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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Principal, Airdrie Koinonia Christian School
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