The new private school option in Greene County is hosting an open house tomorrow night.

Abundant Life Ministries Pastor Isaak Wangler is the administrator of Foundations Elementary School, who is having an open house from 6-8pm tomorrow at their church, located at 1308 West Lincoln Way in Jefferson. He invites everyone to check out their newly renovated educational spaces, meet some of their team, as well as offer assistance with enrollment. 

Pastor Isaak points out that enrollment for kindergarten through third grade is open now for the 2026-27 school year. He states that the school is using a hybrid model for its first year, with students on site for three days of the school week and two days for at-home learning with an instructional plan from the teachers. Pastor Isaak explains that for two of the days at the school, students will learn regular academic information, along with biblical and morale lessons. He describes the third day being an “all school day.”

“We have a big chapel service, where our students get to go and do some of the extracurricular classes (such as) music, art, maybe field trips, bring in instructors or educators in different fields of life to do presentations. That’ll be a day where there’s just a heavy social faith community aspect present. But then also lots of these other interests pieces of life that they’ll get exposure to.”   

Additionally, Pastor Isaak notes that students will be taking the same standardized tests and assessments that public schools are utilizing, from their certified teaching staff. He is also thankful to the Iowa Legislature for passing the Education Savings Accounts, where any family in the state can access the per pupil funding provided by the state of about $8,000, which is the amount that tuition will be per student.

“I think it’s great that funding is available for everybody. I don’t think a family’s financial situation should be the thing that dictates what kind of education they’re able to obtain, and it certainly wouldn’t be the qualifier for somebody to come and be a part of our program. So essentially students would be able to come and participate in our school program for little to no cost.”

He adds that there will also be a $100 enrollment fee to get a family started in their system and the staff can walk them through the process of registering the child and how to use ESAs once those are available starting in mid-April. Pastor Isaak says anyone who can’t make it to their open house can also schedule a tour by clicking here to access their website.