Often, families think private school tuition is a luxury they cannot afford, but Statesville Christian School wants parents to think of it more as an investment than an expense.
“We want to be a destination, not an escape,” says Jennifer Jones, director of advancement and admissions for SCS, the largest Christian school in Iredell County. “It’s worth every penny, and starting at a young age makes all the difference.”
“Young children are like dry sponges. It is imperative to instill a strong spiritual foundation and a passion for learning when they are young, impressionable and eager to learn. Laying this foundation early prepares them for the challenges they will face as adolescents, young adults and, throughout life.”
SCS was established in 1994 as a grassroots, independent, interdenominational Christian school. It has about 300 students in grades K-12 and a staff of 46, 35 of whom are teachers. According to its mission statement, the school’s goal is to “train students, in partnership with families, to think, live, love, and lead as Christians through programs of academic excellence based upon a biblical worldview.”
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That biblical worldview permeates every subject, says Head of School Dr. Barry Redmond, a former superintendent of Newton-Conover City Schools.
“When we’re looking at science, math or English, we look at them through the lens of ‘What does the Bible have to say about that?’ And the Bible is absolute truth,” he said.
That’s not at the expense of academic standards. SCS is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), AdvanceEd, SACS and the North Carolina Department of Non-Public Instruction. SCS students consistently score above the state and national average on both the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the ACT. Advance placement courses are available in chemistry, math and literature/composition, among other subjects.
SCS also takes a weeklong break from traditional courses every winter so that middle and high school students can take mini-courses designed to build practical skills, explore various vocations, enhance their study of history and other cultures, and to continue to nurture their spiritual development. “Winterim” (winter break courses) provides opportunities for students to go on mission trips and experience hands-on learning during academic field trips overseas. Courses such as The Basics of Flight, Financial Planning, Forensic Investigation, Engineering 101, Carpentry, Investigating Agriculture, International Foods Cooking Class and more are offered to students during Winterim.
SCS prides itself on creating a village atmosphere in which families are active partners in the education of their children and all are part of the larger SCS Family. In Proverbs 22:6, scripture commands parents to “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
One of the ways scripture tells us to do this is for us to teach our children to, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates” Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NIV). SCS is committed to fulfilling these scriptures in partnership with parents.
At the same time, the school is committed to preparing students for life after graduation, actively encouraging racial, ethnic and economic diversity so graduates can compete in an increasingly global economy. SCS also offers extra-curricular opportunities in such areas as drama, music and sports, including a championship football team in 2016 as well as state championships in volleyball and men’s soccer in 2017.
The SCS Board and Administration are committed to extending the reach of Christian education by providing need-based tuition assistance to those who qualify. In fact, about 19 percent of students receive some form of financial aid.
Overall, the school wants to produce well-rounded graduates whose first priority is to honor Christ, says Redmond. Along with Bible courses, the school has regular chapel services and a campus chaplain whose duties include counseling. “Our priorities are spiritual growth first, academic excellence second, and third, enrichment opportunities like sports and drama and so on,” Redmond says.
SCS students are taught to be champions for Christ, Jones says. “We want them to be leaders of strong character who can defend their faith boldly with intelligence and grace in whatever vocation they choose,” she said.
The school is holding an open house on Monday, January 22 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., including lunch at the campus (1210 Museum Road in Statesville). The event is open to families interested in enrolling their students in Kindergarten through 5th grades for the 2018-19 school year.
For more information, call (704) 873-9511 or visit the school’s website at StatesvilleChristian.org.