacity is reached.

Name

Grace Christian School

Legal name

GRACE Christian School

Website

https://gracechristian.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 Christian Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Private Christian education
• College preparatory school
• K-12 faith-based education
• Christian school academics
• Independent school tuition

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Annual tuition payments from families for student enrollment, with differentiated pricing by grade level (TK through 12th grade). Application fee ($125) and enrollment fee ($1,000) are one-time, non-refundable fees.
2. Donations and The GRACE Fund: Annual fund donations from families, grandparents, alumni, and local businesses supporting instructional enhancements, extracurricular activities, facility improvements, technology, and professional development.
3. Business Partners Program: Corporate sponsorships at multiple tiers (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Sapphire) providing visibility among the school community in exchange for sponsorship fees.
4. GRACE Gala Fundraising Event: Annual spring fundraising event held at The Umstead Hotel & Spa, raising money for the GRACE Fund.
5. Aftercare Services: Fee-based before and aftercare programs for students in all grades, with TK-6th grade before care (7:40-8:00 am) free of charge and aftercare available for additional cost.
6. International Student Tuition: Higher tuition rate for international high school students ($19,645 annually), with first-year students also paying application and enrollment fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

GRACE Christian School provides a full-time private Christian education program from Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade, grounded in biblical worldview and academic excellence. The school delivers college preparatory academics supplemented by extensive fine arts (visual arts, theatre, dance, band, choral music), a 40-team athletics program, learning support through the LEAP program, college counseling, and Christian life programming including chapel, Bible classes, and mission trips.

Product overview

Grace Christian School is a private Christian school serving approximately 930 students in Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade. The school operates two campuses (Lower Campus TK-6th and Upper Campus 7th-12th) and offers a comprehensive educational program centered on Christian values and academic excellence. The product portfolio includes core academic instruction from a biblical worldview, supplemented by extensive Fine Arts programs (Visual Arts, Theatre, Dance, Band, Choral Music), a 40-team Athletics program, the LEAP learning support program for students with learning differences, and college counseling services. The school also provides Christian Life programming including chapel, Bible classes, and mission trips. Grace Christian School is accredited by ACSI and Cognia, holding exemplary accreditation status, and is constructing a new 150,000-square-foot campus in Apex expected to open in 2027/2028.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LEAP (Learning Enrichment and Achievement Program): Academic support program offering specialized instruction for students with learning differences, serving Grades 2-12.

Products and services

• Christian Education (TK-12) Full-time Christian education program serving students from Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade, grounded in biblical worldview and academic excellence. The school provides college preparatory academics with 50+ AP and Honors classes, average class size of 18 students, and dual accreditation from ACSI and Cognia.
• Visual Arts Program Comprehensive visual arts education from TK through 12th grade, including Art Foundations, 2D/3D Art, Photography, Graphic Design, and Adobe Photoshop Certification using Adobe Suite tools.
• Theatre Program Theatre program with acting and set design electives, plus extracurricular drama productions for middle and high school students.
• Dance Program Dance electives for middle school students emphasizing Christian values and technical proficiency in ballet, modern, jazz, and musical theatre.
• Band Program Band program starting in 5th grade through 12th grade, including 5th/6th grade bands, 7th/8th grade band, and high school band.
• Choral Music Program Choral music including Elementary Chorus (grades 3-5), 6th grade vocal ensemble, 7th/8th Grade chorus, and upper campus vocal ensemble (grades 9-12).
• Athletics Program Athletic program with 40 teams serving students across the school, including football, basketball, soccer, and more with 75% student participation rate.
• Learning Enrichment and Achievement Program (LEAP) Specialized academic support program for students grades 2-12 with diagnosed learning disabilities, providing specialized instruction with optimal student-to-specialist ratios.
• College Counseling & Career Program College and career counseling program helping students connect God-given aptitudes to post-high school opportunities through Junior and Senior Seminar classes, with transcript release and application support services.
• Christian Life & Missions Program Faith-based programs including daily Bible classes, weekly chapels, discipleship groups, annual spiritual emphasis week, and summer mission trips (local, national, and international).
• Student Activities & Leadership Programs Extracurricular activities including Student Council, National Honor Society, Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, and various student clubs for grades 7-12.
• Before and Aftercare Services Fee-based before and aftercare programs for students in all grades, with TK-6th grade before care (7:40-8:00 am) free of charge and aftercare available for additional cost.
• International Student Program High school program for international students, particularly through partnership with New Oasis hosting secondary students from China, at $19,645 annual tuition with first-year application and enrollment fees.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% post-secondary placement rate for Class of 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered platinum, gold, silver, core and minor.

• Budget BlindsplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Business Partner of GRACE Christian School. Budget Blinds provides window treatment services and supports GRACE community events.
• Carolina CivilworksplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Business Partner. Commercial construction company owned by Board member Matt Green.
• Charles Ashley Mann & Associates, DDSplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Business Partner. Dental practice supporting GRACE events.
• Lee & Associates of the TriangleplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Business Partner. Commercial real estate firm chaired by Board member Moss Withers.
• Petronella Cybersecurity & Digital ForensicsplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Business Partner. Cybersecurity services provider.
• Counterweight Wealth ManagementgoldGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Business Partner. Wealth management firm founded by Board member Nick Murphy.
• Hendrick Cary Auto MallgoldGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Business Partner. Automotive dealership supporting GRACE community.
• GoPlaySavesilverGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Business Partner. Coupon book and mobile app program. Founded by Board member Ryan Armstrong.
• New OasiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForeign exchange program partnership hosting secondary students from China at GRACE Christian School.
• Refugee Hope PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization GRACE students partner with through Chick-fil-A Leader Academy for community service projects serving refugee communities in Raleigh.
• Kay Yow Cancer FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGRACE hosts annual Hoops for Hope charity basketball event benefiting the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, having raised over $100,000 since 2009.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Durham Academy: Independent, non-sectarian K-12 college-preparatory school in Durham, NC. Comparable in academic profile, college placement, and the broader Triangle private school market, though non-faith-based.
• Ravenscroft School: Independent, non-sectarian college-preparatory K-12 school in Raleigh, NC. Comparable in academic profile, college placement outcomes, and the Triangle-area private school competitive set, though non-faith-based.
• Cary Academy: Independent, co-educational K-12 day school in Cary, NC offering a rigorous college-preparatory program. Directly competitive in the same Triangle geography for academically focused families.
• Cary Christian School: Independent Christian K-12 school in Cary, NC operating in the same Triangle region with a similar biblical-worldview college-preparatory model and tuition tier. Overlapping family demographics and competitive set.
• St. Timothy's School: Episcopal K-12 college-preparatory school in Raleigh, NC. Operates in the same local market with comparable size, mission, and tuition tier, and competes for the same college-prep-oriented families.
• Trinity Academy of Raleigh: Private Christian K-12 school in Raleigh, NC serving a similar faith-based college-preparatory mission to GRACE. Directly comparable in size, geography, denominational stance, and target families.

Broad incumbents

• Providence Day School: Large, well-established independent K-12 college-preparatory school in Charlotte, NC. Competes for similar college-prep outcomes and serves as a benchmark for academic quality and tuition levels in the NC private school market.

Others

• Blackbaud: Provider of the school management platform used by GRACE for admissions, enrollment, and parent communications. Relevant as an enabling technology partner powering the school's GTM and operational backbone.

Regional players

• Covenant Day School: Independent, Christ-centered K-12 school in Matthews, NC (Charlotte region). Comparable faith-based college-preparatory model and scale, but operates in a different North Carolina metro.
• Wesleyan Christian Academy: Christian K-12 college-preparatory school in the Triad area of North Carolina. Comparable in faith-based mission, AP/college-prep programming, and ACSI accreditation, but serves a different regional market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@gracechristianstreaming
• Facebookfacebook.com/GRACEChristianSchool
• Instagraminstagram.com/gracechristian.raleigh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/grace-christian-school-75

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 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 Grace Christian School