Finding the Best Christian Education in the Modern Age

A Christian education that builds off the fundamentals of Christ's teachings, but also provides a firm grasp on a diversity of subjects, can be difficult to find. Some schools have excellent letters, arts, and humanities programs, but due to lack of funding might suffer in other ways. We all want our kids to get a very well-rounded education, but finding a private school that can keep up with demands can be tough. Here are some important tips to keep in mind when searching for the best school for your children.

Curriculum and Course Selection

One of the most important aspects of a good Christian Education is the ability to interweave theological teachings with art, history, mathematics, and science. It's important to review the kinds of courses being offered at the school and even visit the school to see how these are taught. Some schools separate the religious aspect of teaching completely from the subject matter itself.

For example, some schools lead classes by opening with a prayer, then teaching the content with little to reference to Christ's teachings. Some interconnect the two in surprising and interesting ways, encouraging kids to critically think for themselves. Others still go as far as to change content to fit a religious context more appropriately. Depending on the worldview and beliefs of your family, you'll want to examine these teaching methods in-person and evaluate their efficacy for your goals. Some courses, like sex education, biology, and certain historical subjects might need special consideration according to your particular denomination and beliefs.

Intramural or Extra-Curricular Activities

A good sign that a school is offering your child a multifaceted Christian education is their involvement and inclusion of activities like sports, specialty classes, and field trips. You'll want to evaluate whether they offer the kinds of opportunities that you want your children to have. Some smaller schools have a limited budget to work with, so they cannot afford entering leagues for sports like basketball and football. For the same financial concerns, some schools might not even offer classes like art and drawing, or have a computer lab that is equipped with modern machines.

On this same note, you'll be able to gauge a school's progress and development by their ability to create laboratories for science classes or go on field trips. These kinds of hands-on, real-world examples are essential to building the synaptic connections that children make at an early age. They also offer a range of potential for kids to explore their interests and passions.

The Importance of Accreditation

A final note of importance when finding the right kind of Christian education is whether the school is accredited with the American Association of Christian Schools. This certification ensures they have made the effort to maximize the quality of their curriculum and facilities. Moreover, it ensures that their philosophy is on-par with the AACS's worldview, which can be explored in detail on their website.

This kind of accreditation ensures that college credits for AP classes are properly accepted and any public or private university will accept your children's diploma. Conversely, if you'd rather go with a school that chooses a different accreditation process, it's important to discuss with the faculty why they made that decision, and whether it is in accordance with your beliefs.

When considering christian education, New Jersey residents visit The Wilberforce School. Learn more at http://www.wilberforceschool.org/distinctlychristianeducation.

Four Reasons Why Christian Schools Are The Good Option For Education

Deciding the type of education your child receives is a very important, and very stressful decision for many parents. The number of options can be overwhelming. Public, charter, private, and boarding are some of the most well known. Christian schools offer a number of advantages over those in the public sector, and even other private institutions. Here are four of the reasons they are a solid choice compared to their competitors.

Smaller Classes

Every parent who sends their child to be educated wants them to reach their highest potential. Sometimes this requires extra attention from teachers. It follows then that the smaller the number of pupils per class, the greater the opportunity for students to obtain help, and succeed. Christian schools, along with other private institutions, almost always have smaller classroom sizes, generally by about 30%.

College Attendance

Graduating college is one of the clearest pathways to success in our society, and a solid education is essential to obtaining a degree. On average, those who are educated in the public system gain a bachelor's degree just over 31% of the time. Independent private institute attendees graduate from a four-year university about 57% of the time. Those who attend Christian schools obtain their college diploma at a whopping rate of 62%. So not only do these religious institutes trump the public system, but they also best the independent sector as well.

Cost of Attendance

While many people understand that private institutions can offer more than their public counterparts, the cost of tuition is prohibitive. However, religious institutions are actually about 60% cheaper than non-religious programs. On average, these educational systems cost roughly $9,100 per year, compared to $22,400 for their non-religious counterparts. While this is by no means a negligible amount when weighed against the benefits the education can provide, it is a much easier amount to accept and to pay.

Moral and Religious Instruction

We have discussed the monetary, educational, and career benefits that Christian schools can provide their attendees. However, the most important strength they offer is the religious instruction and subsequent morals that they impart to their students. They do not just teach their pupils geometry, history, and chemistry. They teach them the difference between right and wrong, how to care for others, and how to leave a good, moral life. As a result, these programs do not just create good students, but good human beings as well.

In conclusion, the choice of how to educate a child is a hard one. There are many options available to parents. Studies show that independent institutions offer better instruction compared to public ones. Among all of these programs, Christian schools offer the greatest benefits. They are cheaper than their non-sectarian counterparts, by a factor of more than half. They offer smaller class sizes than the public programs. Their students are the most likely to graduate from college. Finally, they offer students an education beyond academics, which creates well-rounded people with strong moral and spiritual convictions.

When looking for Christian schools in NJ, residents consider The Wilberforce School. To learn more, visit http://www.wilberforceschool.org/ourmissionandculture.