Bible in the Schools 
The information on this page was last updated 7/20/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Bible in the Schools provides Hamilton County public school students with a robust academic exploration of the Bible. Following Tennessee's State Academic Standards, the five elective courses focus on the Bible's literary and historical significance through a viewpoint-neutral lens. Funded privately by charitable donations, Bible education is made possible to participating schools as a free gift, ensuring that all interested students in grades 6-12 have equal access to this elective opportunity.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Bible in the Schools
200 W. Martin Luther King Blvd,
Suite 300
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Website: bibleintheschools.com
Phone: (423) 648-0500
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 620523361
CEO/President: Cathy Scott
Chairman: Rob Huffaker, Jr.
Board size: 32
Founder: J. P. McCallie
Ruling year: 1956
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 07/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
Teaching Bible to Hamilton County public school students in grades 6-12 offers numerous academic and social benefits, which contribute to a well-rounded education for students.
Mission statement
To advance Bible education for students in Hamilton County public schools
Statement of faith
Donor confidence score
Show donor confidence score details
To understand our donor confidence score, click here.
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Evangelism Support
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 1372 of 1435 | 34 of 39 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 1234 of 1435 | 32 of 39 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 985 of 1435 | 24 of 39 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 1383 of 1436 | 36 of 39 |
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 4% | 11% | 6% | 11% | 11% | 13% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 4% | 10% | 6% | 11% | 10% | 13% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 96% | 93% | 97% | 99% | 90% | 96% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 4% | 11% | 12% | 16% | 11% | 13% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 4% | 7% | 3% | 1% | 10% | 4% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 81% | 79% | 76% | 83% | 79% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 96% | 93% | 48% | 70% | 86% | 102% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 81% | 75% | 38% | 54% | 71% | 80% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 4% | 7% | 52% | 30% | 14% | -2% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 5% | 3% | 36% | 24% | 15% | -2% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 9% | 8% | 9% | 7% | 6% | 8% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.01 | 0.34 | 0.32 | 0.55 | 0.95 | 1.01 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.09 | 4.13 | 2.96 | 3.03 | 2.74 | 2.07 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.36 | 1.39 | 0.94 | 1.67 | 2.59 | 2.09 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 33.59 | 37.04 | 30.57 | 37.54 | 14.60 | 16.82 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.07 | 0.06 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 8.42 | 8.41 | 12.41 | 7.00 | 4.31 | 5.39 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 4% | 4% | 5% | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 4% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 88% | 286% | 301% | 180% | 103% | 96% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Cash | $1,967,485 | $1,768,900 | $1,614,297 | $837,958 | $885,278 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $543,834 | $1,508,707 | $199,585 | $129,143 | $200,877 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $2,511,319 | $3,277,607 | $1,813,882 | $967,101 | $1,086,155 |
| Long-term investments | $7,509,431 | $6,036,678 | $3,682,049 | $1,672,922 | $1,148,200 |
| Fixed assets | $342,502 | $390,661 | $4,738 | $10,698 | $14,774 |
| Other long-term assets | $5,411 | $5,411 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $7,857,344 | $6,432,750 | $3,686,787 | $1,683,620 | $1,162,974 |
| Total assets | $10,368,663 | $9,710,357 | $5,500,669 | $2,650,721 | $2,249,129 |
| Liabilities | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $67,796 | $107,231 | $48,323 | $66,228 | $64,560 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $67,796 | $107,231 | $48,323 | $66,228 | $64,560 |
| Debt | $0 | $381,845 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $333,230 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $333,230 | $381,845 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $401,026 | $489,076 | $48,323 | $66,228 | $64,560 |
| Net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Without donor restrictions | $3,273,940 | $3,085,424 | $2,833,130 | $2,279,720 | $1,888,188 |
| With donor restrictions | $6,693,697 | $6,135,857 | $2,619,216 | $304,773 | $296,381 |
| Net assets | $9,967,637 | $9,221,281 | $5,452,346 | $2,584,493 | $2,184,569 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Total contributions | $3,493,526 | $6,203,293 | $4,257,741 | $2,611,881 | $2,156,522 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $334,404 | $267,572 | $60,154 | $308,712 | $80,667 |
| Other revenue | ($78,100) | ($60,591) | $37 | ($13,234) | $673 |
| Total other revenue | $256,304 | $206,981 | $60,191 | $295,478 | $81,340 |
| Total revenue | $3,749,830 | $6,410,274 | $4,317,932 | $2,907,359 | $2,237,862 |
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Program services | $2,822,498 | $2,409,714 | $2,316,118 | $2,069,085 | $1,792,529 |
| Management and general | $292,157 | $289,657 | $225,085 | $150,433 | $192,492 |
| Fundraising | $372,487 | $367,482 | $487,260 | $287,917 | $288,801 |
| Total expenses | $3,487,142 | $3,066,853 | $3,028,463 | $2,507,435 | $2,273,822 |
| Change in net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $262,688 | $3,343,421 | $1,289,469 | $399,924 | ($35,960) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $262,688 | $3,343,421 | $1,289,469 | $399,924 | ($35,960) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Cathy Scott | President | $134,967 |
Compensation data as of: 7/31/2025
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 7/20/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
In the spring of 1922, Dr. J. P. McCallie, founder of The McCallie School, was appointed Chairman of the Religious Work Committee of the YMCA of Chattanooga. When asked to state some plans of work for this Committee, he made the following statement.
"I have seen what the Bible, taught as a regular daily class, with tests, promotions, reports, and credits attained diploma for graduation, can do for young boys of upper elementary, junior high, and high school age. It is a shame that public school youngsters cannot have the same privilege as pupils in a private school, where they find it the most interesting and rewarding subject they study. It has made possible the Honor System of conducting examinations without cheating, diminishes dishonesty, lying, profanity, and bullying, and is altogether the most worthwhile course we have. Cannot the same thing be offered in the public schools as an elective study and as a gift, apart from all taxes, by the YMCA, in cooperation with the YWCA, the PTA, members of churches, and other individuals who see its value? Remember, that not 50% of youth are in any Sunday School; some principals say 75% never receive Bible instruction."
On behalf of his committee, Dr. McCallie approached the Chattanooga City Commission to present the gift of a Bible course adapted to the various ages from 4th grade through high school, with teachers selected and paid by the Public School Bible Study Committee, but subject to the principals and the Board of Education in scholarship and discipline. The Mayor asked: How can you prevent controversy over doctrinal matters that have divided and perplexed the church throughout the ages? "Very simply," replied Dr. McCallie. "Our Bible teachers will be instructed to use the language of the Bible and under no circumstances to engage in denominational controversy. If such questions are asked by pupils, tell them to ask their pastors why their church believes as it does, and they will be happy to explain. As far as Bible teachers go in the public schools is to let the Bible speak for itself and not use sectarian or denominational terms."
One member of the City Commission, a Catholic, promptly said, "Mr. Mayor, Bible study has never hurt anybody yet, and it could do a lot of good to our boys and girls. I move we gladly accept this free gift to our school curriculum as an elective and ask our Commissioner of Education to work out this Bible course in cooperation with this Bible Study Committee." The Jewish member of the Commission quickly said, "I second the motion." The motion was passed after three readings.
The program was later expanded to include Hamilton County schools, and it has continued since 1922.
https://bibleintheschools.com/history/