Welcome to Stories
Every graduating senior is a unique creation in the image of God, yet schools aim to instill certain desired outcomes in all of them. During my time as head of school at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Texas, we prayerfully aspired for our graduating seniors to demonstrate these foundational desired outcomes.
This Easter season, students at Happy Hands and Deaf Christian Academy encountered the story of Jesus in a way they never have before—through their own language. Thanks to the groundbreaking release of “Jesus: A Deaf Missions Film” in American Sign Language (ASL), Deaf students now have direct access to the life of Christ, portrayed entirely in ASL without the need for subtitles, interpreters, or animated versions.
While attending the 2024 Rooted Educator Worldview Summit, Shawn Minks reflected on the current state of Christ-centered education. The Head of School at Cambridge Christian School in Tampa, Florida, has worked in Christian education for more than three decades.
This story has become increasingly uncommon in recent years: a student attends Christian school their whole life and is insulated from values and beliefs other than their own. They’re kept in a bubble, and once they graduate, they get blindsided by the outside world.
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Hear from ACSI Exemplary Accredited school leaders as they share how accreditation strengthens their institutions by upholding their mission, elevating academic and spiritual excellence, and showcasing their school's unique strengths.
Featured Event
Rooted Educator Worldview Summit '25
June 16–18, 2025 | Dallas, TX
Educators around the world are asking how to more effectively engage students in the spiritual formation journey and help develop deeper roots in the flourishing soil of a biblical worldview. ACSI and the Colson Center have partnered together to offer a “worldview summit” to answer this leading question and to provide valuable resources for:
- Developing a Christlike culture
- Facilitating healthy faith formation
- Providing tools to engage secular ideology
- Expanding best practice around a clear and consistent application of the Christian worldview
Blog
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It’s that time of year once again. As the sun sets on the familiar halls that echo with laughter and locker doors clanging shut, a mix of emotions hangs in the air. High school graduation, a milestone marking the transition from adolescence to adulthood, is an event brimming with nostalgia, anticipation, and the promise of new beginnings.
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Over the years, I’ve asked hundreds of school leaders and boards for their opinion on strategic planning. The response has varied, to say the least. Some roll their eyes and recount failed attempts in the past that led only to frustration. Others shrug it off as a nice thing to do when there’s plenty of time to do it, but certainly not now. Some show their frustration at trying to write and implement plans that took more time and energy than the benefit they provided. Still others take a strangely detached spiritual approach by saying something like, “We just follow the leading of the Holy Spirit; we don’t need a plan.” The minority who strongly advocate for a plan will admit that the one they have doesn’t really serve them the way they had hoped.
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I can still recall my nervousness as I taught my first classes at a Christian college. I was well-educated in electrical engineering at a large secular university, which is to say I was not well-educated in anything else. I had spent many years being catechized to think like an engineer, but faith remained largely peripheral to my studies. I was a Christian who was a scholar, but not yet a Christian scholar. And yet there I was, a new faculty member expected to “integrate faith” in the classroom. I wince when I recall my first feeble attempts at faith integration—urging my computer science students to march into their careers and “transform technology” for God’s kingdom. It was a ringing phrase, but the content was admittedly thin. In those early days, I fear I sometimes offered my students stones for bread.
When I was growing up, difficult things didn’t scare me. Life was simple, and I was content with what we had. I felt loved and valued at home, which reflected positively in my relationships and academic efforts. Many colleagues of my generation had similar experiences in their youth. Fast forward several decades. Times have changed. New challenges abound. Uncertainty is a certainty. Anxiety is at an all-time high, with up to 60% of children and adolescents reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Podcast
Emily Pigott emphasizes the importance of leading by example through biblical leaders Nehemiah, Deborah, Ruth, and Moses. She highlights various leadership traits such as integrity, humility, and perseverance.
Jerry Nelson discusses the purpose and goals of Christian education, emphasizing the need for divine guidance over external influences.
Building a culture of trust and accountability must be rooted in Christian values to foster personal growth, integrity, and trust. Biblical examples, such as Nathan and David, illustrate how accountability can lead to repentance and not just correction.
Dr. Edward Bunn sits down with Chuck Gilliam, ACSI VP of Membership & Strategic Alliances, to discuss the leadership skill of adaptability.
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.
ACSI Reaches Highest Tier Attainable in the Best Christian Workplaces Survey, Earning “Flourishing Status”
The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is proud to announce that it has once again earned “Flourishing Status” through the Best Christian Workplaces Survey.
In a multi-year trend upward, ACSI employees ranked the organization as being the highest tier attainable in the Best Christian Workplaces Survey—a thorough employee engagement survey assessing organizational culture.
The association’s score this year lands in the 83rd percentile, which is 20% higher than in 2023, with areas of strength including high commitment to excellence and effective teamwork. One of the organization’s largest jumps in improvement was helping each other with healthy work/life integration.
ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor is thrilled by this great accomplishment.
“At ACSI, our dedication to excellence in serving our communities and partners stems from an unwavering commitment for Jesus Christ,” he said. “This recognition highlights our significant progress in areas where we’ve previously sought improvement, actively incorporating employee feedback into our decision-making processes, and fostering a culture of innovation and exploration. We are enthusiastic about continuing to develop and nurture a thriving workplace environment that exemplifies what it means to be a dynamic and flourishing organization.”
Best Christian Workplaces Consulting Director Cary Humphries is excited about the survey results and is honored to serve as ACSI’s engagement partner.
“ACSI has demonstrated a commitment to regularly measure the health of their workplace culture,” he said. “This year’s actions and survey progress display excellence and the increased opportunity for full engagement of the ACSI team.”
The organization conducted this anonymous survey to all employees in May of 2024 and analyzed the data in June.
ACSI Vice President of Human Resources Chris Loncar looks forward to implementing strategies to address the data specifically regarding areas that present opportunities for growth.
“In recent years, we have targeted lower scoring areas that are representative of where we can improve. We continue to see progress in several of those areas as we make efforts post survey to address areas of employee concern. By doing this, we will continue to affirm our commitment to improving our culture at ACSI,” he shared.
Taylor believes the future of Christian education is bright.
“We deeply appreciate our team’s dedication to ACSI's mission and vision,” he stated. “Their commitment empowers us to shape future leaders who will advance our goals and make a significant impact globally, furthering the reach and influence of Christian education.”
To learn more about the Best Christian Workplaces Certified Workplaces, visit the website at https://workplaces.org/certification. To learn more about ACSI, visit the website at https://www.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.
About Best Christian Workplaces:
Best Christian Workplaces exists to equip and inspire Christian leaders to create an engaged, flourishing workplace. Since 2003, the ministry has surveyed over 1,000 churches, nonprofits, businesses, and educators. Their vision is that Christian-led workplaces set the standard as the best, most effective places to work in the world.
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.
