|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Frequently Asked Questions |
Contents:
I. Introduction
II. Information about Christian Education
III. Specific Information about CCS
I. Introduction to Cullman Christian School
Q: What is Cullman Christian School?
A: Cullman Christian School (CCS) is a community, interdenominational co-ed
Christian school located in Cullman, Alabama. The School was incorporated
in 2006 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and enrolled our first students
in 2007. The school will offer, for the 2008-9 academic year, Kindergarten
(full or half-day),and 1st through 9th grade classes. The entire High School
program through 12th grade will be added sequentially during the following
year(s).
Q: What does "community” mean?
A: CCS is not owned or operated by any one church or denomination. Our
mission is to serve the entire Christian community by providing an
academically rigorous education with a biblical world and life view. It
complements the public and existing parochial schools located in North
Alabama.
Q: Where is CCS located?
A: The school is based in Cullman, Alabama. For the 2008-2009 school year,
the School will continue at 303 9th Ave, SE- in the educational building at
East Side Baptist Church on Hwy 278 East and 9th Ave in downtown Cullman.
See below for renderings depicting the future campus that we hope to
complete in the next few years.
II. Information about Christian Education
Q: What is Christian education?
A: Christian education develops a biblical world view. The Bible teaches that
we do not need to think like Christians only about religious things. We need
to think like Christians about everything. School is about learning facts, but
also about learning to think. There are no neutral facts; the point of view
and values which surround a fact make the fact complete. Working side by
side with parents and the Church is the best way to teach that thinking
about the world in a Christian way is essential to spiritual growth.
Q: Why “Christian” education?
A:
1. Christian schooling is all about that fine-tuned intersection
where both intellectual development and spiritual formation come together
with a single-minded purpose of developing young men and women who
pursue wisdom, knowledge, and a biblical worldview as evidenced by a
lifestyle of character, leadership, service, stewardship, and worship. What
school other than an effective Christian school even
considers the linking of spiritual formation with a student’s intellectual
development?
2. Bible as a formal course of instruction is a given in the effective Christian
school. It is not merely a subject for teaching about people, dates, and
events but rather one for focusing on strategies that help students know,
understand, and apply God’s Word in daily life. Information about the
people, dates, and events is taught not as an end in itself but rather as
movement toward bringing to life God’s Word through appropriate teaching
that provides a solid foundation upon which to build and develop healthy
spiritually formed young men and women.
3. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created
him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27, NIV). This Old
Testament passage articulates the concept of Imagio Dei: humanity, created
in the image of God. This truth left untaught and ignored,whether in the
Christian community or the secular world, tells us why our world experiences
so much hatred, racism, and the many facets of abuse. It is the
development of an understanding of Imagio Dei within the Christian school—
a concept flowing out of God’s Word and firmly grounded in a student’s heart
and mind—that is the beginning of Christlike love, care, and concern for
others.
4. Social skills are developed in the life of our children either by design or by
default—the latter is most often regretted. The effective Christian school
offers a wide variety of social interactions that are created to achieve
predetermined outcomes—outcomes that speak to issues above and beyond
the given event itself. These activities are continually teaching young people
about appropriate person-to-person relationships. The activities are
designed to promote moral, spiritual, mental, and physical health.
Whether developing appropriate classroom behavior, engaging in the
giftedness expressed in an array of the fine arts, or merely having fun and
enjoying one another’s company, young people learn the essence of
appropriate Christian conduct in community—socialization by design.
5. Athletics, that realm of developed physical competition, is really more
than playing the game. Whether intramural or interscholastic, one of the
unique opportunities afforded the Christian school student is the focus on
developing aspects of Christian character that truly define the “champion.”
If not in the Christian school, where else can one go to find these issues
addressed from a perspective that is God led and carried out by Christian
educators who are committed to “train a child in the way he should go …”
(Proverbs 22:6, NIV)? (quoted from the Association of Christian Schools International)
Q. What is the true mark of a quality education?
A. "The true mark of a quality education is not simply a mind full of facts. It
is accumulated knowledge with a hunger for more, the faculty to reason
soundly, the ability to express what has been learned, and most importantly
the acquisition of the proper tools with which to continue the learning
process throughout an entire lifetime. It is not enough to merely learn
subjects, a student must learn how to think and how to learn." (quoted from The
River Academy, Wenatchee, WA)
Q: How well do Christian school graduates perform on tests?
A: Traditionally, Christian school students perform above the averages of
public schools students. Of course, each student is different and there are
no guarantees about any one individual’s performance on testing or ability to
obtain college scholarships. The trend, however, shows that Christian
schools provide competitive learning environments and often allow their
attendees to excel academically. During CCS' first year alone every grade
performed exceptionally well on SAT testing. Some grades were at the top in
the U.S. (98%) and the entire school averaged above 90th percentile.
Q: Can’t my children get the same thing at home and in Sunday school?
A: Our understanding is that God the Creator is the author of every
discipline. All science, literature, math, history, etc. points to God and are
not independent of Him. Our children get 30 plus hours with instructors,
curriculum, and other children who impact their values and point of view each
week. Even secular humanists opposed to Christianity realize the folly of this
line of thinking, as C. F. Potter, an original signer of the Humanist Manifesto
observed, "Education is thus a most powerful ally of humanism, and every
American public school is a school of humanism. What can the theistic
Sunday Schools, meeting for an hour once a week, and teaching only a
fraction of the children, do to stem the tide of a five-day program of
humanistic teaching?" Unfortunately this is appears correct as current data
show that 60-90% of Christian students abandon the Christian faith when
they go off to college. They have no foundation for their faith and lack a
Biblical wordview. Christian school is about teaching our children to think like
Christians in all things and is a full time job. Compartmentalizing God or the
Bible to a “Sunday only” thing is counter to God’s command to transform and
renew our minds. As part of their Truth Project, Focus on the Family recently
released a Barna survey which showed that only 9% of Christians have a
Biblical world view.
Q: Aren’t there lots of Christian teachers in the public school systems?
A: Absolutely there are. We are blessed in Cullman County and surrounding
areas to have such a number of committed Christians who are educators. We
know that a child’s teacher is one the most influential persons on character
development. Thank God that most local schools have some Christian
teachers. Unfortunately, the government dictates the curriculum to be
taught and has restricted what they can say and do (that they otherwise
would) for the sake of Christ on campus. The government began to be
involved in education in the middle of the 19th century. At that time, society
was friendly to the Christian world view. Gradually, the predominant
religious view of the culture has shifted to Secular Humanism. The goal of
Christian education is to teach our children to think like a Christian in all
things. In a Christian school, Christian kids are taught academic subjects
from a Christian point of view by all Christian teachers. For a young and
developing mind the advantages are priceless!
Q: Isn’t Christian schooling keeping the children from the “real” world?
A: Our belief is that the real world is God’s world. A world that leaves God
and His Word out of any part of our lives is the unreal world. The real world
is where God is the pivotal Truth saturating every subject in all our lives. We
believe that facts, whether scientific, mathematical, historical, or otherwise,
can only represent truth if they are taught in the context of a Christian
worldview.
III. Specific Information about CCS
Q: I see you are endorsed by many churches, why?
A: Our doctrinal beliefs are those which are common to Bible-believing,
evangelical churches across many denominations. The endorsement of the
churches indicates they have reviewed our mission statement and doctrinal
standards and support our work. Endorsement does not mean that these
churches support the School financially, although some do, nor does it mean
that they discourage their membership from attending school elsewhere.
Q: Who runs the school?
A: The School is governed by a Board of Directors who are members in good
standing of various evangelical churches in the community. The Headmaster,
Roger Hood, is the principal of the School and is on site for the daily
oversight of faculty and student activities.
Q: What qualifications do the teachers have?
A: CCS has made a very deliberate decision to employ only the best
educators available. We seek only committed Christian faculty who see their
role as ministry to children. These loving leaders must also be highly skilled
educators. In High School, additional specialty certificates in the subjects
of teaching are sought. Each has passed background checks for criminal
history and has been endorsed by their local church pastor. Each one is
motivated by their love for Christ and students. Each faculty member’s
performance is reviewed to ensure ongoing excellence and adherence to our
goals and mission statement.
Q: Are all the students Christians?
A: We evaluate each applicant to ensure each is interested in Christian
education and is a member of a local Body of believers. Our students are the
children of professing Christians who are members in good standing of their
church. This is done in order to meet our calling as a ministry to the local
Church. Only God knows the heart. Christian schools, while safer and more
wholesome than many public schools, are not problem-free or perfect
communities. The influence of the sin affects believers and nonbelievers
alike. Our prayer is that all students are born-again believers when they
complete their course of study at CCS.
Q: How are students taught at CCS?
A: CCS has the advantage of being unfettered from old and antiquated
materials or curriculum. Instead of having a State mandate to lower the
standard so that it meets the level of every child in the classroom, we raise
the standard to inspire each child to meet their God-given potential.
Everything was planned using the most modern technology for the computer-
age and the most successful, innovative teaching techniques by the mostly
highly qualified teachers. A guidance counselor is available to structure each
child's course schedule to meet their ultimate career goals.
Q: What are the School colors and mascot?
A: The colors are gold (purity), Crimson (the blood of Christ) and blue
(wisdom). The school mascot is the lion.
Q: What is the School motto?
A: In Latin, Initium sapientiae timor Domini, which means “The fear of the
Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Proverbs 9:10
Q: Explain the CCS Crest.
A: The helmet represents the Helmet of Salvation; salvation being the
highest goal for our students to realize. . The crest is a shield representing
the Shield of Faith. The crest is divided in four quarters. The two thrusts of
the school- faith (represented by the cross) and scholarship (represented by
the lamp)- are on the crest. The open Bible symbolizes that the School is
founded on the inspired Word of God. The school's mascot-the lion-is
pictured in the last panel. The School’s name run across the crest in a
banner of crimson with the motto and the date founded, 2006.
Q: How do I apply for admission to CCS? Requirements for Admission?
A: The application is available by calling the school office 734-0734 or
downloading an application from our website. Included in the application are
statements from the student, his/her parent(s), and their pastor. In order to
meet our stated commitment to Christian families, the requirements for
admission include: (1) Parent's statement of faith, (2) Student's record of
good academic standing at current school and (3) Student's record of good
disciplinary standing at their current school. The application packet will be
reviewed by the School administrator and Admissions Committee of the
Board of Directors. An interview may be part of the selection process. You
will be notified of the School’s decision. Waiting lists may be used for
classes which are already filled- but do not guarantee a seat in that year.
The waiting list and application is good only for the academic year in which
it is submitted and does not carry forward in following years. The decision of
the Committee is final. Students not accepted may apply again the following
year and will be considered equally.
Q: How are students enrolled in CCS?
A: An enrollment form (available from the school or downloaded from the
website) is required each year. This includes a $150 enrollment fee. The
enrollment begins February 1st and the deadline is July 31st. Enrollment of
each class begins with the returning CCS students moving up to the next
grade level. There is no fear that a returning CCS student in good academic
and disciplinary standing may be displaced. We will attempt to
accommodate everyone who has applied for admission while preserving
manageable class sizes. Open seats are then offered to students whose
siblings are already attending CCS. All others are then considered equally
without discrimination based on race, gender, handicap or national origin.
Cullman Christian School admits students of any race, color, and national or
ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally
accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not
discriminate on the basis or race, color, and national or ethnic origin in the
administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, athletic
programs or other school-administered or school-sanctioned programs or
activities. Admission decisions are at the sole discretion of Cullman
Christian School.
Q: How are discipline problems handled?
A: Each teacher will be responsible for affecting class conduct by enforcing
classroom etiquette and safety. The Student Handbook details the policies
and procedures of CCS.
Q: How are medical / health concerns handled?
A: Students taking medications should notify the School on the appropriate
forms available from your pediatrician. The Student Handbook details the
policies and procedures of CCS.
Q: What is the cost of tuition ?
A: Please see the tuition and fees page for the 2008-2009 fees.
Q. What about home schoolers?
A: Many children who have been home-schooled have applied to enter CCS.
Many others continue to be home-schooled but are attending certain classes
at CCS as part of a cooperative program. CCS also offers a home school
administrative covering and a once weekly Enrichment Studies program up to
eighth grade. Please see the Home School Programs page for details.
Q: Does CCS have uniforms?
A: Yes, our students do have a dress code. Uniforms are purchased on your
own but are basic and low cost. Please see the student handbook for details.
Q: Is the school accredited?
A: CCS is a member of the Alabama Christian Education Association (ACEA).
Most new schools are not eligible for full accreditation for about 4 years. We
will be pursuing accreditation by the time our first class graduates in 2012.
Q: What about sports and extracurricular activities?
A: Our teachers are planning such activities as a scholar's bowl/debate team
and others. Sports for grades 4-12, including CCS Home School Covering
homeschoolers up to 8th grade, offered are: Volleyball – Track- Girls and
Boys Basketball – Cheerleading - Co-ed Soccer - Softball – Baseball -please
see the athletics page for details.
Q:. Is there daycare available?
A: Yes, from 6:30 A.M. until 5:30 P.M. Please see the PreCare and AfterCare
page for details and pricing.
Q: Do you have a learning disability program?
A: Not as of yet, but we are interested in pursuing this soon.
Q: Do you have a lunch program?
A: Lunch is brought by the students. As the school grows we hope to add a
hot lunch program.
Q: Does the school have an emergency disaster plan?
A: Yes, monthly fire, lock-down, stay indoor/return to classroom and tornado
drills are conducted.
Q. What student supplies will be needed?
A: A school supply list for elementary grades will be e-mailed to you in the
summer and is posted on the website by clicking the link. At the secondary
level (5-12) students are also notified in each class of the supplies required.
Q: How can I help?
A: A Wish List of current needs can be viewed here. We are seeking
approximately 20+ acres of land in the City on which to eventually build our
school and campus. We need financial gifts to help fulfill the mission of the
School. As a non-profit corporation, all gifts to CCS are considered tax-
deductible. Tuition only provides about 20% of our needs. To keep our costs
low so that the most can benefit, we utilize volunteer aides, janitorial and
clerical assistants. We need the consistent fervent prayers of believers for
our School, its staff and students. We accept donations of equipment,
supplies for classrooms, laboratories and office products. See the page on
supporting CCS regarding Box Tops for Education and other assistance. Our
scholarship program is wholely funded by donors who have given so that
several needy families can now send their children to Cullman Christian
School.
"Someone with a biblical worldview believes his primary reason for existence is to love and serve God". The Truth Project President, Focus on the Family Institute |
Christ-filled education . . . “I would claim that Christian schooling is not about running or hiding from-- rather it is about embracing and pursuing the mind of Christ. It is about pursuing the real understanding of what it means to be salt and light, about transformation by the renewing of the mind. It is about the development of fruitful bearers of the image of Christ in a world gone bland with its salt-less- ness; a world staggering in an abundance of darkness where the light has been all but snuffed out.” Association of Christian Schools Int'l |
|
the only divine rule of life, and the result will be most lamentable. An education purely secular is the handmaiden of godless skeptics." C.H. Spurgeon |
"What's clear...from the creation onward, is that God's rule extends to everything. From bank accounts to our business dealings to our educational curriculum to our social justice issues to our political choices in the voting booth- everything must reflect the fact that God's righteous rule extends to all of life...In obedience to this mandate, we must affirm that truth involves all of life and then define and teach a Christian world-view"
|
| Nothing short of a great civil war of values rages today throughout North America. Two sides with vastly differing and incompatible world views are locked in a bitter conflict that permeates every level of society...Childeren are the prize to the winners...Those who control what the young people are taught and what they experience- what they see, hear, think and believe- will determine the future course of the nation" Dr James Dobson |
