Founding a school is a huge, complicated undertaking that requires in-depth planning and critical thinking, and it's not without risk. For Kingdom Builders Academy (KBA), it is truly a leap of faith.

"It's a larger undertaking because we're starting from the ground up," said KBA principal Kelly Burrows. "It takes a lot finances, a lot of people, and it takes a vision. The risk is you build all this, and are people going to come? Are people going to trust you because you're a new school?"

KBA's plans for opening at the start of 2025-26 school year are well involved. KBA, a nondenominational, faith-based school, will provide educational opportunities for children in kindergarten through eighth grade, with the school year beginning Tuesday, Aug. 26.

KBA is affiliated with Church of the Word International, which meets at 2124 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster. KBA will be housed in six rooms in a current building also located on Old Philadelphia Pike.

KBA, which is registered with the state as a private school related to a religious organization, is required to meet educational standards established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Depending upon its levels of success, KBA is also considering plans to extend educational offerings to students in grades nine through 12 in the future.

"We are creating lifelong learners," said Burrows. "We are raising (students) up to fulfill whatever it is God has called them to do. We want to provide opportunities for children to learn truth. Our school is going to have more parental involvement. It gives us a chance to partner with parents."

After receiving Pennsylvania Department of Education approval in April, KBA is in the process of hiring a staff of about eight to 10 teachers, aides and staff members for the upcoming school year. About six or seven families with school-age children from the Conestoga Valley, Warwick, Ephrata, Hempfield and Easter Lancaster County school districts, some of whom attend Church of the Word, have expressed interest in KBA.

KBA will operate under a hybrid educational model where students will attend classes in person on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and attend classes virtually on Mondays and Fridays. Instructors will oversee grading and the development of lesson plans, and parents will be encouraged to take hands-on roles in their children's education.

"Some of them are people who have expressed interest in faith-based education," said Burrows, a resident of East Hempfield Township. "Some (of the families) are from church. Some are friends of friends. Some are just finding about it online. Some have said they are looking for a model like this. Some have said they've been praying for a church school to open up."

"We kind of want to be a reflection of the church," added Burrows. "(The school's opening) has also spread through word of mouth. It's starting to catch on now that we exist. We want to get our name into the community a little more."

KBA will be funded mainly through tuition, but the school will also apply for educational grants.

"This year will be a building year while looking to expand to high school in years to come," said Burrows. "We're hoping to be fully established by year three or four. ... We'll be conducting yearly school evaluations, which will help us determine where we're at."

Families seeking private education in Lancaster County are afforded a wealth of learning options.

"I do think we have to distinguish ourselves," said Burrows, noting that the hybrid aspect is one way of doing that. "I think parents want to be involved in their children's educations, but they're not required to come up with the curriculum."

"This is something the Lord has put on my heart," continued Burrows. "I really believe it's the right timing for the school to exist. This is a place for growing and encouraging kids to be builders of the Kingdom of God. That's how we're going to speak to our kids and look at them. The school is going to be like a family."

For additional information, go to http://www.kingdombuildersacademy.org or call 223-365-7758.