Welcome to Stories
Agus Susanto Leadership Profile (ACSI Indonesia)
Dr. Agus Susanto, the director of ACSI Indonesia, grew up in a non-Christian home but attended a Christian school. He providentially became a believer after his older brother, who was attending a Catholic school near their home, became a Christian and passed his faith along to him. Later, Agus successfully petitioned his parents to attend Elkana Christian School.
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
Spiritual Formation and Flourishing
Dr. Mitch Evans | September 25, 2023
Hidden in this understanding is the idea that our students (and we ourselves) are more than cognitive beings carried about in a shell of flesh or thinking things, in the words of James K. A. Smith. We are beings who do beyond think and know. Even modern theories of education, such as Bloom’s updated taxonomy get at this point by listing action verbs at the top of the hierarchy: create, synthesize, analyze. There is a doing that evidences full understanding of the content. As the chef says, “The proof is in the pudding.”
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.
ACSI Launches New, Strategic Student Leadership and Learning Opportunities
Colorado Springs, CO– The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is reaching new heights in its Student Leadership and Learning opportunities. By expanding event options and realigning existing ones, the organization is ensuring each equips students around the world with valuable skills such as creative thinking, problem solving, leadership, and service. Each opportunity is crafted with the goal of allowing students to explore and develop their God-given gifts and talents.
Emily Pigott, ACSI’s new Director of Student Leadership and Learning, believes it’s imperative to raise up strong student leaders who are both skilled and motivated to positively impact their communities for Jesus. By providing access to immersive events and experiences, students discover their strengths and learn how to use them to bring about cultural change in the world.
“It’s not just discovering how to be a leader,” Pigott shared. “It’s discovering how to use the gifts and talents God has given you to impact this world.”
ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor looks forward to Pigott’s leadership in implementing strategic departmental changes.
“I’m extremely excited to welcome Emily Pigott as our new Student Leadership and Learning Director,” he shared. “We will be moving forward with a strong emphasis on student service and Christ-honoring leadership. I’m looking forward to seeing the fruit that I’m sure will come from these advancements.”
The Student Leadership and Learning Department plans to add new events to its selection, including a Worship Band Festival, Student Leadership Summits, and a Venture: Startup Innovation Challenge.
“This generation is so creative,” Pigott remarked. “We want to give them the tools and opportunities they need to channel that creativity and refine their God-given skills. The Venture Startup Innovation Challenge is one way for students to create something from nothing, explain what it is, think through the business model, how to present it, how to market, how to strategize, and see it come to fruition.”
About 700 schools representing 40,000 students currently participate in ACSI Student Leadership and Learning events.
Events include Performing and Fine Arts Festivals, STEM experiences, Speech & Debate competitions, Student Leadership & Apologetics conferences, High School Leadership Conference/Summits, and more.
“Our ultimate goal is for students to develop impactful leadership skills as they utilize their gifts and talents to change the landscape of this world for Jesus,” Pigott said. “We believe in 5 years, after we have structured all of our events to have a strong emphasis on student leadership development, we will be seeing the true, positive impacts on our culture.”
Foothills Christian High School, a prior participant at an ACSI High School Leadership Conference, shared how meaningful the time spent together was for their students.
“This conference has been life-changing for our students,” school leadership shared. “They returned to school ready to share the meanings and purposes they discovered at the conference and more willing to take those hard leadership roles. Many students had breakthroughs in their personal walks thanks to the engaging, inspiring speakers.”
The 8-person Student Leadership and Learning team continues to serve ACSI member schools across the U.S. and internationally. More information about student events can be found on 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. Serving more than 25,000 schools in 108 countries, ACSI helps more than 5.5 million students worldwide connect to Christian education.
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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.
