Member Benefits

A Member Benefits Guide

Last Updated Oct 26, 2009

A Comprehensive Desktop Guide 2010

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, They form one body. So it is with Christ.
—1 Corinthians 12:12, NIV

There has never been a more important time for you to make the most of your ACSI membership—join with thousands of other schools whose distinctive is to provide young men and women with transformational education and to prepare them for life at its fullest as followers of Christ.

Our mission is to enable Christian educators and schools worldwide to eff ectively prepare students for life. It is our vision to be an association speaking with a viable and authoritative voice in education and consisting of effective Christian schools recognized as essential and contributing to the public good so that Christian school students worldwide acquire wisdom, knowledge, and a biblical worldview as evidenced by a lifestyle of character, leadership, service, stewardship, and worship.

To achieve ACSI’s mission and vision, the following services and benefits are available to Christian schools that are ACSI members:

► Resources for Effective Schools

► Resources for Professional Growth

► Resources for the Unique Needs of Students

Resources for Effective Schools

ACSI Website The ACSI website connects to a broad array of educational resources designed to equip all member schools to reach greater effectiveness in achieving their mission. www.acsi.org	Annual School Survey Each year, ACSI does a complete member-school survey covering benefits being offered by member schools. The survey addresses salary and tuition information, enrollment numbers, and much more. www.acsi.org/kwschoolsurvey Executive Support 719.528.6906	Attorney Discount If you do not have an attorney and you wish to use ACSI’s corporate attorney, you may call John L. Cooley. Discounts are available for ACSI member schools. 540.343.2451 800.269.5588
Christian Educator/School Recognition Career Service and Achievement Award This service honors individual educators who are nominated and who meet the criteria for recognition. www.acsi.org/kwcareerachieve CSE@acsi.org Exemplary School Recognition Exemplary school programs receive recognition, and information about them is published in CSE magazine. www.acsi.org/kwexschprograms Director of Publishing 719.528.6906	Christian Video Licensing International CVLI provides an all-encompassing, low-cost license to churches, religious schools, childcare centers, and all other church-operated sites. ACSI members receive a 10% discount off the license fee. www.acsi.org/kwcvli www.cvli.org 888.771.CVLI, ext. 2854	Classroom Resource Kits Math Manipulative Kits for levels K–6 and Science Equipment Kits for levels 1–6 are available for hands-on learning. www.purposefuldesign.com Customer Service 800.367.0798
Consulting Services Group This is a 50% discounted program ready to assist your school in meeting needs that sometimes go beyond the scope of member benefits. www.acsi.org/kwconsultserv Leadership and Professional Development, 866.793.8162	Destinations This exchange program encourages cross-cultural learning among ACSI member schools and their staff, students, and communities. Opportunities are available for schools to host and to send students. Students attend an ACSI member school in another country and live with host families or in school boarding facilities for a semester or a year. www.acsi.org/kwdestinations International Services 719.528.6906	Foreign Language Teacher and Student Resources Some products listed in the ACSI catalog have been translated into Spanish, Portuguese, and French or have been adapted to different cultures. The translation and the cultural adaptation continue. Customer Service 800.367.0798
Fund-Raising Benevon, in partnership with ACSI, equips schools to build passionate, committed lifelong donors. Benevon trains and coaches nonprofi t organizations in implementing a low-pressure, mission-based system for increasing sustainable funding. www.benevon.com info@benevon.com 206.709.9400	ETapestry offers fund-raising software that tracts donors, prospects, or alumni while managing gifts, pledges, and payments. ACSI members receive a 10% discount off base services and user fees. leads@etapestry.com www.acsi.org	RSI has partnered with ACSI to assist your school in equipping individuals and families to invest in the mission and vision of your school. RSI’s mission is to create a stewardship culture in the Christian school community and to partner with your school in building a sustainable framework for growth. www.rsistewardship.com info@pursuant.net 800.527.6824
Instructional Materials and Educator Resources Textbooks from Purposeful Design Publications are available for review at no cost. Member schools receive up to 50% off the price of Purposeful Design products. Member schools also receive free teacher editions with each purchased classroom set of at least 10 student editions. www.acsi.org/kwinstructsupport www.purposefuldesign.com Customer Service 800.367.0798	Insurance Programs www.acsi.org/kwinsfinserv Liability and Property Casualty Insurance Church Mutual offers a discounted program that includes a potential dividend based on loss ratio, as well as a discounted complete safety and risk-management program. www.churchmutual.com 800.554.2642 Student Accident Insurance UnitedHealthcare 866.408.3361 Supplemental Health Insurance 888.414.0197	International School Development Services International Christian schools can receive U.S. donations for approved projects and can offer receipts for tax deductibility through the ISDS program. Banking services through Evangelical Christian Credit Union (ECCU) and bulk-mailing services are also available through ISDS. isds@acsi.org
Legal-Defense Protection Through the Legal Defense Reimbursement Program (LDRP), member schools can pay a small annual fee to be reimbursed up to $30,000 a year for legal fees related to employee or student lawsuits. www.acsi.org/kwldrp 719.528.6906	Legal/Legislative Support Member schools receive current information and practical help dealing with national and state legal issues, including an up-todate listing of state bills affecting Christian schools. www.acsi.org/kwleglegisserv legal-legislative@acsi.org 719.528.6906, ext. 201	Ministry-Focused Banking Member schools are eligible for membership in the Evangelical Christian Credit Union (ECCU), a full-service, not-for-profit financial cooperative offering a complete range of financial services. 800.634.3228
Student Sponsorship Student sponsorship opens the way for students in foreign countries to attend Christian schools. Individuals and schools may sponsor students. www.acsi.org/kwstudentsponsor sponsorship@acsi.org 866.401.4801	North American Teacher Recruitment Service This year-round online service is provided to North American Christian schools so that they can advertise their openings for teachers, administrators, and support staff. ACSI schools receive a 50% discount. www.acsi.org/kwuscempopp 800.586.1044	Parent Newsletter Christian School Comment. This resource, published nine times a year, explores a variety of interests related to Christian schools. Written by the ACSI president, it offers practical advice to parents and educators. Member schools automatically receive a subscription. www.acsi.org/kwpublications
Payment Processing Services Early education programs can open a merchant account with Affiniscape Merchant Solutions. www.affiniscape.com/acsi 866.376.0950	Professional Education Literature Materials are available for board members, administrators, and teachers. Member schools receive a discount on the majority of products. www.purposefuldesign.com Customer Service 800.367.0798	School Accreditation ACSI accreditation provides P–12 day and boarding Christian schools with a national benchmark to measure standards, performance, integrity, and quality. www.acsi.org/kwaccreditation Regional Office accreditation@acsi.org
School Furniture, Equipment, and Supplies ACSI has a national contract with Staples, Inc., for significantly discounted pricing on office and classroom products as well as custodial and facilities supplies. Customer Service 800.367.0798	School-Support Publications www.acsi.org/kwpublications ►E-news —important information, time-sensitive material, and thought-provoking articles sent monthly from each regional office ►K.I.D. Time—Kids Interceding Daily —monthly prayer calendar is designed for students of all grade levels ►National Notes —governmental and legal issues pertaining to Christian education ►Prayer Guide —provides ACSI’s prayer partners with daily prayer requests that are specific and worldwide	STAR Program The Steps Toward Achieving Recognition program is designed to provide nonaccredited member schools with a formal process of school improvement that will lead them toward accreditation with ACSI. www.acsi.org/kwstarprogram Academic Services 719.528.6906
Student Assessment Student assessment is available in cooperation with the Educational Measurement group of Pearson through the Stanford Achievement Test, Form C, which includes a Bible assessment and scoring services. Early educators can purchase the Bracken School Readiness Assessment. In addition, ACSI offers an array of diagnostic assessments and instructional materials to help schools link assessment to instruction. www.acsi.org/kwstanfordachtest Customer Service 800.367.0798	Student Mission Trips ACSI Short-Term Missions exists to enable Christian schools to advance their mission by providing short-term mission trips that will expand their students’ worldview. Training and support are provided and designed specifically for you to lead your school’s team. www.acsi.org/kwstm	Tax-Exempt Bond Financing For major capital projects and refinancing, the ACSI Capital Corporation provides a variety of financial advisory services that allow member schools to access tax-exempt bond financing available through the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority (CECFA). Typical savings have ranged from 2% to 4%. www.acsi.org/kwacsicapcorp Vice President of Finance 719.528.6906
Technology Support Paragon Micro is a leading provider of top name-brand IT computing products, software, and advanced IT services—helping member schools enable, manage, and secure their IT environment. Through Paragon Micro, schools can access ACSI’s Microsoft Education Alliance Agreement (MEAA), which provides deep member discounts on Microsoft licensing and software. Microsoft is also partnering with Paragon to bring a wealth of other education resources and benefits to member schools. sales@paragonmicro.net 866.380.8663	Transcript Depository and Forwarding Member international schools can obtain free and secure storage of alumni transcripts. This service also provides graduates with quick access to their certified, official transcripts. www.acsi.org/kwtransdeposit	Tuition Management ACSI makes tuition management services and financial-aid assessment available to member schools through FACTS, a nationwide tuition management company. 800.624.7092

Resources for Professional Growth [TOP]

ACSI Enabler Series One-day enablers are scheduled across North America, providing in-depth training on such topics as school fi nances, legal issues, supervision, relationships with parents, brain-based learning, biblical worldview integration, and curriculum development. www.acsi.org/kwenablers leadership@acsi.org 719.528.6906	ACSI Listserv www.acsi.org/kwlistserv This Listserv allows educators from all over to discuss topics and issues that matter to them. To subscribe, simply send an e-mail to one of the e-mail addresses below and type “subscribe” in the message area: Christian Early Education Directors Idea Exchange: ceedie@ villagechristian.net Christian School Administrators Idea Exchange: csaie@ villagechristian.net Christian School Elementary Teachers Idea Exchange: csetie@ villagechristian.net Christian School Secondary Teachers Idea Exchange: csstie@ villagechristian.net	Administrator Internship Program This program is designed to identify and train future Christian school administrators. www.acsi.org/kwadminintern Academic Services 719.528.6906 Administrator Mentoring Program This program is designed for Christian school administrators who have less than five years of experience. www.acsi.org/kwadminmentor Academic Services 719.528.6906
Certification This program is designed to provide professional certification to qualified Christian school educators. www.acsi.org/kwcertification certification@acsi.org 719.528.6906	Conventions and Conferences Professional training for administrators, board members, and teaching staff is available through the many teacher conventions and administrator conferences held every year in each region. Member schools receive a 50% discount. www.acsi.org/kwconventions www.acsi.org/kwconferences Regional Office	eeRadio EE members receive broadcasts through e-mailed Web links twice each month of the academic year (17 broadcasts per year). The ACSI website includes an EE members-only section that contains archived broadcasts. www.acsi.org/kwearlyedserv
International Early Education Leadership Conference IEELC provides high-level professional development, and delegates can receive undergraduate or graduate credit. The conference also networks leaders from all over the world, provide training on relevant early education topics, and offer spiritual inspiration and encouragement. This event takes place every other year. www.acsi.org/kwearlyedserv	International Institute for Christian School Educators IICSE takes place on the Columbia International University campus. The format offers three to four graduate courses and six to eight Bible and/or professional CEU tracks. Teachers and administrators may earn up to three graduate credits or up to five CEUs. www.acsi.org/kwiicseducators Academic Services 719.528.6906	Leadership Academy This four-day summer experience of cutting-edge leadership training, networking, dialogue, and relaxation takes place in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Member schools receive a discount. George Fox University provides graduate credit for attendance and the completion of a reflection paper. www.acsi.org/kwlacademy Academic Services 719.528.6906
North American Conferences for International Schools Intermission Missionary Kids Education Consultation IMKEC is an annual meeting of mainly home-office sending agency personnel who have MK education issues as part of their responsibilities. IMKEC also welcomes MK school administrators. www.acsi.org/kwimkec	Pre-Field Orientation This training program for new teachers and boarding parents of member international schools provides attendees with skills that will help them transition more easily to another culture, relate interpersonally, resolve conflict, and deal not only with the unique challenges of third culture kids (TCKs) but also with the culturally diverse MK and international Christian school settings. www.acsi.org/kwpfo pfo@acsi.org	Preschool Associate Credential The PAC is a competency credential that is equivalent to the nationally recognized CDA and to several state competency credentials. ACSI’s Virtual University contains all the training to complete the requirements for the Preschool Associate Credential. www.acsi.org/kwearlyedserv
Professional Educator Associations www.acsi.org/kwiacsabee Individuals can join these associations to experience personal and professional growth. International Association of Christian School Administrators and Board Members (IACSA&B) Leadership and Professional Development 866.793.8162 International Association of Christian Early Educators (IACEE) Early Education Services 888.892.4258	Professional Journals and Publications www.acsi.org/kwpublications ► ACSI Member Directory Customer Service, 800.367.0798 ► Christian Early Education —ages birth through prekindergarten (age five). —in Spanish ► Christian School Education —addresses issues relevant to Christian schools. ► Legal/Legislative Update —legal issues currently facing Christian schools. ► The Meantime —for those serving urban, under-resourced, and minority students. ► World Report — addresses issues specific to international Christian schools.	Virtual University for Early Education Early educators can access affordable online training through the ACSI website. They can take advantage of more than 120 hours of entry-level content. Christian early educators will appreciate the Christian perspective used to address an entire catalog of topics. www.acsi.org/kwearlyedserv Webinars Webinars are offered online throughout the year. Christian school educators interact online, saving time, travel, and money. Webinars are recorded and made available on the ACSI website. www.acsi.org/kwforumweb

Resources for the Unique Needs of Students [TOP]

Christian Higher Education Membership is offered to accredited or ACSI-recognized Christian colleges and universities to provide opportunities to interact and to discuss the issues of Christian education, from early education through university levels. ACSI member institutions benefit from the following: • Distinguished Christian High School Student Program • Education Department Approval Programs • Administration Approval Program • Teacher and administrator training at conventions and conferences and in continuing education courses • Publishing opportunities • Consulting services and worldwide speaking opportunities • Membership listing in the ACSI directory www.acsi.org/kwhigheredserv Academic Services 719.528.6906	Destinations This exchange program encourages cross-cultural learning among ACSI member schools and their staff, students, and communities. Opportunities are available for schools to host and to send students. Students attend an ACSI member school in another country and live with host families or in school boarding facilities for a semester or a year. www.acsi.org/kwdestinations International Ministries 719.528.6906	Distinguished Christian High School Student Program This program identifi es and honors outstanding juniors and seniors of member high schools worldwide. The DCHSS Program also provides these select students with potential communication from ACSI member colleges and universities in North America that use this important vehicle to recruit Christian high school students for their degree programs. www.acsi.org/kwdchsstudents Academic Services 719.528.6906
Early Education Services This department provides professional leadership and support services to more than 2,500 ACSI member preschools and childcare centers. www.acsi.org/kwearlyedserv earlyeducation@acsi.org 888.892.4258	International Christian Educator Recruiting Fair This fair provides a platform for international school administrators and recruiters to interact with postsecondary students and experienced educators about serving internationally. www.acsi.org/kwicerecruit missionteach@acsi.org	International Recruiting Services Mission:Teach This service enables Christian teachers who are interested in serving internationally to connect with the more than 700 ministry opportunities that are available in our MK/ international schools each year. www.missionteach.com
Online Education The mission of Sevenstar Academy is to provide outstanding online Christian education. Their desire is to make disciples of Christ through a global learning community that glorifies God. They have more than sixty courses available for grades 4 through 12. New Benefit Offer! www.sevenstaracademy.org 707.276.3472 877.229.6312	Student Activities These activities are designed to enhance participating students’ God-given abilities, gifts, and talents. Activities include competitions such as spelling bees, speech meets, math olympics, creative-writing festivals, art and music festivals, leadership conferences, science fairs, and cheerleading competitions. www.acsi.org/kwstudentact Regional Office	Student Tours American Christian Tours offers education programs that focus on specific historic destinations in the United States. By experiencing America’s Christian history, your students will gain not only a deeper understanding of our nation’s heritage but also a sense of their role in our nation’s future. www.acts-tours.com mail@acts-tours.com 715.234.6500
Urban School Services This department provides products and services to Christian educators and schools, enabling them to effectively educate urban, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and minority students. www.acsi.org/kwurbanschserv urbanservices@acsi.org 719.528.6906	The Power of Partnership ACSI has negotiated with an array of National Corporate Partners and vendors to provide member schools with products and services at specially discounted ACSI member pricing. Our National Corporate Partners include: For Corporate Partner information contact: Development and Public Relations 719.528.6906

ACSI Member Benefits: A Comprehensive Desktop Guide, 2010 [TOP]