Flourishing Schools Institute Charlotte, North Carolina - June 20–22, 2023
Blue Sky School in Brazil Started with Burial Plot Proceeds Funding from an Unlikely Place
MAX Event Opportunities HR and Employment Law for Christian Schools
The Great Commission Project Advancing Christ-centered Education
ACSI's Foundational 3 Pillars:
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.
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.
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.
SCHOOL LEADERSHIP | MARCH 21, 2023
Looking for the Helpers
The gray-haired professor stood before a group of unsuspecting students, pointed her finger at each student, and with a force of power, said: “If you do not stand up for young children, who will?”
At that moment God pierced my heart, called my name, and set me on my life’s journey (Isaiah 43:1). It has been a journey that has taken me from a public school teacher to a leader of children’s ministries, writer and editor of Christian curriculum, adjunct professor, consultant, parent, and grandparent. For more years than seems possible, I have been trying to show up, stand up, and speak up for children.
SCHOOL LEADERSHIP | March 14, 2023
Preventing “Mission Drift” is Not Enough
LYNN SWANER
Since Peter Greer and Chris Horst wrote their inspirational book Mission Drift in 2014, Christian organizations have rightly focused on ways to remain true to their mission for the long term. Greer and Horst coined the term “Mission True” to denote organizations whose missions are truly their North Star. Inherent in the title of the book, and articulated throughout the chapters, is the assumption that organizations will default to drifting away from their mission—unless they intentionality guard that mission.
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ACSI and Spreading Hope Network Host Urban School Leaders’ Gathering Equipping School Administrators Serving Diverse Communities
Kansas City, MO– The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) has partnered with Spreading Hope Network to host an Urban School Leaders’ Gathering designed to support Christian school administrators who are serving diverse communities. The Gathering will take place March 16-17, 2023, after the ACSI Flourishing Schools Institute at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center.
School administrators serving diverse communities will hear relevant content from expert speakers including ACSI President and CEO, Dr. Larry Taylor, Russ Gregg, Head of School at Hope Academy, Marcus Oatis, Founder and Executive Director of Providence School of Arts, Dan Olson, Executive Director of Spreading Hope Network, and Jerry Nelson, ACSI Chief Ministry Officer. The theme will be structured around three main points: The Leader’s Purpose, The Leader as Steward, and The Leader as Servant.
Taylor believes this Gathering aligns with ACSI’s mission and vision—to advance and provide more students with access to a solid, Christ-centered education.
“ACSI is thrilled to come alongside Spreading Hope Network for the first time in offering The Urban School Leaders’ Gathering,” he shared. “The goal of this event is to equip and encourage our school leaders who are operating in socio-economically and ethnically diverse communities. We have been very intentional in the schedule to allow time for collaboration, ensuring that school leaders have the time to share the strategic issues they are facing in their schools.”
The Urban School Leaders’ Gathering is an offering from Spreading Hope Network, an extension of Hope Academy aimed at launching new urban Christian schools. Since its inception, hundreds of entrepreneurial educators have been equipped and inspired with innovative strategies to reach all students.
Gregg, founder of Hope Academy, is passionate about serving diverse populations, providing as many students as possible with access to Kingdom education.
“At the intersection of innovative education, educational justice and access issues, and missional living, we believe there is an energy to be fanned into flame to serve students of the city,” Gregg shared. “Many Christian schools already exist in our urban centers, serving some of the most disadvantaged students. We want to encourage them to continue the work and equip new educational leaders to do similar work.”
Taylor looks forward to serving as a panelist at the Gathering.
“It has been close to my heart that all of the Lord’s children are given the opportunity to receive a quality education taught from a biblical worldview,” he shared. “Our prayer is that each leader will leave with renewed vision, deepened insights, and a network of colleagues they can reach out to in navigating their unique challenges.”
To learn more about or register for the Urban School Leaders’ Gathering, visit the website or contact ACSI Care Team by calling (800) 367-0798 or emailing careteam@acsi.org.
About ACSI:
Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, 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 advances excellence in Christian schools by enhancing the professional and personal development of Christian educators and providing vital support functions for Christian schools through multiple services, including teacher and administrator certification, school accreditation, legal/legislative assistance, and curriculum publishing. Serving more than 25,000 schools in 108 countries, ACSI helps more than 5.5 million students worldwide connect to Christian education.
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About Spreading Hope Network:
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Spreading Hope Network exists to ignite a movement of God-centered education for at-risk youth in our nation's cities. Founded in 2017, the organization networks and catalyzes an emerging generation of Christian educators inspired by the model of Hope Academy in Minneapolis— a leader in the classical, Christ-centered, urban schooling movement. Spreading Hope Network shares resources, hosts conferences and site visits, networks school leaders, and helps kick-start new God-centered schools for children of the city. Learn more at spreadinghopenetwork.org.
