Mission - Values - History
| Mission Providing a Foundation for a lifetime of learning, service, and leadership through a classical Christian education that develops mind, body, and spirit. Our Values Christian Foundation On the cornerstone of Christ Church one can read the dedication inscription from 1905: "To the Glory of God. Amen." Building upon that foundation, our school will present a Christian world view that is grounded on Holy Scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit, and expressed in the historic creeds of Christianity. Our tradition upholds the Apostles and Nicene Creeds as definitive expressions of our belief in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our belief in Jesus Christ as "the way, the truth, and the life" will animate school spirituality. Chapel worship and classroom devotions will familiarize students with Christian music, traditional hymns, and the seasons of the Christian year. The study of the Christian scriptures will be part of our core curriculum. We believe that an understanding of God as creator and a knowledge of his saving purpose in history through Jesus Christ underlies all learning pursuits. As Saint Augustine said (fifth century), "Every good and true Christian should understand that wherever he may find truth it is the Lord's." We will strive to provide a spiritual and moral environment by our commitment to Christian values and by the personal example of the teachers, administrators and staff. In a true educational environment the spiritual and intellectual life of a student should be intertwined and complementary. Academic Excellence Our school will strive to establish a comprehensive, challenging, and highly enriched academic program. A rigorous curriculum with an integrated approach to subject matter combined with small class sizes will provide an atmosphere that is conducive to learning. Students will achieve above typical grade level expectations. Classroom experiences will promote the joy of learning through competent and caring teachers in a safe, disciplined, threat-free environment. We will emphasize enrichment with art, music, technology, athletics, and extra-curricular activities. Instruction that is tailored to personal development will encourage each student to transform mistakes into learning opportunities. Our goal is to teach each child to become a responsible citizen who is conscious of his or her role in God's world. Classical Approach Christ Church School is committed to using a classical approach in educating its students. This method of education was established in the ancient world and has evolved through Christian history. Our school will work to revive and establish this historic educational methodology. In practice a classical education is distinguished by the following emphases: • A core knowledge curriculum that provides a well organized framework of essential topics. • Classic texts, the great literature of past and present, studied as enduring works of excellence. • The study of Latin (beginning in second grade) as well as modern foreign languages. • The chronological study of history using primary source documents rather than simply using textbooks. Family Involvement We believe that parents are responsible for and should be active in the education of their children. Therefore, we will work to maintain a family atmosphere where parents are involved in the life of the school. The entire school family (students, parents, faculty, and staff) are encouraged and motivated to take active roles in the life of the school. Family involvement in a child's education will establish an important foundation for healthy development and academic success. Contributions of time and talent are encouraged and expected. Christ Church School is accredited by the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools and admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic background. Our History In 1957 Christ Episcopal Church established a parish school that has served the young families of Temple and East Bell County for almost 50 years. The school is owned and operated as a ministry of Christ Church. As such it functions under the authority of the Rector (pastor) and Vestry (the governing board of elected lay leadership). The mission statement of the Church, knowing Christ and making him known, expresses our purpose in every area of church life, including the Christ Church School. Christ Church envisions our school as a nurturing, educational environment in which children can know Jesus Christ, grow in knowledge of the Christian Faith, and develop an understanding of the world that God has made. Christ Church School nurtures the development of children by providing opportunities for them to mature spiritually in their relationship with God, mentally in their knowledge of creation, socially in their relationships with peers, and physically in their health habits. We believe that each child is a special creation of God and that God has given each child an inquiring and discerning heart and mind. We work together with parents to provide each child a foundation to last a lifetime. |