Pella Christian Schools 
The information on this page was last updated 8/11/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Pella Christian Schools are Christ-focused schools in South Central Iowa on two campuses
Contact information
Mailing address:
Pella Christian Schools
300 Eagle Lane
Pella, IA 50219
Website: pceagles.org
Phone: (641) 628-4440
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 420772563
CEO/President: Dan Zylstra
Chairman: Kent Breems
Board size: 11
Founder:
Ruling year: 1949
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
Our vision for each student is to cultivate discipleship habits and practices that both forms the learner and transforms God's world around them. These Biblical characteristics include living our role in God's story as image reflectors, community builders, God worshipers, justice seekers, earth keepers, order discoverers, beauty creators, creation enjoyers, truth seekers and servant workers.
Mission statement
At Pella Christian, our community of students, faculty and families come together to bring transformational education and experiences to prepare the God-given gifts of each individual to serve in God's world. Find out how Pella Christian is a place where you can soar.
Statement of faith
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the final authoritative source of truth and wisdom. This Word governs our beliefs, practices and educational philosophy and content (Psalm 119:105, 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21).
We affirm the Bible is faithfully summarized in the Ecumenical Creeds (Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed) and Reformed Confessions (Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort).
We believe God calls parents to educate their children in the fear of the Lord giving them the opportunity to cooperate together as a covenantal community within a Christian school association (Deuteronomy 6:7; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4).
God
We believe in the one true sovereign God who exists eternally in three distinct Persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
We believe that God has revealed Himself through His Word and His world. The reality of His world is to be interpreted by the truth of His Word (Psalm 19; Psalm 119:105; John 17:17).
Creation
We believe God created all things good, and His design contains deep diversity which magnifies His creativity and beauty, as revealed in Genesis 1-2, and He continues to uphold and govern all aspects of His creation (Genesis 1-2; Psalm 104; Acts 17:24- 28).
We believe every human person has inherent value being created in the image of God (Genesis 9:6; Psalm 139:13-18; James 3:9).
We believe God created humanity in His image, with distinct sex/gender as male and female, in order to live in a covenantal relationship with Himself and with one another (Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:21-23; Matthew 19:4-6).
We believe God designed humanity to flourish within a biblical lifestyle of sexual purity either in a state of celibate singleness or faithful marriage, which is a life-long, exclusive relationship between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:18-24; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 1 Corinthians 7:7-9; Ephesians 5:22-33).
Sin
We believe we are all born sinners as a result of Adam and Eve's sin (Romans 3:10-12; Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:22).
We believe as a result of sin, humanity lives in rebellion against God and His design, is separated in our relationship with Him, and experiences profound brokenness in and along with the entire world (Genesis 3; Isaiah 59:12-13; Romans 1:18-25).
Redemption
We believe Jesus Christ is our only Savior, and through His death and resurrection there is Good News of redemption for the whole world (John 3:16, 17; Romans 1:16, 17; 1 Timothy 2:3-6).
We believe by trusting only in the reconciling work of Christ, we are being transformed into His image through the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:3-10; Ephesians 4:20-24).
We believe this redemption includes the full restoration of all creation into a new heaven and a new earth upon the return of Christ (Isaiah 65:17-25; Romans 8:19-23; Revelation 22:1-5).
Kingdom
We believe that every aspect of our life finds its meaning and purpose through the rule and reign of Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:15-18).
We believe God has given humankind the authority and opportunity to function as wise stewards in every sphere of life for the glory of God (Genesis 1:28; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:23, 24).
We believe as followers of Jesus Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit we are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
Donor confidence score
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Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: K-12 Schools/Academies
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 766 of 1472 | 139 of 206 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 30 of 1472 | 21 of 206 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 1137 of 1472 | 161 of 206 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 1104 of 1473 | 173 of 206 |
According to the organization's Form 990, it received $100,000 in government grants in 2025.
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 11% | 0% | 0% | 1% | 0% | 0% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 13% | 36% | 27% | 24% | 28% | 25% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 87% | 64% | 73% | 76% | 72% | 75% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 83% | 75% | 83% | 85% | 88% | 41% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 93% | 77% | 125% | 102% | 117% | 173% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 77% | 58% | 104% | 87% | 102% | 70% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 7% | 23% | -25% | -2% | -17% | -73% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 7% | 9% | -9% | 0% | -4% | -24% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 14% | 25% | 17% | 15% | 12% | 59% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.55 | 0.29 | 0.40 | 0.29 | 0.30 | 0.55 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.94 | 2.94 | 4.67 | 4.91 | 5.07 | 5.26 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.84 | 0.85 | 1.84 | 1.44 | 1.52 | 2.87 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 2.80 | 20.65 | 1.95 | 11.11 | 8.61 | 7.43 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.35 | 0.05 | 0.51 | 0.09 | 0.12 | 0.13 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 3.92 | 13.48 | 3.17 | 7.59 | 6.98 | 3.62 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 30% | 2% | 11% | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 10% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 116% | 340% | 225% | 335% | 326% | 178% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Cash | $5,368,588 | $1,994,196 | $1,513,665 | $1,528,149 | $1,455,872 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $85,661 | $45,455 | $47,842 | $22,887 | $23,880 |
| Short-term investments | $7,278,182 | $1,361,512 | $1,627,837 | $1,571,852 | $1,672,176 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $12,732,431 | $3,401,163 | $3,189,344 | $3,122,888 | $3,151,928 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $148,629 |
| Fixed assets | $24,373,302 | $12,457,070 | $12,469,614 | $12,656,331 | $12,925,262 |
| Other long-term assets | $316,888 | $14,622 | $14,981 | $39,548 | $338,029 |
| Total long-term assets | $24,690,190 | $12,471,692 | $12,484,595 | $12,695,879 | $13,411,920 |
| Total assets | $37,422,621 | $15,872,855 | $15,673,939 | $15,818,767 | $16,563,848 |
| Liabilities | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $569,791 | $1,696,534 | $199,055 | $302,854 | $309,788 |
| Other current liabilities | $46,808 | $49,542 | $87,985 | $59,990 | $114,696 |
| Total current liabilities | $616,599 | $1,746,076 | $287,040 | $362,844 | $424,484 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $100,165 | $280 | $581 | $187 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $100,165 | $280 | $581 | $187 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $716,764 | $1,746,356 | $287,621 | $363,031 | $424,484 |
| Net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Without donor restrictions | $26,042,149 | $13,620,730 | $14,880,216 | $14,840,213 | $15,223,004 |
| With donor restrictions | $10,663,708 | $505,769 | $506,102 | $615,523 | $916,360 |
| Net assets | $36,705,857 | $14,126,499 | $15,386,318 | $15,455,736 | $16,139,364 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Total contributions | $5,107,059 | $1,337,606 | $1,067,848 | $1,154,835 | $1,320,461 |
| Program service revenue | $8,502,951 | $3,505,927 | $3,314,621 | $2,978,816 | $2,603,777 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $299,774 | $110,929 | $23,829 | $85,981 | $146,087 |
| Other revenue | $130,620 | $60,330 | $110,552 | ($157,159) | $1,150,071 |
| Total other revenue | $8,933,345 | $3,677,186 | $3,449,002 | $2,907,638 | $3,899,935 |
| Total revenue | $14,040,404 | $5,014,792 | $4,516,850 | $4,062,473 | $5,220,396 |
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Program services | $8,124,653 | $5,204,155 | $3,908,962 | $4,155,592 | $3,668,105 |
| Management and general | $2,652,721 | $1,062,698 | $671,064 | $586,696 | $5,381,898 |
| Fundraising | $4,497 | $5,998 | $6,242 | $3,813 | $3,004 |
| Total expenses | $10,781,871 | $6,272,851 | $4,586,268 | $4,746,101 | $9,053,007 |
| Change in net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $3,258,533 | ($1,258,059) | ($69,418) | ($683,628) | ($3,832,611) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $3,258,533 | ($1,258,059) | ($69,418) | ($683,628) | ($3,832,611) |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 8/11/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
When and who envisioned a Christian grade school in Pella is unknown. The first recorded mention of the idea dates from 1903. Not until 1911, however, did the idea really take flight when 37 members joined to form the Association for Christian Education of Pella, which formally incorporated in February 1912. Construction got underway on a one-story, two-room schoolhouse that opened its doors to 26 students on January 6, 1913.
As secondary schools became the norm, area Christian schools and churches formed a society and started a regional 9-12 Christian high school in Pella in 1939 to serve graduates of all the area K-8 Christian schools.
As the two schools in Pella grew and their operations grew closer together, the two schools' Societies voted to merge in 2024 and operate as a single district with two campuses under one school board.
Through prosperity and poverty, discord and amity, optimism and doubt, the leaders, educators and parents of the school have been united together by their mission to provide a truly Christian education for the Lord's children. A look back at the schools' history show that it has been amply blessed and rewarded for this faith - with growth in enrollment, with expansion in academic excellence and facilities, and with national recognition as an exemplary place for students to learn and grow.
As past generations have done, future generations will continue to educate each child in the light of His word, and continue to celebrate the story of God's faithfulness to Pella Christian Grade School and Pella Christian High School.