Chuck and Gail Kendall offer $50,000 Challenge Grant to The Cambridge School

Chuck and Gail Kendall of Rancho Santa Fe have established a $50,000 challenge grant to help The Cambridge School in its move to a larger, dedicated campus — a major strategic objective in its plan for becoming a full K – 12 Christian liberal arts school. In making the announcement, Bill Weber, chairman of the board of trustees, said, “We are deeply grateful to Chuck and Gail for their continuing encouragement and support of our mission and vision.”

Weber expressed his appreciation for the Kendalls’ continuing support for the unique Christian liberal arts educational model and its impact on the lives of San Diego families. Chuck Kendall summed it up this way: “We have seen firsthand 6- and 7-year-olds who are learning second and third languages, 8- and 9-year-olds with math and science skills rivaling those of many high school students, and kids who would rather be at school than on vacation. We are convinced that our hopes for the future rely on an education steeped in the tradition of the great thoughts of civilization, building the skills needed to be lifelong learners, thinkers, and leaders. We are happy to be able to support the school’s vision and to do what we can to encourage its growth and success.”

He added, “We would like to urge others in our community to join with us in helping The Cambridge School complete this important move, which is key to achieving its long- term vision.”

Jean Kim, the school’s founder and Head of School said, “We are blessed to have friends like the Kendalls who want to see our dream become reality.”

This is a milestone year for the school, which was founded just six years ago with only nine students. “We have achieved all of our strategic objectives in terms of enrollment, financial stability, and strong leadership,” Weber remarked. “The Cambridge School has been growing at a rate of more than 30 percent annually, driven by families that are attracted to its academically rigorous and spiritually robust curriculum. The move to a larger facility was the last of our major strategic goals for the year; it will accommodate the K – 7 school’s growth for the next 4-5 years, as we continue to add a grade each year up to 12th grade.”

Kim noted that the move into this long-vacant facility on Black Mountain Road requires renovation that adds $95,000 in unplanned expenses to the school’s operating budget. “While it’s a great moment for the school, there is a significant amount of work to be done to prepare for the 160 or more students we expect this fall. With the Kendalls’ leadership, and community support, we hope we can fully cover these expenses,” she said.

This challenge grant is being handled through the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation. Should you wish to join with the Kendalls and the community in making The Cambridge School’s new home a reality, please contact Christy Wilson, RSF Foundation executive director, at 858-756-6557 or christy@rsffoundation.org. Charitable gifts may be made by check (please make checks payable to RSF Foundation, indicating Cambridge School Challenge in the memo line) and mailing to P.O. Box 811, Rancho Santa Fe, Ca. 92067. Gifts may also be made by transfer of appreciated securities.

For more information, please contact Christy Wilson or Bill Weber (858-756-4070). Information is also available on The Cambridge School’s website – www.cambridgeclassical.org and on the Foundation’s website – www.rsffoundation.org.