About ACSI
The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) was founded in 1978 when several regional U.S. school associations joined, becoming a united voice to advance excellence in Christian education. The leaders’ vision was to inspire, challenge, and resource educators and schools. First headquartered in La Habra, California, ACSI moved to an expanded facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1994. Today, ACSI serves 25,000 schools in 108 countries.
For more than 40 years, ACSI has faithfully lived out its mission around the world:
To strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Since our founding in 1978, our vision has steadfastly desired that:
ACSI will become a leading international organization that promotes Christian education and provides training and resources to Christian schools and Christian educators.
As our mission continues, ACSI is renewing our commitment to Christian schools and educators to help them deal with today’s challenging times—characterized by seismic cultural shifts and disruption.
Today and into the future we will continue to assist, encourage and develop:
- Schools that contribute to the public good through effective teaching and learning and that are biblically sound, academically rigorous, socially engaged, and culturally relevant; and
- Educators who embody a biblical worldview, engage in transformational teaching and discipling, and embrace personal and professional growth.
Vision 2030
Our Vision 2030 strategic plan continues to build upon our three foundational pillars of Advancing, Access, and Advocacy through four new growth initiatives to globally support flourishing Christ-centered education. We will continue in bold and innovative ways, not only responding to critical needs before us today but also planning for the future of Christ-centered education tomorrow.
We invite you to join us as together, we advance the cause of Kingdom education today and into the future.
Contacts
Mailing Address
Association of Christian Schools International
P.O. Box 62249
Colorado Springs, CO 80962
(800) 367.5391
Office of Communication & Engagement
communications@acsi.org
(719) 367-5391
Media Inquiries
media_inquiries@acsi.org
(719) 867-0243
News & Press Releases
ACSI and Cardus Report Finds Positive Mental Health Ratings in Christian Schools
A new report from Cardus, in partnership with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the School Counseling Mental Health Initiative at Denver Seminary, titled “Mental Health and Well-Being in Christian Schools,” surveyed more than 1,400 Christian educators across the U.S., rating student mental health in Christian schools. Findings indicate a higher rating for student wellbeing, despite growing national concern over youth mental health.
The report is based on a late-2024 survey of Christian school educators that explored perceptions of student overall wellness, educator wellbeing, and school practices related to mental health. 80 percent of respondents rated the overall mental health of students at their schools as “good” or “excellent.”
Dr. Lynn E. Swaner, Cardus President, US, shared why this report is fundamental.
“It’s very encouraging to know that the vast majority of respondents rated student mental health at their schools ‘excellent’ or ‘good.’ But that’s just the beginning of the conversation, not the end. It would be well worth investigating the mechanisms by which Christian schools are addressing mental health, including integrating their faith-based missions, which educators in our survey perceive as making a difference."
The findings contrast with broader concerns about student mental health in the United States. For example, in 2023, the CDC found that 40 percent of students had persistent sadness or hopelessness. Furthermore, according to a January 2026 survey by eLuma (which provides mental health services at schools), 57 percent of school and district leaders, teachers, special ed teachers, and mental health workers at schools report that student mental health is worsening in the United States.
Educators tended to rate student mental health higher at schools with cell phone control policies in place (vs. schools with no cellphone policies), at schools that integrate faith with their well-being approaches, and at schools that prioritized attention to and openly acknowledged the importance of mental health.
Possible forms of attention included prioritizing mental health along with academic and spiritual development, showing compassion and understanding to those struggling with mental health challenges, openly acknowledging and advocating for the importance of mental health, providing information about mental health and support options, and being equipped as a school to address students’ mental health concerns.
The report also found a strong relationship between educator wellbeing and perceptions of student mental health, highlighting the connection between staff wellness and student wellbeing in Christian school communities.
ACSI Director of Research Dr. Rian Djita reflected on the importance of the report and its potential impact in Christian schools.
“I am grateful for our ongoing partnership with Cardus, particularly on this mental health initiative in Christian schools. I hope this report’s findings will encourage meaningful discussions among educators that may lead to more effective and intentional policies and practices that support the mental health of our students.”
Read this report now: https://www.cardus.ca/research/education/reports/mental-health-and-well-being-in-christian-schools/