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New Accreditation Inspire Protocol Pilot Visits a Success
The Accreditation team, headed by Stephen Deck, recently completed a revision of their accreditation protocol called Inspire. According to Deck, after several years of working on the standards, indicators, and the process, the protocol was ready to be rolled out this past year, and the team wanted to see how the new protocol worked firsthand.
Featured Event
Join us for FSi Phoenix, November 7-9, 2023!
The Flourishing Schools Institute (FSi) brings ACSI school leaders and teachers together so they can collaborate and implement research-based principles. Learn from new Institute faculty speakers about wide-ranging topics related to the Flourishing Domains, including new constructs that have not been addressed before. Attending FSi will encourage you to continue your flourishing journey—or begin one! With an all-new teacher track, teachers will have the opportunity to learn from a panel of dynamic keynote speakers and attend a variety of breakout sessions that address the constructs of: Questioning, Individualized Instruction, Insular Culture, Stress, and Responsiveness to Special Needs.
Now through October 1st, we are offering $250 off FSi Phoenix registrations!
Additional Upcoming ACSI Events:
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.
Blog
I Can Do It All by Myself
Emily Pigott | September 19, 2023
Emily Pigott, Director of Student Leadership & Learning at ACSI, explains why Christian school leaders must be collaborative and relational in order to lead well. They can’t do it all by themselves. Emily shares two false assumptions about leadership and shares how leaders can avoid them.
Podcast
“The Open Generation”: New Barna Research on Today’s Teens
Lynn E. Swaner and David Kinnaman | August 15, 2023
In this podcast, Dr. Lynn Swaner interviews Dr. David Kinnaman, President of the Barna Group, on a new research project on today’s teens. As a partner in the research, ACSI is working with Barna to apply this research in the Christian education context and deliver insights to Christian school educators all over the world. Called “The Open Generation,” the research reveals how today’s teens are open to Jesus and the Bible, and how Christian adults are greater influences in their lives toward faith than anything else. Dr. Kinnaman shares how this is encouraging news for Christian school leaders and teachers as they educate, disciple, and influence today’s teens.
Stay Informed on ACSI's Events and Resources
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. Also, don’t miss the International Schools Job Fair.
Students from Christian Schools Across the U.S. Converge at Grand Canyon University to Compete in ACSI International Christian STEM Competition
Phoenix, Ariz., April 18, 2023 –Students from ACSI Member schools across 11 states will converge in Phoenix, Ariz., Saturday, April 22, for the highly anticipated Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) International Christian STEM Competition, taking place at Grand Canyon University (GCU).
The competition, which will allow more than 160 Christian students in grades 7-12 to compete in eight different STEM challenges, is made possible through a partnership between ACSI and GCU.
ACSI Director of Student Services Emily Pigott believes this offering is extremely relevant and timely for today’s students.
“We are thrilled to provide our member school students with the opportunity to participate in this competition,” she shared. “The Divisional and International Christian STEM Competitions allow students to explore the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math through a biblical worldview perspective.”
The International Christian STEM Competition is preceded by seven Divisional Competitions. Divisional Competition winners will compete in eight challenges at GCU, including Aerospace Glider, Rehabilitation Challenge: Biomedical Engineering, Capture the Flag (Cybersecurity), Deep Racer Challenge (AI/Machine Learning), Innovation in Service, Onsite Design Challenge, Robotics Thunder Lunch, and Software Development.
Corinne Araza, Director of K12 STEM Outreach, a division of the K12 Educational Development at GCU, looks forward to hosting the competition.
“We believe that enabling students to pursue their passions and to really explore the unique ways God has gifted them is important,” she shared. “Last year’s competition inspired us to expand the challenge options. We have seen great interest and increased participation from schools across the U.S.’”
In fact, in the 2022-23 school year, 32 schools participated in the Divisional Competitions with an estimated 332 participating students—nearly double the number of participants from 2021-22.
“We also received interest from 16 potential host sites and numerous schools ready to join the competition next year, so we anticipate further expansion,” Pigott said. “We are eager to witness students from around the world improve and develop their STEM abilities.”
Gary Shoup, STEAM Teacher at Stoneybrooke Christian School, accompanied his qualifying students to the International Christian STEM Competition last year.
“The ACSI STEM Competitions, Divisional and ICSC, were a HUGE success!” he shared. “Students were engaged, excited, and challenged. Learning and spiritual growth were evident everywhere. The events were amazing—creative, well-designed, and varied for all types of interests and abilities. We look forward to attending next year!”
To learn more about the ACSI International Christian STEM Competition, visit the website or contact ACSI Care Team by calling (800) 367-0798 or emailing careteam@acsi.org. To learn more about GCU, visit the website.
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. ACSI supports more than 5,000 member schools throughout the United States and around the world, which collectively serve approximately 1.2 million students. Through additional training programs, materials, and expertise provided to other educational groups worldwide, ACSI’s overall influence and positive impact reaches more than 26,000 schools operating in 100 countries, together serving 5.5 million people.
Follow ACSI on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram
About Grand Canyon University:
Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona. The university offers 318 academic programs, including 260+ online academic programs. With more than 200,000 alumni, Grand Canyon University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. The college is growing rapidly with plans for continued expansion. Learn more on the website.
Follow GCU on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram
Follow GCU K12 Education Department on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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.
