FAQs

What does it mean to teach from a Biblical worldview?

We all have a lens through which we view and understand the world. It forms from your life experiences, and your beliefs and values. It includes what you believe to be true. A Biblical worldview means that you examine, evaluate, and make sense of the world through the truth of the Bible. Christian schools teach from a Biblical worldview. Christian teachers and coaches integrate Biblical values into every program of the school.

Why is a Biblical worldview so important?

History, science, the arts, and every subject, every curriculum, and every teacher has a point of view. There is no such thing as neutral. If a Christian viewpoint is not present, the only other option is a non-Christian viewpoint. Not allowing prayer, not wishing “merry Christmas” or explaining how God is not involved in history, are just some of hundreds of examples that present God as non-existent or unimportant when this supposedly “neutral” point of view is presented. Children are bombarded with non-Christian messaging from movies, TV, music, social media, academia, and more. We believe that a school should be instrumental in equipping children to understand the truth about life, the world, and their place in it, and that truth includes God.

Yes but many Christians have gone to public schools and turned out just fine!

No one can deny this. Yet parents must ask themselves, "Is today’s permissive culture what I want for my child?" The difference between a public or non-Christian school and a Christian school is not in the professionalism of its staff or perfection of its student body, but in the focus and goals of its education. That focus and those goals greatly influence the school culture. In a Christian school such as GCS, students are loved and influenced as they learn by committed Christians sharing the same Biblical values as their parents. Students learn these values not just from Bible class but also from the examples that are modeled and taught by faculty, coaches, and staff members in every school activity. Challenges, conflict, and circumstances are engaged from a Biblical / Christian perspective.

Shouldn't Christians be "out in the real world" making a difference in non-Christian circles? Why segregate themselves in a Christian school?

A quality Christian school should never become an institution that shelters students into a reclusive life. That is not the purpose of Christian education. In fact, the mission of Christian education is to do just the opposite – serve the community and equip students to be transforming influences in the world for Jesus Christ. Travel opportunities, missions trips, international student programs, and community service are just some of the ways students at a Christian school learn about the world and how to share their faith.

Isn't it the role of the parents and their church to teach the Christian worldview?

A Christian school does not replace the role of the parent or church; a Christian school like GCS becomes a partner with the parent and church. Christian parents today too often feel as if they are battling an entire culture in order to raise Godly children. Parents increase their effectiveness by widening the circle of influence around their children with other Godly adults. At a Christian school, students are taught by faculty and staff who share the same basic values and beliefs as the parents. It is a partnership. Those relationships will have a lasting influence on your child.

What about outcomes? What can I expect once my child graduates from a Christian school?

The Cardus Education Survey is the most comprehensive study ever done on the outcomes of K-12 Christian education. The study found that Christian school graduates, as compared to graduates from non-faith based schools, charter schools, and public schools, are more outwardly- focused individuals with a higher commitment to family, church, and the larger society. They donate significantly more money, are more generous with their time, and participate in far more relief and development services than their peers. They also feel more confident, are more likely to graduate from college, less likely to divorce, and pray and read the Bible more often.

What about academics?

Well, let's look specifically at Grace Christian School. Our students have consistently higher average scores on the Terra Nova achievement tests than national averages. We are an academically excellent, college preparatory Christian school.

An ACSI Education:  Planting Seeds of Excellence

Grace Christian School admits students from homes where at least one parent has a personal faith in Jesus Christ and is active in a local Bible-based church.  Applications are available on-line and accepted year round. Transcripts, pastor and teacher recommendations, applications, and interviews are considered in the decision.  See our Enrollment Page for more information.

First and foremost, GCS is a ministry of East Side Grace Brethren Church, guided by Scripture, our Statement of Faith, mission statement, core principles, and educational goals. Consequently, our program is academically excellent and Biblically based. We train students with knowledge and skills based on the foundation of God's truth and his authority for all of life. Our desire is that our students will aspire to achieve much because they understand the significance of what it means to be created by God for a purpose.

At all times, we endeavor to present a course of study based on Biblical truth, sound educational practice, and appropriate standards that inform the instructional program. At the same time, we remain aware that some standards do not advance our already well-developed program or our Biblical world and life view. Christian education is distinguished by applying knowledge informed by Biblical truth to all of life. Standards alone do not get us to that goal. Thus, our decisions for curriculum development are informed by professional standards, but not driven by them.

It is critically important to note that there is significant debate regarding current standardized testing, specifically as it relates to Common Core objectives. In principle, GCS does not embrace nor conform to unproven Common Core standards.  It is also important to recognize that standardized tests function as one part of a comprehensive assessment system in preparation for high school, and that such assessments offer just a small piece of the overall student performance picture; they do not promote the knowledge, critical thinking skills and habits needed for success in college or skilled work.

Better methods of evaluating student needs and progress already exist at GCS. Careful observation and documentation of student work and behaviors by trained teachers is more helpful than a one-time test. Assessment based on student performance on real learning tasks is more useful and accurate for measuring achievement -- and provides more information for teaching -- than multiple-choice achievement tests.

In summary, one of the greatest benefits of GCS is that students are offered a Biblical worldview education within an environment where academic standards are positioned at a level higher than state and national standards. Our emphasis is that we teach to spiritually and academically inspire and prepare students for their futures.

Class sizes in Kindergarten through 5th grades are typically 18 to 24 students.  Middle School classes can be anywhere from 16 to 20 students.

Our enrollment, Preschool – 8th grade, is 407 students. The size of our school is an important factor in choosing GCS for your child. The average size of a Christian school in the United States is 165 students (National Center for Education Statistics). This greatly limits what can be offered. At GCS, we are blessed and privileged to be able to offer a Christian education AND lots of friends to choose from AND a comprehensive list of class offerings, sports, performing arts opportunities, clubs, activities, and more.

At this time, the following districts offer bus transportation to and from GCS; Southwest Licking Schools and Reynoldsburg City Schools. Parents living in these districts who wish to have their children ride the school bus to and/or from GCS should contact the transportation department within their public school district.

At least one parent of every student is a follower of Jesus Christ and is an active member of a Bible based church. We are a Christian community. Five days per week, eight hours per day, your child is learning within this community. There is no better place to encourage spiritual growth while learning important academics.

Our families highly value faith, integrity, doing your best, kindness, service to others, and respect. Most of our families also share some similar hopes and dreams for their sons and daughters. The most common of these is that their children discover their unique God-given gifts and talents, that they use those to find their purpose and passions, and do their part to make the world a better place.

At GCS, we commit to the following:

Excellent faculty who care about and engage students and who model a Christ-centered life

Biblical values must be woven into all classrooms, sports fields, and activities

An excellent academic program

A school environment that models and encourages hard work, responsibility and doing your best

A school where each child's unique gifts and talents will be valued and nurtured

A community where lasting and meaningful relationships are formed

Thank you for your interest in Grace Christian School and our employment opportunities. GCS has been providing an excellent, distinctly Christian education from preschool through 8th grade, serving central Ohio families for over 40 years.

In support of our mission, we look for the following attributes in our educators:

An Evangelical Christian with a calling to teach.

A vibrant Christian testimony

A love of young people

A commitment to teaching from a Christian world view.

GCS is an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not, and will not, discriminate against any qualified applicant on the basis of race, sex, age, national origin, disability or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws unless a particular status protected by federal, state, or local laws contradicts the deeply held religious convictions of Grace Christian School.