Welcome to Stories
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For Sonya Wright, the dream of launching Beauty from Ashes Leadership Academy was more than an educational endeavor. It was the fulfillment of a promise shaped by hardship, faith, and a deep calling to serve young girls who need hope. “I was told most of my life that I was not going to be anything,” Wright shared with me. “I was thrown away… But God turned my ashes into beauty. And I said, ‘I’m going serve You until the day I die, and I’m going to go and get others.’” The academy’s mission is rooted in reaching girls who may feel unseen, overwhelmed, or unloved. Wright imagines the day a student says, “I didn’t know God before I came here, now I know God… I want to get baptized.” That moment is the one that will represent success to her.
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Every classroom holds the potential to shape a life, and every teacher has the opportunity to influence a generation. ACSI is passionate about equipping educators across Africa to see their classrooms not simply as places to impart knowledge, but as opportunities to provide students with a strong foundation of faith and a clear biblical worldview for generations to come. In keeping with this mission, ACSI developed the Teacher Certification Program (TCP), which upholds excellence by assisting educators in meeting professional and biblical requirements. This program is now being implemented across Africa.
.jpg?sfvrsn=20f67777_1 "How God is Working in Japan")
Christian schools in Japan serve a unique mission. In a country where Christians make up only about 0.5% of the population, many Christian schools provide one of the first opportunities for students and families to encounter the gospel. “Many Japanese people have never met a Christian or heard the gospel firsthand,” said Peter Lee, ACSI Divisional Director for East Asia. “Christian schools become places where families experience the love of Christ through authentic relationships, biblical teaching, and a caring community.” Cross Mission Christian School in Tsukuba, Japan, has seen that mission lived out.
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When ACSI launched Paths to School Improvement (PSI) in 2017, the goal was to equip Christian educators with practical tools, biblical foundations, and sustainable systems that could strengthen entire communities through local leadership. Today, PSI operates in 14 countries, with three additional nations preparing to launch the program. PSI first took root across Africa and expanded into its second continent in 2025 when ACSI Asia Pacific introduced PSI in Indonesia. In the short time since, PSI has grown immensely in Indonesia. There are four cohorts being conducted, with 28 schools and 113 leaders in the training. There are 25 certified trainers leading the way.
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Across Europe, Christian school students are being challenged to lean into their faith and lead with truth and courage. That was the focus of ACSI Europe’s 2025 Student Leadership Conferences (SLC) last fall in Budapest, which brought together 410 students and chaperones from 47 schools across Europe. Held over two conference weeks, the gatherings gave students opportunities to worship and grow in their faith while building relationships with Christian peers from other nations.
Featured Event
Leadership Network Meetings
Various Dates & Locations
- Leading Spiritual Formation with Purpose
- Leading Healthy & High-Performing Teams
- Leading with Financial Wisdom & Sustainability
- Leading Through Today's Legal Landscape (Public Policy Updates)
- Find a date and location nearest you and register today!
Blog
This third blog installment of the 2025 Bible Program Survey series identifies two Bible program design features that emerged clearly in the survey data: 1) decision-making structures, and 2) intentional skill formation across grade levels. These aspects appear to individually and collectively shape whether a Bible program emerges as either a collection of somewhat disjointed biblically reinforced activities or a truly intentional and immersive student spiritual formation and biblical worldview roadmap.
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Christian schools care deeply about the Word of God. Bible classes are scheduled. Chapel services are planned. Devotions are encouraged. Yet many educators see the same pattern year after year: students engage with the Bible for a season, then slowly drift away. This isn’t usually rebellion. It isn’t hostility. And it isn’t disbelief. More often, it’s a lack of habit. Many students genuinely value Scripture but struggle to stay consistent with it once the structure around them changes. Understanding why this happens, and what actually helps, can shape how Christian schools approach long-term spiritual formation.
In recent years, the education community has witnessed a significant shift in literacy instruction through the widespread adoption of the Science of Reading. Grounded in cognitive science and decades of research, this movement has reshaped how educators approach reading instruction—prioritizing explicit, systematic teaching of foundational skills. Mathematics is now at a similar turning point. Across K–12 education, there is growing recognition that math instruction should align with the science of how students learn. This is where the Science of Math comes in. The Science of Math is a research-informed framework that emphasizes explicit, systematic, and coherent instruction designed to build deep and lasting mathematical understanding. At its core, it integrates several essential and interconnected elements: conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, number sense, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving. These are not isolated skills taught in silos; rather, they work together to develop students who can think flexibly, reason logically, and apply mathematics with confidence.
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There is a quiet revolution happening in Christian education, and it is sitting in the pews, the bleachers, and the volunteer rooms of our schools. Grandparents represent one of the most underutilized yet profoundly strategic partners available to Christian school leaders today. Research consistently confirms what Scripture has long declared: the multigenerational transmission of faith is not an accident. Psalm 78:4–7 calls each generation to make God's deeds known to their children and their children's children. Deuteronomy 6:2 frames the commands of God as a multigenerational inheritance. The family in its broadest and most extended sense is God's design for discipleship.
Podcast
Chad Dirkse, Head of School at Annapolis Area Christian School (MD), joins the Grafted Together Podcast for a conversation on the relationship between the church and the school.
How do we help students navigate complexity, truth, and discernment? Emily Pigott has helpful insights on how to lead students in not only what to think, but how to process the biggest questions.
Hear a portion of John Stonestreet's presentation at the Rooted Educator Worldview Summit earlier this year. Plus, Dr. Steve Whitaker, Head of School at The First Academy (FL), shares how the ACSI Flourishing Faith Index can help.
Part Two of the Kingdom Athletics Series focuses on how identifying your goals will lead to forming your vision. Billy Sparacio, longtime athletic director and educator, rejoins the Grafted Together Podcast.
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 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.
