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When St. Augustine Preparatory Academy (Aug Prep) broke ground in Milwaukee almost a decade ago, two worlds collided. The school’s intended location was an “industrial dumping ground,” says Kelsey Brenn, one of the school’s founding members. The property had a number of worn-down buildings, one of which became the new Aug Prep central office: a small yellow house infested with raccoons. “We saw promise there, and God saw promise there,” Brenn said.
We asked Dr. Os Guinness, renowned author, theologian, and speaker at ACSI's Public Policy & Advocacy Summit, some poignant questions about the upcoming documentary, "Truth Rising," and the importance of public policy.
When the hard-working students of Ambassador Christian Academy (ACA) wanted to expand their STEM horizons, they didn’t schedule a field trip to a local science and technology museum. No, they scheduled flights and flew across the country from New Jersey to Phoenix, Arizona, in March 2025 to compete in the International Christian Stem Competition (ICSC) at Grand Canyon University. Much more than a field trip, the entire experience enabled hands-on learning and personal growth from beginning to end.
Dr. Debbie MacCullough, ACSI’s Senior Director of School Improvement, recently shared her insights about the revised edition of the book “Undivided.” “Undivided” is both a philosophical and practical guide to biblical worldview integration in the classroom, offering a compelling framework for how to teach all subjects—even mathematics—with theological depth and coherence. Debbie wrote one of the appendixes and possesses an acute understanding of “Undivided” since it was written by her mother, Dr. Martha MacCullough, a veteran educator with over four decades of experience training Christian teachers.
Beth Afanador grew up attending public schools in Illinois, so she didn't foresee a career in Christian education, let alone overseas. But in seventh grade, her family moved to Mexico for a year due to her father’s grad school program and she experienced Christian education for the first time. That year opened her eyes to the value of teaching overseas, even if her long-term goal was to minister to students in inner-city Los Angeles. When she graduated from Wheaton College and heard about an opportunity to teach in Bogotá, Colombia, she was intrigued.
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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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?
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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.
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I get a lot of questions from Christian teachers lately that sound something like this: “What are we supposed to do with AI in schools? Is this the end of education as we know it?” These are fair questions! AI technology feels mysterious, and maybe even threatening. It can seem almost… magical… so it’s no wonder it causes us to ask big questions. Big questions demand thoughtful answers. For us, as Christian educators, I think this means we need to cultivate an imagination big enough to understand what AI is, what it isn’t, and how we might use it in ways that glorify God and affirm what it means to be truly human.
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The Cognitive Abilities Test™ (CogAT) was designed to empower educators with deeper insights into their students and guide their efforts to adapt instruction to best meet students’ needs and abilities. The key to adapting instruction is CogAT’s unique Ability Profile score, an indicator that concisely conveys the level and pattern of each student’s CogAT scores. Using the Ability Profile is an easy way to visualize the resources and abilities that students bring to their own learning and allows us to link students’ test scores to strength-based instructional strategies.
Podcast
Hear a global update from Latin America, a spotlight on an international school educator, and a word from an Early Education presenter.
Dr. Steve Mason, Student Success Services Teacher at Southside Christian School in South Carolina, joins the Grafted Together Podcast to discuss Artificial Intelligence, biblical worldview integration, and human intelligence.
Josh Leonard and Jerry Nelson discuss targets for students to know, understand, and believe upon graduation. Josh serves at North Raleigh Christian Academy and is currently leading in the role of Dean of Spiritual Formation and Discipleship.
Students are returning to school shaped by culture, for better or for worse. Hear actionable strategies on how to capitalize on the beginning of the school year.
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.
ACSI Promotes Key Leader to VP for Development, Supporting the Organization’s Vision for 2030
Colorado Springs, CO—The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is pleased to announce former Senior Director of ACSI’S Western Division Dr. Cecil Swetland's promotion to Vice President for Development.
In his new role, Swetland will support Vision 2030 by building strong relationships with Kingdom investors, creating a strong foundation for the important initiatives ahead. He will also oversee the work of Children’s Tuition Fund, Strategic Partners, and Donor Relations.
ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor believes this transition will enable Swetland and the team to foster opportunities to better support, provide access to, and advance Christ-centered education globally.
“I have been honored to witness Dr. Swetland’s humility and total dependence on God,” he shared. “He is passionate about the ACSI mission, and it is so encouraging to have people on our leadership team that are gifted relationship builders. I am excited to see him use his skills and giftings in this role of Vice President for Development.”
Swetland has held multiple roles at ACSI over the last nine years including Senior 
Director of Western Division and Regional Director for California and Hawaii. Prior to those positions, Swetland was a head of school for 18 years. He brings years of experience in the financial world along with experience with Christian education to help support ACSI’s mission.
ACSI Vice President of USA Dr. David Balik looks forward to Swetland leading the Development team.
“For the better part of nine years, Dr. Swetland has done an outstanding job serving the almost 600 schools in the Western Division,” he said. “I have no doubt that Cecil will bring the same level of commitment, quality, and hard work to his new role as VP for Development."
Taylor said, “We will be forever grateful to Cecil for his strong service to the Western Division. We are currently searching for his replacement and in the meantime, we will come alongside Western Division schools to ensure great member relational service continues.”
Swetland shared his excitement in serving through this new role.
“I am thankful to the Lord for the privilege of serving Him at ACSI,” Swetland expressed. “Our mission to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators has inspired me since joining our team almost nine years ago. It’s a joy to work with remarkable school leaders and colleagues every day. I am grateful and excited to take on the role of VP for Development and serve donors and sponsors as they invest in Kingdom education and play a key role in the work being done on behalf of Christian school students, teachers, and leaders worldwide.”
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.
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.
