Christian Education

Advantages: A Christian school aims to work with the church and the family to further strengthen the training the child is receiving at home. Ideally, all three work in harmony.

A true Christian school will be centered in the authority of the Scriptures and the person of Jesus Christ.

A Christian school has the freedom to teach children God's Word. The children then learn how to interpret the events of society through the truth of God's Word. The end result is a group of children who, based on their knowledge and interpretation of the Scriptures, can stand up for what they believe, and know why they believe it--in both the spiritual and academic arena.

Bible classes are taught and chapel is included in the weekly schedule. Discipline is handled by Godly counsel using the scriptures as the standard for acceptable behavior. Often uniforms are worn.

Many Christian schools have earned private accredition through qualified Christian organizations, such as the Association of Christian Schools, Intl.or ICCA, among others. This accreditation is accepted in many states as meeting or exceeding the state norms for public school accreditation.

It is important for a parent to inquire about the curriculum used at a Christian school. Most Christian schools use some, if not all, Christian curriculum. It is the author's belief that Christian curriculum is essential in the areas of Social Studies (history), and Science. Reading curriculum should be morally sound and include Christian readings and classics.

A true Christian school does not have an axe to grind against the public education system. It realizes that both types of education are in existence to teach children knowledge. However, a true Christian education is built on an entirely different foundation regarding the purpose and meaning of that knowledge. See The Case for Christian Education for specific itemized differences.

The Christian school has the privilege to provide children a complete education by...

1. teaching children that God is the creator of everything, including knowledge, and true knowledge will always point to Him;
2. teaching children how to examine facts through the truths of God's word;
3. teaching children to love knowledge, wisdom, AND God;
4. teaching children how to relate to one another in Christian love;
5. teaching children the Scriptures, and showing them how they can be applied in their daily lives;
6. and teaching children to see the world through the eyes of Jesus, i.e., developing a Christian worldview.

Many schools offer an open house during the spring when you can visit the school. Often, you can make an appointment and visit the school at other times. Be sure to visit many schools, as this is an important decision for you and your child. If you decide to enroll you child in a Christian school, enrollment is usually open to the public as of March 1st. Often, there is a waiting list, therefore, it is important not to delay the enrollment until the summer.

Disadvantages:

1. Christian schools can be costly. You must carefully weigh the importance of your decision. It may be a challenge to pay for tuition. However, many people of modest incomes have sacrificed wanted items, such as another car, in order to enroll their child in a Christian school. (These people believe the development of a Christian worldview in their child is the most important investment they could ever make). Don't let cost be a deterent to at least considering the possibility of a Christian school education for your child. Payment options are usually available, ranging from payment in full, to monthly installments. Some schools offer limited scholarships.

   Perhaps most importantly, don't forget the God Factor! I know of many instances of financial provision in cases where families had no funds at all! Yes, miracles do still happen!

2. Some parents object to fundraising, but it seems to be a necessary part of most Christian schools. The monies raised are usually used to provide for technology, audio visual materials, playground equipment, etc. (Fundraising has also become common in Public Schools).

3. It is not the mission of the Christian school to protect your child from any contact with society and its problems. The purpose of a Christian school is to give children a God-centered education. While it is true that the majority of children at a true Christian school are 'nice kids,' you must remember that children come from a variety of backgrounds and levels of spiritual maturity, just as their parents do. Just because your child attends a Christian school does not mean he will never be exposed to objectionable behavior etc., in other students, nor does it mean the school will be immune to the problems of the world.

• Does the school have an active prayer foundation?
• Is the science curriculum based on Creationism?
• Is the history curriculum Christian?
• Is the school a member of a Christian School Organization such as ACSI, or ORUEF?
• Is the school accredited or does it have plans to seek accreditation in the future from a Christian school accrediting organization? (Some great Christian schools are unable to be accredited due to small enrollment).
• Does the school have a statement of belief? Is that statement of belief compatible with your own beliefs?
• Does the school have a written philosophy of education? Do you agree with it?
• Do the employees exibit the love of God to the student body, and to yourself, as a visitor?