About ACSI
For more than 40 years, ACSI has faithfully lived out its mission around the world:
To strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Since our founding in 1978, our vision has steadfastly desired that:
ACSI will become a leading international organization that promotes Christian education and provides training and resources to Christian schools and Christian educators.
As our mission continues, ACSI is renewing our commitment to Christian schools and educators to help them deal with today’s challenging times—characterized by seismic cultural shifts and disruption.
Today and into the future we will continue to assist, encourage and develop:
- Schools that contribute to the public good through effective teaching and learning and that are biblically sound, academically rigorous, socially engaged, and culturally relevant; and
- Educators who embody a biblical worldview, engage in transformational teaching and discipling, and embrace personal and professional growth.
Over the past two years, ACSI has diligently sought the Lord's guidance through prayer, and is now positioning everything under three pillars: Advancing, Access and Advocacy.
ADVANCING – Leading Christ-centered education toward excellence and flourishing
ACCESS – Making Christ-centered education available and obtainable
ADVOCACY – Promoting and protecting Christ-centered education for today and tomorrow
This will allow ACSI to be laser-focused on promoting excellence in Kingdom education around the world in the months and years to come.
Discover how ACSI can serve you by taking the time to visit our updated website. We’re excited to journey with you by providing new opportunities and services.
We invite you to join us as together, we advance the cause of Kingdom Education today and into the future.
Over the past two years, ACSI has diligently sought the Lord's guidance through prayer, and is now positioning everything under three pillars: Advancing, Access and Advocacy.
Contacts
Mailing Address
Association of Christian Schools International
P.O. Box 62249
Colorado Springs, CO 80962
(800) 367.5391
Office of Communication & Engagement
communications@acsi.org
(719) 367-5391
Media Inquiries
media_inquiries@acsi.org
(719) 867-0243
News & Press Releases
ACSI Awarded Prestigious Gold Seal Designation by Florida Department of Children and Families
Colorado Springs, CO – The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is thrilled to announce that it has received the prestigious Gold Seal Quality Care designation from Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF). This honor is a testament to the excellence of ACSI’s Early Education Florida Approval Program (FAP), which achieved an impressive 97% compliance score, surpassing the required 85% for Gold Seal accreditation.
This designation enhances ACSI’s accreditation standards beyond the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Florida Association for the Education of Young Children (FLAEYC) levels, giving ACSI Early Education (EE) schools a significant competitive advantage over non-Gold Seal designated schools, both secular and religious, throughout Florida.
ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor shared the significance of this achievement for Christian education.
“At ACSI, we continuously strive for excellence in Christian education,” he said. “This Gold Seal recognition exemplifies our commitment to providing students with high-quality, Christ-centered learning environments that exceed required expectations. I am so proud of our team, including ACSI Director of Early Education Dr. Althea Penn, Early Education Administrative Assistant Raevin Mahaney, and Early Education Florida Program Coordinator Tammy Hicks, for making their hard work.”
ACSI accredited schools that are recognized by the Florida Approval Program and exceed licensing regulations will now benefit from a variety of enhancements. These include the ability to offer credentialed early educators in classrooms that adhere to national health and safety standards, such as lower student-to-teacher ratios. Moreover, Gold Seal-designated schools are eligible for higher school readiness subsidy/reimbursement payments, participation in the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program, sales tax exemptions on educational materials, and more.
The review process for the Gold Seal designation is extensive, with DCF forming evaluation teams composed of members from various Florida educational organizations, including the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Head Start Director’s Association, and the Florida Association of Child Care Management, among others.
The Gold Seal designation is valid for up to five years, and ACSI-accredited schools seeking this certification must demonstrate adherence to the rigorous standards set forth in the ACSI Florida Approval Program Gold Seal Manual.
For more information or to apply for Gold Seal designation, ACSI Early Education schools can contact Tammy Hicks, Florida Approval Program Coordinator, at tammy_hicks@acsi.org.