No Child's (Faith) Left Behind

Most of us I’m sure have heard of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). In short, this is a national, educational effort to help ensure that no child, regardless of ability or where they are from, successfully learns everything they should know in school.

Cornerstone Christian Schools has believed in the principles of meeting every child’s needs since its inception. We fully believe in reaching the academic needs of every child so that they can fulfill what God has for them. However, at CCS, we are interested in far more than academics. We care deeply about assisting each child to be formed into the image of Christ. Potentially, a child has the opportunity to attend CCS for 14 years if they attend our K4, pre-school up to the 12th grade. These are critical, formative years! We desire to assist parents in preparing their child for the future. Is your child ready?

“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it” - Proverbs 22:6

A study conducted a few years ago determined that more than 52% of incoming freshmen who identify themselves as Christian upon entering a public university will no longer identify themselves as such four years later. Further, the study found that even if they do still claim to be Christian, they will most likely not have attended any religious service in over a year. This means over half of our kids are reporting a rejection of family, religious values! The numbers were worse for those who attend private, secular colleges. In fact, in those institutions, these rates jumped to 70%.

The take-away from this study is simply this: at least half and possibly over two-thirds of our kids will step away from their faith while attending non-Christian colleges and universities.

Recently, in the National Study of College Students’ Search for Meaning and Purpose found that while 79% of all freshmen believe in God, 69% pray, 81% attend religious services occasionally, 57% questioned their religious beliefs, 52% disagree with their parents about religious matters and 65% feel distant from God.

The question for parents is what are we doing to prepare our children for the university, let alone life itself? Are our children in a school now that doesn’t encourage or allow the fullest expression of their faith? Is that same institution doing anything now to help develop a healthy, robust relationship with Christ? Academics are clearly important. Athletics also have their place, but what are we doing to allow that crucial, spiritual formation to occur?

• Our mission as parents is to help our children realize and become the image of Christ. However, remember mom and dad, they need to see it to be it!

• We must teach our children to be sensitive and caring in a society that teaches self-serving attitudes.

• Seek an understanding of how to raise good children, ready to meet challenges and to make decisions based on sound Biblical values.

• We need to set the stage for both intellectual and spiritual formation in the early years of a child’s life and education.

A quote I have loved over the years comes from David Kherdian when he stated, “What you learn in old age is carved on ice. What you learn in childhood is carved on stone.” The Bible says it this way, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 KJV). Not only do we as Christian parents want no child left behind, but this is especially so in regards to their faith!