Welcome to Stories
David Ray, Assistant Vice President for ACSI USA and Director for Florida with 46 years of Christian education experience, is retiring from this position in December. During his time in this role, he has provided support, encouragement, and consultation to schools and leaders on a variety of educational topics. He has been able to use his prior experience as a former educator and head of school to relate in a special way to the needs of boards, leadership teams, and faculty members, as well as families and students, providing helpful and practical solutions to a myriad of challenges.
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The ACSI 2025 South Asia Conference brought together school leaders, educators, and Christian education advocates from across South Asia for a three-day conference in September. The conference theme, “Advance,” was centered around guiding Christ-centered education toward excellence and flourishing.
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Devin Darden spent barely half of his high school career at Williamsburg Christian Academy (WCA) in Virginia, but he made the most of his experience at the ACSI-accredited school. Darden transferred to WCA from a public school during his sophomore year, thanks in large part to a scholarship through the Children’s Tuition Fund. In his two-plus years at WCA, Darden participated in the Key Club and the National Honor Society, plus competing for WCA’s swim, track and field, soccer, and baseball teams.
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David Ray, Assistant Vice President for ACSI USA and Director for Florida with 46 years of Christian education experience, is retiring from this position in December. As he reflected on his time at ACSI, he considered how ACSI has adapted and expanded over the years to fill the ever-changing needs of Christian schools and educators. In addition, he offered a peak into some of his favorite memories as a staff member.
When students at accredited ACSI member school McKinney Christian Academy (MCA) traveled from Texas to Germany in the summer of 2024 as part of the Great Commission Project, the trip lasted five days. The impact on the students, however, lasted much longer. MCA students returned in 2025 to Stuttgart, once again immersing themselves in German culture, sharing the Gospel with local students, and partnering with a Christian school, Freie Evangelische Schule (FES).
Featured Event
Public Policy and Advocacy Summit 2025
September 15–17, 2025 | Washington D.C.
Join us in Washington, D.C.! Our annual Public Policy and Advocacy Summit will be held in Washington, D.C., September 15-17. This year's special professional development summit will include panel discussions on important legislative issues, special guest speakers, and so much more.
Blog
From 2016–2022 I had the pleasure of serving as a teacher, leader, mentor, and coach at two phenomenal Christian international schools. I received the email above from one of the parents at the International Community School, Bangkok. I am thankful that they went out of their way to share their appreciation, I can assure you the appreciation was mutual.
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We understand that equipping the next generation with the Word of God is foundational to our calling and purpose as Christian educators. As we partner with parents in this God-given responsibility, we face practical and spiritual challenges even as God blesses our efforts.
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I distinctly remember a student asking me how to respond to her friend who was struggling with gender identity. She was heartbroken because her friend kept getting mad and telling her that if she really loved her, she would accept the “real me.” In my little over a decade in Christian education, I have witnessed a significant shift in the type of questions students asked. What began as “What is on the test?” or “Do I really need to know this to get into college?” evolved into something much deeper and more complex.
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Since 1992, ACSI has had the privilege of working alongside Christian schools in Europe. We’ve listened to school leaders wrestle with real tensions, prayed with teachers navigating cultural headwinds, and rejoiced together as God continues to build His kingdom through Christian education. It’s clear: Christian education in Europe is facing serious challenges. But that’s not the whole story.
Podcast
Rachael Jones sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn to discuss ways to ensure that we as leaders intentionally focus on our own spiritual formation.
Every school is being discipled by culture. Often, it happens subconsciously. To discuss how to engage students where Christ & culture meet, Dan Stuart of The King's Academy in FL joins the podcast.
The recent Student Leadership Conference in Hungary was a major success. Hear updates on that event, from outgoing Senior Director of the International Division, Tim Shuman, and leadership advice from a head of school.
Jerry Nelson and Mark Senseman, Director of Business Development with Servant Solutions, discuss stewardship over finances, a biblical view of retirement, and other important topics that affect educators' lives in and out of the classroom.
Stay Informed on ACSI's Events and Resources
President's Office
“I can think of no greater cause than to partner with you to advance Christ-centered education.” Dr. Larry Taylor, ACSI President & CEO
Dr. Taylor has been serving in education for over 30 years. He is passionate about training up this generation of disciples for Jesus Christ through Christian education.
Prior to accepting the President position at ACSI, Dr. Larry Taylor served twenty years as the Head of School at Prestonwood Christian Academy (PCA) in Plano, Texas. Prestonwood Christian Academy serves more than 1,600 students enrolled at four campuses as part of its school system.
Click the link below to read more.
ACSI's Mission
ACSI exists to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
ACSI's Foundational 3 Pillars
Advancing
Leading Christ-centered education toward excellence and flourishing
We want all schools to aspire to, achieve, and remain committed to a biblically-based philosophy of education, standards that are measurable, and flourishing-related criteria. ACSI strives to lead, support, and serve Christian schools, and educators, by placing them on a path of growth and flourishing using the research-based Flourishing Schools Initiative. This model should link leadership and faculty professional development accreditation, and every culture-driving component of a school. A common philosophy, and a flourishing-based metric, would unify our efforts of advancing Christian schools and educators.
Access
Making Christ-centered education available and obtainable
ACSI is committed to making Kingdom education available to as many children and families as desire it, believing that such an education offers students an opportunity to grow in a loving relationship with their Creator, come to know His saving work through Jesus, and flourish in His Ephesians 2:10 calling for their lives. This commitment requires removing barriers to access for those who traditionally have not benefited from Christian school, as well as seeking out new ways to create access points to Kingdom education and the ability to thrive and be successful in that education—for all those who desire it.
Advocacy
Promoting and protecting Christ-centered education for today and tomorrow
As the largest evangelical Christian school association in the world, ACSI is by default viewed as the spokesperson for Christian schooling in the public square. In order to discharge this responsibility with excellence and seasoned speech (Colossians 4:6), and to equip our member schools to do the same, ACSI must invest in developing public-facing resources and forming strategic relationships with those working in the area of advocacy for Christian Education and for religious liberty.
Stay Connected to ACSI
The ACSI Community online forum exists to provide connection, collaboration, and networking with Christ-centered education advocates, educators, and influencers in a protected online environment.
ACSI Community offers Christian educators opportunities to Connect, Collaborate, Compel, Captivate, and Comprehend. Join thousands of like-minded education professionals around to globe to grow in knowledge, sharpen skills, and deepen your faith, in a safe, authentic virtual environment.
ACSI provide helpful tools for you to find the next position God has for you through a resume review search and career planning portal. You can also discover ACSI positions.
Thinking about serving internationally? PFO2Go will provide the confidence to enter a new culture in which to both work and live outside the United States.
ACSI Announces its Strategic Alliance with Schools United, Expanding Peer-to-Peer Networks for Christian School Educators
Colorado Springs, CO– The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is pleased to announce that it has entered a strategic alliance with Schools United. The alliance will expand opportunities for Christian school leaders to meet with others who hold similar roles to share best practices in a peer-to-peer setting.
ACSI President and CEO Dr. Larry Taylor shared that this alliance is aligned with ACSI’s Vision 2030.
“As a part of ACSI’s Vision 2030, we continue to connect with like-minded organizations to leverage resources and create greater missional impact,” he said. “Our desire is to help develop and support strong Christian educators and leaders so that they can provide the highest level of excellence in Christian education. This strategic alliance with Schools United will amplify the opportunities for our school leaders to join local, state, and national peer-to-peer networks.”
Schools United, founded in 2015, started with a few heads of Christian schools in South Florida getting together to talk, build relationships, and learn from each other. These gatherings have since grown to incorporate multiple peer networks representing many different professions within Christian education, as well as an annual conference with more than 2,000 attendees.
Schools United leader Dr. Jason Rachels believes this alliance with ACSI will greatly benefit Christian school leaders, faculty, and staff as they seek to connect.
“By working together with ACSI, we will be able to help more school leaders, faculty, and staff to catch the vision for how coming together in profession-specific peer networks will allow them to become better equipped to serve their students, to bring greater unity to the body of Christ, and to have an opportunity to pour into others,” he said.
Taylor shared that ACSI will continue to grow and pursue strategic alliances with other organizations to meet the diverse needs of Christian schools.
“It’s exciting to see what the Lord is doing in and through ACSI. We are not only focused on equipping our educators,” he said. “But we are committed to partnering with other leading organizations and ministries who can come alongside our schools with the tools they need to navigate an ever-changing educational terrain.”
About ACSI:
Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, ACSI exists to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ. ACSI advances excellence in Christian schools by enhancing the professional and personal development of Christian educators and providing vital support functions for Christian schools through multiple services including teacher and administrator certification, school accreditation, legal/legislative assistance, and curriculum publishing. Serving more than 25,000 schools in 108 countries, ACSI helps more than 5.5 million students worldwide connect to Christian education.
Follow ACSI on our social channels: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram
About Schools United:
Schools United began with just a few heads of Christian schools in South Florida getting together over a meal to talk, build relationships, learn from each other, and pray for one another. These gatherings then grew into peer network opportunities for every profession within the Christian school. These peer networks are free of charge and are run by those in the profession in their local area or online. Schools United exists as a catalyst and a support to help these networks get started and to develop into a resource of free professional development, unity, and support for those in each profession. In 2019, the organization programmed its first annual Professional Development Day Conference that now has more than 2,000 attendees each year. Schools United believes that developing disciples of Jesus Christ is a calling that educators don’t have to walk out alone. By working together, we can all take our schools farther for God’s glory.
Learn more about Schools United on the website: https://schoolsunited.city/about/Strategic Partners
ACSI proudly presents the Strategic Partnership Program, which includes companies, organizations, and ministries who have been carefully chosen to benefit you—our member schools—and to assist you in accomplishing your life-changing mission.
