Christ the Sure Foundation

When considering our children’s education, it’s easy to get caught up in schedules, curriculum choices, and to-do lists. Those things are good and necessary, of course. But from time to time, it is wise to “zoom out” and remind ourselves of the big picture and where the path of learning leads—and begins.

The ultimate goal of Christian education is not primarily about giving students a certain skill set or knowledge base, nor about learning how to learn, nor even first and foremost about learning to love what is true, good, and beautiful. It is (or should be) about learning to love the Lord our God as he has revealed himself to us in his Word. Only by his Word can we can know what is actually true, good, and beautiful. Only by his Word can we understand what it means to love our neighbors and to be faithful knowledge-seekers and stewards of this world.

To paraphrase Paul’s words in I Corinthians...though I speak three languages and can translate tricky Latin passages, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or clanging cymbal. If I have grasped AP Physics and even Calculus, but have not love, I am nothing. If I participate in every single service project offered, am captain of the soccer team, and sing in choir, but have not love, I gain nothing.

At Schola, we want to keep the big picture in mind. For that reason, we affirm certain Foundational Principles about God, his Word, and his world, listed here on our website. New Schola applications require a twofold acknowledgment:

1. That potential families understand that Schola's curriculum and instruction will be grounded in these Principles, and
2. That these Principles reflect the faith and practice of at least one parent. 

We desire to create a community of learners, not merely individuals studying the same material on the same day. And so it is important to us that our community shares the same Foundation—that is, Jesus Christ.

By the grace of God, children not raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord can grow up to be knowledgeable, productive, and creative. And there is no guarantee that children who have been encouraged to know and love the Lord will never stray from the way. We walk by faith, not by sight. Schola’s Foundational Principles are not attempts to read the hearts of our parents and students—only the Lord can do that—but they serve as useful sign posts to keep us all pointed in the right direction, which is always toward Christ.

So we continue the journey together, partnering with Christian parents to help develop the unique gifts of each student so that he or she may become a faithful, Christ-honoring servant of God, a compassionate and productive neighbor, and a good steward of God’s world.

-Angie Brennan points students to Christ in The Cottage School at Schola.