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Principal’s
Perspective
"The State of
Christian Education"
"Our enrollment
is down this year". "We lost two more students this
week". "It's going to be tight financially". "What are
we doing wrong?" "It's hard to compete with the big
public school".
These are the
comments I hear as I talk to other administrators of
Christian schools. It seems like enrollments have been
dropping everywhere in Christian schools lately. We
personally have 30 fewer students than 4 years ago. So,
what is the state of Christian education? Are we doing
something wrong? Can we not compete with the public
schools?
Let me answer
that last question first. The answer is no, we cannot
compete with the public schools. Why? Because we're not
in competition with them! Their goals are completely
different from our goals. Do we do some of the same
things? Yes. Do we teach some of the same subjects? Yes.
But, our goal is to lead every child to a saving
knowledge of Christ. Is theirs? Our goal is to
train Christian young people in all subjects with Christ
at the center. Is theirs? Our goal is to develop
young people to go out and do a work for God. To become
preachers, missionaries, teachers, Christian doctors;
etc. Is theirs? No, their goals are completely
different. So, as much as some may want to,- we cannot
compare ourselves to public schools.
This leads us to
the answer to the other comments and questions above.
Christian schools have been losing students left and
right to where? To public schools. Why? Two reasons:
1.) Money - we
charge tuition and public schools are free.
2.) A lack of
commitment to having children get a Christian Education.
A Christian
education means one thing: Sacrifice. Are
we willing to sacrifice to ensure our children
get the Christian foundation they need to survive and
succeed? My heart sinks as I see parents pull their
children out and put them in public schools. Knowing the
influence and atmosphere they are going to be exposed
to, all I can think is, "did we do enough while they
were here to make them strong enough to survive in the
face of a wicked environment?" When deciding where to
place your child, just remember that although a
Christian education may cost a little now it
pays big dividends in the long run!
Mark
your calendars for Homecoming on Friday, January 25,
2008!
Alumni Day is
Saturday, January 26, 2008!
The Alumni schedule
is 10AM Volleyball game & 11AM Basketball game then 12PM
lunch.
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