School Governance
Avail Academy is governed by a board of directors representing and elected by the Calvin Christian School Society, the voluntary membership association that owns and operates Avail Academy. Board members are trustees of the beliefs and mission of Christian education, responsible for nurturing the vision and setting the direction for Avail Academy.
The Calvin Christian School Society of Minneapolis, a voluntary membership society owns, operates, and supports Avail Academy. Membership in the society is open to all current parents or guardians, staff, and donors of Avail who are committed to education fully integrated with a Biblical knowledge of God and His world. The Society meets twice a year to build community and provide insights into the work God is doing at and through Avail. For more information concerning the Society or membership therein, email president@availacademy.org.
Darin Beckering
Profession: President / Sr Wealth Advisor at Elevation Wealth Management
Alumni parent 5th and 7th grade students at Avail
Avail Academy has played a major role in preparing our children to be disciples of Christ. Each student is taught to use their unique gifts to glorify God in all they do.
Steve Bruin
Profession: Pharmacist / Pharmacy Manager at Costco Wholesale
Parent of 11th, 9th, and 6th grade students at Avail
The entire Avail community comes alongside parents and the Church in raising up disciples for Christ and challenges students to learn about the world while discovering their role in His plan. The fantastic staff deeply invests in each of our kids, understands their individual needs, and develops their skills to be servant-workers to His Glory.
Lisa De Kam
Profession: Physical Therapist, The Melrose Center; Co-founder, The Axia Project
Alumni parent of 2nd grade student
Avail Academy teaches students about their God, their world, and their lives from a Reformed Biblical worldview. They celebrate the unique gifts of each child and the restorative impact of salvation.
Jon Dykstra
Profession: Architect for Alliiance
Parent of kindergarten, 4th, and 6th grade students
My hope is to see Avail Academy flourish as a uniquely covenantal Christian institution steeped in a Reformed biblical worldview. A community that works alongside parents and churches to disciple and educate our children for the glory of God and for the redemption of His world.
Andrew Feikema
Profession: Relationship Manager for U.S. Bank Corporate Banking
Parent of kindergarten, 4th and 6th grade students at Avail
Avail has been an integral part of my family’s faith life and community for many years. The fundamental, purposeful Christian education and worldview Avail fosters is something my family and I truly hold special and dear in our daily lives. We especially appreciate the school’s intentional approach to incorporating Teaching for Transformation throughlines in all subject matters.
Andrew Heddle
Profession: Digital Marketing for Winnebago Industries
Avail Academy not only teaches a Christian worldview, but also ensures their students apply that worldview to their everyday life. Avail Academy students bear fruit in their community in thought, word, and deed.
Lois Marra
Profession: Executive Assistant at Mickman Brothers
Alumni parent of two Avail alumni
My support for Avail Academy and for Christian education runs deep and wide. Avail provided our children with a rock-solid foundation, fully prepared to be kingdom workers in our world today.
Dan Moak
Profession: Partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Parent of 1st and 4th grade students
Avail provides a faith-based education to our children that prepares and nurtures their hearts and minds to live Christ-centered lives at home, school, and in their communities.
Ross Nelson
Profession: Regional Sales Director for Harris
Parent of 11th and 9th grade students at Avail
Faith alignment between our home, church, and education is one of our dearly held family values. Every day our kids see God in their studies and the hearts and minds of other students, teachers, and staff, which is a gift that we are grateful to receive!
Beth Ritzema
Profession: Reading Teacher for Anoka Hennepin School District
Parent of two high school alumni and a 12th grade student
Ten years ago, our family of five relocated to the Twin Cities knowing only one couple. While we chose Avail Academy for the Christ-centered worldview, we gained a support system for our whole family as we adapted to our new surroundings. My aim is to help new families become a part of this community and join me in giving back.
Jack Van Marion
Profession: Founding Faculty member/professor, The Robert E. Webber Institute For Worship Studies; pastor emeritus, Calvary Christian Reformed Church
Avail Academy provides Christian parents a solidly biblical, educational platform and partnership to raise their children over time into spiritually mature and discerning followers and disciples of Christ, ready to flourish and serve God in all of creation.