Welcome to Stories
Wheaton Christian Grammar School (WCGS) is the center of a thriving, Christ-honoring community in Winfield, Illinois. Founded in 1942 by a group of parents who desired to integrate the Bible into every aspect of student learning, the school has experienced remarkable growth—particularly over the past five years. Today, with a record enrollment of 736 students, the K–8 school has expanded its campus, adapted to changing needs, and built a strong legacy of more than 3,000 graduates.
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The campus of Grand Canyon University buzzed with excitement as more than 120 middle and high school students from Christian schools around the globe (including U.S., Dominican Republic, and Singapore) gathered in Phoenix to participate in the International Christian STEM Competition (ICSC) and Venture: Entrepreneurial Innovation Challenge.
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.
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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One of the greatest challenges facing Christian schools today is ensuring income is at least equal to the operational costs of implementing the mission. It’s a simple equation: Income – Expenses = Positive Number Unfortunately, this challenge is not that rare in our world today. But unlike our nation, schools don’t have the luxury of incurring large deficits year after year. And while there are lots of tools and guidance to help schools deepen the Christian and educational aspects of their missions, there is little available to school leaders to help run the business of the school.
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At a time when the world can feel divided and uncertain, Christian schools have both a calling and an opportunity to teach students about America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and the importance of preserving the values that propelled our nation to a beacon of freedom and opportunity like the world has never seen. Through civics education, we help children understand how their faith, freedom, and responsibility to others are woven into the fabric of our nation’s story, and how those principles will impact its future.
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As educators, learning is our foundation and passion. In most schools, including private Christian institutions, the value of student learning is expressed in its core values, mission and vision statements, and expected student outcomes (ESOs). Ideally, this should make a culture of learning easy to identify. Yet, because school culture evolves gradually, it’s easy to drift off course over time. This can happen due to inconsistent alignment with core values, an overemphasis on grading, resistance to change, little or no professional development, or a lack of intentional faith integration. School culture is essentially “the way we do things around here” (Baker, 2023). It’s powerful and accumulates over time, so cultivating a learning-focused culture requires intentionality and leadership. Here are five strategies to promote and sustain a culture of learning.
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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.
Podcast
This episode features Mike Epp, ACSI Senior Vice President of Global Development, speaking on the Holy Spirit during a recent ACSI Chapel service.
Jenn Lindemuth is the Curriculum Director of Chang Rai International Christian School in Thailand. She sits down with ACSI Chief Ministry Officer Dr. Gavin Brettenny to discuss the makeup of her school and her journey in Christ-centered education.
Dr. Tim Padgett, Resident Theologian with the Colson Center, and Megan Almon, a speaker with Stand to Reason, are both keynote presenters at the upcoming Rooted Educator Worldview Summit (June 15-17 in Colorado Springs).
Douglas Campbell, Senior Coordinator with the ACSI Ministry Team, hosts this edition of the Grafted Together Podcast alongside two members of the ACSI Spiritual Formation Network, Courtney Crenshaw and Brayden Brown.
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 Announces Key Changes in Staff Structure, Including New Director of Digital Professional Development and Director of New Business Development for Sevenstar
Colorado Springs, CO – The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is pleased to announce key changes in its staff structure, including the promotion of Former Instructional Designer for Professional Development Jennifer Bollinger to Director of Digital Professional Development, and the hiring of Kristy Henriques as the new Director of New Business Development for Sevenstar, a ministry of ACSI.
ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor believes these strategic changes will position the organization for success.
“We have invested significant resources into ensuring that we not only hire qualified personnel that will help take ACSI to the next level of excellence, but that we invest in the growth of our existing employees in honor of their strengths,” he shared. “As a Christian organization, we truly do place a large emphasis on taking care of our people.”
Bollinger, who has served ACSI for 13 years, assumes her new role as Director of Digital Professional Development. She will lead the organization's efforts to provide quality digital, on-demand professional learning content for Christian educators. She will facilitate the digital development team in engaging new generations of educators with relevant products and programs through the ever-changing landscape of Christian education.
Sevenstar CEO & Head of School Brett Henry looks forward to Bollinger leading the digital professional development team.
“The digital PD platform is a central element to accomplishing many of ACSI’s Vision 2030 initiatives, and Jennifer’s leadership of the team responsible for its content will surely elevate the effort to new heights,” he said. “Among the many strengths she brings to this assignment, her long tenure with ACSI provides invaluable understanding of our culture and foundational principles that are truly irreplaceable.”
Bollinger has held multiple roles at ACSI including Instructional Designer for Professional Development, Editorial Manager, and other editorial roles in Purposeful Design Publications.
Bollinger shared her goals and aspirations for her new position.
“My vision is for ACSI PD to be the primary resource for Christian educators seeking ongoing education,” she said. “This will feature a user-friendly platform that fosters engagement and learning. My passion is to develop biblically based, exceptional content for our Christian schools.”
ACSI is also pleased to welcome Kristy Henriques as the new Director of New Business Development for Sevenstar.
In her new role, Henriques will build, support, and lead the organization’s sales and marketing efforts by strategically expanding course enrollment in both the school and family areas.
Henriques shared her passion surrounding her new position.
“I'm so excited to be part of an organization that is helping students grow both intellectually and spiritually through online education,” she said. “It's been wonderful to join such a great team at Sevenstar and I'm eager to contribute to the ongoing success and growth of Christian education.”
Henriques formerly served as the Director of Digital Media at Leading the Way, during which time she helped streamline their digital infrastructure and added 1 million YouTube subscribers. She also served at Lighten Group, a non-profit start-up focused on helping to train Christians on how to answer questions about their faith.
Henry is excited to have Herniques step into the Director of Business role.
“As Sevenstar nears its twentieth year of ministry, we are at a strategic inflection point fueled by exponential growth in the non-traditional learning sector. As we reviewed our strategic planning in light of this, it was clear that new ways of attracting, capturing, and processing leads are needed for us to continue to succeed in the chapter ahead,” he said. “When we reviewed candidates for that task, it was clear that God had uniquely prepared Kristy with the skills, experience, and temperament needed to elevate this global ministry. With her help, I am confident that Sevenstar will continue to grow and expand access to Kingdom education for years to come.”
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.
