Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
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Herzog Announces Teacher of the Year List

The Herzog Foundation has proudly selected 12 outstanding Christian school teachers for their annual Teacher of the Year recognition. These educators represent the heartbeat of The Herzog Foundation’s mission and purpose. This year, the list includes two ACSI member school teachers, Kit Avery of Southwest Christian High School in Minnesota and Nancy Cook of Rejoice Christian School in Oklahoma.

Elisa Carlson Begins as ACSI Board Chair

With six years of experience on the ACSI Board of Directors and nearly two decades as a head of school, Elisa Carlson is set to begin her responsibilities as the ACSI Board Chair in October 2025. Carlson serves as the Head of School at Central Christian School (CCS) in Redmond, Oregon. During her two-year stint as ACSI Board Chair, she hopes to further the mission of Vision 2030.

What is the “Whole-Part-Whole” Approach to Professional Development in Christian Schools?

In Christian education, the formation of a Christ-centered culture is essential. At the Flourishing Schools Institute, we believe that this begins with a unified educational philosophy grounded in biblical truth. The Whole-Part-Whole (WPW) approach to professional development is our strategic framework for embedding that philosophy into every aspect of school life.

School Year Begins with Revival at Northlake Christian School

One of the first chapels of the year was wrapping up at Northlake Christian School (NCS) in Covington, La., but the students were not ready to leave. After rousing testimonials from several members of the senior class and fervent prayer for revival in their school, students stayed an extra 40 minutes to continue worshiping and praying. Afterwards, 50 students reported that they had prayed to receive salvation during the chapel.

One of ACSI's Most Popular Events: Day of Prayer 2026

Association of Christian Schools International holds an annual Day of Prayer, where Christian schools, educators, students, and communities around the world come together to intentionally focus on unified prayer for Christian education. Last year’s ACSI Day of Prayer theme was “Abide,” based on John 15:4-5, reminding us that apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. Schools all over the world united to pray for each other, pray for other schools, pray for students, and pray for continued advocacy and expanded access of Kingdom education.

 Featured Event

  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.

 

Learn More & Register Now

  Blog and Podcast

  Blog

 

Learning and Leading with AI: Teaching, Technology, and Courage to Grow

Artificial intelligence has entered our classrooms and staff meetings, sometimes in big ways, sometimes in subtle ones. It’s changing how we write, research, grade, plan, and even how we imagine what teaching could look like in the future. For Christian educators, this new reality brings both opportunity and challenge. The question isn’t whether AI will be part of education—it already is. The deeper question is, how will we, as Christian teachers and school leaders, engage it faithfully?

Teaching in the Age of AI: Imagination, Wisdom, and the Work Only Humans Can Do

Artificial intelligence is not just arriving at our schools’ doorsteps; it’s already in the classroom, the teacher’s lounge, and the administrative office. For educators, this moment can feel equal parts thrilling and unsettling. Is AI the solution to our most pressing educational challenges? Or will it erode the very human connections at the heart of teaching? The truth is that AI is neither a magic wand nor the end of education. Like any powerful tool, AI’s impact depends on the imagination, wisdom, and discernment with which we use it.

ACSI Member School Enrollment: A Thought Exercise with Implications for Public Education Spending and Funding

With over 5,000 member schools (2,200 of which are U.S.-based), ACSI is the largest Protestant Christian private school membership association in the world (ECFA, 2025), serving over 650,000 K–12 students (ACSI, 2025). With a renewed emphasis on school choice, ACSI has undertaken a counterfactual thought exercise with implications for U.S. policymakers: If all ACSI students were to enroll in local or regional publicly funded schools suddenly, what would the immediate economic impact on each U.S. state look like in terms of spending and funding?

Rebuilding the Wall: Protecting Christian Schools from School Shootings

The U.S. Secret Service interviewed more than 35 school shooters and discovered a frightening connection between a student bringing a gun to school and what motivated them to murder classmates and faculty.

  Podcast

 

Grafted Together Ep 21: Pursuing Excellence and Righteousness in Sports, with Billy Sparacio
Grafted Together Ep 21: Pursuing Excellence and Righteousness in Sports, with Billy Sparacio

Billy Sparacio brings nearly 30 years of experience in high school athletics, and he uses sports as a platform to mold young men and women for life beyond the game.

Grafted Together Ep 20: Following Jesus the Teacher (TKA Devotional)
Grafted Together Ep 20: Following Jesus the Teacher (TKA Devotional)

Jerry Nelson led this devotional at The King's Academy (FL), an ACSI Exemplary Accredited School, on August 7, 2025. He challenged TKA's faculty to be more like Jesus the teacher, speaking from John 20.

Student Leadership & Learning Ep 21: Equipping a Generation for Courageous Influence
Student Leadership & Learning Ep 21: Equipping a Generation for Courageous Influence

Even if students know they're meant to stand for truth, are they equipped to do so? Emily Pigott shares ways to equip students to actually follow through on their mission to impact their community with courageous influence.

Stronger Together Ep 6: Latin Am. Update, International Education, & Early Ed
Stronger Together Ep 6: Latin Am. Update, International Education, & Early Ed

Hear a global update from Latin America, a spotlight on an international school educator, and a word from an Early Education presenter.


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Larry Taylors Picture

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.

 

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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
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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.

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Access

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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.

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Advocacy

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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.

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Stay Connected to ACSI

Community Network

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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.

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Career Center

Career_Center_Homepage

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.

Go to the ACSI Career Center  

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.

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ACSI events and experiences! View Events and Register