| | 05/25/2008 For easy page navigation, click one of the Page Links below: Q: Is Evangel Christian School primarily athletics-driven?
A: Evangel Christian School is not primarily athletics-driven. As home education continues to move forward, Evangel Christian School envisions itself as a leader in every area of educating its students. As athletics provides for many students the opportunity for team building, character development, and competitive enrichment, Evangel Christian School seeks not only to provide athletics for its families but also to do so with excellence.Q: My children play golf. Is this a possibility at Evangel Christian School? Will Evangel Christian School offer soccer and track?
A: One of the important elements of the vision of Evangel Christian School is to make use of the gifts of all the families that authorize us to be their home school covering. If there are enough families with similar interests, all sporting activities are a possibility. This is not limited to athletic endeavor. Academics also will reach its fullest potential by each family contributing to the group with their gifts.Q: For which grades will sports be made available?
A: Sports are made available beginning at the 7th grade and continuing through the 12th grade. Interest has been shown at the 6th grade level and has been granted by the football program for rising 7th graders. This precedent may allow 6th graders to participate in other sports as well.Q: Will there by tryouts to determine who can play a particular sport?
A: Some sports will require tryouts if the number of interested participants exceeds the optimal level for team management. Traditionally, baseball basketball and softball are sports that have necessitated tryouts, while football has not.Q: Are the costs such as registration fees and tuition designed to support athletics? If not, for what are these to be used?
A: The fees paid to Evangel Christian School are multi-faceted. They will be used to support and maintain our own facilities for not only athletics but also other enrichment activities. It is also part of the vision to provide stipends for coach/mentors who extend an abundant amount of time to facilitate these enrichment activities. Some of the other administrative costs include the salary of a full-time administrator, operational costs, office equipment, supplies, services, facilities management, and test score publication. As a new school, many startup costs involved will level off through time. Discussion is ongoing regarding a gradual reduction of fees over time. This is one of the decisions that will be finalized through board direction.Q: What league will Evangel Christian School be in for sports?
A: During its first two years (2004-2006), Evangel Christian School participated in the Central Alabama Christian Conference for basketball, baseball, and softball. Being invited into CACC membership in its first year (2004-2005) was an honor that Evangel Christian School didn’t take lightly. Since most schools in the CACC had not yet established football programs, Evangel Christian School played its first season (2004) as an independent, and in its second football season (2005) in the TVFC (Tennessee Valley Football Conference, The Athletic Department of Evangel Christian School had hoped through its involvement in the CACC to continue to grow and develop football in that conference, but since this became increasingly unrealistic, in its second year (2005-2006), Evangel Christian School helped form and participated in the aforementioned TVFC (Tennessee Valley Football Conference), which it was instrumental, under the leadership of Athletic Director, Steve Dean, to form with other schools in Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky. in football. In the May of 2006, due to attrition of other CACC member schools, Evangel Christian School prayerfully considered, pursued and accepted the opportunity to compete in a larger, more comprehensive, and well-established (1993) association, the ICSGA (Independent Christian Schools of Georgia and Alabama Athletic Association). The ICSGA is philosophically aligned with Evangel Christian School, in its attempt to glorify God through athletic competition, and Evangel Christian School looks forward to participating as an ICGSA member beginning in 2006-2007. While the ICSGA requires all its members to participate in its Association in every sport in which the member school fields a particular team, the ICSGA Executive Committee, graciously allowed Evangel Christian School to honor its previous commitment to the TVFC for football in the 2006 football season.
05/30/2006 - Q: What are the advantages of Evangel Christian School for those of us not interested in athletics over any other home school covering?
A: Evangel Christian School has, as part of its vision, the goal of doing everything with excellence. Another aspect of the vision is to help parents direct their children towards their calling. We believe that Godhas designed each of His children with unique gifts to be a vital part of His body. One of the ways that He does this is through their career and vocational choices. We want to help parents identify these gifts as early as possible. One of the key ways that we will seek to accomplish this goal is through mentoring. We believe that there are many parents in our midst who can help impart their own strengths, skills, and gifts to our children. By developing a Mentor Program where children can spend time with these parents in addition to their own, we attempt to offer many more opportunities for children to identify where God has uniquely called and gifted them. Tied to the mentoring portion of the vision is the goal of offering other enrichment activities such as band, drama, debate, chorus, etc. Another exciting distinctive of Evangel Christian School is found in its organizational structure. We have been blessed to come under the leadership of an evangelical church body through a unanimous vote of its session. We therefore, have the privilege of having direction of a board nominated by school members and approved by the church. This is a structure which we believe is Biblical and allows school members to be confident that the school will survive and flourish no matter who administrates it. Through this unique relationship with Evangel Church, we are provided with our own facilities, the physical structure to carry out much of the vision of the school.
Back to Page Links - Q: Why do other home school coverings not publish ACT/SAT scores?
A: There are differing reasons from school to school as to the decision to publish or not publish scores. Some reasons are as follows: administrative costs, discounting of the value of scores. We would encourage calling the various school coverings directly to see which, if any, of these reasons apply in a particular case.
- Q: How much guidance or control will the school have over my academic studies?
A: The school will provide encouragement and guidance in whatever academic endeavors Evangel Christian School families require and will aid and instruct the parent in meeting required state and federal standards for education.
- Q: Must both parents agree to Evangel Christian School’s Statement of Faith in order to be admitted?
A: Currently, the stance of Evangel Christian School is that only one parent is required to commit to these standards. This is, however, subject to Board revision.
- Q: Will testing be required?
A: Testing will be required for all students in grades 6, 8, and 10. It is a goal of Evangel Christian School to hold athletes to high academic standards. As a means of demonstrating this goal and being above reproach from schools in which we engage in athletic competition, testing will also be required for athletes during each year in which they participate in any sport. - Q: How many days/school year does the child need to attend?
A: The board, mindful of the vision of the school, the best interests of the student’s long-term education and state law, will determine this. Our current requirement is 175 days.
- Q: What are the record-keeping responsibilities of the parents?
A: The curriculum choice(s) will be submitted in writing by the parent/teacher at the beginning of the school year with attendance and grades submitted to the administrators every nine (9) weeks. It is recommend that parent/teachers utilize the overview of material and lesson planning as a means to assist in the completion of the educational goals of their children/students.
- Q: Will the Charlotte Mason philosophy and method fit with structure of Evangel Christian School?
A: Evangel Christian School will encourage and help to facilitate the educational choices made by parents.
- Q: What will be considered an “A”?
A: With an eye toward keeping standards high but manageable, an “A” will be measured as 90-100%.
Back to Page Links COSTS - Q: Will the fee for taking classes through Evangel Tutorials be reduced for Evangel Christian School members?
A: The Registration Fee for the Evangel Tutorials will be discounted 50% to Evangel Christian School members.
- Q: Will a fee be charged for transcripts or letters of recommendation?
A: Costs will always be kept as low as possible while addressing the administrative costs of such services. As of now, this service is offered at no additional cost.
Back to Page Links SOCIAL/ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES - Q: Will there be field trips?
A: Yes. We consider field trips to be an invaluable part of the educational process and development of community and we will encourage them. We will make as many suggestions as possible and help in the facilitation of as many as parents deem valuable. Currently, ECS offers approximately 20 field trips each year.
- Q: What classes, social activities, sports, cheerleading opportunities, etc. will be offered through the school? Will there be cheerleaders?
A: Evangel Christian School is set up to offer as many activities as the Board allows, the funding can adequately compensate where necessary, and the parents decide are valuable. Specifically, cheerleading is now available for football and basketball for 7-12th grade girls.
- Q: Will there be a prom?
A: Yes. God has raised up a group of interested families who have, under close Board direction and with prayerful and willing spirits, have dedicated themselves to producing a Junior/Senior Prom that will glorify God and enable us to enjoy Him as we fellowship together in this setting.
- Q: In light of wanting to provide organizations and opportunities recognized by colleges and the community would Evangel Christian School seek to provide Honor Society and Beta Clubs?
A: Yes. Evangel Christian School is now a recognized Chapter of the National Christian Homeschool Honor Society. Discussions are currently underway regarding Beta Clubs and progress has already been realized this year.
Back to Page Links MORE GOOD QUESTIONS - Q: What is the long-term commitment of the administrators?
A: God at this point has given the administrators a clear calling to this position. However, it is important to remember that the structure of the school is such that should the administration change for any reason, the school will continue to be fully functional.
- Q: What are the qualifications of the administrators?
A: Bill and Sandy have been uniquely blessed by God to be able to work well together. This is an ongoing part of their relationship and one in which they take great pleasure. They demonstrate love and respect for each other on a very deep level.
- Bill:
- B.A. from Covenant College in Biblical Studies, Education and Sociology (Interdisciplinary Studies)
- Skilled management professional with over 14 years of combined experience in multi-unit management, operations, staff administration, retail sales, and financial controls with consistent contributions to business growth and profits
- Strong administrative and leadership capabilities with recognized strengths in staff recruiting, training, and developing; successfully motivate staff in achieving optimum performance standards
- A multi-site operations director with demonstrated abilities in developing and maintaining strong, profitable, and professional relationships with staff, management, and the public at all functional levels.
- Analytical, independent thinker with sound judgment, needs analysis, decision-making, and problem resolution capabilities
- As a District Manager with one of the nation’s largest retail chains, directed the complete operational aspects of 11retail stores throughout Alabama and Mississippi with hands-on responsibility for retail sales, marketing, merchandising,promotional/event planning, inventory management, and financial controls
- Coached baseball and football at the Youth, JV, and Varsity levels for 9 years with success at each level
- A clear and distinct calling from God to this position, leading to an excitement and commitment to facilitating and enabling families to home educate in a way that fits with God’s leading in their lives
- Sandy:
- Home schooled her 3 children (two of whom are now ECS graduates) for the 12 years of their formal education, with plans to continue doing so through the graduation of each
- Over 24 years combined experience in classroom, home, and tutorial teaching settings with consistent evidence of measured improvement in students’ academic progress
- Individual tutoring of 6 additional students in Reading and Math grades 2-7
- Elementary School Teacher, 1983 to 1989, Chattanooga Christian School
- Developed and implemented 2nd Grade Science and Social Studies Curriculum
- Teacher of the Year Nominee
- B.A. from Covenant College in Elementary Education
- College Senior Class President, Senior Class Commencement Speaker, Teacher’s Aide
- Support and constant encouragement to her husband and children (Proverbs 31:28)
- Q: Administratively, will the school be open year-round?
A: Yes.
- Q: How can we pray for this endeavor?
A: That God would continue to show His hand in such a way that He might get all the glory.
- Q: Are any mission efforts or trips a possibility?
A: Certainly. Although missions were not an area adopted by the steering committee as part of the school
mission, if there is a specific need and a logical tie-in to the educational needs of families, this is something that would be thoroughly reviewed by the board and a response provided.
- Q: What will make the character of academic and athletic pursuits different from other groups so that they stand out as bringing honor and glory to God?
A: One of our goals, in all we do, will be the pursuit of excellence in accordance with Scripture. “Whatever you do-whether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God.” We believe the pursuit of excellence, for its own merit, seeks to glorify man. But as we seek to glorify God through all we do and say, we believe He will bless our efforts and glorify Himself. It is our prayer and vision that He uses us to extend His Kingdom.
- Q: Will the school facilities be available for evening classes, i.e. co-op situations?
A: Yes. Evangel Church has adopted us as a school wholeheartedly. Therefore, while we will coordinate activities with the church, the facilities will be available if there is no conflicting previously scheduled event, providing we will be able to provide supervision in accordance with church and school policy.
- Q: What type of technical and logistical assistance will the school offer toward college admissions?
A: As the Mission of Evangel Christian School presupposes, giving our children the opportunities that God would want them to have is one of our primary objectives. It is our understanding that our children’s education should continue for the rest of their lives. Certainly as they take the first steps educationally, out from under the direct instruction of their parents, these are crucial times in their lives. God has already provided us with some invaluable resources with local colleges and those out of state, specifically Southeastern Bible College, Covenant College, and Patrick Henry College. We will continue work on developing relationships with the many other type of secondary institutions available to us as home educators.
- Q: How will you inform students about activities?
A: Students will be informed of activities by every practical means available. In our day and age, we have many technologies to take advantage of and plan to do so. The least expensive and most thorough of these means is electronic mail. With issues of extreme time-sensitivity, telephoning may be necessary. ‘Phone trees’ work well in such situations, as do commercial systems such as Calling Post. Sound planning, though, should render email sufficient in most cases.
- Q: Are there other PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) home school coverings already in existence or forming in the Birmingham area? If so, what are Evangel Christian School’s similarities &/or differences with these other schools?
A: The only other PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) home school covering in the Birmingham area is Crossroads Christian School in the Leeds/Moody area. (Reformed Heritage Church, operating Reformed Heritage Academy, while previously a PCA Church, has changed its denominational affiliation.)
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