Defining Excellence in Education

The mission of Calvin Christian School in cooperation with the home and church is to teach the whole child from a biblical worldview, founded in the Reformation, providing children from Christian families with an excellent education for a life of Christ-centered service.

At Calvin Christian School we believe an excellent Christian education connects faith and learning by seeking to deepen the faith and develop the abilities of students for a life of service to God and their neighbors.  Our goal is to have students who:

Demonstrate cognitive growth by:

• acquiring a comprehensive, organized body of knowledge about God, themselves and his world which prepares them for the next stage of their education
• becoming critical thinkers who comprehend and evaluate information, solve problems and draw conclusions supported by evidence, and apply what they learn
• becoming original thinkers who display creativity in their work and play
• developing the ability to evaluate what they have learned according to God’s revelation.

Communicate effectively by:

• expressing their knowledge in written and oral form
• clearly articulating a point of view supported by evidence
• engaging in significant dialogue with peers and adults
• interacting collaboratively with others
• using technology for effective and discerning communication

Develop the capacity for life-long learning by:

• accessing information from a variety of sources
• managing time well and making informed choices
• exploring, establishing, and pursuing long-term personal, educational, and professional goals

Demonstrate  spiritual maturity by:

• knowing and believing the gospel
• displaying love and piety

Act as Christian citizens by:

• recognizing the demands of Christian stewardship on property, abilities, and time
• understanding themselves as part of a culturally diverse world and of the church in all places and times
• seeing their calling to love and serve both God and their neighbor through all of their lives and in all of their activities

Demonstrate that they are well-rounded by:

• appreciating the fine arts
• valuing both their minds and their bodies
• having diverse interests both mental and physical
• serving as leaders at school and in the community

At Calvin Christian School we believe that an excellent Christian education requires:

• great teachers who are highly trained and teaching in their areas of expertise, who interact positively with students and parents, and who are role models of the integration of faith and life
• reasonably sized classes that allow interaction, feedback, timely evaluation, and meaningful assessment of student work
• a strong curriculum with well-articulated and structured core courses as well as a rich variety of elective courses which include advanced subjects, the arts, and classes or subjects that add both breadth and depth to the curriculum
• enriching extra-curricular activities which include  physical training programs,   well-coached sports teams, high quality fine arts programs, diverse clubs, and multiple activities that encourage spiritual growth, service, and leadership opportunities
• a supportive administration that provides a safe, engaging campus environment; continuous curriculum assessment, evaluation, and improvement; encouragement for faculty professional growth and development
• an up-to-date, inviting campus that accommodates all curricular and extra-curricular activities; facilities that encourage interaction among faculty and students both inside and outside the classroom; a library that encourages scholarship; technology that supports high quality learning; and well-maintained grounds and athletic areas.
• a supportive governing board whose members help the school fulfill its mission through  wise and visionary board policies
• engaged parents who encourage their children in their work and communicate needs and concerns with faculty and staff.

Revised 1/30/12