Welcome to Stories
While attending the 2024 Rooted Educator Worldview Summit, Shawn Minks reflected on the current state of Christ-centered education. The Head of School at Cambridge Christian School in Tampa, Florida, has worked in Christian education for more than three decades.
This story has become increasingly uncommon in recent years: a student attends Christian school their whole life and is insulated from values and beliefs other than their own. They’re kept in a bubble, and once they graduate, they get blindsided by the outside world.
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Hear from ACSI Exemplary Accredited school leaders as they share how accreditation strengthens their institutions by upholding their mission, elevating academic and spiritual excellence, and showcasing their school's unique strengths.
Innovation met inspiration as nearly 200 students from across the country—and even virtually from the Dominican Republic—convened at Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Phoenix on April 4–5 for ACSI’s 2025 International Christian STEM Competition and the inaugural Venture Entrepreneurial Innovation Challenge.
There are a handful of impressive, unique, and defining qualities of Dalat International School (DIS) in Penang, Malaysia: it boasts a nearly 100-year history, it is no longer in the city it is named after, and maybe most notably, it is ACSI’s first international school to earn exemplary accreditation status.
Featured Event
Rooted Educator Worldview Summit '25
June 16–18, 2025 | Dallas, TX
Educators around the world are asking how to more effectively engage students in the spiritual formation journey and help develop deeper roots in the flourishing soil of a biblical worldview. ACSI and the Colson Center have partnered together to offer a “worldview summit” to answer this leading question and to provide valuable resources for:
- Developing a Christlike culture
- Facilitating healthy faith formation
- Providing tools to engage secular ideology
- Expanding best practice around a clear and consistent application of the Christian worldview
Blog
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Effective educators stay updated on research and integrate new findings, technology, and methodologies into their teaching. Just as the practices of professionals in fields like engineering and medicine evolve with advancements, teachers must adapt their procedures to align with current educational research. A mechanic cannot service an electric car using outdated techniques, and a dentist must also apply contemporary methods. Similarly, teachers should embrace research-backed instructional shifts to meet students’ needs.
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How often, if we’re honest, have we re-gifted something given to us? The truth is that many of us have done it at some point. But what motivation lies beneath this act? Is it merely a desire to rid ourselves of an unwanted item, or is there a deeper motivation—a desire to bless someone else with something we ourselves found valuable?
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Attending the Converge Conference was an unforgettable experience. Not only did I have the chance to be with almost 800 school leaders from more than 20 countries, but I also had the privilege to reconnect with some school leaders from several parts of the world: Africa, Latin America, and Asia. As I listened to Christian leaders worldwide, I was deeply moved by the stories of God’s work in Christian education. This conversation renewed my commitment and encouraged me even more to be an active agent in expanding global Christian education with my role as a researcher. Every conversation that I had reminded me that despite all of the challenges that many Christian schools around the globe are facing.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 Mental health and well-being are not new concepts. While Scripture does not use the term mental health, we are reminded throughout Scripture that God wants us to have peace and allows us the opportunity to “cast all of our cares on Him” (1 Peter 5:7) and “not to be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6).
Podcast
Dr. Edward Bunn sits down with Chuck Gilliam, ACSI VP of Membership & Strategic Alliances, to discuss the leadership skill of adaptability.
A school leader from a country impacted by war shares a powerful testimony, including advice on preparing for and leading through crisis.
Dr. Paul Kaak, Senior Consultant and Lead Trainer at TheoMetrics, and Jerry Nelson discuss biblical integration into Christian schools, focusing on the concepts of general and special revelation.
Integrating faith and leadership skills requires character and humility in leadership. Ultimately, faith is the core of leadership, stressing the need for leaders to trust in God.
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 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.
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.
