For nearly 75 years Preston Hollow has resided at the intersection of Preston and Walnut Hill and the intersection of life and faith, offering those longing for a connection with God a pathway to deeper faith and belonging. It has been the Spirit's work through the people of God and the body of Christ the church. It's a holy privilege and incredible gift to continue in ministry from this corner. As we survey the horizon for our next seventy-five years in ministry our Strategic Projects team, in conjunction with the Session, have been looking to the future and examining the readiness of our physical campus for the ministry God continues to call us from this corner.
Please check here often for information on how we are facing the challenges of our aging infrastructure, updates on planning for an upcoming capital campaign, communications from the Strategic Projects Team and the Session and more!
Preston Hollow Presbyterian School (PHPS)
PHPS is a private, alternative school with current enrollment of 134 students in grades K-6 with a student-teacher ratio of 4 to 1. Tuition is $24,600 for the highest grade offered.
PHPS began in September 1963. Lillian Powell, a founding member of PHPC and a childhood psychologist, had the vision to start a school for children who learn differently in small classes in a nurturing environment. It was the first such school in Dallas. The inaugural class consisted of first graders and over the years PHPS was expanded to offer classes from kindergarten through 6th grade. PHPS has consistently worked with students who learn differently to enable their students to transition to traditional public or private school after their time at PHPS. PHPS and PHPPS are currently located on the campus of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church (PHPC) at the corner of Preston Road and Walnut Hill Lane (9800 Preston Road). PHPS and PHPPS currently occupy and utilize over 50,000 square feet of space on the north end of the PHPC campus. PHPS and PHPPS also utilize a gymnasium, playgrounds and a miniature soccer field on the north end of the PHPC campus.
PHPS was started by PHPC but became an independent nonprofit organization in 1995 and the current agreement between PHPC and PHPS began in 2018.
Preston Hollow Presbyterian Preschool (PHPPS)
PHPPS consists of a preschool for Young Toddler, Older Toddler and Young 2’s classes for children ages 12-29 months and a PreK with 2,3- and 5-day classes for children ages 2.5 – 4 years old. Tuition and fees for Young Toddler, Older Toddler and Young 2’s classes for children ages 12-29 months are $2,740 for 1-day and $5,080 for 2-day. Tuition and fees for children ages 2.5 – 4 years old are $4,865 for 2-day, $6,125 for 3-day and $8,015 for 5-day. A Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) extended day lunch program is available to all PreK children ages 2.5 -4 years as a separate registration. PHPPS classes typically run from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.
PHPPS began in September 1953 by Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church (PHPC). The purpose and goal of PHPPS was to offer the community the best possible early childhood education with a Christian emphasis. PHPPS was started by PHPC but is now run by PHPS.
Dear Members of PHPC,
We wanted to make you aware that at Monday evening's Session meeting the Special Projects Committee presented the following motion to the Session:
On behalf of the Strategic Projects Committee Session Members, we prayerfully submit a Motion to discontinue discussions regarding a future North Campus partnership with Preston Hollow Presbyterian School and Preschool, effective immediately. Despite our best efforts and many months of discussions with PHPS leadership, the PHPS Board of Trustees and recently with PHPS parents, it has become evident that the current relationship between the School and Church is irreparably fractured. The School and Board’s actions and inactions do not align with either the Church’s values or our vision of how to treat one another. As previously agreed, PHPS and preschool will vacate the Church’s North Campus Property on or before June 30, 2025.
After the motion was seconded and discussed, the Session voted unanimously to approve the motion. The Rev. Mark Brainerd then led us in prayer, both for the school and the church.
Our decision comes after conversations that have lasted the better part of two years and confirms what we have previously communicated with the congregation and with PHPS and Preschool, that they will vacate the Church's North Campus on or before June 30, 2025.
This is not a decision that was taken lightly or without regard to the tremendous work PHPS does on behalf of its student population. We are disappointed that we have found ourselves at this juncture but felt it prudent to give PHPS clarity on our position. The board and leadership of PHPS has shared the plans they currently have in place surrounding their future with PHPS families, and we wish them well as they enter the next chapter of their storied history.
Should you have specific questions surrounding this decision, please email session@phpc.org.
In Christ,
The Session of PHPC