Do Christian Schools Make a Difference?

Will a Christian education make a difference in the life of your child? This is the question every parent asks as they consider making a change and sending their child to a Christian school, and this may be the question you’re considering right now as you think about Harvest Christian Academy.

In this blog post I wanted to share with you some research from Cardus, a non-partisan think tank. The Cardus Education Survey results came out recently and have highlighted school-sector influence in a range of academic, spiritual, cultural, civic, and relational outcomes. They surveyed high school graduates ages 24-39 to see the outcomes of the seeds sown in their education. Here’s some key highlights as they relate to the impact of a Christian school.

Faith formation is the domain with the strongest evidence for school-type effects. Christian school and homeschool graduates are much more likely to report believing in God and life after death, as well as engaging in religious practices (regular prayer, Bible reading, attending weekly religious services), feeling God’s presence regularly, and agreeing that it is important for parents to teach their children about religious beliefs.

Relationships and preparation are key. Graduates of Christian high schools were significantly more positive about their schools as close-knit communities, their relationships with teachers, and their preparation for academic success in a postsecondary setting, as well as for success in a job or career.

A heart of service makes a difference. Christian school graduates are more likely to affirm that it is “very important” to have a job that provides an opportunity to be directly helpful to others. Christian school graduates are significantly more likely to volunteer.

There’s a reason why Christian schools are growing across the nation, and it comes back to the foundation of Christian education that makes a difference in the lives of our students. Of course, a Christian school is not the greatest or only influence in a child’s life (parents and churches – that’s you!), but a school that truly supports a child’s faith development makes a real difference.

If you’re interested in your child having the opportunity for some of the outcomes mentioned above, reach out to schedule an admissions visit, or you can start your online application today.