The Lord continues to bless our school with wonderful, mission-fit growth! While many grades are full for the 2023-24 school year, we have paused our plan to double third grade for another year. This means that next year only Kinder Prep, K, and Grades 1 and 2 will have two classes for each grade level. This raises the question of how TRA will place students into the two classes each year for grades K-2. As a parent of children who previously attended a school with three classes per grade, I know that this annual class shuffle can create a temptation to worry, as we all want what we think is best for our own kids. My hope is that this information will help to give your heart peace as you trust in God’s plan and wait for class lists to be announced on Monday, August 28.

Our goal at TRA is to have two well-balanced classes for each grade. This means we strive to have a balance of genders, students from different classes the prior year for new friendship opportunities, and other factors to provide a positive learning environment in each classroom. I will be working closely with Mrs. Reno, Mrs. Fox, Mrs. Hurt, Mrs. Rose, and Mrs. Creek to place their current students into two new classes for each subsequent grade. Ideally each class in each grade would have 18 students, but due to our current classroom size constraints and enrollment numbers, some may have a few more and some less depending on the grade.

I realize that each parent has in mind the best teacher and friend group for his or her child. However, TRA will not be letting parents choose their child's teacher or classmates for any grades that have two classes. I know from personal experience how difficult this can be to trust the school and the Lord to place children in the "right" class. Please know that the teachers and I will be prayerfully considering a lot of factors to make sure each student is in a healthy learning environment where he or she can thrive. We will do our best to make sure each child has at least one friend in his or her new class. And all of our elementary teachers are amazing!

Thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to grow as a school. It is an exciting time of continued growth at TRA!

-Lisa Hysom, Elementary Principal and Interim Head of School