Whats wrong with our christian schools & how can we fix them.

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sword

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As I travel the country I find Christian Schools loosing students or closing everywhere. I find pastors spending more & more time dealing with school problems and fewer & fewer graduates going on to do anything for the Lord. I also see increased financial problems & weak academic standards.

Are you all seeing the same thing & what can be done?  :-[
 
I doubt that there are 2 Christian schools alike, so the "fix" would have to be individually suited to each school.  The Christian school our kids (4 graduated, 1 in high school) have attended has seen a slow, steady increase in attendance.  The pastor and administrators have been there over 20 years, most teachers have been there for years, the Christian atmosphere is wonderful, the academics are good, the debt-free facilities are excellent and parental support is outstanding.  I don't know if the school will sustain its course, but it is doing quite well now. 
 
I taught in the Christian School for 19 years so this is a loaded question........I'll list 5 things right off the top of my head :
1. Leadership/Principle I had one of the best for a few years and when he left I had thought about quitting but because I loved teaching I stayed under the worse conditions
2. Teachers they come from all walks of life...we've lost our professional appearance,etc.
3.Students when they are accepted they chose to follow the rules and guidelines of the school.
4.We are not a reform school so behavior problems,etc do not belong in our school.
5.Insurance/401/Salary should not be below poverty

I'll be back to make suggestions on how to fix the problem...........
 
For our family we are very thankfull for the Christian school our young ones went through.  They recieved a very good education and went on to graduate college and are doing very well for the Lord and in life in general. 

Now the schools leadership left much to be desired and we head butted with them all through the years. We would not turn our kids over to them.  Never would let them be the authority in our home in any way.  Made for lots of heartache but communication with the kids through it all and all is well.  Of course in the end we had to home school the last one for several years but that is another story.

So what is wrong with the Christian schools today.  First response is an improper position on authority and the fallout from that issue.  But the school was just a reflection of the improper position of authority the "preacher" has so I guess it all reflects back to the leader.
 
There really is no one fix, since so many schools are so different.  However, here are some broad sweeping ideas:

[list type=decimal]
[*]make the goal Christianity, not sports.  Sports was introduced years ago to help develop certain character.  However, sports have taken over the schools and sidelined Christianity.
[*]Strive for high academics.  This is a multi-faceted problem.  The school must be viewed as a place of learning, not entertaining and buddy-building.
[*] Have class.  Students should not get out of class because the church needs cleaning, preacher has a project, a political group needs letters folded, etc.  They are there to learn, not be preacher's slaves.
[*]Pay your teachers.  Most people who are intelligent enough to be able to teach are going to eventually quit when they could make more money working 30 hrs/wk at McDonalds.  Yes, it is a ministry, but when the MOG gets to live luxuriously and the teacher can't afford to get their 20 year old junker fixed so she rides to school with some students......  Without good teachers you will not have a good school.
[*]Enforce the rules.  What is worse than a student breaking your rules, but you not enforcing them?  You have just taught it is ok to violate the law.  Now, the law is only a suggestion.  This does not make good citizens or good Christians.
[*]Stand behind your teachers.  when students attempt to take over the class and the teacher seeks help from the principal or pastor, she ought to receive support, not criticism.  when a student is sent to the principal for discipline, he should not come back with the principal to the class so the principal can publicly tell the teacher how wrong she is.
[/list]

We could go on for quite some time.

On a different note, Home school is a very viable option.  the teachers at most schools are no more qualified to answer questions from the teacher's guide than the average mom is.  Why should a parent pay out so much more money?  Socialization?  The school is too small to provide that anyway.
 
Same as I listed in another thread...

Personally, if I am going to a place of higher learning... I want to go to a place where they teach me how to think, not a place where they just spoon-feed me their own pet interpretations [whether that is theology, science, history or...]. As I have explained to family members..., look for one that teaches you how to read...for yourself, not one that just expects you to regurgitate what they tell you.

...and a lot of schools, particularly "Christian" ones are terrible at this.
 
Attended Christian school from 7th grade thru 12th. Of course being young and naive everything seemed ok to me. Went to LU graduated and got a job teaching at a Christian high school PE 1st grade thru 12th.
I will start with my high school experience and then my teaching experience.

School was run by baptist church.

School had full sports programs for guys, cheerleading for girls.
Biology, Chemistry was taught, but the school had no labs. Physics was just a word to us.
Strong in Math, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, no calculus.
No band, no drama clubs.
Teachers were not paid much. Teachers were good, love their students and knew their subjects. 
School was dumping ground for public school misfits.
This was doing the 1960.

Teaching was from 1979 to 1980, United Methodist school just starting out same as school above
School was dumping ground for public school misfits.
I had one PE class for boys, about 70 7th graders.
I taught both boys and girls elementary grades PE. Jr and Sr high was boys only under my teaching.
Teachers were not paid much but again everything their counterparts were in the 60s as far as love for students and knowledge of subjects.

Now if a church is going to open a christian school  they should do some things.

All staff and faculty will undergo a back ground check and drug testing. Random drug testing will be conducted after hire
Wages should match or come close to match public school employees.
Should have college prep course for those students who want them, along with the facilities, labs, etc
For students not interested in college, their should be vocational offerings.
We will not accept students kicked out of public schools.
All parents must attend one meeting per semester with their children's teachers, whether PTA, etc.
We would offer concealed firearm training to all staff and faculty who pass drug/background testings.( I would state this and let it be known publicly, whether teachers will carry or not, I believe it would be a determent to anyone thinking of shooting up a school)

Those are some of the things I would want whether I was a parent or the pastor of a church wanting to start a christian school.



 
More emphasis on turning out well-educated graduates who can compete academically with the best around and can approach subjects of higher learning from a Christian worldview.

Less emphasis on turning out graduates who conform externally to a narrow set of appearance and behavioral standards.
 
I attended Christian schools all of my life, and my children are currently enrolled in one. Having said that, I've been giving a lot of thought lately to the idea of an online based education, whether at home, or using the church as a home-school type clearinghouse/assembly point. I really think the internet is going to change a whole lot about our concept of education, and for once in my life I'd like to be ahead of the curve rather than behind it.
 
Love my kids school! It is not an IFB school and is not run by a church. My children know the teachers care about them and want them to succeed. For 5 years they went to a Weslyan type school reminded me of and IFB school. Kids hated it, and the teachers were there for a pay check and were mean to the kids. My oldest son was always in trouble for simple things, the minute we changed schools his grades improved and he had no behavior problems!! The current school has a great sports program as well. I feel it is balanced between academics, arts and sports.
 
This is an area that I am concerned with but really am at a loss as to right and wrong.

My kids all went to and graduated from Hammond Baptist Schools. I have had friends and acquaintances move from here or take their kids out and send them someplace else for schooling and I have never gotten a real good answer about education. One will say his kids were years behind from what their new school is. The next will say his kids were right in line with a new school. The leadership always says that our students test 2 - 3 years ahead of public schools. The leadership has said that many of the area public schools are amazed at the hbs  classes.

I know for a fact that the hb schools are struggling financially and where they made a point years ago about not allowing too many people from outside fbch from attending the schools they would probably take anyone they could as long as they paid their tuition.

There is a school in our area that I think is loosely started and run by some reformed churches. The tuition is more than double what hb is and they have a waiting list of people who want their kids to attend there. I recently heard that the academics are top-notch but I really don't know the criteria they use to say that.
 
BALAAM said:
This is an area that I am concerned with but really am at a loss as to right and wrong.

My kids all went to and graduated from Hammond Baptist Schools. I have had friends and acquaintances move from here or take their kids out and send them someplace else for schooling and I have never gotten a real good answer about education. One will say his kids were years behind from what their new school is. The next will say his kids were right in line with a new school. The leadership always says that our students test 2 - 3 years ahead of public schools. The leadership has said that many of the area public schools are amazed at the hbs  classes.

I know for a fact that the hb schools are struggling financially and where they made a point years ago about not allowing too many people from outside fbch from attending the schools they would probably take anyone they could as long as they paid their tuition.

There is a school in our area that I think is loosely started and run by some reformed churches. The tuition is more than double what hb is and they have a waiting list of people who want their kids to attend there. I recently heard that the academics are top-notch but I really don't know the criteria they use to say that.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you are asking about academics.  Use either the Stanford or Iowa achievement tests and you will have a good idea of where your child ranks nationally.  HB gives these every year and you should get a copy of the scores.

The average Christian school should test 2 years ahead of public schools.  There are several factors: Parents are more involved, PS has a wider pool to average, Character discipline and work is a part of Christian homes, etc.  If your school's average is only level with the national - ask some questions.

By the way,  Don't think that the national average means that some public schools don't blow the pants off the tests also.  It is a national average of all students (get the idea?).

Labs are expensive.  Not every CS can afford things like this.  If great facilities are the goal, the local church school is going to have a very difficult time competing.  If Christianity is the goal, they can perform very well - if it is so structured.
 
Preface my remarks by saying that I went to a church-run Christian school K-12, and graduated from a SACS regionally accredited Christian University. My wife and kids did the same and my wife taught in a christian school for almost 30 years.  I also served as a board member of a christian school for several years.
1. If it is Christian, it should be better.  (If you follow that rule, it will take care of 90% of the rest of it).
2. Focus should be on academics, not silly rules, ie. hair, dress length, etc.
3. Teachers should be paid well and be qualified. (not because they are in the pastors family).
4. At a minimum the school should be accredited by the ACSI. 
5. Administration should be professional, full time, and not some broad-jumping liar from NY. (sorry, devil made me do it).
6. Excellent sports and extracurricular programs. 
This is a good start.

 
 
BALAAM said:
This is an area that I am concerned with but really am at a loss as to right and wrong.

My kids all went to and graduated from Hammond Baptist Schools. I have had friends and acquaintances move from here or take their kids out and send them someplace else for schooling and I have never gotten a real good answer about education. One will say his kids were years behind from what their new school is. The next will say his kids were right in line with a new school. The leadership always says that our students test 2 - 3 years ahead of public schools. The leadership has said that many of the area public schools are amazed at the hbs  classes.

I know for a fact that the hb schools are struggling financially and where they made a point years ago about not allowing too many people from outside fbch from attending the schools they would probably take anyone they could as long as they paid their tuition.

There is a school in our area that I think is loosely started and run by some reformed churches. The tuition is more than double what hb is and they have a waiting list of people who want their kids to attend there. I recently heard that the academics are top-notch but I really don't know the criteria they use to say that.
Click to expand...
I went to HB from 1st to 10th grades.  I then went to Lowell HS. The English teacher asked me to 'lecture the class on grammar rules' because she 'hadn't heard them since h.s.'.  I took third in the regional academic decathalon, held at Morton HS, and at least 1/3 of the dec. was made up of 'science' falsely so called.
I enlisted in the USMC, on 27 Dec. 1990, scoring the highest, to date, that ANY ONE had EVER scored at the Chicago MEPPS.
I was accepted to Dartmouth, and West Point, but chose the Corps.
  So, in conclusion, personally, I believed that HB's education was superior.

Anishinabe

 
[quote author=prophet]I went to HB from 1st to 10th grades.  I then went to Lowell HS. The English teacher asked me to 'lecture the class on grammar rules' because she 'hadn't heard them since h.s.'.  I took third in the regional academic decathalon, held at Morton HS, and at least 1/3 of the dec. was made up of 'science' falsely so called.[/quote]

Well, all that "'science' falsely so called" I learned sure helps me do my job.

[quote author=prophet]I enlisted in the USMC, on 27 Dec. 1990, scoring the highest, to date, that ANY ONE had EVER scored at the Chicago MEPPS.
I was accepted to Dartmouth, and West Point, but chose the Corps.
  So, in conclusion, personally, I believed that HB's education was superior. [/quote]

But all those public school folks that get accepted into Dartmouth and WP?
 
prophet, you are the success story we like to hear..........I hope your kids are as smart as you :)

 
How can we fix our christian schools?

1. Everything raises on leadership the Principle has to love his staff, job, respect each teacher.

2. The curriculum has to the best for students to excel.......I still love Handbook for Reading and Abeka. I always used a variety of materials.

3. If MacDonalds can have dress standards what happened to our schools.........we have to look decent!!My friend when to a basketball game where I taught and she said it looked like a secular school.

4.Teachers have to love there work. They have to be paid for it..............

No school is perfect either run it right or close it down.................
 
rsc2a said:
[quote author=prophet]I went to HB from 1st to 10th grades.  I then went to Lowell HS. The English teacher asked me to 'lecture the class on grammar rules' because she 'hadn't heard them since h.s.'.  I took third in the regional academic decathalon, held at Morton HS, and at least 1/3 of the dec. was made up of 'science' falsely so called.
Click to expand...

Well, all that "'science' falsely so called" I learned sure helps me do my job.

[quote author=prophet]I enlisted in the USMC, on 27 Dec. 1990, scoring the highest, to date, that ANY ONE had EVER scored at the Chicago MEPPS.
I was accepted to Dartmouth, and West Point, but chose the Corps.
  So, in conclusion, personally, I believed that HB's education was superior. [/quote]

But all those public school folks that get accepted into Dartmouth and WP?
[/quote]So you make a living because of Evolution? 
      I don't care what university, or academy you get accepted to, it won't bring you one inch closer to Christ, His Holy Spirit's fullness, or His Will.
   

Anishinabe

 
Sherryh said:
How can we fix our christian schools?

3. If MacDonalds can have dress standards what happened to our schools.........we have to look decent!!My friend when to a basketball game where I taught and she said it looked like a secular school.
Click to expand...
What is this thing that people have with looking right/decent? why is that of any concern with education? And are you so stuck up, thinking your kids are better because the don't go to a, dare I say it?... secular school!?!?!
My children go to our local public school,(gasp)!! I am perfectly fine with what the school does with the programs and curriculum. Our children's teachers keep us up to date with emails for concerns or other things regularly. We teach them at home about Jesus and the Bible. It's up to me and my wife to teach them the other lessons not taught at school.
Speaking of our Lord, maybe the problem with alot of Christian schools is that Jesus is left out, you know, too busy worrying about.....standards ::)
 
prophet said:
rsc2a said:
[quote author=prophet]I went to HB from 1st to 10th grades.  I then went to Lowell HS. The English teacher asked me to 'lecture the class on grammar rules' because she 'hadn't heard them since h.s.'.  I took third in the regional academic decathalon, held at Morton HS, and at least 1/3 of the dec. was made up of 'science' falsely so called.
Click to expand...

Well, all that "'science' falsely so called" I learned sure helps me do my job.

[quote author=prophet]I enlisted in the USMC, on 27 Dec. 1990, scoring the highest, to date, that ANY ONE had EVER scored at the Chicago MEPPS.
I was accepted to Dartmouth, and West Point, but chose the Corps.
  So, in conclusion, personally, I believed that HB's education was superior.
Click to expand...

But all those public school folks that get accepted into Dartmouth and WP?
[/quote]So you make a living because of Evolution?  [/quote]

I make a living because of what I learned about physics and chemistry. Other family members make a living because of what they learned about biology (You know...things like evolution.), just like everyone else in the medical professions.

[quote author=prophet]I don't care what university, or academy you get accepted to, it won't bring you one inch closer to Christ, His Holy Spirit's fullness, or His Will.

Anishinabe
[/quote]

Then why are you bragging about it? (Ignoring the fact that I completely disagree with your gnostic stance.)
 
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