Philosophy and Goals of Christian Academy School System
The educational philosophy of the Christian Academy School System is based on a Biblical view of God, man, truth, and education. Since God created and maintains all things through His Son, Jesus Christ, the universe and all life are dynamically related to God and have the purpose of glorifying Him. This is especially true of man who was created in God’s image, different in kind from all other creation, with the unique capacity to know and respond to God personally and voluntarily. Because man is a sinner by nature and choice, however, he cannot, in this condition, know or honor God in his life. He can do this only by being born again through receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and thus be enabled to do God’s will, which is the ultimate purpose in life.
The entire process of education is seen as a means used by God to bring the student into fellowship with Himself, to develop a Christian mind in him and to train him in Godly living so that he can fulfill God’s total purpose for his life. He must be taught the Bible so he may understand God as well as his own nature and role as a person created in God’s image. He must be developed and related to God as a whole person, spiritually, mentally, physically and socially. He must learn to see all truth as God’s truth and to integrate it with his own unique abilities and personality. He must interact with and be taught by parent and teacher models who are themselves born again and have this perspective of life.
The authority for such an education comes both from God’s command that the children be taught to love God and place Him first in their lives, and from the fact that parents are responsible for the total education and training of their children. At the parents’ request the Christian school, along with the church, becomes a partner in giving this education.
The purpose of Christian Academy is to provide a Biblically-integrated instructional program in a disciplined environment that encourages spiritual commitment and academic excellence.
We believe, therefore, it is the responsibility of the school to be dedicated to:
- Leading each student to a vital, personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ;
- Assisting each student in the development of a Christian mind and a Christian lifestyle;
- Promoting a Biblical integration of faith and learning;
- Developing a comprehensive educational program that helps each student achieve full academic potential;
- Maintaining a diverse extracurricular program designed to assist each student in the development of social skills and the expression of individual personality;
- Preparing and encouraging each student for effective service for Christ in whatever career he/she chooses;
- Supporting and assisting the Christian home and the Bible-teaching local church.
To fulfill these responsibilities it is the goal of Christian Academy to:
Christian Faith and Values
- Help each student increase in knowledge of God and accept Him as the source of knowledge and wisdom;
- Encourage each student to accept Christ as personal Savior and to continue to grow and develop in the knowledge of Christ so as to become more like Him (Ephesians 4:13);
- Help each student understand the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, who lives in each believer, and guides each believer in the understanding and application of Biblical principles (John 14:26, John 16:13, I Corinthians 6:19);
- Help each student gain a knowledge of, appreciation for, and confidence in the Bible as the only inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God, and encourage each student to be consistent in personal Bible study;
- Help each student understand the significance of the local Bible-teaching church and the necessity for regular attendance and involvement;
- Help each student identify and develop his/her unique gifts and abilities, and the importance of using them for the benefit of the entire Christian community (I Corinthians 12:7, Ephesians 4:16);
- Help each student with the development of personal Christian convictions and values, and encourage commitment to them during times of pressure and adversity (Ephesians 6:11-13);
Christian Missions and Service
- Encourage each student to be sensitive and responsible to the needs of others (Philippians 2:4);
- Help each student develop the abilities and skills needed to effectively communicate the Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16);
- Help each student develop a knowledge of and spiritual concern for other people and cultures, and assume the responsibility each Christian has in the area of world missions (Matthew 28:19-20);
Intellectual Development
- Assist each student in recognizing that each area of instruction, whether scientific, historical, mathematical, literary, or artistic, must be understood within the pattern of God’s truth as revealed in the Bible;
- Assist each student to acquire proficiency in the basic skills necessary to intelligently meet the demands of life;
- Help each student gain a thorough command of the fundamental processes used in communicating with others;
- Challenge each student to strive for excellence and maximum achievement in every area of the instructional program;
- Prepare each student to pursue independent study, to reason logically, and to develop a life-long interest in learning and intellectual development;
- Prepare each student with the knowledge and skills necessary for further study and occupational competence;
- Assist each student in the development of creative and critical thinking skills, using Biblical principles and criteria as the basis for evaluation;
Physical Development
- Assist each student to understand that the body is the temple of God and is to be kept clean and pure, capable of responding to God’s direction;
- Encourage each student to accept personal responsibility for achieving and maintaining physical fitness and practicing good health habits;
- Develop in each student an awareness that a healthy physical body contributes significantly to a sound mental, spiritual, and social state;
- Assist each student in recognizing the dangers inherent in the use of substances harmful to both physical and spiritual well-being, and in accepting responsibility to avoid the use of such substances;
- Assist each student to develop an interest in the skills needed for life-long involvement in physical activities;
Social Development
- Encourage each student to develop Christian attitudes, accept principles of behavior, and base decisions on the spiritual, moral, and ethical values of the Bible;
- Prepare each student to assume the responsibility and privileges of citizenship;
- Teach each student the Biblical principles regarding marriage and family life and the personal commitment needed to establish and maintain Christian families, including the belief that a biblical marriage is limited to a covenant relationship between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:4);
- Assist each student to acquire the attitude and skills essential to effective interpersonal relationships;
Career Development
- Assist each student to acquire a basic knowledge of the economic system, to develop attitudes and skills needed to be a competent consumer, and to apply Biblical principles to the use of personal resources;
- Assist each student to develop respect for the dignity of labor and pride of performance;
- Assist students in developing values, attitudes, and basic knowledge essential to the world of work through career awareness and exploration.