Welcome to ACSI

By: Josh Worden

With six years of experience on the ACSI Board of Directors and nearly two decades as a head of school, Elisa Carlson is set to begin her responsibilities as the ACSI Board Chair in October 2025.

Carlson serves as the Head of School at Central Christian School (CCS) in Redmond, Oregon. During her two-year stint as ACSI Board Chair, she hopes to further the mission of Vision 2030.

"I won’t be leading the Board when we realize Vision 2030, so my job is to be faithful in moving towards it,” Carlson said. “I’m excited to keep our eyes on the prize while listening to the Lord and discerning the best way forward.”  

Carlson has a rich background with ACSI. Her first meeting on the ACSI Board of Directors was Dr. Larry Taylor’s first board meeting as ACSI’s President and CEO.

"I’ve been able to watch Larry grow into his leadership at ACSI,” Carlson said. “What I’m excited about is the intentionality of being a global organization and equipping educators worldwide. That’s a strong calling and it can only be accomplished through what the Lord would do through ACSI.”

Carlson’s history with ACSI traces back nearly 25 years, although in her early teaching days, she never expected to be where she is now.

Carlson taught in a public school and gave little thought to Christian education until she enrolled her son at CCS. Despite her commitment to her role in public school, she saw the benefits of Christian education through her son. 

“From that point, the Lord started to work in my heart,” Carlson said.

At the time, CCS was only about 10 years old and was pursuing ACSI accreditation for the first time.

"I care a lot about standards, and the Lord used that,” Carlson said. “I prayed and fasted longer than I have in my life as I was laying down what I believe God had called me to do.”

Carlson started teaching at CCS in 2002, became the Head of School in 2007, and has remained at the school ever since. But before she transitioned to Christ-centered education, she knew she had some learning to do.

"I had my master's degree and certifications for public school, but I didn’t really understand the difference of leading within a Christian school context,” Carlson said.

That’s when she had her first interaction with ACSI.

“I reached out to ACSI myself. I found them online, called the care team, and said, ‘Hey, I’m not a member, but I see that you have these books. Is there any way I can buy some of them?’” she said. “There were three or four books sent to me about the philosophy of Christian education, and so even before I moved to the Christian school, I was being supported by ACSI."

Fast forward more than two decades, and Carlson is about to begin her two years as the Board Chair, plus an additional year while the next Board Chair transitions in.

“There’s so many ways as a school leader, I can be strengthened through ACSI,” Carlson said. “I encourage other school leaders to make the most of the many networks available and to embrace ways of leading that don’t leave them isolated.”