There has been much written on this topic from various viewpoints. Parents, school officials, and pastors all bring their concerns and responses. This article is a synopsis of the various objections and misconceptions that arise from parents when considering or dismissing Christian education. There are also numerous responses that often overlap in addressing these objections. My hope is that as a parent you would prayerfully consider these answers and would be confident that Christian education is indeed appropriate and beneficial for your children.
1. Christian education is too expensive for us and is only for certain economic levels.
This is one of the highest concerns for parents. Yes, there are certainly costs involved from tuition, book fees, technology fees, application fees, etc. It will require sacrifices for your family, but it is an investment in the future of your child both academically as well as biblically.
How does one put a price on a strong biblical foundation that can produce a great reward, as you witness the growth of your child in the knowledge and love of God?
In my research of the Southside area of Hampton Roads schools, tuition costs can vary dramatically depending on the variables: the grade level, schools with overhead costs of owning a building, or schools inside an existing church. In addition, many schools offer tuition assistance, scholarships, and payment plans that assist families from all socioeconomic levels. When Christian education becomes a priority for families, they often find resourceful ways to make it happen.
Most importantly, let us not leave out the God equation, as the Lord comes alongside you to provide and give you wisdom. The Lord is for family and wants your children to be raised in the knowledge of the love of God, and can help your family in amazing ways.
2. Christian students are too sheltered, also referred to as living in a “bubble,” or not living in “the real world.”
According to Blankschaen (2024)1, parents are concerned that their children would not be prepared to live in “the real world.” Christian education seeks to disciple children and assist parents in establishing a strong foundation using a biblical worldview to filter secular worldviews and issues of the day. Using age-appropriate curriculum they address cultural issues with the Bible as the foundation of truth. Students are then better prepared to live in the world but not by its ways.
In addition to this schools often teach servant leadership and involve children in community service where they can live out their Christian faith.
The issue of the “real world” would beg the question: Is public school the real world? Public schools have many restrictions in place that leave God completely out of life (see Blankschaen footnote). We believe as Christians that God is life! He is intricately part of all of life and involved in all aspects of our lives.
3. Christian schools are not high in quality like public schools and are limited in what they offer.
Many Christian schools have higher academic standards than public, which has been proven by countless scholarships awarded to Christian students, as well as higher scores on ACT and SAT tests. The smaller teacher/student ratio in classrooms enables more interaction and assistance resulting in overall better performance.
Of course, just as in any school system, there is no guarantee that a student will be successful just because they attend a Christian school. The goal is, however, to have a faith-based education and to develop a love for learning in the child. All Christian schools will emphasize that they are partners with supportive and involved parents in their child’s education, not as a substitute. This along with caring teachers who share our Christian values add to increased success in your child.
Larger Christian schools often offer everything a public school offers: AP courses, athletics of all kinds, the arts, music, clubs, and other extracurricular activities. Many medium-sized schools offer a variety of choices as well. Some schools offer even more options than many public schools. Competitive sports and scholarships to colleges are also seen in many Christian schools.
4. Christian schools do not require teacher qualifications.
Private schools are not mandated to hold a license, but many schools look for licensed teachers and many have higher education degrees. They look for the most qualified and expert in their field of expertise. The priority is to have staff who love the Lord and the children and exhibit excellence in providing a solid Christian education. According to learn.org (n.d., para. 2)2, “In Virginia, private school teachers are not required to be certified. However, each institution may implement its own requirements for teacher certifications, specializations, education, and experience.”
A helpful video from 21c Kingdom Education (2023)3, from a Christian teacher’s perspective about teacher certification, hit on some very valid points:
- Many teachers have degrees and even advanced degrees in various fields.
- Having a teaching certification does not guarantee success in teaching.
- Both public and private schools can have less qualified teachers.
- The teacher holds a view about having a calling and gifting to teach. There are excellent teachers who may or may not have certification, but their results speak for themselves in test scores and the success of the students (21c Kingdom, 2023).
5. All Christian schools are the same, including curriculum.
They are not all the same. According to Shannon (n.d. para. 10)4, the overall emphasis in one school may be discipleship and therefore only accept Christian students or parents who are Christians. A school oriented toward missions often accepts both Christian and non-Christian students for the goal of bringing them to Christ.
From my own personal research concerning what curriculum is chosen, it all starts with the particular education model they use. Some schools use the Classical education model (called Trivium)* featuring classic literature, philosophy, and languages from antiquity. They implement Christian principles throughout the course, challenging students to debate and defend their faith. Others use a traditional model utilizing overt Christian curriculum implementing direct Bible links and spiritual principles with emphasis on language arts, science, history, and math. There are also hybrid schools that appear traditional in their offerings, but are really a support to homeschooling students who come for extra classes or assistance.
6. Since the parent went to public school and is Christian, it should be no different for their child to attend public schools.
If one assumes that the public school learning environment of today is the same as previous generations, one could come to that conclusion. We have huge changes in public schools with culture wars, as well as increasing hostility toward all things of God. Humanism teachings and agendas to indoctrinate conflict with our Christian values and biblical worldviews, according to Mulvihill (2022)5, are the order of the day in most current public education.
7. My child will be a “light” in public schools, or a missionary to evangelize other students.
Children are still in the formative years of their lives. As Blankschaen (2024)6 summarily espouses, they should be protected and given a solid Christian foundation before expecting them to withstand the full assault that the world wages on them, including the public school environment. The call and responsibility to be a light and to make disciples of others was given to mature adults, not to children.
In addition to Blankschaen’s insights, a consensus by many have noted that children are being exposed to secular teachings. Adding to that, the peer pressure to conform, coupled with the desire to fit in, 5 days a week, 7 to 8 hours a day, often results in their young faith being overwhelmed and often discredited. In a Christian learning environment, the Word of God is imparted in some form every day in order to prepare them for all that life throws their way. We should want children to build their lives on the solid rock of Christ, not the sinking sand of the world around them.
In conclusion, these misconceptions and objections are the main ones that most parents seem to raise, and there are certainly others. My hope is that in this synopsis, if you identify with any of these concerns, that you would find reassurance in the responses given. It is a big decision to make regarding your child’s education, and you are wise not to take it lightly. There are no perfect Christian schools, teachers, parents, or students.
We all strive to please the Lord in this life, and I hope you will seek the Lord in prayer for your family about this decision. It takes courage and faith to make changes in life. and ultimately the choice is yours. May God’s grace abound toward you and your family!
*For more info on Classical Education (Trivium), see a video about it here.
Further Information and References
Blankschaen, Bill. (2024, January 15). Debunking the 8 most popular myths about Christian education. The Renewanation Review. https://www.maranathabaptistacademy.com/the-academys-journal/debunking-the-8-most-popular-myths-about-christian-education
Haywood Christian Academy. (2022, November 1). Five misconceptions about private school. Haywood Christian Academy Blog. https://haywoodchristianacademy.org/blog/misconceptions-about-private-school
learn.org (n.d., para. 2). Become a private school teacher in Virginia. Retrieved, August 28, 2024 from https://learn.org/articles/become_a_private_school_teacher_in_virginia.html
Mulvihill, Josh. (2022, July 28). Countering common objections to Christian education. Gospel Shaped Family. https://gospelshapedfamily.com/discipleship/countering-common-objections-to-christian-education/
Shannon, Ashley. (n.d.). Dispelling common myths about Christian education. The Glorious Table. Retrieved August 28, 2024, from https://theglorioustable.com/2021/08/dispelling-common-myths-about-christian-education/
21c Kingdom Education. (2023, August 13). Teacher certification is not a requirement in private Christian schools [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@21cKingdomEducation
Footnotes:
- Blankschaen, Bill. (2024, January 15). Debunking the 8 most popular myths about Christian education. The Renewanation Review. https://www.maranathabaptistacademy.com/the-academys-journal/debunking-the-8-most-popular-myths-about-christian-education ↩︎
- learn.org (n.d., para. 2). Become a private school teacher in Virginia. Retrieved, August 28, 2024 from https://learn.org/articles/become_a_private_school_teacher_in_virginia.htmll ↩︎
- 21c Kingdom Education. (2023, August 13). Teacher certification in not a requirement in private Christian schools [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@21cKingdomEducation ↩︎
- Shannon, Ashley. (n.d.). Dispelling common myths about Christian education. The Glorious Table. Retrieved August 28, 2024, from https://theglorioustable.com/2021/08/dispelling-common-myths-about-christian-education/ ↩︎
- Mulvihill, Josh. (2022, July 28). Countering common objections to Christian education. Gospel Shaped Family. https://gospelshapedfamily.com/discipleship/countering-common-objections-to-christian-education/ ↩︎
- Blankschaen, Bill. (2024, January 15). Debunking the 8 most popular myths about Christian education. The Renewanation Review. https://www.maranathabaptistacademy.com/the-academys-journal/debunking-the-8-most-popular-myths-about-christian-education ↩︎