HughHarris

What do we value?

I had one of our amazing teachers ask me this question yesterday – “What do we value as a school – what do we want our students to value when they graduate?” Great question.

As a school this question trumps many others and it must be asked, evaluated, and wrestled with regularly! So, what do we value, really? Was that question asked when the school was founded? In the case of Franklin Christian Academy it was. More about that in a minute. But are we living it? Do the school’s resources reflect it? Is the leadership of the school focused on it? Do its constituents understand these values and agree to them? Are these values regularly “graded” or evaluated? These are just some of the tough questions organizations must discipline themselves to deal with otherwise “mission drift” can set in.

In the fall of FCA’s first year the Board of Directors met together and Andy Reese, one of our founding board members, led us through a brain storming session on “what do we value” as a school. The people with the vision, board members and their wives, wrestled with this question late into the night and for several days afterward. We edited, debated, and agreed together that the following were the guiding values and beliefs that we saw as critical to the success of Franklin Christian Academy. We understood I Thes. 2:5 where Paul exhorts us to hear Christ as He calls us to stand firm in His teachings, His values, and His beliefs.

FCA Core Values and Beliefs

Passion for Christ and for Life – FCA strives to instill a love of Christ and desire to serve Him in each student by example, by involvement, and by teaching. Moral character and integrity are qualities that are lifted up and rewarded.

Respect for the Individual Learner – We teach students, not subjects. Each student is an individual with unique gifts, talents and abilities. We want students to progress to their highest potential. We want each student to feel valued and accepted for who they are.

College Preparatory Academics– Our desire is to mold our students into life-long learners by providing challenging and college preparatory academics through interactive and experiential learning.

Integrated Christian Curriculum Worldview – Scripture and God himself are relevant to every subject. We cannot look at Science, History, Literature or Math without seeing the hand and nature of our creator. We acknowledge this and guide our students to discover God’s foundational truths for each subject.

Fine Arts– Fine arts are a vital part of the education process and success in life whether in visual Art, Music, Drama, or Graphic Design.

Personal and Community Development – We seek to show our students who God is and who they are by exploring their gifts and strengths and seeing how they fit into God’s purposes for the world.

Athletics and Fitness– For many students athletics is the glue that holds their academic experience together. Life lessons and community building through these experiences are an indispensable part of school life.

Economic, Racial and Social Diversity – FCA actively seeks to be a racially, economically, and socially diverse community meeting a variety of academic needs.

Student Servant Leadership – Students are actively encouraged to pursue a Christ-like servant-leadership role with their peers. FCA rewards this quality with an annual ‘Servant Leader’ award for each grade.

International and Local Missions – FCA offers multiple opportunities for students to participate in missions outreach and social justice experiences. By example, involvement and teaching, a high importance in placed on these areas.

Camp, Retreats and Trips – Through camps, retreats and trips as well as daily and weekly activities, FCA is a loving community that embraces diverse and varied individuals.

Honesty and Integrity – FCA requires honesty and integrity in all areas of school life. We are committed to be responsible stewards of all the resources that Gods provides for us.

FCA parents and students your input is valued. We need to hear from you. Please feel free to post to this blog regarding how you see FCA as a school is doing in regards to these values and feel free to be honest. How are we doing? What needs to change to help us be true to these values?

July 29, 2011 - Posted by hughharrisfca | Education