Welcome to Stories
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The partnership between the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Ron Blue Institute marks a significant step in enhancing financial education within Christian schools. Rooted in a shared vision and a commitment to biblical principles, this partnership aims to provide students with a Biblical Personal Finance Curriculum that gives them a comprehensive understanding of money management through a distinctly Christian worldview.
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Dr. Jenny Sue Flannagan has been an educator for 32 years, but in a way, this past school year felt like her first. Flannagan began as a science teacher in 1992 and is currently an Associate Professor in Regent University’s Education Department, where she helps prepare the next wave of educators.
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We asked leaders to share some of their best practices in preparing for the new school year. Here's what they shared!
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As the landscape of education rapidly evolves, so do the challenges faced by educators, particularly those working with young children. In a recent conversation with consultant and speaker Elisabeth Jochum, we delved into the intricacies of early childhood education and the critical role faith plays in navigating its complexities.
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Imagine you’re a Christian teacher, eager, confident, and sensing a call of God. You’ve earned your degree and your teacher license, you have a couple of years in the classroom under your belt, and most recently, you landed that dream job of teaching abroad in an English-speaking, western-curriculum, international Christian school this fall.
Featured Event
Public Policy & Advocacy Summit
Washington, D.C. | September 16-18, 2024
Join us in Washington, D.C.! Our annual Public Policy and Advocacy Summit will be held in Washington, D.C., September 16-18. This year's special professional development summit will include panel discussions
on important legislative issues, special guest speakers, and so much more. Limited seats are available, so register now!
Blog
Cultural
Integration of International Students
Robin Hom | August 26, 2024
Many Christian schools have taken on the profound calling to minister to international students. These residents of other countries attend school in the United States on a special visa, often seeking a better education than they would receive in their home country. As Christian educators, our goal should be to minister to these students in a manner that goes beyond academics.
Podcast
The Flourishing Journey Ep 9: Strategies for a Culture of Well-Being
Dr. Edward Bunn | September 9, 2024
Dr. Edward Bunn sits down with Dr. Jason Rachels, President of Calvary Christian Academy in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, to explore strategies and exemplars for cultivating a culture of well-being.
Stay Informed on ACSI's Events and Resources
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. Also, don’t miss the International Schools Job Fair.
ACSI Grants Exemplary Accreditation to Four Christian Schools for 2023–2024
The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is honored to renew the Exemplary Accreditation status of four Christian schools in the U.S. for the 2023–24 academic year.
The four schools include: Delaware County Christian School (PA); First Presbyterian Day School (GA); Southside Christian School (SC); and The First Academy (FL).
ACSI Exemplary Accreditation was designed for top-performing schools that are seeking to maintain higher standards for all programs and operations.
In addition to simply meeting the indicators at an effective or highly effective level, these schools have a demonstrable history of exemplary programs and practices in governance, executive leadership, school viability, student learning, spiritual formation, and overall school culture (a vibrant, Christ-centered ethos among students, faculty, and leadership).
Dr. John Patterson, Head of School at First Presbyterian Day School, shared how honored he feels to be recognized as one of the 19 ACSI Exemplary Accredited schools.
“This accomplishment is a testament to the incredible faculty and staff who live out our mission to ‘educate and equip students to change the world for God's glory,” he said.
ACSI President & CEO, Dr. Larry Taylor, believes these schools are truly paving the way for Christian education to thrive.
“I am so proud of and impressed by our Exemplary Accredited schools,” he said. “Their commitment to homing in on the areas of their schools that can be pruned to produce even more fruit as they disciple ambassadors for Christ is inspiring. I am looking forward to seeing how these schools and the many more like them who will pursue ACSI Accreditation raise the standards in defining Christ-centered education.”
Superintendent of Southside Christian School Dr. Sam Barfell shared, “We are thrilled once again to achieve Exemplary Accreditation from ACSI. We consider it a humbling honor to partner with ACSI in seeking excellence as a Christian school in all regards. Although a rigorous process, accreditation is well worth the effort as we seek effectiveness in pursuit of our mission of seeking to partner with Christian parents to educate and disciple students to live a gospel-centered life.”
ACSI Senior Director of Accreditation and Credentialing Stephen Deck shared why accreditation is meaningful for schools.
“Accreditation documents that a school is true to its stated mission and helps schools determine their own effectiveness in fulfilling the accreditation standards through a peer-review process that culminates in an action plan for continued improvement,” he said. “Similar to the picture in Jeremiah 17:7-8 of a tree planted by the water sending its roots by the stream, ACSI Accreditation provides a structured process for a school to strengthen its roots, helping the school to flourish.”
To learn more about Exemplary Accreditation, feel free to review the Exemplary Addendum or reach out to accreditation@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.
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.
