The Organization
Covenant Christian Academy (CCA) is in Colleyville, TX, a suburb between Dallas and Fort Worth (near DFW Airport). An independent, PK—12 coeducational day school, CCA provides an education uniquely shaped by both a Christian worldview and traditional classical education principles. The school is evangelical, interdenominational, and selective in admissions. They’ve been changing the lives of students since 1980!
By the time a child has graduated from CCA, they will: Be a critical thinker who communicates clearly and effectively, stand firm in and defend their Christ-centered beliefs, be a confident, empathetic leader and problem solver, and pursue opportunities with courage and determination, not shying away from challenges.
CCA has a robust annual budget of approximately $11.3 million and currently employs 90 full-time, 11 part-time faculty and staff. Current enrollment has since grown to 616 last year and the school desires to be above 650. CCA operates on a surplus budget and sits on healthy financial reserves and a growing endowment.
The Opportunity
The CCA Board of Directors seeks a Headmaster to partner with and lead CCA into their next exciting chapter. With the retirement of Headmaster Dr. Tony Jeffrey after a successful tenure marked by many strategic accomplishments, the new Headmaster will be responsible to the board for achieving the school’s mission of providing a biblically based, classical, college preparatory program that creates in students a passion for excellence, a heart of grace, and the character of Christ. This visionary educator will work hand in hand with the ministry, community, families, students, and teachers as they motivate and educate students in a Christ-centered environment. CCA will be led in this interim year by veteran educational leader Chuck Evans.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Founded In 1979, Pastor Dale Smith of Colleyville Presbyterian Church (PCA) and other faithful congregation members had a strong desire to start a school in Colleyville that would teach students from a Christian worldview. The vision became a reality in 1980 when six kindergarten students started class. The following year, in 1981, classes for pre-kindergarten, first, and second grades were added. Each year a grade level was added until 1992 when the first graduates of Covenant received their diplomas. The classical approach to teaching was added to the rigorous college preparatory standards in 1998.
Covenant became an independent entity in 1999. A 33,000 square foot building was completed in 2000 containing large classrooms, science labs, an art studio, computer lab, a music room, basketball court, theatrical stage, weight room, cafeteria, kitchen, and administrative offices.
A new 5th and 6th grade building opened for the 2009-2010 school year, and an Elementary and Pre-Elementary School building, housing Pre-K through 4th grade, opened for the 2010-2011 school year. 2015 brought the completion of a 7,000 sq. ft. addition to the 5th and 6th grade building. The latest additions to the campus are a new turf football and soccer field, weight room, concession stand, and baseball stadium completed in January 2020.
While enrollment peaked in 2015, school finances were challenged due to below market tuition rates, high scholarship rates, and poor collections. All have been addressed to put CCA on a financially health path with budget surpluses and faculty and staff additions. CCA has also increased donor engagement and raised $1.2M in gifts last year with over 70% of the families giving in excess of tuition.
ACADEMICS AND CO-CURRICULARS
CCA believes in educating the whole child for a lifetime of learning. They maintain a commitment to biblical truth, classical Christian education, and student preparedness in everything they do in and around the classroom. This approach enables them to educate the whole child — body, mind, and spirit — and develop an academic foundation for a lifetime of student learning.
Early Childhood and Kindergarten
CCA provides its youngest students a loving, safe environment where creativity and playful learning meet. The primary goal at this age is to help children experience the fun and joy that leads to an early excitement about learning. Kindergarten students explore their natural curiosity...and CCA teachers meet them right where they are at, whether they attended preschool or if this is their first classroom experience.
Elementary School
Elementary School students are engaged in hands-on exploration in a socially and emotionally supportive space. It’s a time when deep and lasting friendships are formed, and students are challenged in a collaborative and nurturing atmosphere. Small class sizes allow for individualized support, which honors children who learn and develop at their own pace.
CCA students are guided and mentored through Honorable Character™, a character-building program that encourages conscientious behavior, as well as redemptive discipline. Teachers partner with parents to ensure value alignment between home and school. Weekly chapel, mission projects, and a biblically integrated curriculum contribute to healthy relationships and good conduct.
Middle School
CCA middle school students are vibrant, budding scholars and confident pre-teens who will grow to become tomorrow’s leaders. Teachers continue to challenge middle school students to become more engaged, active, and self-advocating learners capable of handling a more challenging curriculum, preparing them for high school and college.
High School
By the time CCA students reach high school, they are well on their way to being independent thinkers, organized time managers, and problem solvers. The HS academic program is enriched with stimulating extracurriculars, inspiring experiences, and leadership opportunities. High school is a time of bringing together all the threads of student development for academic, physical, and character formation.
Review the Curricular Roadmap below
Review a profile of 2023-2024 CCA HIGHLIGHTS
The CCA Cougar Athletic Program is an integral component of the overall school curriculum. It is not considered extra-curricular as with many schools, but rather it is co-curricular. CCA desires to develop the mind, body, and spirit of their students through participation on athletic teams. The arena of athletic competition parallels the Christian faith in many ways. Their goal is to use athletics as a tool to grow and develop Christian character qualities in its students.
Athletics at Covenant Christian Academy can begin as early as first grade for little Cougars and culminate with 15 sports teams at the high school level. CCA has an experienced athletics staff including coaches who are former professional athletes, a full-time certified athletic trainer, and a strength and conditioning coach. Many CCA students achieve athletic success beyond high school through college scholarships.
Sports currently offered in High School
■ Football ■ Volleyball ■ Cross Country ■ Boys Basketball ■ Girls Basketball ■ Boys Soccer
■ Girls Soccer ■ Swimming ■ Baseball ■ Track & Field ■ Golf ■ Cheerleading
Fine Arts and Co-curriculars
CCA students benefit from an exemplary Fine Arts program that is comprehensive and diverse with offerings in both the visual and performing arts. As a Christian school, they recognize that God is the Creator of all things. And, because people are God's creatures, made in His image, He made them to be creative beings. In fact, humans delight in creating. People transcend simply being told what God is like — into actually experiencing a small part of who He is. It is an act of worship.
The collective resources offered provide students with the opportunity to explore interests beyond their core academic strengths. Artists and creators enjoy perfecting their craft in classes such as studio art, video production, theater, choir, strings ensemble, worship ensemble, and yearbook. Other popular activities include Cotillion, student socials, Math Team, Spring Musical, and Spring Formal.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position: Headmaster
Classification: Salaried Exempt
Reports to: CCA Board
Works closely with: Parental Advisory Board
Location: Colleyville, TX
Summary
The Headmaster serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the school. His/Her general management responsibilities over all aspects of school operations include:
Setting the spiritual tone of the school
Strategic planning and implementation
School-wide faculty, staff, and parent relations
Student life and discipleship
Curriculum development and implementation
Budget development and oversight
The headmaster is responsible to the board for achieving the school’s mission of providing a biblically based, classical, college prep program that creates in our students a passion for excellence, a heart of grace, and the character of Christ. The headmaster is expected to oversee the three school heads (High School, Middle School, Elementary school). He/she is also responsible for budgets, financial management, enrollment, marketing, fundraising, and facilities.
Essential Functions
Executive
Directs the Senior Administration Team that is responsible for maintaining
alignment between the various schools and staff offices.
Establishes KPIs across functional areas including marketing, admissions,
fundraising, finance, academic achievement, etc.
Oversees all staffing and other employment related decisions and actions
including recruitment, hiring, and training.
Supervises annual staff performance evaluation procedures.
Assign appropriate decision-making and supervisory responsibilities to staff.
Oversees the preparation, presentation, and control of the school’s annual
budget.
Reports on school finances as required by board policy.
Oversees the development and implementation of the school’s administrative
policies and procedures.
Develops and communicates a compelling and ambitious vision for CCA. Leads
strategic planning efforts with the board and other stakeholders.
Oversees student recruitment and retention efforts along with implementation of
admissions policy.
Oversees annual fundraising campaigns and potential capital campaigns.
Oversees long-range development, growth, and fund-raising efforts of the school.
Functions as the primary representative of the school to parents and the
community. Leads the public relations effort.
Oversees the utilization and maintenance of the school’s physical facilities.
Acts as the final arbiter of problem-solving and conflict-resolution among,
students, parents, and staff.
Serves as an ex-officio board member.
Education Leader
Develops and casts a vision for the school that achieves its mission and maintains its core values as a Christian, Classical, College-preparatory school.
Ensures spiritual and academic development of faculty.
Facilitates the development, implementation, and evaluation of curricular goals.
Leads teachers and staff towards achievement of the school’s mission.
Supervises educational quality control and improvement efforts.
Facilitates a student culture, which promotes the achievement of the school’s
mission in every student’s experience.
Requirements:
Minimum of ten years of teaching and administrative experience. Christian school
context preferred.
A master’s degree in a relevant discipline is required; a doctorate is a plus.
Character:
Passionate follower of Christ.
Exemplify Christian character and values in accordance with the lifestyle
agreement.
A committed, actively participating member of a Bible-believing church or
fellowship.
Competence:
Cultivate positive and effective relationships that foster trust and respect among
all stakeholders.
Familiarity with classical pedagogy and practices.
Apply rigorous logic and problem-solving skills to find effective solutions.
Possess advanced communication and public relations skills.
A master teacher who can effectively mentor school faculty.
Compensation:
A competitive salary package and benefits will be discussed in a personal interview.
Covenant Christian Academy is an equal-opportunity employer.
CURRENT LEADERSHIP ENVIRONMENT
Dr. Tony Jeffrey served for four years at CCA to complete a distinguished forty-year career in Christian education. He worked closely with the Board of Trustees to set and accomplish a long list of strategic accomplishments:
See a comprehensive listing of strategic accomplishments at CCA, HERE.
As he retires, he hands the day-to-day Headmaster responsibilities to Chuck Evans, Founder of Better Schools, LLC, who will serve as the Interim Headmaster for the 2024- 2025 school year. Chuck has worked in and around independent and parochial schools since the early nineties, leading schools in Virginia, North Carolina, and Texas. In 2006, Chuck began his consulting career with Paideia, Inc. and has worked with numerous schools on strategic, financial, and programming projects over the past nine years. The next headmaster will collaborate with Chuck and the Board to facilitate a smooth leadership transition.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
Opportunities
The current Headmaster applied his considerable experience to write a substantial
strategic plan. Together, with the Board, they completed over 120 action items on that list. These included hiring a HS Principal, hiring a Director of Advancement, hitting enrollment goals the last four years, and achievement of a 92% retention rate in the most recent school year. The next headmaster will have the opportunity to support the next strategic plan and build upon a strong foundation of programs and accomplishments as they begin their administration.
CCA is well-positioned as a classical Christian school providing outstanding
curriculum and instruction along with mainstream student activities. The next H
eadmaster will have the opportunity to establish CCA as the premier school within
Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.
The Parent Council is robust and provides an unusual level of parent support for the
administration to accomplish many varied community activities throughout the year.
Consistent engagement with this group is a key to establishing oneself in the
community.
Challenges
The school community desires more personal presence from the Headmaster in school activities and programs. The new leader will need to practice “MBWA” (
management by walking around) in order to build and strengthen relationships between the Headmaster’s office and the various departments and constituencies in the school.
Enrollment processes must be enhanced and improved. Growth and excellence are
priorities for the Headmaster without compromising our enrollment standards.
The next Headmaster will solidify the brand identity and amplify the marketing of CCA.
ABOUT COLLEYVILLE, TX
Colleyville offers a high quality of life with a blend of safety, excellent schools, convenience, and a charming community feel.
Colleyville is a highly desirable suburb of the DFW Metropolitan area. As of July
2024, the median listing price for a home in Colleyville is around $1.3 million but
one can find 3-bedroom houses in Colleyville starting around $700,000 and
ranging upwards to over $1 million [source: Zillow, Redfin]. Colleyville is surrounded by the lovely suburbs of Bedford, Euless, Grapevine, Hurst, Keller,
and North Richland Hills, offering a good mix of affordability and access to
amenities.
Safe and Secure: Colleyville is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in
Texas, with a strong sense of community and a commitment to safety.
Big City Access, Small Town Feel: Situated between Dallas and Fort Worth,
Colleyville offers easy access to the excitement of big city life, while maintaining
a peaceful suburban atmosphere.
Convenience at Your Fingertips: The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is
a short drive away. Colleyville boasts plenty of shopping, dining, and
entertainment options.
Some Nearby Attractions:
Colleyville Nature Center: This 40-acre park is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. With hiking trails, fishing ponds, a playground, and an amphitheater, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District: This historic district is a must-see for any visitor to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Take a step back in time and experience the Wild West, with cattle drives, cowboy shows, and western-themed attractions.
Dallas World Aquarium: This world-renowned aquarium is home to thousands of animals from all over the world. It's a great place to learn about different ecosystems and see some amazing creatures up close.
Kimbell Art Museum: This art museum houses a collection of art from around the world, including works by Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso. It's a great place to see some of the world's most famous pieces of art.
If, after prayerfully reviewing this information, you believe this role fits you well, or if you
know someone you would like to recommend, please contact:
Dr. Rich Kidd
Partner
MISSION:LEADERSHIP
mobile :: (757) 642–0622
company main :: (615) 422–0884
email :: rich@missionleadership.org
web :: www.missionleadership.org
Dan Tubbs, M. Ed.
Search Consultant
MISSION:LEADERSHIP
mobile :: (757) 452–1001
company main :: (615) 422–0884
email :: daniel@missionleadership.org
web :: www.missionleadership.org