Goal of Central Christian School is to provide the most complete education possible
By Denice Rovira Hazlett
January 26, 2012
440
As Central Christian School (CCS) in Kidron entered their 50th academic year in the fall of 2011, the administration kicked off the first semester by asking itself some pretty tough questions. From those questions, CCS has begun to cover new ground while witnessing growth and improving the way they serve their students, their community, and their world.
We asked ourselves what we were doing that was unique, said Eugene Miller, the schools head administrator and high school principal. How are we integrating our faith into everything we do?
Those questions led to an in-depth evaluation of CCSs operations, its strengths and weaknesses, which has involved seeking valuable input from students, parents, faculty, and community members, including a weekly teachers meeting for the entire first semester. The self-assessment process is part of CCSs accreditation by AdvancEd, the largest accrediting program in the world, setting the standard for many universities and schools of higher education. The process is being led by a steering committee of faculty members, including Joyce Taylor, Dave Risser, Jill Detweiler Breckbill and Sara Weaver and facilitated by Rhoda Mast, alumnus, class of 1972. Mast said this intense of a process had never been done by CCS prior to this year.
We already meet accreditation for the state of Ohio, said Mast. AdvancEd is an advanced accreditation known internationally. Its simply a higher standard of performance.
We began assessing everything we do as we strive for AdvancEd standards, said Miller. As that information is gathered, it will be reviewed by a team of five peer evaluators from AdvancEd.
Rhoda Mast said AdvancEd explores seven different areas of self-assessment. CCS has also opted to add an eighth area focusing on the faith-base of the school with the assistance of the Mennonite Education Agency (MEA). When completed in spring 2012, CCS will hold dual accreditation with AdvancED and the MEA.
Its a tremendous and continuous improvement process, said Mast. Every three years, CCS will be reevaluated by AdvancEd.
The ultimate goal, said Mast, is to provide the most complete education possible for CCS students.
Our biggest interest is seeking out the best aspect of the whole person, said Mast.
But while CCS is looking for ways to move forward and improve their academic standards in the future, theyre not waiting to put new programs and activities into place now.
Last year, the main thing we got up and running was the Heart of Central program, said Miller.
Heart of Central is a character and leadership program for grades nine through 12, which guides students toward discovering their identity in Christ while learning to lead themselves and others.
The goal of Heart of Central is helping high school students assess who they are and who God has called them to be, their gifts, talents, and direction for the future, said Miller. Most employers hire based on character, so we feel its primarily what students need to pull together for their future.
The Heart of Central curriculum pairs each student with a mentor teacher and focuses on important skills like time management, problem solving, Scripture memorization and public speaking. The program also delves into practical skills such as driving responsibilities and car maintenance, planning for a career, creating a resume and writing a personal mission statement. The focus, which is different for each grade level, happens as part of daily meetings in small groups.
Every high school teacher has a group of eight to 12 students they meet with 20 minutes per day to walk through the materials, said Miller.
Another exciting addition to CCSs academic progress is the live-streaming classes available to CCSs high school juniors and seniors, provided in partnership with Bluffton University, a Christian liberal arts college in Bluffton, Ohio.
Central offers 15 hours of dual enrollment credits in the form of live-stream classes from Bluffton, explained Miller. Its a virtual class that includes interaction. We can see into the classroom, and the professor can see us. If a student at CCS has a question, they can raise their hand and the professor will call on them.
Miller said that, prior to the live-stream classes, the students traveled to Bluffton University to meet the professor and visit their classroom. When possible, the professors also made a trip to Central to visit the students in their own classrooms.
It was a great start this semester, said Miller.
While the Bluffton University classes broaden CCS students reach into the academic community, the school has also put a strong emphasis on broadening their learning community by inviting international students to join CCS, this year welcoming 15 international students from China and South Korea into the student body.
Having those international students has really pushed us, said Miller, especially in the areas of math and science.
Miller said he is continually amazed by the quality of students and families involved in CCS and the kind of support the school receives on a regular basis.
We are a blessed community, said Miller. Its a great place to be.
