Welcome to Stories
.jpg?sfvrsn=6c980606_1 "Enroll 600x400 (15)")
Around 500 Christian educators gathered in Harare, Zimbabwe for the annual ACSI Zimbabwe Conference from September 3-5. Hosted at Gateway Primary School since 2009, and under ACSI Zimbabwe’s leadership since 2018, the conference has become a significant recurrent gathering for encouragement, training, impartation and unity for educators across the region. Conference from September 3-5.
Expanding the reach of Christian education into a community requires vision, but that’s not all it requires. Expansion also requires resources… resources to develop and grow that vision into a reality. The leaders at ACSI-accredited Stillwater Christian School in Kalispell, Montana, are taking steps to bring their vision to life with the support of recent grants totaling millions of dollars. Early in 2025, the school received a $1 million grant from the Gianforte Family Foundation. This gift follows a $5 million donation from local businessman, Paul Wachholz, which was announced in September 2024.
The ACSI 2025 National Convention of Christian Educators, “Ven & Ve,” was nothing short of remarkable. This gathering in the Dominican Republic not only met but far surpassed its attendance goal, with 972 participants coming together from across the country. coming together from diverse regions across the country.
.jpg?sfvrsn=77b58737_1 "Enroll 600x400 (14)")
The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) continues to advance Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to strengthen and expand Christ-centered education around the world. We recently asked Jerry Nelson, ACSI’s Chief Ministry Officer, to share some of the most exciting updates related to the Ministry Team’s initiatives.
Our ACSI Africa team recently experienced a powerful reminder of why they do the important work that they do. They attended a local church service together with ACSI Senior Director of School Improvement Dr. Debbie MacCullough, and near the close of worship, the congregation sang the hymn “Fight the Good Fight.” On the way back from church, they reflected on how this beautifully captures the heart of Christian schooling. The mission is not only to educate but to continually point students to Christ—Who is both the way and the ultimate goal.
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
.jpg?sfvrsn=13d63639_1 "Globe 950 x 475 (9)")
Michael Reeves quips in his book “Delighting in the Trinity” that Christians have reduced the doctrine of the Trinity to shamrocks, apples, and eggs. No wonder, he bemoans, that understanding the Trinity often seems irrelevant. Yet, the triune God is the most relevant reality there is. For us Christ-centered educators, however, it can be a struggle to understand or explain the Trinity.
e3742932-8037-44e4-b20f-cc77e4ab02fe.jpg?sfvrsn=153d8884_1 "Globe 950 x 475 (8)")
When the Lord said to Joshua, “Go up and attack Ai” (Joshua 8:1), I’m pretty sure he wasn’t talking about ChatGPT. Yet sometimes, it seems like that’s how we treat Scripture—searching for a proof-text answer to contemporary issues. Is the Bible telling us that we should take up arms against algorithms? Smash the supercomputers? Obliterate the large language models? Clearly not. (Though I’ll admit the mental picture here was too good to resist!)
84f03352-88d2-473e-b077-f03339396106.jpg?sfvrsn=844eb8d7_1 "Globe 950 x 475 (8)")
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?
.jpg?sfvrsn=54096576_1 "Globe 950 x 475 (8)")
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.
Podcast
Rachael Jones, Assistant Director of Professional Development sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn, Director of Professional Development, to discuss Leadership Development and the newly redesigned Leadership University.
Hear about the 2025 Public Policy & Advocacy Summit that just wrapped up in D.C., get to know ACSI's new Board Chair, Elisa Carlson, and enjoy a spotlight on an ACSI school seeing a revival in its student body.
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.
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.
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 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.
