How to Launch a New Christian High School
Perhaps you were caught off guard when approached by the pastor of your church about the possibility of starting up a Christian high school, or maybe you feel the need for a Christian school in a particular neighborhood. Whatever the case, you have a great task before you. However, if you consider each decision carefully---whether it has to do with classrooms, enrollment or curricula---you can succeed in starting a Christian high school.
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Instructions
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Find a church that is open to the possibility of supporting a Christian high school. The church should have classroom space available, a willingness to commit finances and be committed to the importance of Christian education during the teenage years.
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Put together a board of committed volunteers to help govern the new school, and determine a school budget, including tuition costs and payment for teachers. Based on this budget, determine how many students you must enroll in order to meet salary costs.
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Begin enrolling students in the spring before the new school year begins. Advertise in local parenting magazines and newspapers and on billboards. Call other local churches and ask if they are willing to hand out fliers in their weekly bulletins about the new school.
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Raise funds for classroom supplies. For example, the sponsoring church can dedicate a Sunday sermon to the importance of Christian education and ask the congregation to make donations to the school. In addition, students who have already enrolled can hold fundraisers to help buy desks, chalkboards and other needed supplies.
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Recruit staff for the school after you have an estimate of how many students will be enrolled. In many cases you will only be able to afford one to three teachers the first year.
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Select a curriculum for your students. Wait until after you have hired teachers so that you can benefit from their input and experience.
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Tips & Warnings
When working in a new city or neighborhood, consult local pastors and leadership counsels at churches.
The most important teacher to hire is a math and science instructor, and small Christian high schools often hire one person to teach both subjects. If your budget allows, next hire a teacher for English and composition. Your third staff member should teach Bible and other courses, and optimally would be fluent in a foreign language or have a degree in music.
Seek teachers from the church's congregation and local Christian colleges first. If you are still in need of qualified teachers, seek out graduates from Christian colleges in other cities and states.
Consider offering video courses, online courses and other options that can help a new Christian school offer a high-quality education.
References
- Photo Credit bible image by pearlguy from Fotolia.com
