Discover Christian Schools - Ten Differences between Public and Christian Schools

Ten Differences
Public School and Christian School

Jonathan Ekeland and Bob Walton
The Christian Academy, Brookhaven, PA

Understanding differences between secular and Christian education is critical if parents are to make an informed decision in favor of their child. We offer the following comparison so that parents can see that in every area of education there is a significant difference in approach. These two different philosophies reflect who is the ultimate source of truth. Please read and pray through these.

Click here for a print version (PDF) of these differences.

Public Schools

Christian Schools

Purpose of Education:
To prepare citizens for a humanistic society that tolerates all lifestyles

Purpose of Education:
To prepare citizens for the Kingdom of God who are equipped to spread the Gospel

Content of Education:
Humanism - no values are absolute and no truth is final

Content of Education:
All of life is studied in submission to the Word of God and its precepts

Control of Education:
The State determines the content and methods of education

Control of Education:
The school functions in loco parentis, reinforcing and supporting parental values

Science:
Naturalism - everything comes from matter, time, and chance

Science:
God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things; science involves knowing God through knowing His world

History:
Controlled either by autonomous man or by an impersonal process

History:
Controlled by an omnipotent God who knows the end from the beginning

Math:
A tool that is useful because it seems to work in manipulating the natural world

Math:
A reflection of the mind of an orderly God who has made us in His image to understand His world

English:
Literature must be representative of all cultures, which are seen as having equal value, and has no inherent meaning

English:
Students are exposed to a variety of quality literature, which is appreciated as a demonstration of common grace and interpreted in the light of God’s Word

Teachers:
Varied backgrounds - Christianity or some other religion, humanism, atheism; may be straight or gay

Teachers:
Born-again, committed believers seeking to model Christ before their students

Rules:
Determined by state and federal laws and guidelines

Rules:
Determined by God’s Word and its moral standards

Peers:
Varied religious backgrounds, often receiving little moral instruction or values at home or church

Peers:
Students from Christian homes who are there because their parents support Christian values

Big Ideas to Consider:

1. There are basically two kingdoms: a kingdom of light and a kingdom of darkness. It seems strange to have those who walk in darkness educate children of light. It doesn't fit.

2. If Jesus Christ is Lord, then He is Lord of all. We cannot divide things into secular and sacred.

3. All truth is God's truth, and God's Word sheds light on our path. Only in His light can we see light. Education is not focused on possibilities but on certainties found in God's Word.

4. Deuteronomy 6 tells parents that, in all they do, they should provide a godly education 24/7.

5. Three key institutions that shape a child are the home, the church and the school. Children are served best when all three institutions point them in the same direction.

6. Only an education that has the liberty to address the whole child -- social, intellectual, emotional, physical AND spiritual -- reaches the possibility of excellence.

7. The best preparation for effective service is to be well grounded in one's mind before direct engagement of the culture.