President's Office
“ACSI is grieved by the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, an accredited member in Wisconsin. We are praying for those who were injured, the families of the victims, and the entire school community, knowing that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. We are thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their help.”
– Dr. Taylor, ACSI President & CEO
When you donate to ACSI Cares, 100% of your donation will be designated to the Abundant Life Christian School community to support those involved in the 12/16/24 tragedy. Visit https://www.acsi.org/acsicares.
Visit ACSI Cares Visit the President's Page
Welcome to Stories
As a parent, of course you are going to have to address the poor behavior, but this is going to take wisdom, discernment, time, and patience. If your child has experienced trauma, they need you to stay calm. You will need to slow down your reactions so that you can respond to your child's behaviors gently while tending to the underlying causes for their inappropriate choices. So, for example, if you find that your child is having trouble going to sleep at night, resist the urge to approach this as a behavioral issue and consider the fact that they might be afraid! You cannot discipline fear out of a child. We need to shepherd our children, seeking to understand their hearts and their reactions. We need to develop a plan to support them in their suffering.
As we approach Christmas, we asked Spiritual Life Directors at ACSI member schools how their school community celebrates this special season! Ideas include Christmas concerts, toy collections for children's hospitals, ornament decorating at nursing homes, at more.
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We have several employees retiring in December 2024. We are so grateful for their servant hearts and service in Christian education over the years! Celebrating Jan Snyder’s 30 Years of Service at ACSI Jan Snyder started her journey with ACSI on November 9, 1994, just two months after the organization moved its headquarters to Colorado Springs from Whittier, California. At the time, ACSI was led by founder Dr. Paul Kienel, and his wife, Annie Kienel, who hired Jan to work part-time in the mailroom. Annie, a servant leader, was gracious and flexible, allowing Jan to work during the hours that her three young children were at school.
We ask that you be in prayer for an ongoing ethnic and political crisis in an Asian country in which ACSI has a strong presence. Tensions between two communities escalated in May 2023 due to long-standing grievances, including issues related to land rights and political representation. This strife led to violent clashes, displacement of thousands of people, destruction of property, and widespread humanitarian concerns. The conflict has drawn national and international attention, with efforts underway to restore peace, but the situation remains volatile and sensitive.
In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, Peoria Christian School’s Key Club held a babysitting event aimed at raising relief funds for ACSI schools impacted by the storm. This year, the club, guided by a student-elected board, selected babysitting as their central project to support needs in the Christian community. With roughly 50 members committed to the mission, the club planned a sequence of four babysitting days in October, December, February, and April, each designed to generate financial support for various projects.
Featured Event
Flourish Deeper
- Rethinking Worldview & Student Leadership Development
02/6/25 | Columbus, OH - Healthy Governance & Sustainable Funding
03/6/25 | Pittsburgh, PA - Engaging Students Who Think & Learn Differently
03/20/25 | Sacramento, CA
Flourish Deeper is a one day focused, learning experience around a relevant construct from the Flourishing School Culture Research. It is a deep learning opportunity with a unique blend of expert-led sessions and interactive discussions designed to inform
a school’s planning, practice, and purpose.
Blog
Memorial Stones
Chris Loncar | December 17, 2024
If you walk into our headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, you will immediately see this Scripture on the wall: “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done” (Psalm 78:4). This is a precious Scripture to ACSI as we recognize a key part of why we exist.
Podcast
Student Leadership & Learning Ep 12 | Cultural Issues of 2024 and How They Shaped Our Students
Emily Pigott | December 16, 2024
We must be aware of the factors affecting our students today and common values in this generation in order to most effectively engage them and make an enduring impact. For example, how should educators approach mental health education, considering the state of mental health in schools today?
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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. Also, don’t miss the International Schools Job Fair.
ACSI Promotes Key Leader to VP for Development, Supporting the Organization’s Vision for 2030
Colorado Springs, CO—The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is pleased to announce former Senior Director of ACSI’S Western Division Dr. Cecil Swetland's promotion to Vice President for Development.
In his new role, Swetland will support Vision 2030 by building strong relationships with Kingdom investors, creating a strong foundation for the important initiatives ahead. He will also oversee the work of Children’s Tuition Fund, Strategic Partners, and Donor Relations.
ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor believes this transition will enable Swetland and the team to foster opportunities to better support, provide access to, and advance Christ-centered education globally.
“I have been honored to witness Dr. Swetland’s humility and total dependence on God,” he shared. “He is passionate about the ACSI mission, and it is so encouraging to have people on our leadership team that are gifted relationship builders. I am excited to see him use his skills and giftings in this role of Vice President for Development.”
Swetland has held multiple roles at ACSI over the last nine years including Senior 
Director of Western Division and Regional Director for California and Hawaii. Prior to those positions, Swetland was a head of school for 18 years. He brings years of experience in the financial world along with experience with Christian education to help support ACSI’s mission.
ACSI Vice President of USA Dr. David Balik looks forward to Swetland leading the Development team.
“For the better part of nine years, Dr. Swetland has done an outstanding job serving the almost 600 schools in the Western Division,” he said. “I have no doubt that Cecil will bring the same level of commitment, quality, and hard work to his new role as VP for Development."
Taylor said, “We will be forever grateful to Cecil for his strong service to the Western Division. We are currently searching for his replacement and in the meantime, we will come alongside Western Division schools to ensure great member relational service continues.”
Swetland shared his excitement in serving through this new role.
“I am thankful to the Lord for the privilege of serving Him at ACSI,” Swetland expressed. “Our mission to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators has inspired me since joining our team almost nine years ago. It’s a joy to work with remarkable school leaders and colleagues every day. I am grateful and excited to take on the role of VP for Development and serve donors and sponsors as they invest in Kingdom education and play a key role in the work being done on behalf of Christian school students, teachers, and leaders worldwide.”
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.
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.