What's Most Important?

You're stranded on a desert island and can only bring two things. What do you bring? We've all probably played that game before; with answers that made us laugh and maybe even some that made us think. But underneath the get-to-know-you game are truths that reveal what we hold most valuable.

How do you choose what to bring?

Christian schools strive to have it all; excellent academics, outstanding athletics and extracurricular activities, and an inviting atmosphere. But when a school leader must choose between the three, which is the most important? Which one would you bring with you on the deserted island?

Schools with great athletics but a low-quality education do a disservice to their students. In the same way, schools with great academics but no enrichment activities like athletics do not serve their families either. What about a school with high achievements in academics and athletics but the atmosphere is one filled with bullying and low student morale? Then there is the school that is all about a great atmosphere but the education is sub-par. Any of these options is undesirable, a truly high quality education must have all three components working together.

As a school leader I am frequently evaluating the school in every area to assess how we are serving our families. Every time I do, I see places we need to improve because no school truly has it all (seriously, look deeper, if you want to find the flaws you can). But each time I asses, I take a moment to remind myself of the one thing that is most important. Atmosphere.

I choose atmosphere.

Why is atmosphere the most important thing? Because the atmosphere of our school will determine the direction we will go. Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines atmosphere as "a surrounding influence or environment" (Merriam-Webster.com). The atmosphere of a school affects the mood and way people feel in a place. If the atmosphere of a school is off, everything in that school will be affected.

Since becoming a principal I have asked myself repeatedly, what is the most important thing these students leave this school with? Will they receive that through the atmosphere, the academics, or the extracurriculars? So where should I focus my energy?

I believe the most important thing students should take with them when leaving our school is that Jesus loves them and has a plan for their life. I have come to realize that understanding the love of Christ does not come through a purely intellectual means, but it requires an experience. To experience God's love, we must have an atmosphere that portrays it. So where do I focus most of my energy, on atmosphere. This does not mean we neglect academics or extracurricular activities, but the percentage of energy given is different.

What does that mean for parents.

Some times parents will have to choose one aspect over another in a school. If faced with that situation when choosing a school, I challenge you to consider what is most important for your child. Does the school have an excellent academic reputation but obvious moral concerns? Or will they provide opportunities in the arts or athletics but poor academics? As a parent, you must ask yourself the same questions a school leader does, what is most important for my student?

For the school leader: when you don't know where to start, start here.

The challenge for many schools is to move their school from a weak school atmosphere to a strong one. I know of one school who decided to make their slogan, "The happiest school on earth!" and chose a Disneyland theme for the entire year. Unfortunately just claiming you are Disneyland does not make you Disneyland. Many people look at school negatively because it is required (like reading specific novels in high school that I still don't enjoy). This requirement can make school feel more like waiting in the DMV line rather than going to Disneyland.

Who are you?

So how do we change the atmosphere? Don't try to be Disneyland, because you aren't. A good atmosphere starts by knowing who you are. If you are a Christian school, don't try to be a public school. If you are a small school, don't act like a big one. Be who you are!

A vital part of being the unique school God has planned your school to be, is knowing what God is saying for this season of the school. The famous words of Jeremiah remind us, "For I know the plans I have for you, declare the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV). God has specific plans for our school, the staff, and the families; school leaders must be intimately connected to God, listening to hear His vision for the school they are leading.

What do you want to produce?

Second to knowing the kind of school God has called you to be is to know what you want to produce from the school. School leaders need to have vision for what the school should produce. Proverbs 29:18 tells us, "Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint," (ESV). Vision is essential to creating a healthy atmosphere, without it people live recklessly.

Ask yourself: What does a graduate of your school look like? What is their character? What opportunities would they have experienced at your school? What are your expectations for their future academic success? Articulating the desired outcome will cast vision for the school. As the staff, students, and parents are made aware of the vision, the atmosphere will begin to change within the school.

What is one thing you can do this year to get there?

At this point it can feel like you need to make a million changes tomorrow but that is not usually how healthy growth happens. Start with one thing. Pick something that is a simple change that will make a big difference. What is one change you can make this year toward the atmosphere you desire? Implement that change, then beginning planning for other changes that can be made in the future. Small beginnings should not be discredited as Job 8:7 says, "And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great" (ESV). Do not try to do it all right now; start small, but the important thing is to start.