Welcome to Stories
"A Burning Flame of Hope"
The flame burned brightly on its watercolor backdrop—a symbol of hope, truth, and peace. Luigi, a kindergartener at Westminster Christian School, held up his artwork and his best-of-show ribbon with pride.
Attendees of Westminster Christian’s Spring Fine Arts Night curled through the halls of the school, admiring student paintings, drawings, and cut-outs. Many of the student art pieces exhibited were top placers in the ACSI Art Festival, which the school participated in online.
Featured Event
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Join us for Flourish Deeper, February 8, 2024!
Flourish Deeper is a one-day professional development event on February 8th in Plano, Tx where we'll be digging deeper into Spiritual Formation and learning about the NEW Flourishing Faith Index. Understanding what flourishing faith in Christian schools looks like, how students grow in their faith, and how Christian schools help nurture and promote spiritual growth is a primary and foundational issue. To register, visit:
Additional Upcoming ACSI Events:
Blog
Good Growth: A Tool for Sustaining Your School’s Vision
Shaun Brooker | December 4, 2023
At the close of 2019, Hamilton Christian School was on the precipice of significant growth. As the leader of two previous schools that had grown significantly, I was well aware of the excitement that growth would bring. However, I was also very aware of the challenges it could bring, as well.
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
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. Also, don’t miss the International Schools Job Fair.
ACSI Announces New Board Chair Committed to a Truly Global Vision for 2030
Colorado Springs, Colo. – The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is pleased to announce Dr. Todd Marrah as its new board chair. Marrah will assume the position Oct. 2, 2023, and will serve a two-year term following Dr. Jay Ferguson’s two-year term as ACSI Board Chair.
In his role, Marrah will guide strategic decisions and ensure the organization moves forward steadfastly with its Vision 2030.
ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor believes Marrah will be invaluable in the association’s efforts to truly embrace the “I,” or “International,” in “ACSI.”
“Dr. Marrah has served faithfully on the ACSI Board for nearly six years,” Taylor shared. “We have spent the last 18 months intently assessing our direction for 2030. This has included seven critical conversation groups and consultation with 150 Christian school leaders from across the globe—all to help inform our organizational vision for 2030. Dr. Marrah will be an invaluable asset as we seek to more effectively serve our Christian schools across the globe.”’
Marrah has served for 35 years as Superintendent at Tree of Life Christian Schools in Columbus, Ohio. He continues the legacy of the school’s founder, his mother, of “loving kids into loving Jesus—whatever it takes.” He has also served in a variety of part-time pastoral roles, including the last 10 years as Executive Pastor at Rock City Church—one of the school's seven sponsoring churches.
Marrah looks forward to assuming his new role.
“ACSI is Jesus’s organization,” he said. “Just as He’s the head of the church, He’s the head of ACSI, and He’s brought us the right leader in Larry Taylor and an incredible leadership team and staff.”
ACSI’s leadership team has big plans, especially for the next few years.
“If I had two hopes as to what I anticipate we will see in the next few years,” Marrah said, “they’d be: that our flourishing schools will become anchor schools that God will use to reach out to grow and strengthen other Christian schools globally; and that ACSI will partner with like-minded organizations that we can do ministry with and align with globally to better serve Christian schools and the body of Christ as a whole.”
Taylor shared his gratitude for outgoing Board Chair Dr. Jay Ferguson.
“We are so grateful for Dr. Jay Ferguson’s leadership and years of service as ACSI Board Chair,” he shared. “I believe God will continue to use him for His good plans and purpose, and we look forward to resourcing and serving our schools.”
To learn more about ACSI, please visit the website at ACSI.org or connect with the ACSI Care Team by calling (800) 367-0798 or at careteam@acsi.org.
To learn more about Dr. Todd Marrah, visit Tree of Life Christian School’s 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.
Follow ACSI on our social channels: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram | YouTube
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.
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