Welcome to Stories
Over 25 years, ACSI South Africa has grown from a small fellowship of pioneering schools into a recognized national and continental voice for Christian education. It advocates for Christian schools, provides policies, conferences, workshops, and resources, and partners globally within the ACSI family. Above all, the story reflects God’s faithfulness, provision, and guidance, along with a renewed commitment to advance Christ-centered education across South Africa and Africa for years to come.
Three Christian schools, Oaks Christian School (OCS) in Westlake Village, CA, Calvary Christian High School (CCHS) in Clearwater, FL, and Scottsdale Christian Academy (SCA) in Phoenix, recently earned ACSI’s Exemplary Accreditation status. They will be acknowledged on stage at FSi Dallas in February 2026.
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We asked educators what they love about teaching in Christian schools, inviting them to reflect on their work, their classrooms, and their school communities. "I love teaching at a Christian school because I can freely tell my students about the love of Jesus and I get the honor to pray with my students and families! (I also enjoy) listening to their prayer requests and taking them seriously."
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Devin Darden spent barely half of his high school career at Williamsburg Christian Academy (WCA) in Virginia, but he made the most of his experience at the ACSI-accredited school. Darden transferred to WCA from a public school during his sophomore year, thanks in large part to a scholarship through the Children’s Tuition Fund. In his two-plus years at WCA, Darden participated in the Key Club and the National Honor Society, plus competing for WCA’s swim, track and field, soccer, and baseball teams.
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Christian schools across the globe united for ACSI’s 2025 Global Day of Prayer, setting aside time to seek the Lord together, celebrating the theme “Abide.” Students and faculty across campuses and time zones united in prayer, engaging in creative expressions such as building prayer vines, rotating through prayer stations, and contributing to prayer walls.
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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As we approach Women’s History Month, we reflect on the countless women who have shaped the United States through their faith, wisdom, and diligence. The Proverbs 31 woman is a model of virtue, embodying strength, intelligence, and compassion—qualities seen in women throughout American history who have overcome challenges to serve their families, communities, and God’s kingdom.
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Rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality among school-aged children have been growing in recent years (U.S. Census Bureau 2023; Kieling et al. 2024; CDC 2023). However, there has been limited research investigating the mental health of U.S. Christian school students and educators, as compared with the mental health of those groups in U.S. public schools (Thorton and Miller 2022). At the same time, better mental health and well-being might be expected among Christian school students and educators, given that communal religious participation is correlated with greater levels of happiness and life satisfaction, mental health and physical health, meaning and purpose, and close social relationships (VanderWeele 2017).
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John Maxwell once said, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” In my experience, this has proven to be true. Every successful school I have had contact with has had strong leadership. Conversely, schools that are struggling often have leadership issues. So what does strong leadership in a Christian school entail? The attributes of quality leadership are things dissertations and books are written on; here we will address five aspects of leadership in Christian schools.
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Christian schools tend to thrive when leaders are intentionally identified, cultivated, and developed. Leadership doesn’t emerge by accident; it grows through prayerful formation, intentional development, and wise stewardship of gifts. Every organization tends to rise or fall on the quality of its leaders. If we don’t invest in growing leaders, we’re essentially leaving the future of our organizations to chance. Development provides leaders with the tools to adapt, wisdom to make better decisions, and character to influence in healthy ways. The challenges of tomorrow often require us to build on yesterday’s strengths while also developing new leadership capacities.
Podcast
How does someone in charge of spiritual formation build a team to ensure growth builds beyond themself? Are you a spiritual formation lone ranger? Dr. David Brinkley, Director of Spiritual Life at Rosslyn Academy in Kenya, has insights to help.
Hear a snippet of Trevin Wax's presentation at the 2026 FSi Dallas, learn more about the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship, and hear how God is working through ACSI Europe.
Jonathon Basurto, Principal at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy South Campus in Tucson, AZ, witnesses how Christian education can transform underserved students.
What is the responsibility of leaders to invest in the spiritual formation of the employees they steward? Chris Loncar, ACSI's VP of Human Resources, discusses how organizations should care for their most important asset: people.
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 Designed to Support the Organization’s Vision for 2030
Colorado Springs, CO– The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is pleased to announce key changes in its staff structure designed to better achieve key organizational missional outcomes.
Cindy Dodds, former Vice President of Flourishing Initiatives, will now serve as Chief of Flourishing Initiatives. In her new role, Dodds will collaborate across departments to oversee the integration of the Flourishing Schools research within ACSI, ensuring that it reaches and impacts school-level practices. The expansion of her role will enable the Flourishing Initiatives Department to embark on ACSI’s Vision 2030 while elevating the digital content development, partnerships, and Flourishing School Networks.
In a similar move, Dr. Gavin Brettenny will assume the position of Chief Strategy Officer, overseeing global development and the implementation of ACSI’s strategic direction. This transition will allow Brettenny and his team to ensure the ACSI mission and vision are positioned for success.
ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor believes these staff changes will enable Dodds and Brettenny to continue furthering the kingdom through Christ-centered education in their new respective roles.
“Cindy Dodds and Dr. Gavin Brettenny are two people who consistently pursue excellence, and I am immensely proud of their commitment to furthering ACSI’s goals,” he shared. “Through these new roles, they both will continue to resource and posture ACSI for future success.”
Dodds has served with ACSI for six years, as Northeast Regional Director, Professional Development Director, and then Vice President of Flourishing Initiatives. Prior to joining ACSI, Dodds served for 20 years in Christian school leadership as a head of school for two Christian schools in Pennsylvania.
Brettenny has previously served as the ACSI Vice President of Global and brings more than 20 years of international Christian education experience, having led international schools in both Germany and South Africa where he helped advance, advocate for, and increase access to quality Christian education.
Taylor shared his enthusiasm regarding these key staff changes.
“God is truly on the move at ACSI… He consistently brings the right people at the right time for the right roles. I am looking forward to seeing how He will work through Cindy Dodds and Dr. Gavin Brettenny.”
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.
