Bringing a uniquely Adventist perspective to a larger community

From Faltering….to FlavorfulMay Oles and Grant Andrew

DURANGO, CO

Columbine Christian school

Any school USA…

Where we are:

Academics are good Student culture is good Our curriculum is developing Teacher quality is high New changes are on the horizon On these fronts, Adventist Education is

healthy.

Adventist Education has an enrollment problem

About 15 years ago, the Durango school was facing declining enrollment and was relatively unknown in our community.  How could we fulfill Jesus’ call for us to be  the salt of the earth?

Historically speaking we have changed.

Missionary model

Fortress model

“salt of the earth” model

Today, our enrollment is over 100, with more than

80% of those students coming from non-SDA homes.  In search of a

voice to tell this story, we have found six key shifts in our thinking and practice that helped to define our

journey.

Six Shifts

Shift one: opening our doors

We open our doors to both Adventist and non-Adventist children alike. We believe that Adventist schools can have a vital mission in their local community. We hope to serve as a “tasty” alternative that has more creative appeal than any other school in town.

Opening our doors?

Open Door

“On arrival, they got the church together and reported on their trip, telling in detail how God had used them to throw the door of faith wide open so people of all nations could come streaming in.”

Acts 14:27  

Shift 1:Opening our doors!

God closes doors no man can open, and God opens doors no man can close…

???Why would others come?Isn’t public school free?What if only the “bad” ones come?

Could we lose control of our school?

Maybe our school wouldn’t be Adventist enough?

In the closing days of earth’s history, we find that families have a hungry

spot for creativity that we know comes from a hungry spot for The Creator Himself. We draw them to Him by

modeling His creativity to a hungry, flavorless world.

Shift two: Care for the individual

We believe that every students is a unique product of God’s own handiwork. Interacting with students AND parents as Jesus did involves great care for the individual, and does not happen effortlessly. It requires personal relationship, time, and many hours of professional development in order to be highly skilled.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” Jeremiah 1:5

1:5

God’s thumbprint is on each student.

Do you really know them? Learning style Spiritual gifts Strengths Finder results Personal motivators

Learning stylesLearning Style Inventory www.odessa.edu/dept/govt/.../

LearningStyleInventory_survey.pdf

LEARNING STYLE INVENTORY www.personal.psu.edu/bxb11/LSI/LSI.htm

Free learning styles inventory - Learning Styles Online.com www.learning-styles-online.com/inventory/

Spiritual gifts Spiritual Gifts Inventories

 for Preteens - Children's Ministry childrensministry.com/articles/spiritual-

gifts-inventories-for-preteens Youth Spiritual Gifts Test www.kodachrome.org/spiritgiftyouth CIRCLE: 

Spiritual Gifts Inventory for Children circle.adventist.org/browse/

resource.phtml?leaf=9322

“StrengthsExplorer For Ages 10 to 14: From Gallup, the Creators of

StrengthsFinder[Paperback]

Students who use their strengths every day are six times more likely to be engaged.People are at their best when they are able to use their talents and abilities — the traits and behaviors at which they naturally excel.Empowering your people to discover and develop their strengths will position them to do what they do best every day.

Personal motivation

Ask questions! Be interested. You can find this out best by your own personal observations, and perhaps a parent survey.

Differentiated InstructionIt is not optional. It is essential. Watch Carol Tomlinson, a dedicated leader in differentiation explain its importance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bApuBiitL8Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpy6rDnXNbs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=lqCjzNA57V4&NR=1

Shift three: Creative Methodologies

We believe that schools reflecting the Creator must seek out distinctly creative methodologies, become trained, and actively practice those techniques. Because we are made in the image of God, we celebrate our ability to think and teach creatively. Our motto is: Creative education, that honors the Creator.To this end, much thought must be given to engaging learners at a deep level.

http://www.promiseofplace.org/

Shift four: Natural BeautyWe believe that natural beauty and the study of nature is written into the hearts of all humans, and must be part of a mission-driven school, both inside and out. God’s second book, nature, becomes a primary textbook.

Shift five: Community Service

We believe the best way to teach children to be the hands and feet of Jesus is to do serve others. Not only is serving the community a living testimony God’s work in our lives, it is a way to enlarge our circle of contact with those who might appreciate what we are about.

No act of kindness, however small, is wasted. ~Aesop

Shift six: Passionate staff

We believe that the key element to a thriving school is thriving, passionate teachers. Nothing will recruit students more reliably than having dynamic teachers on board at your school. The work it takes to find such a teacher is worth it. The work that it takes to BECOME such a teacher is worth it.

Growth

What does growth look like? In 14 years, we grew from 30 to 103 We currently have six classrooms, all at

or near capacity

Could it be this?

Semi

Ferrari

Tradition / Creative?

Fortress / Mission

From Faltering… to Flavorful

http://www.highmountainthinking.com/