What You Missed at the New Hope Open House
Are you in search of an exceptional elementary school in the Memphis area? Located in the Frayser community, New Hope Christian Academy is blending academic excellence, spiritual growth, and the great outdoors into a faith-filled journey even for its youngest learners. We recently had the opportunity to take the open house tour to learn about their innovative approach to learning. If you missed out, you can journey with us and learn what this amazing school is all about.
Academics and Enrichment
Academics are rooted in both excellence and purpose, starting as early as pre-K. In early childhood classrooms, students engage in language-rich lessons through a curriculum designed to build strong literacy skills from the start. Math instruction is equally intentional, which is used in pre-K and beyond. Learning happens in small groups tailored to each child’s level, and teachers also weave in social-emotional learning to help students develop skills like kindness, confidence, and cooperation.
By the time students reach elementary grades, their experience expands to include co-curricular classes like STEM, art, music, P.E., and library. Students continue building on foundational skills while exploring science, culture, and creation in meaningful ways.
Currently the school ranges from age three to sixth grade, but there’s exciting news! Starting in the 2026–2027 school year, they’re adding the very first seventh grade class. And the following year, eighth grade will be joining the lineup!
Recess Isn’t Just a Break- It’s a Classroom
“When I ask students at the end of the day what their favorite part was, if they’ve been to the forest, every single one of them says the forest. It’s where they feel free and confident, and they’re learning the whole time.”
At New Hope, the farm and forest aren't just outdoor spaces—they're living classrooms full of discovery, wonder, and hands-on learning. Spanning nearly seven acres just across the street from campus, the area includes a working farm, a USDA-certified forest, outdoor classrooms, trails, gardens, and creative play spaces designed to spark curiosity and connection with nature.
The Farm
In the farm, students plant fruits, vegetables, and herbs during the school’s annual planting season. They return in the fall to harvest what they’ve grown—literally seeing the fruits of their labor. With guidance from the school’s horticulturist, Mr. David Vaughan, kids explore everything from composting to the life cycle of plants. He even brings in samples like muscadines or fresh herbs for students to try in class! There’s also a beekeeping area run by Mr. Vaughan’s father, giving older students and interns the chance to observe bees and learn about pollination and honey production.
The Forest
Over in the forest, the focus is on exploration, play, and environmental literacy. The space includes bridges that mimic the ones spanning the Mississippi River, an outdoor chapel, nature trails, a mud kitchen, a sandbox, and natural jungle gyms. Early childhood classes often visit for unstructured “forest play,” where students climb, dig, imagine, and build social-emotional and physical skills through what educators call “risky play.” This type of activity encourages problem-solving, cooperation, and resilience in a safe, supervised setting.
Teachers also integrate core subjects outdoors—like using banana trees for measurement lessons or exploring the forest during a unit on creation from the Bible. Whether it’s a butterfly release after watching caterpillars transform or a picnic-style read-aloud under the trees, students connect classroom learning to the natural world in real and lasting ways.
“They learn problem-solving, cooperation, and confidence — all from what we call ‘risky play.’ And they love it. They absolutely love it.” Gretchen Driesenga, Director of Early Childhood & Admissions explained.
Alumni and Parent Community
“We don’t just wave goodbye after sixth grade. We have an entire alumni support office that keeps in touch with our students—through middle school, high school, even into college. We help with transitions, financial aid applications, and choosing the right next step for each child.”
At New Hope, students may graduate—but they never truly leave the family. The school has a dedicated Alumni Support Office that keeps in close contact with graduates well beyond sixth grade, walking alongside them through middle school, high school, and even into college and career. Whether a student transitions to an independent school, a public program, or an optional track, New Hope stays in the loop—offering support, encouragement, and practical guidance along the way.
The Alumni Support team actively tracks where students go, hosts check-ins, and even attends meetings with receiving schools to help ensure smooth transitions. They’re available to assist families with school applications, financial aid forms, and decisions about what environments might best fit each child’s academic and personal needs. Alumni often return to campus for chapels, worship, or just to visit with the community that helped raise them. Some even come back to lead chapel, share their stories, or cheer on the next generation. From celebrating weddings to offering a helping hand, New Hope makes it clear—once you’re part of this community, you’re always part of it.
“This isn’t just school. It’s family—for life,” Candice Sims said.
Tuition, Financial Aid, and Admissions
At New Hope, tuition isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s part of a mission to make high-quality education accessible to as many families as possible. The full tuition is $12,750 per year, but thanks to a generous sliding scale financial aid model, most families pay significantly less. In fact, some families pay as little as $58 per month. New Hope is intentional about ensuring that finances never become a barrier to enrollment.
The financial aid process is thorough but supportive. Families complete both a school application ($25 fee) and a financial aid application ($45 fee), submitting details about household expenses—from student loans to summer camps, even things like Netflix and gym memberships. That full picture helps the school determine a fair and manageable tuition amount. New Hope also accepts ESA (Education Savings Account) and EFA (Education Freedom Scholarship) funding and works with families to layer additional support when needed. If a family still finds the suggested parent portion unaffordable, the school encourages open communication with the business office. Their goal is simple: to partner with families and make sure every child who’s ready to thrive at New Hope has the opportunity to do so—regardless of financial circumstances.
Ready to Learn More?
📌 Applications are are open from mid-October to the start of the school year, and spots fill up quickly—so don’t wait!
🔗 Schedule a Tour with New Hope Christian Academy to discover where faith, learning, and community come together to grow something greater..
✉️ For questions about the application process, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@newhopememphis.org. For more information about financial aid or tuition, contact the Business Office at businessoffice@newhopememphis.org.
