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.
5c57284d9ea64089870dec9f017b0096.jpg?sfvrsn=2ef16852_0 "Copy of Department Spotlights (1080 x 600 px)")
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?
.jpg?sfvrsn=c2340d06_1)
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 Announces Key Changes in Staff Structure, Including New Director of Digital Professional Development and Director of New Business Development for Sevenstar
Colorado Springs, CO – The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is pleased to announce key changes in its staff structure, including the promotion of Former Instructional Designer for Professional Development Jennifer Bollinger to Director of Digital Professional Development, and the hiring of Kristy Henriques as the new Director of New Business Development for Sevenstar, a ministry of ACSI.
ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor believes these strategic changes will position the organization for success.
“We have invested significant resources into ensuring that we not only hire qualified personnel that will help take ACSI to the next level of excellence, but that we invest in the growth of our existing employees in honor of their strengths,” he shared. “As a Christian organization, we truly do place a large emphasis on taking care of our people.”
Bollinger, who has served ACSI for 13 years, assumes her new role as Director of Digital Professional Development. She will lead the organization's efforts to provide quality digital, on-demand professional learning content for Christian educators. She will facilitate the digital development team in engaging new generations of educators with relevant products and programs through the ever-changing landscape of Christian education.
Sevenstar CEO & Head of School Brett Henry looks forward to Bollinger leading the digital professional development team.
“The digital PD platform is a central element to accomplishing many of ACSI’s Vision 2030 initiatives, and Jennifer’s leadership of the team responsible for its content will surely elevate the effort to new heights,” he said. “Among the many strengths she brings to this assignment, her long tenure with ACSI provides invaluable understanding of our culture and foundational principles that are truly irreplaceable.”
Bollinger has held multiple roles at ACSI including Instructional Designer for Professional Development, Editorial Manager, and other editorial roles in Purposeful Design Publications.
Bollinger shared her goals and aspirations for her new position.
“My vision is for ACSI PD to be the primary resource for Christian educators seeking ongoing education,” she said. “This will feature a user-friendly platform that fosters engagement and learning. My passion is to develop biblically based, exceptional content for our Christian schools.”
ACSI is also pleased to welcome Kristy Henriques as the new Director of New Business Development for Sevenstar.
In her new role, Henriques will build, support, and lead the organization’s sales and marketing efforts by strategically expanding course enrollment in both the school and family areas.
Henriques shared her passion surrounding her new position.
“I'm so excited to be part of an organization that is helping students grow both intellectually and spiritually through online education,” she said. “It's been wonderful to join such a great team at Sevenstar and I'm eager to contribute to the ongoing success and growth of Christian education.”
Henriques formerly served as the Director of Digital Media at Leading the Way, during which time she helped streamline their digital infrastructure and added 1 million YouTube subscribers. She also served at Lighten Group, a non-profit start-up focused on helping to train Christians on how to answer questions about their faith.
Henry is excited to have Herniques step into the Director of Business role.
“As Sevenstar nears its twentieth year of ministry, we are at a strategic inflection point fueled by exponential growth in the non-traditional learning sector. As we reviewed our strategic planning in light of this, it was clear that new ways of attracting, capturing, and processing leads are needed for us to continue to succeed in the chapter ahead,” he said. “When we reviewed candidates for that task, it was clear that God had uniquely prepared Kristy with the skills, experience, and temperament needed to elevate this global ministry. With her help, I am confident that Sevenstar will continue to grow and expand access to Kingdom education for years to come.”
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.