Welcome to Stories
During her 16 years of working in public schools, Meghan Coates was skeptical of private education. “I was thoroughly convinced that in private education, they must be skipping something,” Coates said. “I would get to the end of the day and think, ‘I worked my tail off today. How in the world did they have time for chapel, to study the Bible, or to stop and pray with their kids?’”
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A new agreement between the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Ethiopian Council of Gospel Believers’ Churches marks a significant step for Christian education in Ethiopia and may create new opportunities for faith-based schools in the country.
In alignment with Vision 2030, ACSI’s GRAACE initiatives (Gender, Race, Ability, Academic, Culture, Economic Status) are driven by a desire to foster biblical unity within Christian schools, empowering educators in their mission to make Christian education accessible to all students.
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When educators at a Christian school I consulted recently began to observe that one of their students, Elizabeth, appeared to be increasingly anxious and withdrawn, they did not simply identify the situation as a behavioral issue. Instead, they convened a meeting, bringing together her teachers, parents, and administrators around a single table. "We gather everyone together," one school leader explained. “The goal isn’t to point fingers, but to talk honestly about Elizabeth’s needs. Then we ask, ‘which of these can we meet, and which need support outside the school?’”
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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.
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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Christian schools across the United States have an incredible opportunity to help children understand not only the story of our nation, but the deeper foundations that still impact its governance today. When young students grasp how faith shaped America’s founding, they are empowered to live as responsible, thoughtful citizens who recognize that freedom and virtue are gifts to steward wisely.
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Accreditation plays a vital role in ensuring quality education in private Christian schools. It is a voluntary process where independent agencies evaluate various aspects of schools, including curricula, faculty, and facilities. This process is essential for maintaining high academic and operational standards, fostering continuous improvement, and attracting families and students. Accreditation not only serves as a signaling device for quality assurance but also affords benchmarked standards for excellence on a broad scale, nationally and, increasingly, globally.
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The first hours of a crisis will shape everything that follows. Dr. R. Adams Cowley, widely regarded as the father of trauma medicine, described what he called the “golden hour”—the critical window immediately following a life-threatening injury, during which rapid intervention dramatically increases survival odds. “There is a golden hour between life and death,” he observed. “If you are critically injured, you have less than 60 minutes to survive.” What is true in the trauma bay is equally true in the principal’s office. For the thousands of schools that make up the Association of Christian Schools International, a crisis can arrive without warning and without sympathy for anyone caught unprepared.
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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.
Podcast
It's not an add-on: the real work of forming a biblical worldview takes a systematic approach at each Christian school. Billy Hutchinson, Director of Colson Educators with the Colson Center, shares insights and resources.
As an admissions specialist, Angie St. Pierre sees how spiritual formation starts from the very first interaction, ensuring that Christ is central in every aspect of the school experience.
This episode features Dr. Adam Wilson, speaker at the Secure & Sound Mental Health Symposium (May 1 in Denver with a virtual option as well) and Elizabeth Urbanowicz, speaker at the Rooted Educator Worldview Summit (June 15-17 in Colorado Springs).
Rachael Jones sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn to discuss ways to move beyond the typical “my door is always open” promise to truly creating an environment where people feel safe, heard, and encouraged to speak openly.
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 Welcomes Kati Melton as its New Senior Director for the Western Division
Melton brings more than 20 years of educational experience leading faculty and staff, her most recent position being the Head of School at Cherry Hills Christian School in Colorado.She will continue serving as Head of School at Cherry Hills Christian School until the end of the 2024-25 school year, transitioning fully into her role at ACSI by the summer of 2025.
ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor shared his excitement about Melton’s new position.
“We are glad to welcome Kati to the ACSI team,” he said. “Her wealth of knowledge in the Christian school leadership context will make her an invaluable resource to our schools across the Western Division. We have spent time selecting the right, God-appointed candidate for this important role, as we are passionate about ensuring our schools are equipped and supported.”
Dr. David Balik, ACSI Vice President, USA, shared his gratitude for God’s provision and steadfast faithfulness.
“I am grateful that God continues to show Himself faithful in providing for our every need at ACSI, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Hiring the right people is so important, and Kati Melton is truly an answer to prayer! She is going to do an outstanding job serving our schools and school leaders in the Western Division going forward.”
Melton looks forward to resourcing and facilitating relationships with Christian schools in the Western Division.
“I am excited that God continues to make His calling clear in my life, and I can’t wait to serve ACSI for His Kingdom and glory. I look forward to advancing Christ-centered education, building meaningful relationships, and supporting schools in their mission to impact lives for Christ. Together, we will work to advance God’s Kingdom in powerful and lasting ways.”
Throughout her career, she has served as a head of school, principal, and teacher, always putting Christ at the center of her work.
During her time at Cherry Hills Christian School, Melton led the ACSI Accreditation process and the development of a school-wide continuous improvement plan. She successfully set and oversaw the school’s long-range strategy that focused on bringing academic excellence, developing a thriving spiritual formation plan, and creating financial stability and growth in a flourishing school community.
Melton has a Master of Arts in Education Leadership from University of Northern Colorado and is pursuing a Doctorate in Education Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University. Additionally, she is currently in executive management training through the Van Lunen Fellows Program at Calvin University.
To learn more about ACSI’s Western Division, 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.
