Christian Schools are for the Elite
(Or So They Say)
Christian schools are sometimes criticized for catering to an elite group of students. These students are said to be academically, financially, and socially better off than the average public school child. Christian schools can discriminate in admitting students. Thus, it is claimed, the consistently higher scores achieved by these students is simply a result of selecting better students to begin with. This is a serious charge which deserves a serious answer.
1. Most Christian schools do not screen students on an academic basis except in order to determine whether there are learning disabilities or handicaps which might be beyond the resources of the school. Also, many students transfer to a Christian school because they are already experiencing difficulties. It is therefore likely that Christian schools have an above average number of students with learning problems. Finally, by comparing the students' own scores when they begin in a Christian school to those several years later, one can see the difference that a Christian school makes. Regardless of ability, students almost always do better after the transfer.
2. It is true that most Christian schools do not accept students with severe learning problems, but this is not because they don't wish to do so. It is the result of these schools being denied their fair share of the tax dollars available to public schools. Without the funds, it is impossible to provide the level of staffing and the kind of program required for students with very special needs. Most Christian schools would gladly accept every student if they had the funds to provide for them.
3. Most parents who enroll their children in a Christian school are not particularly well off financially. Rather, the vast majority are middle income people who have chosen to sacrifice many of the nice things the world has to offer in order to invest in their children's education. Furthermore, most Christian schools have substantial subsidy programs which enable even single parents to enroll their children.
4. It may be true that Christian school children are better off socially. Obviously, they come from homes where God is given His rightful place. Their parents are committed to the best in education for their children. So, on average, they do have some advantages. Yet, these advantages are not really given full play until these children are enrolled in a school which shares the values of the home. It is only after enrolling in the Christian school that many of these children in fact blossom, for they are no longer ridiculed by their teachers or peers for their faith.
5. Christian schools do discriminate on the basis of religious belief. They must do this in order to create the kind of community between the home and school which will enable them to provide the strong values-based education which makes them successful. Public fine arts or technology schools also discriminate in the type of student they accept. The history of Christian medical and educational missions is ample proof that this kind of "segregation" does not breed contempt or intolerance but rather love for others.
The fact of the matter is that children in Christian schools are not much different at the time of enrollment than their public school counterparts. However, the earlier they are enrolled and the longer they stay, the greater the difference becomes.
Brian Hazeltine, B.Ed., M.A., Ed.D.
Christian schools are sometimes criticized for catering to an elite group of students. These students are said to be academically, financially, and socially better off than the average public school child. Christian schools can discriminate in admitting students. Thus, it is claimed, the consistently higher scores achieved by these students is simply a result of selecting better students to begin with. This is a serious charge which deserves a serious answer.
1. Most Christian schools do not screen students on an academic basis except in order to determine whether there are learning disabilities or handicaps which might be beyond the resources of the school. Also, many students transfer to a Christian school because they are already experiencing difficulties. It is therefore likely that Christian schools have an above average number of students with learning problems. Finally, by comparing the students' own scores when they begin in a Christian school to those several years later, one can see the difference that a Christian school makes. Regardless of ability, students almost always do better after the transfer.
2. It is true that most Christian schools do not accept students with severe learning problems, but this is not because they don't wish to do so. It is the result of these schools being denied their fair share of the tax dollars available to public schools. Without the funds, it is impossible to provide the level of staffing and the kind of program required for students with very special needs. Most Christian schools would gladly accept every student if they had the funds to provide for them.
3. Most parents who enroll their children in a Christian school are not particularly well off financially. Rather, the vast majority are middle income people who have chosen to sacrifice many of the nice things the world has to offer in order to invest in their children's education. Furthermore, most Christian schools have substantial subsidy programs which enable even single parents to enroll their children.
4. It may be true that Christian school children are better off socially. Obviously, they come from homes where God is given His rightful place. Their parents are committed to the best in education for their children. So, on average, they do have some advantages. Yet, these advantages are not really given full play until these children are enrolled in a school which shares the values of the home. It is only after enrolling in the Christian school that many of these children in fact blossom, for they are no longer ridiculed by their teachers or peers for their faith.
5. Christian schools do discriminate on the basis of religious belief. They must do this in order to create the kind of community between the home and school which will enable them to provide the strong values-based education which makes them successful. Public fine arts or technology schools also discriminate in the type of student they accept. The history of Christian medical and educational missions is ample proof that this kind of "segregation" does not breed contempt or intolerance but rather love for others.
The fact of the matter is that children in Christian schools are not much different at the time of enrollment than their public school counterparts. However, the earlier they are enrolled and the longer they stay, the greater the difference becomes.
Brian Hazeltine, B.Ed., M.A., Ed.D.