Reflections from Head of School Brian Goodbar

I hope everyone is enjoying the fall season! Winter comes (sometimes) too quickly so enjoy the fall colors, pumpkin spiced everything, and cooler temperatures!

This is an exciting time to be a part of our community! We are just shy of 250 students at Heritage Christian School, serving more students and families than ever before. With the availability of Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs), Christian schools in Iowa have been impacted across the state. With growth comes new challenges and opportunities.

• Next school year we will be offering a TK (Transitional Kindergarten) option. We are excited to offer this for our early education families.
• We have assembled a Safety & Security Task Force to review all aspects of our school’s safety and security measures and make recommendations to the board.
• The board and I, with collaboration from the school Leadership Team, are completing a Strategic Planning document to outline the goals for the school for the next five years with initiatives in:
  • Foundations: Improving the board’s scope and focus in carrying out our mission into the future including board orientation, board committee structure, policy review/revision, board recruitment, and Leadership Team development.
  • Formations: Setting goals for students’ spiritual formation and academic growth including FLEx projects, intervention services, community building, and more.
  • Facilities: Continuing to plan for the growth of the school with future building additions and a capital campaign.
  • Finances: Planning for staff salary and benefits increases to align with projected tuition growth over the next five years, ensuring that operating costs are balanced with tuition revenue and that fundraising gifts can fully benefit the school.
• Our teachers are deepening their work with Teaching for Transformation through FLEx projects, where students connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities to live out the Kingdom Story. By engaging in meaningful work, interacting with others, and addressing real needs, students develop habits that shape their identity and inspire a faith lived out in daily life.

At Heritage Christian School, we believe the value of a Christ-centered education goes far beyond academics.

What sets us apart is not only our commitment to academic excellence, but our deep investment in each student’s spiritual, emotional, and personal growth. Families who choose Heritage are looking for more than strong test scores – they’re seeking a community where their children are known, loved, and guided in truth.

• Here, your child is seen. Our staff partners closely with parents, creating an environment where students not only learn about Christ, but come to know Him personally. They explore the meaning of His sacrifice, the promise of eternal life, and how that truth shapes how they live and lead.
• Our teachers model servant leadership. With grace, professionalism, and steadfast purpose, they lead students toward both academic and spiritual maturity – living out our mission every day: Serving Christ by partnering with parents to provide a biblically faithful and academically excellent education.
• And the impact lasts. A former student’s parent recently shared with me his son’s quote, “I’m so glad I went to Heritage. I don’t know what I would be like if I hadn’t.” — Hayes D.

That kind of transformation is what we pray for, plan for, and work toward every day.

Thank you for walking this journey with us. We’re honored by your partnership. As we look ahead, please continue to pray for God’s wisdom and provision as we take the next steps in advancing the mission of Heritage Christian School.