Page 6 - brochure 8 pg_Neat

But those who hope in
the Lord will renew
their strength. They will
soar on wings like
eagles; they will run On Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 5 weeks after the announced closing, an Open House
and not grow weary, was conducted at a local theater where the details for the new school were presented to
they will walk and not a room full of potential ECA families. After the presentation, the families were invited
be faint. to register for the coming year. The evening closed with 140 students registered for
the 2012-2013 school year. The Trustees and the Administration were very
Isaiah 40:31 optimistic. The next day, there was a full-page ad placed in the local newspaper and
our signature Notre Dame yard signs were replaced with our new signature Edgarton
Christian Academy yard signs.

Everyday following the February 15th Diocesan meeting was a blessing. The money
collected for saving Notre Dame needed to be returned to the donors since it would not
help that school. However, $80,000 of the $90,000 collected was donated in turn to
Edgarton as start-up money. A local school district donated books and computers to
the new school. A Charter School in Trenton closed and auctioned their supplies so the
ECA Founding Committee purchased nearly the entire school at that auction. Desks, chairs, books, office supplies,
lockers, kitchen supplies, cleaning materials, office furniture, and classroom furniture were purchased for $8000
thus outfitting the school completely. By June 30, 2012, Notre Dame was officially closed and as of July 1, 2012
Edgarton was scheduled to open its doors for our first day of Summer Camp and our preparations to outfit the school
for our September opening. However, Mother Nature had a different idea and due to a serious storm, the school
was not available until Thursday, July 5th. On that Thursday, the staff entered the school to begin setting up for the
new year and, believe it or not, ready to welcome 85 children for their first day of the ECA Summer Camp Program.
The only phone system we had to use were our cell phones. We were not even sure what keys unlocked which doors
and which light switches operated which lights; but we were thrilled.

It is a gross understatement to simply say that it took several weeks to prepare the classrooms and to make needed
repairs. No one would believe the volunteer army of parents and staff who donated their time, treasures and talents.
Walls were painted, floors were replaced, landscaping was completed, the kitchen was redesigned, and new kitchen
equipment was installed. The teachers prepared their classrooms. The Trustees worked with the principal to build
the needed infrastructures of governance, fiscal stability, and administrative organization. Within 8 short weeks,
through the work of the volunteers who endlessly carted furniture, painted walls, and made a myriad number of
repairs, and through hours of prayer from friends and families, the school was ready for the children's arrival.

On Wednesday, September 5, 2012, the Miracle known as Edgarton Christian Academy opened its doors to 248
students. In spite of the debilitating grief over the loss of Notre Dame, and the formidable challenges of preparing
ECA in time for Opening Day, the school's first year began with prayer, joy and hope. It was a grand opening with
parents, students, community leaders and clergy in attendance. It was abundantly apparent on this first day of
school that the humble start of ECA, in the face of many uncertainties, was the promise of Edgarton Christian
Academy's auspiciously bright future. At the close of the 2012-2013 school year, Edgarton Christian Academy

“For the past seven years Edgarton Christian Academy has been an exceptional
place for our twin boys to attend school. They started in PK3 and are currently in the
fourth grade. From the beginning the teachers and staff have been extremely warm
and welcoming to our family, and it continues to be an educational environment
where we are proud to have our boys attend. We immediately knew that this was the
place for our boys to learn, grow, make new friends and receive a Christian
foundation along with a rigorous curriculum, while providing unwavering support
with our son's learning styles.”

The Leo Family