Welcome to Stories
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In 2025, ACSI set a new milestone by hosting a Student Track at the annual ACSI Public Policy and Advocacy (PPA) Summit in Washington, D.C., nine students from across the country came to the nation's capital to meet with state representatives and learn about advocacy from policy experts. The 2026 Summit will expand the opportunities for student leaders to engage in advocacy. ACSI Vice President of Educational Resources & Student Programs Emily Pigott looks forward to the event.
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Christian schools around the world came together for ACSI’s 2026 Global Day of Prayer, intentionally seeking the Lord and reflecting on this year’s theme, “The Power of Prayer.” ACSI received over 620 prayer submissions from 77 countries, including Brazil, Uganda, and Spain.
Over 25 years, ACSI South Africa has grown from a small fellowship of pioneering schools into a recognized national and continental voice for Christian education. It advocates for Christian schools, provides policies, conferences, workshops, and resources, and partners globally within the ACSI family. Above all, the story reflects God’s faithfulness, provision, and guidance, along with a renewed commitment to advance Christ-centered education across South Africa and Africa for years to come.
Three Christian schools, Oaks Christian School (OCS) in Westlake Village, CA, Calvary Christian High School (CCHS) in Clearwater, FL, and Scottsdale Christian Academy (SCA) in Phoenix, recently earned ACSI’s Exemplary Accreditation status. They will be acknowledged on stage at FSi Dallas in February 2026.
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We asked educators what they love about teaching in Christian schools, inviting them to reflect on their work, their classrooms, and their school communities. "I love teaching at a Christian school because I can freely tell my students about the love of Jesus and I get the honor to pray with my students and families! (I also enjoy) listening to their prayer requests and taking them seriously."
Featured Event
Rooted Educator Worldview Summit '26
June 15–17, 2026 | DoubleTree Hotel | Colorado Springs, CO
Rooted will explore what it means to be human in light of the Christian worldview and how this vision reshapes the aims, practices, and culture of Christian education. Grounded in the biblical narrative—from creation in God’s image, to the distortion of sin, to redemption and restoration in Christ—the conference invites educators to consider how a robust theological understanding of personhood informs formation, teaching, curriculum, and community life. By recovering a hopeful, truthful, and dignifying view of humanity, Christian education can equip students to embrace their identity as image-bearers, their belonging within God’s family, and their call to participate meaningfully in God’s redemptive work in the world.
Blog
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The refrain of “It’s a Man’s World” resurfaces each March, reminding us that even in a world shaped by male innovation, its true meaning is realized only through the presence and influence of women. This truth mirrors today’s educational landscape, where women form the backbone of the workforce yet remain underrepresented in top leadership roles. As we observe Women’s History Month, it is essential to honor not only the contributions women make to our schools but also the redemptive leadership they embody within God’s Kingdom. Women are not auxiliary figures; they are strategic partners in God’s work of creation, redemption, and restoration.
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I began teaching 7th grade math in 1999 after a postbaccalaureate certification program. My mentor teacher provided wisdom, compassion, and advice, supporting me through that challenging first year. She became my role model in later years when I became a mentor teacher. Many new teachers have passed through the doors of our school in Central Asia. Orientation programs include limited time for training in curriculum, classroom management, and culture. To meet the professional and personal needs of the teachers stepping into an international Christian school classroom for the first time, schools need an effective mentoring program.
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As we approach Women’s History Month, we reflect on the countless women who have shaped the United States through their faith, wisdom, and diligence. The Proverbs 31 woman is a model of virtue, embodying strength, intelligence, and compassion—qualities seen in women throughout American history who have overcome challenges to serve their families, communities, and God’s kingdom.
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Rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality among school-aged children have been growing in recent years (U.S. Census Bureau 2023; Kieling et al. 2024; CDC 2023). However, there has been limited research investigating the mental health of U.S. Christian school students and educators, as compared with the mental health of those groups in U.S. public schools (Thorton and Miller 2022). At the same time, better mental health and well-being might be expected among Christian school students and educators, given that communal religious participation is correlated with greater levels of happiness and life satisfaction, mental health and physical health, meaning and purpose, and close social relationships (VanderWeele 2017).
Podcast
Jerry Nelson discusses Gospel-centered racial reconciliation with Dr. James Noble, the Vice President for the Center of Community, Dignity, and Inclusive Campus Family at Anderson University (SC), and the Pastor of Kingdom Community Church of Anderson.
Why do some students seem to be ready for leadership but don't take the initiative, and what can we do about it? Emily Pigott has insights on what leads to the leadership gap and how educators can help bridge it.
What would happen if our desire for more parental involvement extended beyond the child's academics to something of greater worth? Dr. Toyin Atolagbe, Executive Director of Great Hearts Christos, shares how parental engagement shapes spiritual formation.
Rachael Jones sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn to discuss ways to recognize the crucial role that that middle leaders serve as the "bridge" between upper-level leadership and staff.
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 Partners with Ron Blue Institute to Offer Students a Biblical Financial Literacy Course
Colorado Springs, CO – The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is thrilled to announce its partnership with Ron Blue Institute. The Institute, which delivers biblically based financial wisdom through thought leadership and content for various channels, has created a unique biblical financial literacy course for students.
Through this partnership, both organizations hope to equip the next generation with a God-honoring understanding of how to steward finances well.
ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor believes this partnership and course offering will be pertinent and useful for schools in training young Christians to understand their relationship with God and with stewarding resources.
“As a father and former head of school, I have had first-hand experience in witnessing the difference that a biblically sound understanding of finances makes in a student’s life,” he said. “This is a key area to help train our students in. Through this course, we hope to bolster a Christ-like approach to finances so that the next generation can go into the world and live differently, shining a light for Christ.”
Through this partnership, Ron Blue Institute and ACSI aim to address a gap in financial education within Christian schools.
Vice President of Educational Programs at Ron Blue Institute, Dr. Phil Gelatt, further explained the Institute’s approach to financial literacy.
“Rather than a prescriptive, step-by-step approach that sees finances as a transaction, we think the Bible has much to say about money, wealth, and possessions (over 2,300 verses), providing transcendent principles that can guide our hearts to greater love for God and for others,” Gelatt shared. “Jesus recognized the challenge when He said we can't serve God and money (Luke 16:13), reinforcing the idea that money really is a heart issue.”
According to Gelatt, research conducted by the Institute has revealed that many Christian schools either neglect financial literacy altogether or adopt a purely practical, hands-on approach. This partnership seeks to bridge that gap by embedding a biblical worldview into financial education, transforming how students think about and manage money in alignment with God's Word.
Gelatt shared his passion for equipping students.
“In the ever-changing world we live in, financial literacy practices are constantly changing,” he said. “Students today need to have a biblical foundation of what God has to say about money, a thorough knowledge of the principles that guide our financial decision making, and then be aware of what current practices with money are. Schools that teach from this perspective and teachers that provide living examples of this kind of life will have a lasting impact on their students for God's Kingdom.”
This partnership between ACSI and Ron Blue Institute marks a significant step forward in the mission to cultivate financially literate students who are equipped to make wise, God-honoring decisions in every aspect of their lives.
To learn more about the course, visit the website.
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.
