Wanna ruin your kid?

One of my closest friends, Michael Brown, recently had a series of Twitter postings about “ruining your kid.” I thought I would share…

You wanna ruin your kid? Enroll them in Christian educational environments that emphasize conformity & behavior modification over the heart.

You wanna ruin your kid? Forbid them from going to dances or hanging out with non-Christian friends, all in the name of “this is for Jesus.”

You wanna ruin your kids? Emphasize everything they’re not allowed to do without celebrating the many things you’re setting them free to do.

You wanna ruin your kids? Force family devotions on them when they’re clearly disinterested.

You wanna ruin your kids? Love them more than you love their mother.

You wanna ruin your kids? Only verbally praise them when they do something that makes you, as the parents, look or feel good.

You wanna ruin your kids? Stop showing them physical affection when they act like they don’t want or need it anymore.

You wanna ruin your kids? Pray out loud like a Christian but talk out loud like a pagan.

You wanna ruin your kids? Make them go to church even if they don’t want to.

You wanna ruin your kids? Wait to talk with them about sexuality and pornography until their teens.

You wanna ruin your kid? Act nicer at church than you do at home.

http://deartony.wordpress.com/2011/08/11/wanna-ruin-your-kid/

Nuggets of Truth

Hello blogosphere!

I am sorry that this has become such a habit to have to apologize at the beginning of every post for not posting more frequently. Alas, I am busy at work, busy with the kiddos, and truthfully, I am quite possibly the laziest person that you know.

Regardless, on to the long-overdue update. Let’s start with M since you all know her a little better than Lil B. M is approaching the start of her 2nd year of Pre-K at the little Christian school. She has progressed nicely as far as curriculum is concerned. She is also making interesting strides in her social development. At the end of last year she was anointed ”Most Friendly” by her teachers. We were proud of her for not being the thumb-sucker that sits in the corner and shits herself while not having the communication skills to let anyone know about it. However, we have recently been made aware that our daughter is the cause of much drama at the little Christian school. Apparently all of her classmates want to play with M and she has not exactly rolled out the welcome waggon to some of them. While we understand that someone known as “most friendly” might draw a crowd in the realm of the 4-year-old, we are not prepared to have other parents complain that our little baby is excluding her peers. The important thing here is what we do with this information. There are several ways to look at this situation. We could be happy that our daughter is the object of every post-toddler’s desire regardless of who she has to step on to reach the pinnacle of Pre-K stardom. Or, we could scold and punish her for not being nice to others and try to strain some sort of life lesson out of the situation. In the back of my mind I feel as if I am creating some kind of pre-pubescent sorority super-bitch…and I kind of like it. I mean, why should my little girl have to be scolded because some half-wit’s parents can’t handle that they have a child that is an undesirable playmate. Problem solved! M, continue on with your natural selection-style of making friends. I feel like Will Farrell in Old School as he takes a tranquilizer to the jugular, “Is this bad?

On to the main man who is going to carry on the Henderson name, Lil B. The last update I did probably had Lil B shitting in diapers and crying like a little bitch about every little thing. Well, I am unhappy to report that nothing has changed! As Lil B nears his 2nd birthday we find him in the throes of learning the english language. While he has a full grasp on conversation (in his mind), he is in that stage in which only us parents understand what the hell he is actually saying. It usually involves crying about a lost member of his entourage. You read correctly, B has an entourage. He has “Baby”, “Rabbit”, Giraffe”, and “Puppy”. When I say entourage, I mean it in every sense of the word. Lil B is NEVER seen without at least one of his trusted comrades. Although, I did notice that none of B’s boys were around when he decided to carpet bomb the kitchen.

It is our own fault. See, Lil B had a gnarly diaper rash and we were trying to let that nasty thing air itself out. So one afternoon I get the kids home and decide that B’s bomber needs a little time outside of the diaper. I slap some shorts on him mainly because M is a little too fascinated with the difference in equipment between the two of them, if you know what I mean. The shorts are designed to avoid M screaming,  ”PENIS! PENIS!”  while pointing and laughing at her nude little brother. That being said, B is going about his normal business of free-balling and following M around one afternoon and things are running quite swimmingly. They aren’t fighting, B isn’t tackling or pulling M’s hair and M isn’t using her height advantage to withhold coveted items from B. Basically, a nice little afternoon in my world.   Meanwhile, as I half nap/half ignore the kids. Mommy comes into the kitchen and screeches. I am shaken from my slumber and run into the kitchen thinking that B has fallen on his head (again) or that he has kicked M’s ass again when I almost step in a trail of turds. If I were tracking small game it would not have been difficult to track Lil B from the string of nuggets that he had laid down across the kitchen floor.  As I scrape up last night’s dinner reincarnate, I am reminded of one of the many reasons that we are now dog-free.  I also made the tactical error in thinking that this was a one-time event. Two kids almost potty trained, and I recently got my first bathtub bombing from Lil B.  To make matters worse, I was distracted by a heated game of Disc Driving on my iPhone while I let him play a bit in the tub.  I am startled from my game by the garbled sounds of Lil B saying, “Poo Poo”.  I give a half-ass glance in his direction and my mouth falls open.  Sitting proudly coated in Mr. Bubble is Lil B. holding up a piece of shit the size of a cucumber. He is grinning ear-to-ear with the pride that he has finally connected the term of Poo Poo to its reality.  I swipe the ex-dinner from his hand and pull my best fade-away into the toilet. Splash! Nothin’ but net, err…water.  I know that B will grow out of his bombing phase, so I am not too worried.  Plus, I get to work on my jump shot.

So, you all can see that I have two midgets in completely different stages of childhood. To add to this, I have both sexes to deal with and believe it or not, they are completely different in demeanor from birth. I am thankful for this challenge because I was beginning to get a little bored with being Superdad. Obviously, if you have read all of this you have lost time that you will never get back. Thank you for reading and watch out for those toddler land mines!

http://genericdad.com/2011/07/28/nuggets-of-truth/

Mexican student kills white principal

http://news.yahoo.com/boy-killed-principal-tells-police-didnt-her-163646561.html This Mexican man, n

http://heloise8.wordpress.com/2011/08/11/mexican-student-kills-white-principal/

Reunion

I drive from Danville to Bloomsburg, along the same path the school bus took me for twelve years. The trees crowd in beside the road, and it feels so quiet– I’m amazed at how little traffic there seems to be. I guess I’ve gotten used to Cincinnati. But this definitely still feels like home.

I’m going to the park for my 13-year class reunion. Why 13 years? Because we’d never had a reunion before, and we wanted to have one. I worry a little that I won’t recognize some of my classmates. That could be embarrassing.

But as they arrive one by one, I know them instantly without a doubt! This so rarely happens to me anymore even with people I know well. It really feels nice.

Eight of us were able to make it out of a class of 26. I’d say that’s pretty good, considering how many of us have spread out all over the country and how many are busy with family and job obligations.

I get to meet their spouses and children, and I do my best to remember their names, but it will take me a while. I’m thankful that I’ve had the chance to learn some of them from Facebook.

We talk while the children play on the playground– there are so many stories to tell. I stand in between two conversations, listening to both and smiling. My friends are so very much the same people I knew from school. They’ve been to some amazing places and lived through some tough times, but God has preserved what is good in each of them.

I don’t think I have a lot to add myself. My experience is still mostly as a student. I’m still trying to find a career, still hoping to start a relationship with someone.

I probably seem a lot like I did when we were all in high school. I lagged behind socially then– at a middle school or elementary level– and as a result, I didn’t interact much with my peers. Now, I’m probably up to a college or high school level socially, but I don’t always feel fully a part of the adult world.

When someone asks me what I’m doing currently, I stammer and pause for a bit as I try to answer. A nasty part of me is telling me “You don’t belong here. You don’t have anything to talk about,” but I know that’s not true. We go out for drinks, but I haven’t developed a taste for beer or wine, so I order soda. I hope they don’t think I’m looking down on them by not sharing a drink– it’s such a symbol of friendship.

Before I came to the reunion, I was worried a little about negative thoughts like these, but they are no match for the joy I feel. I sit and listen to all the stories as my friends share– about meeting their husbands and wives, about funny or sad things at work, about pregnancy and childbirth and picking names for children and the unpredictability of two-year-olds. I imagine that my parents had conversations like this about me when I was little. I hear how God has blessed each family and prepared them for the things He brings into their lives. Everyone’s story is different, but also the same.

I realize that I have grown in thirteen years. When I was a senior in high school, I was afraid to drive a car. Today I made two trips by myself, and I enjoyed them. Even though social interaction is tiring, I am seeking it rather than avoiding it– planning my weekend around it and learning how to get enough rest in between so that I can be fully present and part of the conversation.

I wonder if my classmates know what a blessing they have been to my life– both those who are there and those who could not come.

At times, others find it hard to believe that I have Asperger’s just from observing me. I think some of this may be due to personality– my strong desire to avoid confrontation has likely kept me from clashing with others.

But there was another big difference in my life, the people around me. In so many of the stories I read online about people with Asperger’s, their years in school are not remembered fondly. Stories of bullying seem almost universal, and in a lot of cases, the best advice people can offer is “Wait until you graduate; it will get better.” I read about people who still deal with the effects of bullying decades later.

I wonder if my classmates know that they are proof that it doesn’t have to be that way– that kindness can have just as much of a positive impact on a life. None of us knew about Asperger’s, but anyone could see that I was different in some ways, lagging behind in others. But I wasn’t given grief for it. I was just given friendliness, time, and a safe place to grow.

I hope they know.

http://landofmysojourn.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/reunion/

How should Christian parents educate their children? Education is Discipleship (Vision for Christian Homeschooling)

How should Christian parents educate their children?

This is one of the most important questions a parent will ever ask because Jesus said that when our children are fully trained they will be like their teacher (Luke 6:39-40), which means that education is discipleship.

In fact, the choice a parent makes for their child’s education is one of the most significant factors in determining whether or not they ever come to a saving faith in Christ and what the fruit of that faith looks like. It’s a weighty question that carries eternal consequences.

A Tale of Two Families
I regret that my wife and I initially decided to home educate our children for pragmatic reasons rather than basing our decision on biblical principles.

You see, my wife’s educational experiences were generally favorable, but her work as an elementary school teacher led her to the conviction that the public school system was not an option for our family.

On the other hand, I did not enjoy my public school experiences growing up and my work as a youth and college pastor allowed me to also see the disastrous impact public education had on the students in my ministry. Consequently, we both decided to home educate when our first-born was still a baby.

Zachary drawing a picture for a unit on Africa.

Of course, the problem with basing decisions on experience is that experience is not a fixed standard of truth and other parents can use it to reach very different conclusions.

For example, not long ago a homeschooling mother told my wife that she was going to put her oldest daughter in a public high school because the mom wanted her daughter to get a “good education,” so that she could go on to a “good university” and get a “good job.”

Ironically, studies show that homeschooled students score significantly higher on standardized tests and have higher GPAs in college than do their public school counterparts, but that’s still not the primary reason why we should homeschool.

In fact, this mother’s emphasis on earthly things (Rom. 12:2; 1 Jn. 2:15-17) rather than on eternal things (Col. 3:1-2; 1 Tim. 4:7-8) is sending her daughter the wrong message.

Foundational Questions
In this example you can see how two Christian families make very different decisions based on personal experience. So what do we do now?

Conflict is uncomfortable for most people, so in situations

Jonathan learning archery.

like this it is common for the two families to simply say that both methods are equally acceptable. This allows the families to do what they want to do without being challenged to examine their decision, which is unfortunate.

If we trust Jesus and believe that education really is discipleship, then can we honestly say that both options are equally acceptable for Christian parents to make? Are all educational options morally neutral? If we say that one option is better than the other, then which one and why? By what standard can one education option be judged as superior to another?

These are important questions that every Christian parent must ask and only the Bible can provide the answers.

Worldview
Many self-professing Christians in America today say they believe that the Bible is God’s Word and that it is the only authoritative guide for all matters of life and faith. Unfortunately, most turn around and deny this truth practically when they do not use the Bible to make their decisions.

Instead of relying on what God revealed in Scripture, they rely on their experience, emotions, and human reason as the foundation for truth. Of course, relying on the wisdom of sinful man is foolish (Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:21-22; Rom. 1:21).

Zachary and Jonathan building a volcano for their science project.

Sadly, this popular practice is the practical outworking of a secular humanistic worldview, which denies God’s authority and makes man the center of the universe. This form of idolatry dishonors God and it discredits His church.

So, if we claim to be Christians, then we must repent and deny self in every area of life in favor of following God’s ways. An excellent approach for doing this is to make decisions by asking questions that begin with the words “If all I had was the Bible, how would I…”

Christian Homeschooling
Some advocates of Christian homeschooling don’t wish to offend, so they write about it as if it is one of many great options that are available. I am not one of those people.

Christian homeschooling is the absolute best option for Christian families because it is the only educational option that applies both the message and the method prescribed in the Bible for the discipleship of children.

• Message:The Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Ho
  

  Madison at the Phoenix Zoo

  ly One is understanding” (Pr. 9:10), which means that God is the foundation for truth (Pr. 1:7; Col. 1:17; Ps. 2:1-6). It also says that God revealed His will to humanity through the words contained in the Bible (2 Pet.1:21; 2 Tim. 3:14-17; Ps. 119; Pr. 3:5-6) and that He expects us to obey them (John 15:14; James 2:22-24; 1 John 3:24; 5:2-3). Therefore, reverence for God as well as obedience to His Word must be the foundation for any educational message.

• Method:Throughout the Bible parents are commanded to disciple and train up their children in the nurture
  

  Zachary holds a snake at AZ Game & Fish's Family Day.

  and instruction of the Lord (Gen. 18:19; Ex. 12:26-27; Ps. 34:11; Pr. 6:20; 22:6; Eph. 6:4). In Deuteronomy 6:4-9 it says that parents are to educate children throughout the day and that the method they use should be incarnational (role-modeling) and informational (teaching). It is the family and not the church nor the state that has this mandate.

Other Educational Options
Clearly a Bible-based message combined with a parent-led method is God’s plan for the discipleship of children. Every

Madison milks a fake cow at a Maricopa County Fair exhibit.

other educational option available to Christian parents is in opposition to God’s plan in one or both of these areas.

• Public/Charter schools: Neither the message nor the method are biblical.
• Virtual schools: Provides a home-based environment, but the message is not biblical and parents are not the primary teachers.
• Christian schools: Better than public schools because the message may be biblical, but parents are still not the primary teachers.

The Vision
Although my family began Christian homeschooling for pragmatic reasons, we continue to practice it today based on the following Biblical principles:

• Jesus said that the purpose of education is to disciple our children.
• Emotion, experience, and human reason are not fixed standards of truth, therefore, they should not be used as a guide for making decisions.
• The Bible is God’s authoritative guide for all matters of life and faith.
• Therefore, the educational message must be rooted in Biblical truth.
• The Bible mandates that parents raise their children in the faith.
• Therefore, the educational method must be parent directed and taught throughout the day both incarnationally and informationally.

The vision for Christian homeschooling is that our children have a saving faith in Jesus Christ, so that they leave our home to not only pierce the culture as arrows for the cause of Christ in the world (Ps. 127), but also pass on their faith to the next generation (Ps. 78:5-7).

So, if all you had was the Bible, how would you educate your children?

Click here to listen to Education is Discipleship: The Vision for Christian Homeschooling!

Click here to read an earlier article on why we homeschool.

Melton Family Homeschool Room

http://bradmelton.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/how-should-christian-parents-educate-their-children-education-is-discipleship-vision-for-christian-homeschooling/

Homeschooling Just One: How Do You Do It?

Our “Global Academy” opened in 2003. I began home schooling our oldest daughter midway through her k

http://brookestark.com/2011/07/18/homeschooling-just-one-how-do-you-do-it/

Are you Smarter Than a 5Ker? (Humor)

Becky Martin, a Kindergarten student at Scofield Christian School, responds with a laugh when asked if the Alexandrian hermeneutic with its emphasis on allegorical interpretation properly dealt with the eschatological challenges of the book of the Revelation… 

http://truthinator.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/are-you-smarter-than-a-5ker-humor/

Free Sundays

Are you planning on attending church this Sunday?

Did you as an adult (not as a child) make an informed decision to join your particular denomination or faith?

 If so, have you read the entire Bible?

If you answered yes to the first question, I sincerely hope that you answered yes to the other questions also.  It is a very important part of growing up to come to our own, well thought out beliefs about religion and spirituality.  We have a long tradition in this country of doing just the opposite.  The majority of people that consider themselves Christians either:

1.) Committed themselves to Christianity when they were mere children

2.) Committed themselves to Christianity on the spot, after a brief sermon or presentation.

Neither one of those scenarios is a wise method of choosing something as important as one’s religion or world view.  When I was born into a Christian family, I automatically was inducted into a Christian culture, a Christian school and church.  Of course, I was expected to make my “own” profession of faith at some point.  At the age of four, I did.  This profession of faith was based on the emotional connection I had to my surroundings and to the story of Jesus that I had been told.  This is what all children naturally would do.  If I had been born in Indonesia, I would’ve become a Muslim.  If I had been born in Nepal I would’ve been Hindu.

As you can see, everyone thinks their country’s God is the right one.  So in order for a religion to be the “right” one, there must be something more than geographical popularity to validate it.  There must be supporting logical evidence.  If you’re thinking faith is enough, than Buddha, Allah, Vishnu etc., are all just as real based on “faith” in them.  Now we see that neither cultural popularity, nor faith are enough to validate a particular religion.

There must be thoughtful, well researched evaluation of any world religion and their texts. Otherwise, we might as well believe in Santa Claus and purple unicorns too, because we like them.   A good place to start is to study the texts associated with religions.  In this country, the Christian text is the Bible. Have you read it?  No, I don’t mean selected parts or as a devotional guide.  I mean, have you read it, cover to cover, painstakingly comparing and contrasting it?  If not, you should do so immediately, before you spend another Sunday in church.  If everything you feel about the Bible is true, then objective research of it would only substantiate those feelings.

http://freesundays.org/2011/06/28/hello-world/

Colorado Private High Schools ranked by Enrollment

1) Colorado Springs Chrn School – Colorado Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 1372

2) Mullen High School – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 1010

3) Colorado Academy – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 854

4) Regis Jesuit High School – Aurora, CO – Total Enrollment: 813

5) St Mary’s Academy – Englewood, CO – Total Enrollment: 785

6) Kent Denver School – Englewood, CO – Total Enrollment: 639

7) Graland Country Day School – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 610

Pikes Peak Christian School – Colorado Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 575

9) Bishop Machebeuf Catholic High School – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 486

10) The Colorado Springs School – Colorado Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 461

11) Front Range Christian School – Littleton, CO – Total Enrollment: 456

12) Denver Academy – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 426

13) Longmont Christian School – Longmont, CO – Total Enrollment: 414

14) Faith Christian Academy – High School – Arvada, CO – Total Enrollment: 412

15) Denver Campus For Jewish Educa – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 401

16) Alexander Dawson School – Lafayette, CO – Total Enrollment: 391

17) Life Christian Academy – Westminster, CO – Total Enrollment: 376

18) St Mary’s High School – Colorado Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 357

19) Denver Christian High School – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 353

20) Belleview Christian School – Westminster, CO – Total Enrollment: 341

21) St Joseph School – Fort Collins, CO – Total Enrollment: 329

22) Resurrection Christian School – Loveland, CO – Total Enrollment: 320

23) Dayspring Christian Schools – Greeley, CO – Total Enrollment: 319

24) Faith Baptist School – Longmont, CO – Total Enrollment: 315

25) Community Christian – Northglenn, CO – Total Enrollment: 290

26) Christian Fellowship School – Lakewood, CO – Total Enrollment: 282

27) The Denver Waldorf School – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 280

28) Vail Mountain School – Vail, CO – Total Enrollment: 262

29) Mile High Academy – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 260

30) Aurora Christian Academy – Aurora, CO – Total Enrollment: 246

31) Hilltop Baptist School – Colorado Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 244

32) Denver Lutheran High School – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 230

33) Beth Eden Baptist School – Wheat Ridge, CO – Total Enrollment: 228

34) Fountain Valley School Of Colorado – Colorado Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 218

35) Foothills Academy – Wheat Ridge, CO – Total Enrollment: 214

36) Campion Academy – Loveland, CO – Total Enrollment: 211

37) Silver State Baptist School – Lakewood, CO – Total Enrollment: 200

38) St Catherine Of Sienna School – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 189

39) Excelsior Youth Center – Aurora, CO – Total Enrollment: 186

40) Colorado Rocky Mountain School – Carbondale, CO – Total Enrollment: 165

41) Front Range Baptist Academy – Fort Collins, CO – Total Enrollment: 150

42) Westland Christian Academy – Lakewood, CO – Total Enrollment: 149

43) Darren Patterson Chr Academy – Buena Vista, CO – Total Enrollment: 143

44) Christian Heritage School – Steamboat Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 130

45) Cornerstone Christian Academy – Federal Heights, CO – Total Enrollment: 130

46) Colorado Christian School – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 128

47) Trinidad Catholic School – Trinidad, CO – Total Enrollment: 121

48) Brighton Adventist Academy – Brighton, CO – Total Enrollment: 120

49) Alpine Christian Academy – Basalt, CO – Total Enrollment: 116

50) Hyland Christian School – Westminster, CO – Total Enrollment: 109

51) The Renaissance Academy – Colorado Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 103

52) Lutheran High School Rockies – Parker, CO – Total Enrollment: 102

53) Cornerstone Christian School – Grand Junction, CO – Total Enrollment: 100

54) Jim Elliot Schools – Highlands Ranch, CO – Total Enrollment: 99

55) Cedar Wood Christian Academy – Aurora, CO – Total Enrollment: 95

56) Escuela Tlatelolco Centro De E – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 94

57) Life Academy – Grand Junction, CO – Total Enrollment: 92

58) Vail Christian High School – Edwards, CO – Total Enrollment: 92

59) Park Hill Christian Academy – Pueblo, CO – Total Enrollment: 92

60) Cleo Wallace Center – Westminster, CO – Total Enrollment: 91

61) Lowell Whiteman School – Steamboat Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 90

62) Eagle Rock School – Estes Park, CO – Total Enrollment: 82

63) Colorado West Christian School – Montrose, CO – Total Enrollment: 81

64) Mapleton Montessori School – Boulder, CO – Total Enrollment: 81

65) Havern Center, Inc. – Littleton, CO – Total Enrollment: 75

66) Cornerstone Baptist Academy – Colorado Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 74

67) Dove Christian Academy – Aurora, CO – Total Enrollment: 66

68) La Academia At The Denver Inne – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 64

69) Humanex Academy – Englewood, CO – Total Enrollment: 63

70) Yeshiva Toras Chaim – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 63

71) Springs Adventist Academy – Colorado Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 61

72) Rocky Mountain Chrn School – Green Mountain Falls, CO – Total Enrollment: 60

73) Intermountain Adventist Academ – Grand Junction, CO – Total Enrollment: 60

74) Extended Learning Academy – Fountain, CO – Total Enrollment: 58

75) Telluride Mountain School – Telluride, CO – Total Enrollment: 58

76) Beth Jacob High School – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 57

77) September School – Boulder, CO – Total Enrollment: 55

78) Vista Ridge Academy – Erie, CO – Total Enrollment: 54

79) Pleasant Hill Academy – Longmont, CO – Total Enrollment: 52

80) Colorado Catholic Academy – Wheat Ridge, CO – Total Enrollment: 52

81) Montessori School Of Conifer – Conifer, CO – Total Enrollment: 45

82) Loveland Christian High School – Loveland, CO – Total Enrollment: 45

83) Florence Christian School – Florence, CO – Total Enrollment: 44

84) Tara Performing Arts High School – Boulder, CO – Total Enrollment: 42

85) Crested Butte Academy – Crested Butte, CO – Total Enrollment: 40

86) Denver Street School – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 40

87) All Peoples Learning Center – Colorado Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 39

88) Field Academy – Lakewood, CO – Total Enrollment: 39

89) Our Lady Help Of Christians Ac – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 39

90) Riverview Christian School – Brush, CO – Total Enrollment: 39

91) Our Lady Of The Rockies School – Colorado Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 38

92) Loveland Protestant Reformed C – Loveland, CO – Total Enrollment: 37

93) Veritas Christian Academy – Parker, CO – Total Enrollment: 36

94) Accelerated Schools #3 – Englewood, CO – Total Enrollment: 36

95) North Lutheran High School – Broomfield, CO – Total Enrollment: 35

96) Rocky Mountain Montessori Academy – Colorado Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 35

97) Mile High Baptist School – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 35

98) Alpine Valley School – Wheat Ridge, CO – Total Enrollment: 34

99) Colorado Timberline Academy – Durango, CO – Total Enrollment: 34

100) Alamosa Christian School – Alamosa, CO – Total Enrollment: 34

101) C.h.a.n.g.e. Christian Academy – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 31

102) Pear Park Baptist School – Grand Junction, CO – Total Enrollment: 31

103) Summit Christian School – Pueblo, CO – Total Enrollment: 29

104) Accelerated Schools #2 – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 28

105) Ellicott Baptist School – Calhan, CO – Total Enrollment: 28

106) Green Mt Christian Academy – Lakewood, CO – Total Enrollment: 27

107) Calvary Apostolic Academy – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 26

108) Chariot Christian School Pmb 1 – Broomfield, CO – Total Enrollment: 24

109) Calvary Christian School – Canon City, CO – Total Enrollment: 23

110) Shepherd Of The Springs High School – Colorado Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 23

111) Christian Growth Academy – Pueblo, CO – Total Enrollment: 23

112) Thunder Mt. Christian Academy – Eckert, CO – Total Enrollment: 22

113) Dayspring Academy – Colorado Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 22

114) Lighthouse Christian Academy – Cortez, CO – Total Enrollment: 21

115) Cornerstone Christian Academy – Durango, CO – Total Enrollment: 19

116) Grand Valley Mennonite School – Loma, CO – Total Enrollment: 18

117) Cornerstone Christian School – Fort Collins, CO – Total Enrollment: 17

118) Clearview Education Center – Longmont, CO – Total Enrollment: 14

119) Solid Rock Christian School – Longmont, CO – Total Enrollment: 14

120) Pioneer Christian School – Rock Ford, CO – Total Enrollment: 11

121) Summit Christian Academy – Pagosa Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 10

122) Sangre De Cristo Christian Aca – Westcliffe, CO – Total Enrollment: 10

123) New Horizons Christian School – Grand Junction, CO – Total Enrollment: 9

124) American Christian Academy – Colorado Springs, CO – Total Enrollment: 9

125) Messiah Baptist School – Denver, CO – Total Enrollment: 5

126) The Garden School – New Castle, CO – Total Enrollment:

127) Lamborn Valley School – Paonia, CO – Total Enrollment:

128) Bridge School – Boulder, CO – Total Enrollment:

129) Shining Mountain Waldorf School – Boulder, CO – Total Enrollment:

130) Columbine Christian School – Durango, CO – Total Enrollment:

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http://alchemicgorilla.com/2011/06/27/colorado-private-high-schools-ranked-by-enrollment/

Lesson 15: Learning Lasting Lessons…from Others

It has always given me a great sense of joy and accomplishment to reflect on the fact that I have served over 40 years in education, naively believing that my total must be one of the very highest in the country.

This past week I learned I am mistaken. While visiting Western Oklahoma Christian School and Corn Bible Academy as part of my School Whisperer duties, I discovered a music teacher who has been working at CBA for 46 years. That’s six years more than me – all in one school! I was truly impressed!

Oh, and did I mention that Corn Bible was founded in 1902 and is now 109 years old!? That is the fifth oldest Christian school in the United States and the oldest west of the Mississippi River!

Well, let me tell you, there is a reason this school has kept its doors open through two world wars, the Great Depression, presidential assassinations, the Civil Rights Movement, major advancements in technology, the emergence of more private and charter schools, and the constant economic highs and lows that most institutions are unable to withstand.

Beyond all the praises I could give them regarding their curriculum choices and policies, one element stood out to me at both schools: the people involved. In my two days with them, I saw an amazing group of educators and board members that truly “gets it.” These wonderful people are completely sold out and committed to Christian education.  It is evident that they love the Lord, serve each other, and put the school’s best interest above their own. Both are institutions where people honor the heritage of the school as well as those who have sacrificed to make it possible.

There are dozens of stories I could share with you to illustrate this point. But one telling example will suffice.

The chairman of the board is not the first from his family to serve the school. His father also served on the board. As did his father’s father. That’s three generations of service from one family. Currently, this board member’s son – the fourth generation – attends WOCS and will go to CBA next year.

But it gets better. Each of these men met their wife at CBA. Can you believe it? This means Corn Bible has produced four generations of godly families who serve the school out of a deep, personal commitment to family, the Lord, and school. What a remarkable testimony to the school’s lasting legacy: its people.

Examples such as this one that were so evident everywhere at both schools crystallized for me something I learned long ago about education: a philosophy can only be brought to life by the people who embody and serve it. This is precisely the case at CBA and WOCS, where multi-generational testimonies weave together to form a beautiful tapestry for each school. Both institutions powerfully demonstrate that God works His plan through people.

Their example reminded me of a friend and colleague of mine, Dr. Rodney Haire, who is the founder and still Headmaster at Liberty Christian School in Argyle (formerly Denton, TX). He recently self-published a book entitled Called to the Principal’s Office in which he candidly and openly shares many of his successes as well as failures during his 28 years at Liberty.

His message boils down to this: find the right people for the job. That goes for principals, teachers, and board members.

Corn Bible Academy and Western Oklahoma Christian School have all the right people serving in the right places utilizing their gifts. That is how the body of Christ should operate.

I started Lessons Learned in the Little Red Schoolhouse to share my insights from my own years in education. This week, I learned from them. What a beautiful, bright, committed, and united group of people. I could not have been more impressed and was honored to be a small part of their amazing journey.

All school administrators – from private to public school – want to know the secret: how do we build, grow, and sustain a school that lasts? I have my answers, just as Dr. Haire has his. But we can all learn from schools like Corn Bible Academy and Western Oklahoma Christian School. I know I did.

http://lessonslearnedinthelittleredschoolhouse.com/2011/06/27/lesson-15-learning-lasting-lessons-from-others/

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