I’m honored to announce that Timothy Christian Schools became an official member of the Council on Educational Standards & Accountability (CESA) this past spring. Let me explain the significance of this coveted membership.

Our school has multiple partnerships, memberships, and accreditations. (You can find all of these relationships at the bottom of the home page of our website.) Perhaps the most important of them all is our connection with CESA — an organization made up of approximately 75 Christian schools generally considered to be among the top Christian schools in the entire country. It’s an elite circle…the gold standard for Christian schools.

It’s always been a frustration for me to find an accreditation and review process that demands excellence in all aspects of a school, particularly for a Christian school. CESA saw this “space” in the Christian school arena 12 years ago and was formed to create incredibly high standards for the Christian school movement. Their mission is simple: “The Council on Educational Standards and Accountability exists to motivate, support, and hold accountable Christian schools that aspire to superlative academic standards, institutional best practices, and collaboration with like‑minded schools.”

CESA sent a review team to our campus for a few days in late March. The review team spent considerable time in our community — meeting with board members, administration, faculty, parents, students, and me. In addition to their meetings with various stakeholders, the CESA Review Team also carefully inspected our governance model, financials, business practices, facilities, curriculum, teaching and learning best practices, mission/vision/values, and a host of other categories. We even submitted a 50+ page report (with hyperlinks throughout) to the team in advance. During the three days of the review, the CESA Review Team worked around the clock — they “ate, slept, and drank” Timothy as part of this comprehensive process to help our school continue to improve and to grow.

“The Council on Educational Standards and Accountability exists to motivate, support, and hold accountable Christian schools that aspire to superlative academic standards, institutional best practices, and collaboration with like‑minded schools.”

Over the years I have observed a growing tension between faith and excellence in many Christian schools. Rather than these two words being synonymous with one another, there appears to be a growing divide between these fundamental building blocks of the Christian school movement. I have actually heard accusations that certain Christian schools are too excellence-driven, or place too much emphasis on academics or athletics or the arts. The accusations then go on to assume that these Christian schools must be diluting the vital spiritual mission. On the other hand, I have heard contrary perceptions that some Christian schools are second-rate institutions in regard to academics, athletics, arts, facilities, etc. However, the solid spiritual and moral training offered to students is worth the “sacrifice” of an otherwise average educational experience. I am troubled by both of these assumptions and stereotypes.

The underpinnings of the Christian school must be both faith and excellence. They are inseparable values and objectives of Timothy Christian Schools. We have pledged to be a school where Jesus Christ has the highest place. So we are committed to growth, improvement, and excellence in every aspect of our school programming. Thus our engagement with CESA.

I would invite you to pray for Timothy Christian Schools as we seek to preserve and further champion these hallmarks as our foundation and our mission. Biblical virtues and values will always be accompanied by a commitment to excellence here at Timothy.

The pressures on our youth today are greater than ever before. But the powerful combination of the Christian home, the local church, and the Christian school is still the winning team! God has a mighty purpose and adventure for the lives of your children. Nothing will be impossible for them as they live out that purpose for His glory. Timothy will carry on to advance the next generation of courageous leaders for Christ.

Press on, Timothy.