FAQs
1. What is the Purpose of Education?2. How Do We Glorify God in Education?
3. Who Should Educate Children?
4. What Does SMCS Do in Practice to Glorify God in Education?
5. Does Time Spent on Scripture Memory and Other Spiritual Instruction Detract from Instruction in Math, Science, Etc.?
6. Why is Christian Education During the Elementary Years Important Enough to Pay Private School Tuition?
7. What Makes SMCS Unique?
8. Who is Charlotte Mason and Why Does SMCS Incorporate Some of Her Methodology?
9. How Have SMCS Students Performed on Standardized Tests?
10. Where Do SMCS Students Attend Middle and High School?
11. How Do Private Middle and High Schools Regard Applications From SMCS Students?
12. Does SMCS Have an After-School Program?
13. Since SMCS is Currently On the Campus of Wayside Presbyterian Church, Is It a Presbyterian School?
14. What Are the Qualifications of SMCS's Teachers?
15. How Diverse is SMCS's Student Body?
16. Is SMCS Debt Free?
1. What is the Purpose of Education?
If you ask that question of folks generally, you might get one of the following answers: to qualify for a desirable job; to acquire material wealth; to satisfy the needs of the work force; to create a populace that is self-supporting and pays taxes rather than living on public assistance; to provide social services such as nutrition and health care for the poor; or to teach people to avoid behaviors that cause social problems such as unwanted pregnancy and disease.
For the Christian parent, the purpose of education is the same as every other aspect of life-to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. God is Lord over education just as He is Lord over business, personal relationships, and every other aspect of life. A Christ-centered education does, indeed, yield professional opportunities and societal benefits, but they are by-products, not the primary objective.
2. How Do We Glorify God in Education?
One way to glorify God in education is to pursue academic excellence. The Scriptures teach that we are stewards of God's blessings and gifts, including our minds. [Matt. 25:14-28; Matt. 22:37; Rom. 12:2] The Scriptures also teach that we are to do everything to the best of our abilities "as unto the Lord." [Col. 3:23] It follows that we are under a duty to God to pursue academic excellence-to develop the minds He has given us to the fullest extent possible.
Another way we glorify God in education is by teaching every subject so that the full weight of God's relationship to it is understood and communicated to the student. The Scriptures say, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." [Prov. 1:7] No subject is fully understood until God's relationship to it also is grasped. The Scriptures command us to know God's Word and to teach it "diligently" to our children by talking of it throughout the day and posting it where it can be habitually read and studied. [Deut. 6:6-9] [Note: See Qs. #4 and #7 below]
3. Who Should Educate Children?
Christian parents have a responsibility to God to educate the children He has entrusted to them. However, the Scriptures do not prohibit parents from delegating the teaching duty to others. Some parents take on the duty themselves by home schooling. Others delegate the teaching duty to private tutors, private secular schools, to private Christian schools, or to the government through public schools.
Christian parents, however, can never delegate the responsibility for their child's education. Therefore, when they deliver their child to any school for 6-8 hours a day, 5 days a week-the best hours of each day-and allow that school to stand in loco parentis, they must ensure that the school is teaching their child what they want taught.
At Signal Mountain Christian School ("SMCS"), we believe that young children in their formative years should be under the authority of someone who not only challenges them academically, but shares the Christian values and beliefs of the parents and imparts them to the children. SMCS exists to assist Christian parents in educating their children so that they understand God's Word and His world, acquire a Christian world and life view, develop Christian character, and are equipped and motivated to impact the world for Christ.
4. What Does SMCS Do in Practice to Glorify God in Education?
SMCS glorifies God in education in at least three (3) practical ways. First, Christian teachers model Christ to the students. This is critically important. The teachers take SMCS's philosophy of education and make it a reality. They love each student as made in the image of God and love that student with his or her unique combination of gifts and abilities. They set before all of the students a godly example, teach and explain God's Word and His world, pray with and for the students, and build the students up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Second, Christian thought is integrated into a balanced curriculum-it is not just taught in Bible class. In science, students learn about God's marvelous creation. In history, they see how the Fall and God's plan of redemption play out. They see the order and precision of the universe in math. In language arts, they read and discuss classical works that display God's creativity through words.
Third, class sizes are small and class days are relatively short. There are obvious academic advantages to small classes. For the same reasons one-on-one tutoring is extremely effective, small classes allow for intense, focused learning with a minimum of distractions and disciplinary issues. Any experienced teacher will tell you that he or she can accomplish much more in less time with small class sizes. But SMCS's primary objective is to complete the academic work efficiently, and return the students to their parents as soon as possible so that they can learn values and life skills from them.
5. Does Time Spent on Scripture Memory and Other Spiritual Instruction Detract from Instruction in Math, Science, Etc.?
Absolutely not. Making God's Word an integral part of education does not mean you get an inferior education, but a superior one. The Scriptures state repeatedly that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom and understanding. [See, e.g., Prov. 1:7; 9:10] A student who does not fear the Lord can never quite achieve his academic potential because his perception and judgment at some level is distorted. It follows then that spiritual training ought to be integrated with academic disciplines because the former enriches the latter; it does not compromise it. If the Scriptures are Truth, then their study cannot possibly detract from one's education. As stated in Harvard's "Rules and Precepts" of 1646 (original spelling retained):
Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3) and therefore to lay Christ in the bottome, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and Learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisedome, Let every one seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seeke it of him (Prov. 2:3).
Moreover, this is not a "zero sum game." Academic and spiritual training can be integrated and traditionally have been. We all admire the intelligence and wisdom of the Founding Fathers and of a populace that could understand the "The Federalist Papers" when they were published. What was their education like? The Bible was a central textbook along with such books as the New England Primer, which also is based upon Scripture. Noah Webster, Benjamin Rush and other Founders who spoke on the subject urged that the Bible be made the central text in all schools. It teaches truth, faith, morals, social studies, history, and principles of logic, science, economics and government. They thought that instruction in its principles was necessary to preserve a self-regulating society that respects the rule of law, and that needs only a limited government to maintain order and to secure the rights and liberties of free people. Our experience shows that stretching the students' minds through Scripture memory also stretches their minds for other academic subjects.
6. Why is Christian Education During the Elementary Years Important Enough to Pay Private School Tuition?
The elementary school years are the most important in a child's intellectual and spiritual development. It is universally understood that children who, in elementary school, receive a solid foundation in reading, writing, math, science and history are equipped to excel during the remainder of their academic careers. What is often overlooked is that, during these same years, each child is learning and internalizing the values and beliefs that will shape and determine in large part his or her faith and character in adulthood. St. Ignatius Loyola said that if he had primary authority over a child during these formative years, the child would "think as I do forever."
As Christians, we know faith and character have eternal as well as temporal consequences for our children. Our greatest responsibility as Christian parents is to teach our Christian faith and values to our children so that they develop their own personal relationship with Jesus. [Deut. 6:6-9; 2 Tim. 1:5]
All of the Board members and faculty at SMCS are well-educated and place a high value on academic achievement. The excellent record of our students on the national Stanford Achievement Tests and their high acceptance rate at private middle and high schools are objective evidence that SMCS provides an outstanding education as measured by secular standards. However, above all, we want our students to have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. [2 Tim. 3:14-15]
The money you spend on tuition for a Christian elementary education is an investment in your child's eternal future. The reality of modern life is that school, sports, playtime, dinner, homework, and chores occupy about 98% of each day. It is more important than ever that our children be taught Scripture, Christian values and a Christian world view during the best hours of the day-those 6-8 hours a day, 5 days a week-that they are in school.
7. What Makes SMCS Unique?
That is an excellent question. We could point to a Christian environment, spiritual training, academic excellence, small class sizes, curriculum, parental involvement, or location in defining our school. SMCS's uniqueness, however, is centered on two major factors.
First, SMCS provides a broad, stimulating education that inspires a lifelong love of learning. Whenever practical, our teachers use techniques pioneered by Charlotte Mason. These techniques enable students to bring all their mental faculties into play: to identify important information, to think critically, to make value judgments about the ideas and relationships introduced, to express themselves, and to learn the vocabulary of good writers. The atmosphere in each class is conductive to learning: an intimate setting incorporating nature, classical music, art and scents. Through the great writings of men and women who love their subjects, and using the original texts, SMCS students are introduced to important ideas and inspirational relationships such as love, service, authority, obedience, reverence and neighborly kindness; relationships with family, friends and neighbors, cause and country, the past and the present. Charlotte Mason techniques are complimented by traditional, proven curriculum including phonics based reading, Saxon Math, and rich science and history texts. Christian thought is integrated into every subject as appropriate. God is the Lord of history, math, science, social studies, fine arts, and all other areas of human scholarship and inquiry. Our daily curriculum is filled with the wonder of discovering God's infinite wisdom, power and love in every area of human activity. It is an outworking of a Christian world and life view that recognizes the divine presence in the intricacies of a single snowflake, or the sonatas of Mozart; in the order of the solar system, or the brush strokes of Rembrandt.
Second, the school functions as an extension of the home, making parents true partners in their child's education. Qualified, experienced teachers-who know each student's heart as well as his or her academic strengths and weaknesses-pray for each student and model joyful faith as they give individual attention to the spiritual, academic, physical and personal development of each child, and reinforce the mutual values of the parents and the school. Parents have abundant opportunities to assist in the classrooms by reading to the class or with individual students, helping in the library, making presentations in areas of parental expertise that enrich the curriculum, and accompanying school trips. Parents have frequent opportunities to meet with the teachers, including scheduled events like quarterly progress meetings and monthly Parent-Teacher-Board meetings at which parents are updated as to what is going on in the school, and pray for specific needs of the students, their families and each other. The result is a supportive community atmosphere and an outstanding elementary school experience for parents and students alike.
8. Who is Charlotte Mason and Why Does SMCS Incorporate Some of Her Methodology?
Charlotte Mason was an educator in England in the nineteenth century who started a school (much copied) based on "the science of relationships," seeing each child as a unique creation made in the image of God and seeking to teach the whole child, body, mind and spirit. She provided a positive learning environment based on ideas, which was non-competitive, developed positive habits, and put students in touch with their relationship with God, mankind, and God's world through discovery and exploration using all their senses. Rather than have the students memorize a series of unrelated facts and study each subject in isolation, Charlotte Mason emphasized the interrelations between subjects, using techniques such as scripture memory, picture studies, nature journals, history timeline notebooks, the science and math of cooking, narration, rich literature, and exposure to great music from all periods. She believed that God gave children all the curiosity they will ever need if it is properly nurtured with ideas, habits, and discoveries. SMCS uses many of her approaches because they support our philosophy and help the students maintain an enthusiasm for learning while developing a heart for servanthood. There are many Charlotte Mason schools throughout the U.S., but currently, SMCS is the only one in the Chattanooga area.
9. How Have SMCS Students Performed on Standardized Tests?
At SMCS, we use the Stanford Achievement Test as a measure of academic progress in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. Using a national achievement test allows us to measure our students' progress against students from all states in both public and private schools. Furthermore, we do not "teach to the test." We want the test results to reflect the quality of our regular curriculum and instruction.
Generally, SMCS students perform in the above average range, well above the national average. In grade equivalents (the grade in which the average student would have to be to do as well as our students) our 3rd graders usually average 2-3 years ahead. By 4th grade, they usually average 3-5 years ahead and by 5th grade, they usually average 4-7 years ahead, with many testing post-high school.
You will note that SMCS students exceed the national average by a greater and greater margin with each year of education. That data supports our belief that the strong foundation they receive in reading, writing and math in kindergarten through 2nd grade equips the students to accelerate achievement in 3rd through 5th grades and beyond.
10 Where Do SMCS Students Attend Middle and High School?
After leaving SMCS, families have chosen four different routes, depending upon the child and family needs: private Christian schools, private prep schools, public schools, or home schooling. Approximately 50% have continued with Christian education (CCS, Grace, David Brainerd, Notre Dame), 20% have attended prep schools (McCallie, GPS, Baylor, St. Andrews), 20% have attended public schools, and 10% have chosen to home school at least through the middle school years.
11. How Do Private Middle and High Schools Regard Applications From SMCS Students?
Neither SMCS nor any other elementary school has an "inside track" to admission at any private prep school. Students are accepted based upon what they bring to the school in terms of academics, character, leadership, and talent.
SMCS students, however, have a very high acceptance rate at private prep schools and Christian middle and high schools. The feedback we have received from principals, admissions directors, and parents is that our students have good character, have an excellent academic foundation, and are very well prepared to succeed academically at those institutions. Also, we believe that part of the reason for their high acceptance rate is the confidence they exhibit knowing who they are in Christ.
12. Does SMCS Have an After-School Program?
Yes. While SMCS encourages parents to spend time with their children each afternoon exploring God's world, going to concerts, art museums or parks, etc., we realize that in today's environment some families need both parents to work to afford a Christian education for their children. To help them, we have established an after-school program to meet these needs. It is structured to provide outside time, homework time with teacher assistance, directed enrichment activities, and snacks. It is offered until 5:30 p.m. each day school is in session.
13. Since SMCS is Currently On the Campus of Wayside Presbyterian Church, Is It a Presbyterian School?
No. Although the vision and approach to education is Reformed, SMCS is a non-denominational Christian school that teaches core Christian beliefs as expressed in our Doctrinal Statement.
14. What Are the Qualifications of SMCS's Teachers?
Each of our teachers is a degreed educator, some with Masters degrees. All are experienced educators with combined teaching experience of over 100 years. SMCS provides annual in-service to continue their professional growth.
15. How Diverse is SMCS's Student Body?
SMCS is the most diverse school on Signal Mountain. Our student body is currently comprised of 2% African-American; 7% Asian-Pacific; 2% other. Moreover, 19% of all the students are adopted. This diversity far exceeds the local demographics and adds to the rich experience at the school.
16. Is SMCS Debt Free?
Yes. SMCS has always met its financial obligations in its operations and capital improvements. We are grateful to God for His provision, and we are committed to being good stewards of His material blessings.