Introduction
GRACE Christian School is a loving community that spiritually and academically equips, challenges, and inspires students to impact their world for Christ. More than just words on a page, our mission statement provides direction for everything we do at GRACE. We provide a loving community where families partner with passionate, talented educators to help students cultivate their God-given gifts and talents. We provide biblical instruction, service opportunities, and avenues of worship that allow young people to see their purpose, value, and identity, not through the lens of the culture at large but through the eyes of a loving God. We seek academic excellence for each child, knowing that a one-size-fits-all approach cannot define individual excellence. We equip students with the skills they need to thrive in any circumstance, challenging them to overcome obstacles and inspiring them to be all they can be, not for their glory, but for the cause of Christ. We cultivate world-changers who will influence culture for years to come.
As a Christian school, we endeavor to encourage our students to grow in their personal walk with Jesus Christ. GRACE is a loving community that genuinely cares for every student in a personal manner. Here, every student has worth and value. Our academic, fine arts, athletic, and social programs are designed to challenge and inspire our students to develop their God-given gifts and talents as they develop into the young men and women God has designed them to be.
The GRACE Handbook provides guidelines for carrying out our mission. While not exhaustive, it communicates the guidelines and procedures relating to the school’s operation. We encourage all community stakeholders (parents, employees, and students) to review the handbook. Questions concerning handbook policies should be directed to the Head of School or appropriate school administrator. It is understood that if any disputes arise that are not covered by the policies in this handbook, the Head of School and senior administration will decide what procedures to follow based on a parity of reasoning from those procedures established by this policy. This handbook supersedes all prior handbooks.
History
GRACE Christian School began in 1984 as Mount Olivet Christian School. In the 1994-1995 school year, with the blessings of Mount Olivet Baptist Church, the school became an independent Christian, classical school called GRACE Christian School. The name was selected for the word “grace” – remembering the grace given to us by our Savior and because GRACE stands for “Greater Raleigh Area Christian Education” – signifying the vision to reach beyond the school’s immediate neighborhood.
GRACE Christian School continued to lease space from Mount Olivet while transitioning to an independent and classical school. GRACE partnered with Regent School to begin a classical high school, Trinity Academy. Many parents still wanted GRACE to have its own high school, so after just a couple of years, GRACE began its high school, adding a grade each year. A neighboring church, Raleigh First Assembly, provided GRACE the space to house its high school classes.
To meet the growing school’s needs, the GRACE Board of Directors soon selected a search committee to find a suitable property for purchase or lease. The Lord had His own plans. A generous Christian donor gave the school properties at 708, and 801 Buck Jones Road, and construction soon began on a new building. The Buck Jones Road campus opened in the fall of 2003, complete with science and computer labs and a gym. The first senior class graduated in the spring of 2004.
Interest in the school and enrollment increased so much that more space was needed in the fall of 2008, the 7th–12th-grade classes were moved into two beautifully renovated buildings at 1101 Buck Jones Road, which GRACE purchased in a 50/50 joint venture with Hope Community Church. First-year middle school students, sixth graders, remain at the 801 Campus to allow students a smooth transition into middle school scheduling and opportunities to provide student leadership to the elementary school.
In 2010, the field at 708 Buck Jones Road was developed into a high-quality athletic field for the GRACE soccer teams to use as their home venue. In 2013, football goalposts were added to the field three years later to support GRACE’s first football team. In 2015 lights were added to the field and a bathroom facility was added at the edge of the parking lot. Today, the field serves as a resource for many school events, and it is also valuable to our athletics program.
In the fall of 2016, GRACE became the 100% owner of the 1101 Buck Jones property. Over the 2016-2017 school year completed renovations to the existing 1101 Campus buildings, resulting in five classrooms and multiple offices in the space formerly occupied by the church. In 2022, the Board approved a proposal to purchase land for a new campus. After months of research, the school purchased 53 acres along Veridea Parkway in Apex. The school plans to relocate to the new campus in the Fall of 2027.
GRACE Christian School continues to provide a Christ-centered education to hundreds of young men and women. The Lord has blessed the school with strong Christian teachers who provide instruction that prepares students both spiritually and academically. Board leadership and parent involvement are also strengths of the school. The school’s strong sense of community provides a loving atmosphere where students are encouraged and inspired to develop and use all the abilities God has given them.
