Education is without a doubt one of the hottest topics of conversation in America. Everyone seems to have an opinion about it and often expresses frustration about its many problems. One thing is sadly clear: the state of education among average Americans is on the decline, and among the economically disadvantage the situation borders on hopeless. As the recent documentary, “Waiting for Superman,” pointed out, very few real solutions are being proposed, and those which become realities actually serve a very small population.
One path to improved education is through the private sector, and many parents take that route, especially those with means. About ten percent of Americans choose private schools for their children, but that proportion is declining (it was twelve percent in 1995). No doubt that trend can be contributed to increasing costs associated with private education exacerbated by a concurrent decline in the purchasing power of average families. For many wealthy Americans, though, private education continues to be a status symbol, and the schools they choose tend to be elitist, very expensive, and generally have a waiting list of applicants.
This past summer, the Chicago magazine published an article on private high schools in the Chicagoland area in which various comparative data was shared, including tuition. The private prep schools averaged $26,000 per year tuition, topping out at $37,500. In contrast, independent evangelical schools like Westlake averaged $9,029 for their high school tuition. What’s going on here? Do the Christian schools represent inferior education? That depends upon what one values. If one perceives that successful schools are primarily characterized by students whose families have the means and the drive to prepare them for the most elite colleges and pursue career paths aimed at the top levels of power and economic advantage, then he will be drawn to elite prep schools.
Christian schools generally embrace a different set of values in which academic preparation is but one aspect. In those schools, a biblical understanding of success replaces the frenetic grasp for power and wealth, and students are taught to see themselves as participants in God’s kingdom, leading through serving, ultimately living to glorify God. This view of education fosters a desire to include as many children as can be served, not just an elite group representing superior intellectual qualities or higher financial means. Private school for them becomes something other than a mark of status.
Recently I have led our faculty and board in identifying the core values of Westlake, and we have narrowed the focus to eight of them. I will present those publicly in the near future. However, one of our values is “Unity in Diversity:” respect for and celebration of the variety within the family of God while treasuring the truths which unite us. In fact, this characteristic of Westlake was praised by one of our parents at our banquet last spring. He said that he is happy to have his daughters attend a Christian school which enrolls believers who differ in their understanding of the Bible so that they will learn to appreciate that there is a wideness in God’s mercy.
Our student body represents diversity in others ways as well: racial, ethnic, intellectual, and socio-economic. It is our intention that we maintain an educational community of believers who look like the church, the body of Christ, rather than a particular, insulated slice of it. We have no desire to become an elitist school. In fact, we annually invest a quarter of our potential tuition income in tuition assistance for those families who would not otherwise be able to afford what we offer here. For many of our families, if not most, the choice of a Christian education is not a luxury but a matter of conviction. I see the sacrifices such parents make to ensure God-centered schooling for their children and am happy that we can treat them all the same. It is exciting to see God working among their children, preparing another generation to serve Him in His kingdom here on earth.
My point in writing this is to remind myself as well as our school community that we celebrate diversity and serve a constituency whose differences should be honored and respected. And I want those who support this work to realize just how important it is that we continue to make it possible for Christian families of modest means to be a part of this important work. God bless each one!
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