Thoughts from a Christian School Principal

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 s...

Jim Ellwanger, TV Guide #1704 You may remember the 1980's sitcom, Who's the Boss? about a man who becomes a live-in housekeeper for a single mom. As the title describes, there is a pressure in the home regarding who is in charge. In its day it challenged stereotypes of male and female roles. But the show also challenges thoughts on authority over the children in the household. Throughout the sitcom conflict arises when the characters overstep their authority in parental matters. A similar tension is prevalent daily in education. As educators we must ask ourselves, who's the boss? What came first? Before schools. Before churches. God created family. The Creation Mandate found in Genesis 1:27-28 says, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of th...

My kindergarten class picture, 1984. No matter what type of school someone attends, the words "Christian school" typically invoke a strong feeling or preference. Some believe Christian school is essential to shape a Biblical worldview and others adamantly fight against Christian education. Each person approaches the subject with opinions they have created from prior experiences, either theirs or someone they know. What I have discovered is we should use caution when forming an opinion about Christian education based on prior experience unless that experience can assess several different Christian schools.  From kindergarten to my high school graduation I attended a Christian school. I received a superior education from this school and was well-prepared for university, but the spiritual atmosphere was merely Christian in name. My husband had also attended this school for one year, and based on our experienced we said we would never put our future children in Christian school. ...