C.S. Lewis wrote in Abolition of Man that “the task of modern educators is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts.” In many ways, what CACE has done for Valley Christian Schools in Dublin, CA is precisely that. It would have been so easy for outside experts to come in to our school and chop down the entanglements … Read More
Mastering the Master Schedule: Fulfill Your School’s Mission Part 1: The Set-up
Introduction Every February, my focus begins to shift. We’ve gotten into the second semester at our high school and now, my attention goes to planning for the next school year. The most arduous and intensive component of planning for the upcoming year is always tied to building the master schedule. I secretly love the process. Even though it takes a … Read More
Inclusive Education: Envisioning the Opportunity for Christian Schools (Part 4 of the Welcoming Students of All Abilities at Your School Series)
In a time that values speed, efficiency, success, independence, individual achievement, and “easy”, the Christian school must choose an alternative story – the story of shalom to guide our work. Christian schools exist to point kids to Christ, to help them understand what Christ valued through his life and ministry, and to increase their desire to imitate him in their … Read More
The CACE Effect: Lessons from Parkview Christian Academy
One of the great privileges of being a CACE Fellow is the opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with other Christian schools to improve Christian schooling. When I graduated from Covenant College in 1989, I was ready to dive in head first teaching middle school math, coaching soccer and basketball and directing the athletic program at a small, struggling Christian school in … Read More
CACE Impacts Intermountain Christian
Click here to see what good work CACE has been doing in partnership with Intermountain Christian School. Our appreciation to Dordt University Professor Mark Volkers and Prairie Grass Films for this production!
Where Do the Subjects Come From?
I always scheduled a parent evening about 3 ½ weeks into the school year. Two things were happening by then. One, parents were thrilled that when they asked their children, “How was school today?” they didn’t get the usual, “Fine.” “OK.” The kids had all kinds of interesting stories to tell. Parents liked that. The second thing was that the … Read More
CACE Impacts Valley Christian
Click here to see what good work CACE has been doing in partnership with Valley Christian Schools. Our appreciation to Dordt University Professor Mark Volkers and Prairie Grass Films for this production!
Inclusive Education: What If We’re Not Equipped for Students of All Abilities? (Part 2 of the Welcoming Students of All Abilities at Your School Series)
Readiness is a tricky notion. We humans have a very long history of responding to our callings with some sense of our own shortcomings – Moses, David, Paul, and on and on. And yet, we are still called to change our world and ourselves in response to God’s grace. When we think of being well-equipped for serving students with disabilities, … Read More
Inclusive Education: How Will My School Pay for Additional Educational Support Services? (Part 3 of Welcoming Students of All Abilities at Your School Series)
In some ways, this is the wrong question to ask. As nonprofits, after all, how in the world do we pay for anything? Many prayers, generous donors, and perhaps a bit of luck. But budgets are often seen as reflections of our values. As Christian schools, we value our faith, our people, our teaching, and our communities; educational support services … Read More
Webinar – Welcoming Students of All Abilities at Your School (Part 1)
In this webinar CACE Fellow Dan Beerens and CLC executive director Elizabeth Dombrowski explore the opportunity for, and biblical basis of, inclusion in Christian schools. They are joined by two school administrators, Megan Willink and Mark Buteyn, who reflect on the joys and challenges of implementing inclusive education at their respective schools. This was Part 1 of a two part … Read More