Christian school graduates are socially fragmented, anti-intellectual, politically radical, and live a militantly right-winged lifestyle. At least that’s the popular stereotype. In contrast to this caricature, a new study done by Cardus Education Survey group, found

“Compared to their public school, Catholic school, and non-religious private school peers, Protestant Christian school graduates are uniquely compliant, generous, outwardly-focused individuals who stabilize their communities by their uncommon commitment to their families, their churches, and larger society.”

The purpose of the study, published in 2011, was to “determine the alignment between the motivations and outcomes of Christian education, setting a benchmark for further study of Christian schooling.” In short, do Christian schools deliver on their promises to develop students who are spiritually formed, culturally engaged, and academically competent?

The results of the survey are fascinating. First, the difference between Protestant schools and Catholic schools are striking. Catholic schools tend to provide superior academic outcomes, which translates in greater matriculation in prestigious universities and colleges. However,

“our research finds that the moral, social, and religious disposition of Catholic school graduates seem to run counter to the values and teaching of the Catholic church. For example, students graduating from Catholic schools divorce no less than their public school counterparts, and significantly more than their Protestant Christian and non-religious private school peers. Similarly, having attended Catholic school has no impact on the frequency with which those graduates will attend church services, and Catholic school graduates are less likely to serve as leaders in their churches.”

Protestant school graduates, in contrast, are committed to their families and churches, marked by a hopefulness for the future, and in many ways are “foundational members of society.” However, when trying to balance the demands of faith, learning, and cultural engagement, the study found that Protestant school graduates don’t perform academically better than their private or public school peers.

The study is an extremely valuable resource for parents considering religious education for their children. It rigorously studies the academic, communal, and spiritual impact of Christian education on children.

Yet as a Christian school administrator, I was particularly engaged by the questions posed by the study. For example, “What if Christian school leaders were more audacious in their goals, expecting students to be unwaveringly committed to both their families and to being a part of culture through politics, the arts, and the world of ideas?”

Also, consider this question: “What if Christian schools would inspire students a ‘whole gospel’ mindset—reverence for creation, acknowledgement of the fall, worship of the Redeemer, and a taste for restoration—rather than a more narrowly-focused understanding of Biblical roles as husbands, wives, fathers, mothers?”

Finally, “Have Protestant Christian schools set the bar too low with regard to academic program and developing students’ intellect, and have Catholic schools done the same in their student’s spiritual growth?”

These are questions that everybody in the Christian School movement need to answer.

The authors guess that we are moving into a new era for Protestant Christian schools, in which there will be a greater focus on academic outcomes, while not leaving out the critical element of faith. They also believe that Christian schools are the perfect “incubators for educational innovation”, as they are not constrained by federal and state regulations. Now is the time to start experimenting in healing this fissure between heart and mind.

I would agree. Christian schools have a great opportunity to build the types of educational structures that will produce “whole” people – intellectually competent, culturally engaged, and spiritually centered – that will be the future leaders of our globalized society.

Christmas traditions are special, fun and a great way to connect to those around you. It always amazes me how many different traditions families and friends build during the Christmas season. Here, at FRCS, our teachers are no different. Many of our teachers have created annual traditions in their classrooms and they continue to create new ones!

One tradition, pictured here, comes from our Spanish classes (kinder and 1st). They put on costumes and stopped by various classrooms and offices to sing a song or two as they did their Posadas Procession. This is the Mexican tradition where people dress up as Mary, Joseph, etc. looking for a place in the inn. This tradition was enjoyed by all!

Another such tradition comes from Brent Glossinger, our Director of Discipleship. Over the years, he has noticed that as the semester winds down students burn out focusing on school work and extracurricular activities. This is why he chooses to focus on Advent and the Christmas story in his classroom. Each day, beginning after Thanksgiving break, a student lights the different Advent candles and, as a class, they discuss an element of Christmas. Mr. G says, “My hope is that they see the intentionality and will create intentional time during such a busy but highly meaningful season.”

In Kindergarten, Mrs. Sturm’s class put together the Nativity Play. Students don costumes and act out the birth of Jesus for parents and other students at the Elementary Christmas Chapel. Mrs. Farrington’s fifth grade class explores the true blessing of giving through “Secret Angels,” where they give gifts in secret throughout the week before Christmas break, as well as through sending extra money to the Compassion child they sponsor. Second grade teacher, Mrs. Hart’s favorite tradition is “reading some excellent Christmas books,” including The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, The Gift of the Magi, Christmas Day in the Morning and Winter's Gift.

Other special moments here at Front Range Christian School come during our Christmas chapels. This year was even more special! Our entire student body, Kindergarten through 12th grade, gathered together for a special chapel service, where they sang Christmas carols and listened to a Christmas story read by our very own Sharon Payne. Our third grade teacher, Denie Dalton said she “got goose bumps” listening to our students join their voices together in worship.

Christmas is such a meaningful time here at Front Range. During the stress of finals and the end of the semester, the FRCS staff is intentional about sharing the true meaning of Christmas through its traditions. What’s your Christmas tradition?

Occasionally on the admissions blog we feature parent interviews. Below is an interview with Kathy Dostal, mother of Isaac Dostal, a 10th grade student in The Learning Center.

Why did you come to Front Range Christian School?
We came to Front Range School because we wanted a quality Christian education for our son who has developmental learning disabilities. To our knowledge, Front Range continues to be the only Christian School in the state of Colorado that offers a quality program for children with learning disabilities.

What is The Learning Center?
The Learning Center is a place within the walls of Front Range Christian that provides a wonderful educational experience for our son. It is a classroom of young men and women with learning disabilities, who are given a safe, encouraging, fun and deeply caring educational environment as they interact and study in their core classes.

How has The Learning Center influenced your child?
Our son continues to progress academically and is being prepared to be a productive member of society and a servant in the Kingdom of God. It has stretched him spiritually, academically, and socially in so many positive ways.

How has the community of Front Range Christian School impacted your family?
I have found the community at Front Range to be supportive, friendly, and available whenever we have had a need. The most significant impact being that as parents of a special needs child it has brought a great deal of peace to our educational journey that public education simply can not provide.

What advice would you give to parents interested in Christian schools for their children?
For parents interested in a Christian school for their children, especially children with developmental educational needs: look no further; Front Range has what your child needs! I believe there is no investment that will give you a greater return than giving your child a Christian education.