About Agape Christian Academy

We believe that the goal of Christian education is to provide the highest level of holistic instruction to “train up a child in the way he should go.” “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6). This holistic instruction includes addressing the needs and development of the mind, the heart, and the body. Christian education is committed to imparting the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that allow for students to fulfill the key purposes of life: the Great Command and the Great Commission. “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40). “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20).

To that end, we believe that Christian education includes a focus on leading students to a saving relationship
with Jesus and fostering growth in that relationship. This is achieved through a commitment to the holistic
development of each child: addressing what a child knows, what a child values, and what a child is able to do. Each individual should know that without Christ they are dead in trespasses and sins. “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1) and no amount of worldly knowledge can deliver them from that sin. We believe that the purpose of Christian education is to help point students to the fact that God has a plan and purpose for every person which is only to be found in Jesus Christ. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10). We believe that as disciples, students should become imitators of God and walk in the same manner as He walked. “But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:5-6).

Therefore, we believe that Christian Schools should always educate the child in spiritual matters as well as
academics. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2). This renewing of the mind enables the spiritual transformation that is the ultimate desired outcome of Christian education – that our students become more fully transformed into His image, serving Him faithfully, committed to discovering and walking out their calling to extend the Kingdom of God on earth.

We believe that a Christian education also leads to the development of skills which enable students to apply
their knowledge as they discover their gifts and talents in the context of God’s creation. Discovering their gifts and
talents through creative exploration and active engagement in the world around them helps children find their
calling as believers in Christ, encouraging them to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18 – referenced above) by walking as Christ walked (1 John 2:6 – referenced above), and reminding them that God is at work in each of them. “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). We believe that all believers are given the Great Commission as a life mandate, so we intentionally educate and inspire students to have the knowledge, skills, and disposition necessary to fulfill that Commission.

We believe that each individual student was made in His image and is fearfully and wonderfully made. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.” (Psalms 139:14). We recognize that our students are creative, resourceful, and imaginative. We utilize differentiated instruction to meet the needs of each individual. ACA believes in fostering a safe learning environment for each student. We support students by actively teaching to different learning styles and developmental abilities. We honor and respect that students, made in the image of God, are created to WANT to learn and grow and believe. It is our responsibility as educators to promote engagement through curiosity and by creating wonder and awe at the marvelous creation.

Staff at ACA work together to meet students where they are and teach the whole child through a holistic approach which addresses academics, social emotional skills, spiritual formation, and physical growth. As Christian educators, we believe that our role is to ensure students are directed on a path to develop and strengthen their God-given gifts and abilities at a developmentally appropriate level. ACA teachers deliberately cultivate a learning environment that will foster understanding in their content area, but also display and promote godly principles in a way that will advance God’s kingdom to bring Him glory and honor. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23). With all of this in mind, we believe in developing lifelong learners by engaging every student, developing critical thinking skills, and working as a community of learners. Ultimately, we strive to teach a student how to become a contributing member of their society by recognizing their need to serve others and serve God. “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18). “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” (Galatians 5:13).

We believe that teaching all content areas and programs from a Biblical Worldview is vital and non-negotiable. We believe that students should not only be taught factual truths but be encouraged and given the opportunity to think critically as they apply their biblical worldview to all subjects, thus teaching students not just what to think but how to think. “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8). At ACA, students will be taught using biblically integrated curriculum in support of achieving high academic standards, viewed through the lens of Scripture, to build the foundations of learning and knowledge.

We believe a biblical worldview provides the purest and most accurate perspective of God and His creation, including the purpose of humanity. The goal of our instructional program at ACA is to allow students to reach their highest potential. We are dedicated to instilling each student with firm foundational beliefs, built on a biblical worldview, to prepare them to engage with current culture and enable them to see clearly how all of life fits together from God’s perspective. This unifying vision of all knowledge will enable them to successfully prepare to be able to continue their educational pursuits. We believe that they will then eventually enter the workforce equipped to skillfully, humbly, and excellently work for the common good and more importantly for the glory of God. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17). “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28).

 

Community” the role of teachers, administrators, parents, and students and how they should and will relate to one another. We believe that community is an essential part of culture. Administrators work to provide guidance to teachers and maintain positive relationships among staff, parents, and students. Building a beautiful community is not only for the purpose of advancing our educational mission, but also to be a testimony to those among us who may not yet know Christ as Savior. “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:22-23).

We believe that all teachers should work to cultivate learning and creativity among their students and build positive relationships in their classroom environments to maximize the learning experience for each student. While Biblical virtues will be taught explicitly in the classroom, including “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” teachers also actively model this in each interaction they have with students, administrators, and other staff. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23).

We believe that parents are the first educators of their children. They should strive to maintain positive relationships with the school personnel and their children, remembering that “Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.” (Proverbs 13:18).

Students are expected to be part of the body of Christ at ACA, striving to build one another up to love and to do good deeds, not letting any unwholesome talk come out of their mouths, and acting as peacemakers whenever possible. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24). “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29). “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:8-10). At ACA, students are expected to respect the staff and leadership of the school and obey their parents. “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother- which is the first commandment with a promise – “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3).

At ACA, we believe that we should “outdo one another in showing honor” so we are committed as a community to honor excellence and achievement whenever possible for as many reasons as possible. We strive to walk in forgiveness and grace, remembering that “love covers a multitude of sins”. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10). Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8). Finally, in pursuit of healthy and God-honoring relationships, we strive to live out these verses: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:13-14).