What to Expect
The admission process involves completing an
- Online application for Junior Kindergarten through 12 grades. For Early Education at Tyler or Lindale, click here.
- Student assessment
- Family interview
The online application will ask for parent and student information and several recommendations. The online application fee is $75 and includes the student assessment. A student assessment will be scheduled when a completed application and supporting documents are received. Family interviews are the final step in the admissions process for those students recommended for admission to Grace Community School.
If you have questions about our admissions process, please email admissions@gracetyler.org or contact the Grace Admissions Office at 903-566-5678, ext 2114.
Admissions Team
Amber Bowler
Upper Campus Director of Admissions
Amber Bowler
Upper Campus Director of Admissions
M.B.A., UT Tyler
Amber joined Grace Community School in January of 2022 as the Director of Admissions – Upper Campus. Amber received both her undergraduate degree and MBA from UT Tyler, where she was on the women’s golf team. She and her husband married in 2015, and they have two little girls at Grace. Amber and her family are members of Flint Baptist Church and enjoy playing golf together and serving others.
Tonya Boyd, CPA
Senior Director of Finance & Accounting
Tonya Boyd, CPA
Senior Director of Finance & Accounting
Tonya has been with Grace Community School since 2017. She is a certified public accountant with 22 years of banking and regulatory reporting experience and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Tyler. Tonya and her husband, David, have three children, including a Texas Tech University graduate and two daughters who attend GCS. They attend Clearview Church in Lindale and enjoy fishing, camping, and spending time at home.
Kayla Franks
Admissions Coordinator
Kayla Franks
Admissions Coordinator
B.S., University of Texas at Tyler
Kayla joined Grace Community School as the Admissions Coordinator in January 2022. Previously she worked at the Refinery Chiropractic as a chiropractic assistant and has worked for Grace Community Church and Grace Early Education in the past. Kayla moved to Tyler from Columbia Missouri to attend UT Tyler and graduated from there with a bachelor’s in Business Management. Kayla has lived in Tyler since 2017 and attends Grace Community Church. When she’s not working, Kayla enjoys being outside and hanging out with friends. She also trains dogs and takes Krav Maga self-defense classes in her free time.
Ijeoma “EJ” Unegbu, Ed.D.
Director of Community and Culture
Ijeoma “EJ” Unegbu, Ed.D.
Director of Community and Culture
Ed.D., Dallas Baptist University
Ijeoma “EJ” joined Grace Community School in June 2022 as the Director of Community and Culture. She is an alumnus of Grace and attended from kindergarten to eighth grade before there was Grace High School.
Ijeoma worked for Tyler Junior College for almost 14 years, serving in various roles as professor, interim director for faculty development and professional development coordinator. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Communication from the University of Texas at Arlington, a master’s degree in Human Resource Development from the University of Texas at Tyler, and her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Dallas Baptist University. Outside of work, she enjoys knitting, gardening, and the family pet, a chiweenie, named Luna.
Ijeoma and her husband, Robert, have three children, Naomi, Abigail, and Daniel. They are members of Rose Heights Church in Tyler.
EJ has written several blogs while at Grace, including: Getting Back to the Genesis of Diversity and Imago Dei Week
Amber Wallace
Family Care Coordinator
Amber Wallace
Family Care Coordinator
Amber joined Grace Community School in 2019. She is married to CJ, and they have three sons that attend Grace Community School. She and her family love the outdoors, sports, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Shari Wilson
Lower Campus Director of Admissions
Shari Wilson
Lower Campus Director of Admissions
B.S., University of Arizona
Shari has a deep love for Jesus and for those who come seeking the hope He has to offer. Her background includes years of experience in education and programming for children and adults. She has taught in the classroom, worked as an Education Specialist with the Arizona Supreme Court and spent countless hours coaching and encouraging women, parents, families, and students. Her passionate love for Jesus and the principles in His Word give her a unique perspective on how the choices we make are so critical to living the lives we deeply desire. Shari is a ministry leader, speaker, and life coach, but the real truth is she’s a lover of chocolate and strong coffee. She has been married nearly thirty years to her best friend, Scott. She’s an avid University of Arizona Wildcat fan and mom to Ethan, Garner, Torrey, Sydney, Riley, and Reagan, and one beautiful daughter-in-law, Julianna.
Admissions Criteria
Faith
- At least one parent or guardian has a personal testimony of a relationship with Jesus Christ. In grades 9-12 the student must also be a professing Christ follower.
- Families are actively participating and regularly worshiping in a local church in which the Bible is sincerely believed to be the inspired word of God and is, therefore, the basis for all life and learning.
Academic Profile
Each student gives evidence of a commitment to the learning process based on:
- Teacher recommendations and report cards that indicate the student is an independent learner and can be successful in a traditional school environment.
- Admissions assessment that indicates the student is equipped to succeed in a rigorous academic climate.
- Satisfactory conduct records and personal references.
School Partnership
- There is an understanding and an agreement with the statement of faith and mission of Grace Community School to provide children with a Christ-centered education which means Jesus Christ is acknowledged in every area of life.
- Families and, when age appropriate, students, agree to support and live in accordance with the Grace Community Lifestyle Agreement and the Grace Community Position on Marriage and Human Sexuality.
Parent and Student Handbook
- To request a copy of the handbook, please contact our admissions office at admissions@gracetyler.org.