As Mars Hill Academy has experienced growth, we find ourselves facing a pressing need for more space. Multi-purpose areas and the conference room are repurposed as classrooms. Teachers often must transport materials on carts without dedicated classrooms to call their own. Parking is a point of stress for parents and visitors at our large gatherings and special events. Office spaces are carved out of workrooms, the gymnasium, and even the mechanical room. By growing our facilities in tandem with our enrollment, we can create a more structured and conducive environment for teaching and learning — one that supports student success and allows us to remain faithful to our mission.
The $11 million goal covers Phase I of the Mars Hill Academy master plan, Room to Grow, Space to Thrive. This phase includes the construction of a Grammar wing addition with nine new classrooms, athletic locker rooms, additional parking, and a new endowment fund. Please refer to the “Capital Campaign Budget” document for greater details.
Room to Grow, Space to Thrive will actively campaign for 24 months with a focus on a three-year pledge fulfillment period.
Construction for the Room to Grow, Space to Thrive campaign is planned to begin once key fundraising and enrollment milestones are achieved. We are hopeful to break ground as early as Summer 2026, with the aim of opening the new spaces for students during the 2027–2028 school year.
While the immediate addition is to the Grammar wing, this expansion will ultimately benefit all grades, including Logic and Rhetoric. By freeing up existing space, we can create additional classrooms and program enhancements for students in grades 7-12.
The finalized floor plan will demonstrate how space will be reallocated to support Logic and Rhetoric school students. Additional resources are also being explored to enhance 7-12 offerings. Future phases of development will continue to prioritize the needs of older students, including plans for the Logic and Rhetoric wing and fine arts facilities.
Mars Hill Academy remains committed to fostering excellence in both athletics and the arts. The addition of locker rooms addresses a long-standing facility need for student-athletes and is a relatively inexpensive project. At the same time, we have made strategic investments in our fine arts programs, such as the recent addition of a kiln.
Additionally, the expansion of the Grammar wing will free up existing space, creating opportunities to enhance both our fine and performing arts programs. By optimizing the space we currently have, we can continue growing these programs to enrich the student experience at every grade level. The Fine Arts Center is a significant project, and we remain committed to pursuing it when the time is right.
The Room to Grow, Space to Thriveplan prioritizes the most urgent needs first. Other projects, including the Logic and Rhetoric expansion and addition of a Fine Arts Center, remain an important component to the master plan. By addressing space needs now, we create a foundation for future expansion of the upper school and arts programs. The board remains committed to the master plan and will continue working toward these future enhancements as funding and enrollment allow.
The feasibility study provided valuable insight into our community’s priorities, particularly the need for expanded classroom space. The Room to Grow, Space to Thrive plan directly addresses this by adding nine classrooms to the Grammar wing, which will alleviate space constraints across all grade levels, including Logic and Rhetoric.
While the feasibility study evaluated additions to both the Grammar wing and Logic and Rhetoric wing, it was determined that the most immediate need was additional space for younger students, as this will create room for growth in the upper school as well.The feedback from the study also highlighted the importance of ensuring the long-term financial health of the school, which led to the decision to establish an endowment.
Mars Hill Academy has always sought to grow wisely and intentionally, ensuring that every investment directly supports our mission. By establishing an endowment, we are preparing for financial sustainability, reducing reliance on tuition increases, and ensuring stability for future generations. This careful, forward-looking approach allows us to expand while remaining faithful stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us. The Grammar wing expansion also will incorporate a geothermal energy system, significantly reducing long-term utility costs and modeling environmental stewardship for our students.
As a result of a the feasibility study conducted in Fall 2024 and the board evaluating the financial sustainability of Mars Hill Academy, it became clear that an endowment was a strategic necessity to ensure long-term affordability and stability. An endowment can help protect against financial uncertainty, provide scholarships, support teacher compensation, and fund key programs that directly benefit students and faculty. It aligns with best practices among independent schools to reduce reliance on tuition increases.
The endowment will provide long-term financial stability for Mars Hill Academy, reducing the need for tuition increases and supporting key initiatives such as:
- Scholarships & Tuition Assistance – Ensuring that more families have access to a Mars Hill education.
- Faculty Attraction, Retention, and Development – Attracting and retaining high-quality teachers by paying competitive salaries and funding professional growth opportunities.
- Program Enhancements – Supporting academic, arts, and co-curricular programs to enrich the student experience.
- Campus Maintenance & Improvements – Providing a financial buffer for future facility needs.
The endowment is a long-term investment in the school’s financial stability, whereas the SGO provides immediate tuition assistance through Ohio’s tax-credit program. Both are essential to ensuring financial health at MHA.
The endowment will help sustain tuition assistance over time, ensuring that families in need continue to have access to Mars Hill Academy, even if state tax structures change.
Fundraising for the Annual Vision Fund, the SGO, and capital improvements will continue as separate initiatives, each serving a distinct and essential purpose in the school’s financial strategy.
Every member of the Mars Hill community has a vital role in Room to Grow, Space to Thrive. First and foremost, we ask for your prayers — that the Lord would bless this effort and use it for His glory. Parents, grandparents, and friends can also share the vision with others, serve as ambassadors for the campaign, and consider a financial commitment. Whether large or small, every gift demonstrates faithfulness and strengthens our ability to advance the mission of Mars Hill Academy.
Currently, there are no plans to increase tuition due to the Grammar School wing expansion or athletic locker room additions. The campaign goal is designed to cover the full cost of these projects. However, we do anticipate modest tuition increases to account for rising costs associated with educating each student. The new endowment fund and MHA Annual Vision Fund will help mitigate future tuition increases.