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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 17 Sponsored Material A Growing Family Today, FCS is seeing unprecedented demand for the work it does to educate Christian leaders for life. In order to serve that demand without compromising on the educational experience the school has become known for in its 45 years of operation, FCS is adding one class per grade level in its elementary grades for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. After years of having waitlists filled with families seeking a school that would mir- ror the values they teach at home, FCS hopes that this added capacity will enable the school community to answer God's call to serve more families without com- promising on the student-teacher ratio that is central to its mission. "We will never waver from class sizes of 18 to 20 students because we believe in having an intentional relationship between teachers and students," says Precious Dyson, marketing coordinator for FCS. "This ratio ensures that students do not get lost, and that if a student has a unique need, we can identify it and provide additional support through our resource teachers and other focused attention." Dyson said the single biggest factor bringing families to the school today is word of mouth, as current families express their happiness with the school to their neighbors and friends. Other times, prospective families are impressed by both the academic and spiritual devel- opment they see in the FCS families around them, and come to the school seeking that same experience for their own children. "We have had a lot of folks come in saying, 'This family has been my neighbor for 10 years, and I finally figured out what's different about them. It's Jesus, and that their kids go to FCS. That's why I'm here," Dyson says. If you have a child at any grade level—or are anticipating starting preschool or kindergarten in the next year or two—now is a good time to get to know FCS. Reach out to admissions@gofcs.org today to start your journey. Seeking Christian Educators As FCS adds student capacity, the school is also seeking Christian educa- tors who can carry on its mission of delivering not only a high-quality edu- cation, but also the mentorship and biblically informed character guidance that is essential to forming future leaders. Just like its students and their families, FCS sees its teachers as integral members of the school's strong Christian community. For those who answer God's call to serve in the formation of students at any level, the school offers incentives and encouragement to help them continue to enhance their skills through the pursuit of an advanced degree or licensure standards. Educators with children enrolled in the school also receive a substantial tuition discount. At a time when American educators are reporting burnout and leaving the profession at record levels, FCS faculty members maintain an average tenure of 17 to 20 years. For some, teaching at the school allows them to rediscover their love of educating, as small classes and a school-wide emphasis on respect and reverence for teachers enables them to stay focused on doing what they're great at. To learn whether FCS could be the right home for you as an educator, reach out to marketing@gofcs.org. And as Communications Coordinator Brittany Cooper says, FCS faculty also appreciate teaching in an envi- ronment where they can openly share their faith and relate their lessons to the truths of the Bible. "They are encouraged to pray with students, and to minister to students who may be wondering how to accept Jesus into their heart," Cooper says. "These are really special connections that you just don't get in other settings." "We will never waver from class sizes of 18 to 20 students..."