Bible in the Schools donates $3 million to Hamilton County Schools

On July 31, 2026, a significant $3 million donation was presented by the nonprofit organization, Bible in the Schools, to Hamilton County Schools, marking a major milestone in the 105-year-old organization’s commitment to providing Bible education in public schools.

Established in 1922 by Co-Founder of Chattanooga's McCallie School, Dr. J.P. McCallie, Bible in the Schools has been a long-standing partner in advancing Bible education for students in Hamilton County. The gift, totaling $2,951,554.62, was given to support the Bible education program in 35 public and charter schools, reimbursing the district for the program’s operational costs.

At a ceremony attended by key officials from both organizations, Mr. Rob Huffaker, Chairman of the Board of Bible in the Schools, and Ms. Cathy Scott, President of the organization, handed over the check to Dr. Justin Robertson, Superintendent of Hamilton County Schools, and other senior leaders. Mr. David Sternberg, Chief Operations Officer of Bible in the Schools, also participated in the event.

This substantial donation will be used to expand the Bible education program, including the addition of three part-time to full-time positions and the launch of a new Bible program at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences' Middle School. The program, which adheres to Tennessee State Academic Standards, aims to foster critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the Bible’s literary, historical, and cultural significance.

In the 2025-2026 academic year, 5,200 students participated in Bible courses, with 60% of the senior class indicating they had taken at least one Bible course during their school career. The program is funded by private donations and has grown significantly over the past decade, with the number of participating schools doubling from 18 to 35.

Ms. Scott expressed gratitude for the community’s support, stating, “We are honored to present this community gift for public school Bible education, made possible by the generosity of thousands of dedicated partners who desire to keep Bible education as an option for interested students in our public schools. These academically rigorous courses actively engage students by enhancing literacy, fostering higher-level critical thinking, and instilling virtues that promote principled living and responsible citizenship.”

Dr. Robertson echoed the sentiment, thanking the community for its ongoing investment in the program. He said, “We are grateful for the investment our community is making in students through Bible in the Schools. Bible in the Schools provides important funding to enhance our curriculum by providing students with optional Bible courses that foster unique educational experiences, encourage academic growth, and deepen cultural understanding. This generous contribution allows us to further invest in our work to ensure students are culturally aware and community involved as a part of our portrait of a graduate.”

The Hamilton County-based program now serves as a model for public schools, with 91% of all 6-12th grade students having access to a free, for-credit Bible education. The organization’s commitment to maintaining this program has been recognized by the courts, with a 1980 federal court ruling affirming the constitutionality of offering elective Bible classes in public middle and high schools.

To learn more about Bible in the Schools or to contribute to the program, visit their website at bibleintheschools.com.