Our Core Values


Summit Christian School exists as a ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church in America). Our core values are ones that are explicitly shared with the Church. The specific statements framing our School’s foundations are made within the context of our shared beliefs and shape our understanding of Christian education and the covenant community. The foundation of Summit Christian School is the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments,
the inerrant Word of God, as summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith. On this basis, we affirm the following principles for Christian education:

Scriptural Truth

Scripture is the revealed Word of God and is taught as truth.

Students are taught that

  • they are created in the image of God – Genesis 1:26-27.
  • they must confront the issues of sin and redemption – Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:9.
  • they can know God as revealed in Christ and made present through the Holy Spirit – Luke 11:13.
  • Jesus Christ shall return to judge all mankind and to receive His people unto Himself – Matthew 25:31-46, John 14:3.

Fusion of Faith with Learning

Summit is committed to the intentional fusion of our Christian faith with great schooling.

Learning will emphasize

  • Christ as our Creator, Sustainer, and Lord.
  • knowledge as dependent on God’s revelation in His creation and in His Word.
  • human history and God’s redemptive activity in it.
  • humanity, its cultures, and how ideologies have shaped people and their institutions.
  • how Christians are called to respond to and engage in the world as agents of transformation.

The Curriculum

Curriculum aims to prepare students for the Christian life.

We value a curriculum that

  • honors the Lord over all creation.
  • meets or exceeds benchmark standards for literacy, critical thinking, and communication.
  • prepares students to actively investigate their God-given calling in life.
  • aims to have a transformational impact on the lives of students.
  • teaches a Christian worldview as it applies to all aspects of life in our culture.
  • trains the next generation of the church.

The Christian Home

Summit upholds the sacred responsibility of the home to educate children.

We value

  • the central role the family has been given by God to teach children His commands – Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
  • Christian education to be a necessary component to the Christian home in the spiritual and intellectual formation of the child.
  • the triangular relationship of School-Family-Church.
  • communication between home and school that is characterized by a mutual respect.

The Christian Teacher

The teaching staff and administration are evangelical Christians of Reformed convictions who demonstrate a strong sense of the call to teach.

A Summit teacher will

  • lead students by guiding and unfolding the nature of the one true God.
  • cultivate a classroom that will stimulate optimum student discovery.
  • shepherd students to achieve the full measure of his or her academic and spiritual potential.
  • intentionally partner with home by communicating academic, social, and spiritual development.
  • purposefully establish within the classroom a climate of Christian community.

Student Portrait

Every learning experience aims to engage students toward their full potential in Christ.

Learning will

  • prepare students to think critically, communicate clearly, and act in accordance with God’s Word.
  • encourage students to use their minds to the best of their ability in service to God.
  • make competent and responsive disciples of Jesus Christ – Matthew 28:19-20.
  • equip students with an understanding of God’s cultural mandate to exercise God’s call to
  • engage and transform the culture by God’s grace and for His Glory – Genesis 1:26-28.

Operational Practice

All the School’s practices are grounded in Biblical norms and principles.

Biblical standards permeate

  • governance
  • business and finance transactions.
  • development and marketing practices.
  • human resources.
  • governmental relations.

Leadership and Governance

The leadership will advance the mission of the School.

We value the God-given orientation toward school leadership and to holding it accountable for the accomplishment of the School’s mission. School leadership bears the responsibility of providing educational competence within the staff, and with that competence comes authority in the schoolhouse. While we believe that it is the primary responsibility of the family for the education of its children, we also are committed to partnering with the family to achieve this purpose. Consequently, a fundamental mutual understanding and respect for this relationship is necessary.


References

  • Evearitt, Timothy, 1996. Leading a Christian School: A Book for Administrators and Board Members. The Center for the Advancement of Christian Education, Covenant College: Lookout Mtn., GA.
  • De Witt, John. R. 1981. What is the Reformed Faith? Polton Press: Scotland.
  • Graham, Donovan, L. 2003. Teaching Redemptively: Bringing Grace and Truth into Your Classroom. Purposeful Design: Colorado Springs.
  • Van Brummelen, Harro. 2002. Stepping Stones to Curriculum: A Biblical Path. Purposeful Design: Colorado Springs.
  • Wolterstorff, Nicholas P. 2002. Educating for Life. Baker Academic: Grand Rapids.

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