Baldwinsville Christian Academy and Homeschool Extension located in Baldwinsville New York in the greater Syracuse, NY area

Why Choose A Christian School like BCA?

1. Christian Schools Teach God’s Word — The place to start is at the beginning, with the first nation, the first educational system. When deciding how to manage your children’s education, it only makes sense to ask the One who invented education. (Deuteronomy 11:18-19). What we have here is a clear biblical mandate to saturate our children’s mind with the Word of God. It’s a difficult task under any circumstances, but virtually impossible in a public school setting. Once inside those doors, children spend 30 to 40 hours a week being told that God, if He exists at all, is no longer relevant. No matter how spiritually grounded your child may be, the repetition of such destructive ideas can’t help but have an adverse affect.

The harsh reality is that our Supreme Court kicked God out of the public school system more than 40 years ago. A generation later, scientific naturalism and a host of other anti-God values are not only being taught in American classrooms, they’re being championed. Christian schools like BCA offer a refreshing, biblical alternative. Not only is the Bible taught for what it is but forms the foundation of all other texts.

2. God Commands Us to Teach Kids Through the Word — It’s a sad but true irony: public schools have chosen to ignore the God who created the human mind. To their chagrin, they have robbed themselves of their most valuable “textbook”, and the only available source of absolute truth. As students pursue the knowledge of math, biology and music in a Christian setting, they’re chasing after the knowledge of God. And the by-products of such an endeavor -— wisdom and understanding — are the God-given rewards for which every student strives.

God expects you, as a Christian parents, to plant and nurture His Word in the hearts and minds of your children. This is best accomplished in settings where home, church and school all send the same message, teaching God’s truth with clarity, conviction and consistency. And while the benefits of such a commitment are often realized much later, here’s one you’ll notice in relatively short order. An education that uses God’s Word as its foundational text does more than produce spiritually-mature Christians. It makes them wiser and more knowledgeable. It forces them to be better thinkers. And isn’t that the goal of education in the first place?

3. Christian Schools Share Your Values — If you’re like most Christian parents, you’ve taught your children about God since the day they were born. You’ve taken them to church, read them Bible stories, sung “Jesus Loves Me.” Imagine their shock and dismay when they’re thrust into an environment in which God is hated and ignored. Even the best public schools are prohibited by law from reinforcing the values you teach at home. They either compete against them or disregard them altogether. And because you care about the mental and spiritual development of your children, you may spend countless hours trying to bridge the philosophical gap between Christianity and humanism. By entrusting your children to educators who share your values, you’ll have more time for ball games and bike ridge and meaningful conversations. Instead of debriefing your children, you’ll be getting to know them.

“The school system that ignores God teaches its pupils to ignore God; and this is not neutrality. It is the worst form of antagonism, for it judges God to be unimportant and irrelevant in human affairs. This is atheism.” — Gordon H. Clark

“To commit our children to the care of irreligious persons is to commit lambs to the superintendency of wolves.” — Timothy Dwight

4. Safety — With thousands of students roaming their halls and taxpayer dollars funding their bankrolls, public schools can only go so far in the area of discipline. The result? More frequent occurrences of theft and physical violence, not to mention course profanity and open rebellion in the classroom. Simply put, Christian schools are a safer place for your children to receive an education. While not devoid of problems they are far less likely to occur, and far more likely to be met with firm disciplinary action. In additional to physical well-being, Christian schools offer a much safer emotional and spiritual environment. Verbal insults and hazing, things that go largely overlooked in a public school setting, are less likely to be tolerated. And the politically correct, socially-tolerant attitudes that pervade secular classrooms never see the light of day at distinctly Christian institutions.

5. Academic Achievement — Contrary to popular opinion, students at Christian schools consistently outperform their public school counterparts. Their standardized test scores are way above the curve, and they’re better prepared for college upon graduation. Even the areas of match and reading, subjects that are “less spiritual” in content, students at Christian schools have proven their superiority.

This year, over 50% of our students met requirement for honor and high honor roll for four consecutive quarters.

6. Teachers Love and Fear the Lord — Part of the reason why Christian students perform so well in the classroom is that they have a higher percentage of teachers who genuinely care about them. Most of these dedicated men and women sacrifice greater monetary rewards to serve where they can do the most intrinsic good. In addition to the passion they feel for their students, the vast majority of Christian educators love God with equal intensity. And unlike some of their well-meaning public school colleagues, they are not prohibited by the United State government from making overt claims to that effect. Teachers are a school’s heartbeat. Its pulse. They are also among the most influential role models in students’ lives. And while you can certainly find Christian educators at a public school, the best of all academic worlds exists when everyone - the school board, the principal, the teachers and the parents - are operating under the same educational paradigm.

7. Individual Attention — In addition to having a higher percentage of caring teachers, Christian schools can almost always offer more individual attention than public schools, many of which are overcrowded and hopelessly understaffed. Even in cases where the ratio is virtually identical, class size is not. Christian school classes have fewer students. They’re smaller, more intimate gatherings that encourage students to be participants rather than spectators. Students learn how to think quickly, and gain valuable experience sharing their thoughts and opinions in a public forum.

8. Success after Graduation — Because Christian school students perform at a high lever in the classroom than their public school counterparts, it only makes sense that their options upon graduation are more abundant. Therefore, they are more likely to be better prepared to handle the rigors of higher education. In addition to these practical advantages, there is at least one intangible benefit. Students who have been grounded in the truth of God’s Word day after day during their formative years - both at school and at home - are better equipped to handle discrepant ideas upon graduation. Whether in a secular university or in the work place, young adults with a solid biblical foundation are far less likely to fall victim to the subtle lies of our post-modern culture. Our graduates have gone on to attend prestigious colleges and universities across the nation.

9. Peer Pressure — If only the Bible had told us that good company improves bad morals, many of us would have a welcome reprieve. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. Bad company corrupts good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33), the Apostle Paul tells us, and we can assume he was writing to a predominantly adult audience. You can imagine what he might say to a group of impressionable children and young teens. Make no mistake: your kids will be exposed to bad company no matter where they go to school. Sometimes they may even be the bad company. But in a Christian environment, they’ll be much less likely to find themselves surrounded by destructive influences, and far more likely to find positive ones.

10. The State of Public Education — One final reason to consider Christian schools can be found by taking an even closer look at the alternative. If you study the origin and history of modern government-sponsored education, you’ll find some alarming facts. Its founders were atheists whose hatred of Christianity is a matter of public record. Its current agenda — the propagation of humanistic ideals that render God irrelevant or non-existent — can be easily spotted in its curriculum.

The situation in public schools is now much different. The mood now in many schools is aggressively anti-Christian, although there are still many fine and dedicated public school teachers and administrators. We especially thank God for Christian teachers who consider their jobs a mission field and a Christian calling. But our Judeo-Christian morality and ethics are often but a faded memory, and attempts to retain them are frequently met with opposition and intimidation.

I am most familiar with the situation in California, of course, and perhaps here it is the worst. Open drug sales and use, ethnic gang wars, and student/teacher violence are easily recognized problems, but how about the more subtle attempts at “values clarification,” or the encouragement of experimentation in “sex education” classes, or the inclusion of homosexuality as a legitimate lifestyle, or easy access to abortions through school clinics.

In Los Angeles, a recent State-encouraged pilot program actually described the step-by-step process by which students could contact their “spirit guides.” Literature courses are now less dominated by humanistic classics (offensive as even they are), but, instead, by occult and demonic readings, including ritualistic murder. A first grader and her classmates were recently taken from the school grounds and driven to an ancient Indian site of worship, where certain initiation rites, incantations, and individual prophecies were given.

BCA has been a real asset to our family as we seek to instruct and train our children in the love and admonition of the Lord. The teachers have a genuine love for our Lord and Savior that transfers into a genuine love for our children's souls and care and concern to invest in their present both spiritually and educationally, as well as in the assisting their future effectiveness and usefulness. I also love the high academic standards as well as the parental involvement that is welcomed. My children have been growing in wisdom and stature, educationally and spiritually because of the ministry of those at BCA. Thank you ~ BCA parent

Big Ideas to Consider

1. There are basically two kingdoms: a kingdom of light and a kingdom of darkness. It seems strange to have those who walk in darkness educate children of light. It doesn't fit.

2. If Jesus Christ is Lord, then He is Lord of all. We cannot divide things into secular and sacred.

3. All truth is God's truth, and God's Word sheds light on our path. Only in His light can we see light. Education is not focused on possibilities but on certainties found in God's Word.

4. Deuteronomy 6 tells parents that, in all they do, they should provide a godly education 24/7.

5. Three key institutions that shape a child are the home, the church and the school. Children are served best when all three institutions point them in the same direction.

6. Only an education that has the liberty to address the whole child -- social, intellectual, emotional, physical AND spiritual -- reaches the possibility of excellence.

7. The best preparation for effective service is to be well grounded in one's mind before direct engagement of the culture.

-DiscoverChristianSchools.com

Q & A: How can I protect my children from evolutionary indoctrination?

After touring the Creation Museum, founded by Ken Ham, in August with hundreds of atheists, a secular humanist made the following blog entry:

For me, the most frightening part was the children’s section. It was at this moment that I learned the deepest lesson of my visit to the Museum: It is in the minds and hearts of our children that the battle will be fought.

Christians must understand the nature of the change that has occurred in our culture. No longer do the secularists just mock Christians from afar. They are now actively campaigning to indoctrinate children in an anti-God philosophy—to teach them to be secularists and atheists.

One secular humanist professor said he was worried about the Creation Museum because “children may come away confused. And that means we’ll have a harder job convincing them.” This professor wants to take your children and indoctrinate them against God—and he is furious that things like Creation Museum has made his teaching job harder!

For more information on arming your children with the truth about evolution, please read Ken Ham’s article The Children are the Key.

Why Choose Christian Education for my Child?

In our extensive travels around the country visiting with pastors and Christian school leaders, we frequently encounter programs that stand-out as premier examples of ministries that are "getting it right." When leadership strikes a proper balance between wise stewardship of current resources, vision for the future, and a passion for quality improvement, God's blessings become evident is a remarkable way.

Has the modern Christian education movement lost the message? With enrollment numbers shrinking across the country, Christian schools are beginning to realize the consequences of failing to educate parents and church members as to why a Christian school education is so important.

Christian school's must be prepared to help potential school families answer these questions truthfully from the one great source of truth: the Bible. - Matt Davis, VP

Q. What does God tell us to do with our children ?

A. The first part of this answer has to do with the role of the parent. The parent is the God-appointed leader and teacher of a child. This should come as no surprise to everyone including a non-Christian. The overwhelming task of raising a child is in the hands of the parents.

Ps. 127:3 Children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Eph. 6:4: And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

But teach them what? Clearly, God has a great deal to say about this. And before that question is answered, another must be dealt with: "What or who is the most important thing or person for the child to know?" The answer is, "God is the most important person for a child to know." The goal of Christian parents is for their child to know God in a personal way and to know all about God. Nothing could be more important.

With those two simple facts in place as the foundation of our discussion, we can now look at what God has to say more specifically. God says that the education of children and youth is a 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week process that must take place from birth through maturity. Note the Deuteronomy passage below and the context. God is instructing His people how to live as they prepare to go into the Promised Land. Critical to the life and health of His people is the teaching of the Word of God by parents on a daily basis in every situation .

Deut. 11:18-21: Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.

Proverbs 22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

As you can see above, the education of children and youth must be based on God's Word as absolute truth.

Q. Do you mean that I should send my child to a Christian school so that he may become a Christian?

A. If that were the only reason, it would certainly be enough of a reason for every parent to send his child to a Christian school. However, the Bible tells us two important facts: while God does not promise salvation for everyone that hears the gospel message, He does say that faith comes by hearing the Word of God, and the Word of God is heard daily in a Christian school.

The Bible teaches us that God has a greater plan than one that focuses only on ourselves.

A Christian education prepares a child to understand the Bible, know how to defend the faith, and share the gospel and disciple others. The next generation must be considered as part of the responsibility of the present generation.

Matthew 28:19-20: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world.

Psalm 78:6-7: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments

Q. I think that I have a Christian teacher this year in the public school system. Does that handle my responsibility of making sure that my child is instructed and trained in the Lord?

A. Christian teachers in a school who are not allowed to teach about God are in an incredibly difficult position. They are trying to be an influence for the Lord, but the most important tool that they have, they are not permitted legally to use-the Word of God.

Children and adults alike must learn and be changed by the Word of God. It is the very basis for all truth. In John 17:17 Jesus prays for His people and says, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." Christians grow and are made more like Christ as they hear the Word of God. This is why a Christian education is critical.

Q. You have shown me that the Bible says the parents are responsible for the education of their children. Does that mean I have to home school?

A. No. Some parents are led by the Lord to homeschool.

In such families, it is imperative that the parents realize the scope of homeschooling and are fully committed to doing an excellent job. Other parents may decide that they wish to obtain assistance in the godly education of their children and choose a Christian school. In that case, the parents remain responsible even though they are delegating part of the job to others. That delegation, or partnership with another, must be carefully chosen by the parents and must adhere to the following Biblical principles.

Ex. 18:21: But select capable men from all the people- men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain- and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens

Q. Many of my friends say that they want their children to be "salt and light" in the non-Christian school. Shouldn't we do that?

A. I appreciate their concern. We should be "salt and light" in the world. However, I think a closer look at the passage and the context will help us see who that mission is actually directed to.

In the gospels where this is written, salt and light are meant to be Christian influences in a dark and sinful world. It is only logical that in order to be a Christian influence in the culture, you must be a Christian. So, first you must ask yourself if your child is a born again believer.

Secondly, we must ask, "In what way can my child be salt and light ?" "Is my 1st grader or 5th grader or 8th grader able to have an effect for Christ in the school?" "Can he effectively explain the gospel?" "Can he disciple a believer?" "Can he defend his faith when under attack?" "Can he withstand the constant bombardment of non-Christian teaching. non-Christian thoughts, and non-Christian acquaintances?"

In the vast majority of cases, the answer would be no. and if the answer is no, then your child can't be "salt and light" In a rare case the answer may be yes, but you are obviously putting your child at great risk. Sending a child into an environment that is anti-Christian in philosophy is subjecting the mind of your child to daily teaching that is determined to replace God in every subject and every area of life. How many young Christians can even discern that they are being fed worldly ways of thought?

You might ask why the vast majority are not able to be "salt and light?" It is really quite simple-they are just children, and children are not the ones that Jesus told to be salt and light-it is adults. It is the same reason that children do not lead Bible studies, become pastors, or go to foreign countries as missionaries. They are not mature enough emotionally or spiritually, and for that matter, can't even provide their own physical needs. They are at a time in their life when their primary function is to be a good student, not someone who teaches or disciples others. They are still being trained for adulthood and are still in the care and direction of their parents.

That goes full circle back to the Christian parents' responsibility. We are called to protect and nurture our children in the ways of Christ so they can grow up to be world changers for Christ-no longer little saplings, but instead, strong oaks for the Lord!

Q. But will I be sheltering my child from the "real world?"

A. There is a common misconception that Christian schools shield children from every temptation and sinful exposure. This is not true, nor is it even possible. Christian schools have the same types of children that non-Christian schools have-sinners! Because all children come into this world with a sin nature, they are all prone to selfishness, anger, malicious talk, coveting, and the list goes on. In addition, they are exposed to many of the worldly influences that all children are exposed to in movies, books, television and more.

The difference in the Christian school is that the Christian school brings the Word of God to every situation in the lives of the children. The Christian school is able to apply the Word of God to every instance of sinful thought or action, and by God's grace. renew the mind of the child. Hence, the goal to produce adults that have been trained unto godly living and thinking in a world full of temptations and their own weaknesses as a fallen human being.

Q. When is the best time to put them in a Christian school?

A. Based on what we have found in the Bible, there is a better question: "When should they not be in a Christ-centered environment?" The answer is plainly never. If at all possible, have them taught from a Christian perspective every day of their life.

Q. I don't know if I can afford the tuition. What do I do?

A. First, take an honest and careful look at your finances. Can you make some adjustments to how you spend money? Remembering that all of your money is actually God's money (He owns it and you are just a manager), pray to God to help you know if you are spending His money in a way that honors Him. Look to see if you are spending money on things that only bring you short term pleasure rather than things of eternal value. In light of all that and all that we have discussed here, ask yourself if you have placed less important things above the awesome God ordained task of educating your children the way God wants you to rear them. Remember the words from Jesus in Matthew 6:33: "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you."

You may come to a sobering conclusion that you know that your child should be in a Christian school, but you have put your family in a position that makes it impossible to do so. If that is the case, make plans to make changes that will enable you to afford a Christian education, even if it will take 2-3 years before you accomplish the goal.

If you review your situation and simply can't afford it, and you can't make any changes to your personal budget/ spending habits, pray that God will make a way. Some schools offer financial aid to qualified applicants.

Q. I went to a public school and I turned out OK. Can't my children do the same?

A. It is difficult to know what "OK" means. If you are saying "OK" means that you became a Christian. and you are a "nice" person with a "normal" life, give thanks to God.

But if you are saying that "OK" means that you are the same person today that you would have been if you had attended a Christian school, then we must think about what is assumed behind that statement.

God says that His word does not return void, that there is power in His word. and that it is the tool that He uses to change and mold a person's mind and heart. If that is true (and God cannot lie), then it is impossible that you could become the same person whether you were or were not in a place where His Word was taught and studied for as much as 13 years (Kindergarten through 12th grades).

Imagine where you might be in your Christian walk if you had daily study of the Bible from Kindergarten through high school! Think of how God's word might be more readily available to your daily thoughts and struggles. Think now you might have been used by God for His glory if you were better versed in God's truth.

For those of us who attended public schools some years ago, it is often difficult to believe the shocking tales we hear about the decadence, drugs, inferior teaching, etc., that seem to reign there now. When I was going to school, the wrong influences were certainly present, but they weren't that bad.

The situation in public schools is now much different. The mood now in many schools is aggressively anti- Christian, although there are still many fine and dedicated public school teachers and administrators. We especially thank God for Christian teachers who consider their jobs a mission field and a Christian calling. But our Judeo-Christian morality and ethics are often but a faded memory, and attempts to retain them are fre- quently met with opposition and intim- idation.

I am most familiar with the situation in California, of course, and perhaps here it is the worst. Open drug sales and use, ethnic gang wars, and stu- dent/teacher violence are easily recognized problems, but how about the more subtle attempts at "values clarification," or the encouragement of experimentation in "sex educa- tion" classes, or the inclusion of homosexuality as a legitimate life- style, or easy access to abortions through school clinics.

In Los Angeles, a recent State- encouraged pilot program actually described the step-by-step process by which students could contact their "spirit guides." Literature courses are now less dominated by humanistic classics (offensive as even they are), but, instead, by occultic and demonic readings, including ritualistic murder. A first grader and her classmates were recently taken from the school grounds and driven to an ancient Indian site of worship, where certain initiation rites, incantations, and individual prophecies were given.

What has happened to our schools?

What can we do about them?

In our dealings with the State De- partment of Education here in Cali- fornia, we have come to recognize a virtual stronghold on education by the humanistic "elite." Even these usually atheistic educators, however, are now welcoming New Age and occultic In- fluences in the schools. The new "Science Framework" mandates teaching evolution as fact. Christians have avoided public policy and politics for so long that such people seem well- entrenched.

There is one ray of hope. Many Christians all over America have re- cently been elected to local and state school boards, and many more are running for these offices. The legiti- mate problems facing education are monumental, and solutions need to be found within a Christian context. At the very least, the tide must be stemmed!

As Christians, we must commit our- selves to support good school board officials, to educate ourselves as to the problems and needs, and, most of all, to become involved.

Q. What would happen if Christians left the public schools? Wouldn't that be a disaster for the public school system?

A. God is in charge of all that happens, so it is impossible to predict what might happen to the public school system if large numbers of Christian families decided to choose Christian education. Certainly, Christians are not called to support institutions that teach in opposition to the Bible and questions about the legitimate functions of government are complex. However, this publication does not seek to answer those questions. We seek to address what God requires of Christian parents for their children.

Q. I am a teacher in the public school system. Are you saying that I am sinning to be there?

A. The Biblical direction for a mature adult Christian who teaches in the public school system is completely different than a child who is learning how to think.

It is possible for an adult Christian to be salt and light in a dark world. However, the Christian teacher may be faced with being charged by the school system to teach children things that are in direct opposition to the teaching of the Bible. Individual public schools are often quite different in what degree they enforce the government teaching of things like same sex parenting, homosexuality, and evolution. Each Christian teacher must evaluate his own situation in light of Biblical principles, and pray before the Lord to discern what is pleasing to God.