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Community Investment at True North Classical Academy FAQs
What is True North Classical Academy?
True North Classical Academy is a non-profit 501c3 organization that opens and operates public charter schools. True North was founded as a charter school to allow students to receive the same superior academic experience in a free public school charter that previously was only available in expensive, exclusive private schools. We are a mission-driven organization dedicated to improving education through classical preparatory K-12 academies. Our core purpose is to cultivate the hearts and minds of students in the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.
What is the Community Investment Fund?
The Community Investment Fund formerly known as the Annual Fund helps to buffer our school from the reality of public funding. The amount we receive from public funding is insufficient to run the program we believe students deserve. And while the $1,500 per student we ask families to consider donating does not cover the full gap that truly exists, it has historically helped us run positive operating incomes, albeit narrowly.
Why does True North Classical Academy need to fundraise?
There is a gap between what the state invests in our school and what it costs to run it. The biggest difference between traditional Miami Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) and True North is that they have tax-payer-funded “free” properties, and they also receive close to $1,600 per student (before bond payments) to maintain and improve their properties. We are not given any property or buildings and must lease our facilities and incur loans and future mortgage payments to build environments needed for our students to thrive. A typical district school our size has almost $750,000 more funding than True North to invest in teachers, curriculum, and classroom instruction.
True North has closed this gap in the past through generous support from the Dennis Bileca Foundation, start-up grants from the State as well as fundraising event proceeds. However, as we have grown and embarked on our facilities upgrades, this gap has become larger.
What does my giving support?
The power of hundreds of True North parents, grandparents, and friends joining their generous gifts together helps us to:
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Cover the gap between what we need to deliver the top-tier education that our children deserve and what we receive from public funding
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Resource and competitively pay our excellent and dedicated faculty
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Keep our class sizes smaller for more individualized attention
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Offer programs like art, music, physical education, and foreign language each day
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Provide a private school caliber education at no cost
All of this adds to the richness of the student experience, which has a cost. We know this is what our children deserve, and it is why we rely on our partnership with families to help provide their children with this unique and worthwhile education.
Are my donations to True North Classical Academy tax deductible?
Yes! It is important to note that 100% of all Community Investment contributions stay at the school and directly support the school’s operating budget. Your generous donations and investments into our educational community are tax-deductible. No part of our structure is for-profit, and no individuals privately own the organization.
Why does True North follow the Classical Education tradition?
The classical tradition views education in a holistic way. It advances the intellect by holding students to rigorous academic standards while instructing their moral character. It delivers the best content and wisdom of the western canon through a process that recognizes child development and learning. True North’s goal is to develop our students’ excellence of intellect and character, so they go forth with hearts of integrity, courage, and conviction.
At True North, we believe that – regardless of differences – all students should have access to the highest caliber education and participate in a shared body of knowledge that is fundamental to human life.
