Welcome to Stories
The Protea Hotel in Stellenbosch played host to a gathering of 146 educational leaders at the 2025 ACSI South Africa National Principals Conference. Nestled among vineyards adorned in autumn hues and framed by the majestic Stellenbosch mountains, the venue provided a picturesque and peaceful setting for three days marked by worship, insightful teaching, rich fellowship, and professional growth.
When I first arrived in my current school in 2022, the government began investigating Christian schools throughout the country, seeking to close many of them and push students into the public school system. Smaller Christian schools, especially those operating within church buildings, were particularly vulnerable—some were forced to close, while others were able to reopen as educational centers.
Summer is here and we know the importance of utilizing this time to refill your cup and invest in your own professional development! We have compiled a list of recommended books that our educators are reading for you to browse for your own summer reading list.
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Dr. Derrick Mueller serves as one of the Executive Directors for ACSI Canada, overseeing the East Coast, but his path into a career in education and leadership was far from typical. Born into a broken home and facing trauma at a young age, he spent his early years moving between foster families in Northern Quebec. He dealt with language barriers, health issues, and learning difficulties, all of which made school a tough experience for him.
Every graduating senior is a unique creation in the image of God, yet schools aim to instill certain desired outcomes in all of them. During my time as head of school at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Texas, we prayerfully aspired for our graduating seniors to demonstrate these foundational desired outcomes.
Featured Event
Public Policy and Advocacy Summit 2025
September 15–17, 2025 | Washington D.C.
Join us in Washington, D.C.! Our annual Public Policy and Advocacy Summit will be held in Washington, D.C., September 15-17. This year's special professional development summit will include panel discussions on important legislative issues, special guest speakers, and so much more.
Blog
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Previously, while serving as a lower school STEM teacher, I had an opportunity each day to create a learning environment for my students that allowed them to use their creativity. My classroom was designed to be a collaborative space where students worked with others to solve problems. Some days those problems were given to them by me, while other days, they chose a problem they wanted to tackle (Rob & Rob, 2018).
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Some of us may have experience building our own house. Even without that lived experience, we all may understand intuitively and agree that constructing a strong house requires complex planning and detailed execution. Every construction project not only needs a solid blueprint but also a team of skilled laborers, sufficient resources, the right tools, an achievable timeline and Gant Chart to plot the overlapping phases of construction, and strong project management skills. A sturdy house cannot be completed if any of these elements are missing.
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There are very few educators with a completed to-do list—there is always more to plan and implement, and every day creates new challenges to add to issues from yesterday that are still unresolved. As we look back at the school year (that either just finished or will finish soon), there are certain to be items we had to leave unchecked.
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It’s that time of year once again. As the sun sets on the familiar halls that echo with laughter and locker doors clanging shut, a mix of emotions hangs in the air. High school graduation, a milestone marking the transition from adolescence to adulthood, is an event brimming with nostalgia, anticipation, and the promise of new beginnings.
Podcast
Dr. Edward Bunn sits down with Dr. Chris Hobbs, Head of School at Indian Rocks Christian School, to discuss the leadership soft skill of change management.
Hear from Dr. Larry Taylor at the International Educator Leadership Conference in Budapest, and from Phil Hills, Executive Regional Director of ACSI Western Canada, ahead of this September's Public Policy & Advocacy Summit.
Emily Pigott emphasizes the importance of leading by example through biblical leaders Nehemiah, Deborah, Ruth, and Moses. She highlights various leadership traits such as integrity, humility, and perseverance.
Dr. Cy Smith, Superintendent of Mansfield Christian School, shares actionable insights on how to handle the shortage of quality Christian educators.
President's Office
“I can think of no greater cause than to partner with you to advance Christ-centered education.” Dr. Larry Taylor, ACSI President & CEO
Dr. Taylor has been serving in education for over 30 years. He is passionate about training up this generation of disciples for Jesus Christ through Christian education.
Prior to accepting the President position at ACSI, Dr. Larry Taylor served twenty years as the Head of School at Prestonwood Christian Academy (PCA) in Plano, Texas. Prestonwood Christian Academy serves more than 1,600 students enrolled at four campuses as part of its school system.
Click the link below to read more.
ACSI's Mission
ACSI exists to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
ACSI's Foundational 3 Pillars
Advancing
Leading Christ-centered education toward excellence and flourishing
We want all schools to aspire to, achieve, and remain committed to a biblically-based philosophy of education, standards that are measurable, and flourishing-related criteria. ACSI strives to lead, support, and serve Christian schools, and educators, by placing them on a path of growth and flourishing using the research-based Flourishing Schools Initiative. This model should link leadership and faculty professional development accreditation, and every culture-driving component of a school. A common philosophy, and a flourishing-based metric, would unify our efforts of advancing Christian schools and educators.
Access
Making Christ-centered education available and obtainable
ACSI is committed to making Kingdom education available to as many children and families as desire it, believing that such an education offers students an opportunity to grow in a loving relationship with their Creator, come to know His saving work through Jesus, and flourish in His Ephesians 2:10 calling for their lives. This commitment requires removing barriers to access for those who traditionally have not benefited from Christian school, as well as seeking out new ways to create access points to Kingdom education and the ability to thrive and be successful in that education—for all those who desire it.
Advocacy
Promoting and protecting Christ-centered education for today and tomorrow
As the largest evangelical Christian school association in the world, ACSI is by default viewed as the spokesperson for Christian schooling in the public square. In order to discharge this responsibility with excellence and seasoned speech (Colossians 4:6), and to equip our member schools to do the same, ACSI must invest in developing public-facing resources and forming strategic relationships with those working in the area of advocacy for Christian Education and for religious liberty.
Stay Connected to ACSI
The ACSI Community online forum exists to provide connection, collaboration, and networking with Christ-centered education advocates, educators, and influencers in a protected online environment.
ACSI Community offers Christian educators opportunities to Connect, Collaborate, Compel, Captivate, and Comprehend. Join thousands of like-minded education professionals around to globe to grow in knowledge, sharpen skills, and deepen your faith, in a safe, authentic virtual environment.
ACSI provide helpful tools for you to find the next position God has for you through a resume review search and career planning portal. You can also discover ACSI positions.
Thinking about serving internationally? PFO2Go will provide the confidence to enter a new culture in which to both work and live outside the United States.
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ACSI and the Colson Center Convene Hundreds of Christian School Educators for the Rooted Educator Worldview Summit
June 9, 2025
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ACSI Makes Key Investments in Global IT Platform,
Resourcing Thousands of Educators Worldwide
May 12, 2025
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ACSI Announces Key Changes in Staff Structure in Alignment with Vision 2030
April 29, 2025
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ACSI Announces Key Staff Changes in Alignment with its Vision 2030
April 14, 2025
Strategic Partners
ACSI proudly presents the Strategic Partnership Program, which includes companies, organizations, and ministries who have been carefully chosen to benefit you—our member schools—and to assist you in accomplishing your life-changing mission.
