History & Background of Grace and Truth Christian Academy

Our initial beginning began in 2007 as plans were being discussed by the Blanchard Methodist Church (formally the United Methodist Church) to construct a multi-purpose building. Discussions included ensuring that a new building would have the capacity to host mission teams and possibly a Christian school someday. In 2009, the Christian Life Center (CLC) was constructed. As the years passed, parents of the children enrolled in the church’s Mother’s Day Out (M.D.O.) program inquired about follow-on opportunities after their child graduated from MDO.

In 2020, the COVID pandemic caused many schools to shut down and then transition to online learning for a period. In 2021, both with a passion for children and education, Angela Blansett (MDO Director) and Monica Schnell (a public-school teacher) began investigating what would be needed to begin a Christian school. After a meeting around a kitchen table, a preliminary proposal was made to the Methodist Church Administrative Council in the fall of 2021. It was determined that a business plan, budget and an administrator/director would need to be in place before approval which occurred in January 2022. Greg Ray volunteered to serve in that capacity with his wife Linda volunteering to assist with administrative & accounting matters.

After a summer of planning, prayer and sacrificial giving of resources & time, Grace and Truth Christian Academy (GTCA) began with a K4 class on August 18, 2022, with Monica Schnell shepherding the first students: Gunnison Ballard, Grant and Lucy Baskin, Ace Camarillo, Charlie Lewis and Elias Perryman. The initial Board of Directors included Scott Brown, Angela Blansett, Jeff Heefner and Ashley Perryman. The first class graduated on May 17, 2023.

In 2023-2024, GTCA added a Kindergarten class. It began on August 17, 2023, with Britnie Sims joining the team as the new teacher. We added eight students. Board of Directors included Jeff Heefner (President), Stacy Matray (Vice-President), Scott Brown (Treasurer) and Ashley Perryman (Secretary) and Tresa Gallaher. GTCA also became members of the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) and the Association of Christian Teachers and Schools (ACTS). The school earned preliminary accreditation status with ACTS effective October 30, 2023. We held our first Veteran’s Program on November 9, 2023. Additionally, we became eligible to participate in the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit program and were able to secure financial assistance for almost two-thirds of our students.

In 2024-2025, we added a First-Grade class taught by Rebecca Shiplett. We finished the year with 26 students. We added music with Evelyn Kararo, and later Rebecca Aguirre leading. In October 2024, GTCA was awarded “full accreditation with merit” by ACTS, one of only ten schools out of over 200 to be given that distinction and the first school to ever be granted that mark of excellence upon initial accreditation. In 2025, GTCA was approved to join the Oklahoma Opportunity Scholarship Fund (OSF) program as another option to assist with financial aid for parents and students.

GTCA began the 2025-2026 school year with Lori Marshall starting her tenure as the Director and Head of School. Three grades were added: 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Ashley Perryman started and developed our Art program. GTCA finished the year with 49 students.

GTCA started the 2026-2027 school year with 71 students, six full-time teachers, three part-time teachers and an administrative assistant. The school now has grades K4 thru 5th grade with plans to add one grade each year. We were able to accomplish a significant remodel of our playground & recess space at the start of the school year due to generous support & donations. Taylor Kieltyka joined the Board of Directors.

‍ ‍We are thankful for the Blanchard Methodist Church which continues to graciously offer their facilities for the school’s use and for being supportive of the school, staff and students.