All In, Together

Warm hugs fill the hallways, conversations pick up mid-sentence, and laughter moves easily through the room. There’s a comfort here, familiar and unforced, as families, faculty, alumni, and students gather for Foundation Academy’s annual State of the Academy. To the right, alumni gently wipe away tears, reflecting on how far the school has come and imagining the opportunities now ahead for their own children. To the left sits the family of Interim President Carol Grosshans, whose children are living the Foundation experience today. In front, a cheering section for the Fine Arts department — the students providing the music, movement, and moments that bring the evening to life.

At Foundation Academy, culture isn’t accidental; it’s practiced daily. Brooke Newell, principal of the Plant Street Campus, says, “I want each student to come to school each day and know that they are individually loved.” That belief shapes the rhythm of campus life, creating spaces where students are known, families are seen, and faith is woven naturally into learning.

Throughout the evening, the message is clear: this work goes far beyond academics. Middle school principal Ehren Steiner puts it simply, “Our mission isn’t just about information, it’s about formation. Formation is a heart issue.” Every equation, every essay, every performance, every game becomes an act of worship, quietly shaping character in ordinary moments.

The theme of the night, All In, surfaced again and again through the words of President Grosshans and Chief Academic Officer Jacquelyn Conover, framed not as a catchphrase, but as a way of showing up, faithfully and together.

The phrase doesn’t stop at the school doors. Todd and Lindsey Bryant, parents of Cambrie and Colton Bryant of the Plant Street Campus, reflect, “We knew the academics would be strong, but we didn’t realize what spiritual formation would look like until we watched God work through our children.” Faith carries home, shaping conversations, priorities, and the quiet moments that happen long after the day ends. “Sometimes the best conversations are the ones at bedtime, insightful questions about Jesus, and a heart for prayer,” Lindsey shares. 

By the end of the night, it’s clear this gathering is about far more than a year-in-review. It’s about a community grounded in faith, shaped by purpose, and built through countless faithful moments, in classrooms, at dinner tables, and in the quiet spaces where growth takes root. Together, families, faculty, and students remain all in, committed, in word and in deed, to doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Faith lived together.