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EDUCATIONAL
OPTIONS
While we’re not the most objective source, we have noticed
that many newcomers to our area appreciate an overview of
the area’s educational options. We realize there are risks
in commenting on our friends (competitors), but we encourage
you to check out the options yourself.
Disclaimer: We
have not exhaustively researched each of these options.
Here is OUR perspective on other area schools.
Public
Schools
Boise Public Schools—Boise schools are relatively
safe and the district has the highest paid teachers and
smallest classes among public schools in the area.
Despite the area’s growth, Boise’s district has seen
contraction rather than expansion in enrollment. This
is due, in part, to families moving west to the Meridian
School District for newer, cheaper housing. This
contraction has resulted in school consolidation and
more flexibility within the district.
Meridian Public Schools— The Meridian district
is huge, covering most of Ada county outside the Boise
city area. With 4 major high schools (the same number
as Boise, but more crowded), the Meridian district
struggles with growth. Academically, they do not have
the reputation Boise has, but they are generally safe.
Why choose a general public school? If cost, athletics,
activities, and a mainstream experience is your desire,
the public schools are a viable choice.
Academically, one should remember the goal of public
school—leave no child behind. See our
perspective below. We strongly suggest that
Christians visit
Discover Christian Schools.
Charter Schools—Charter schools are public
schools outside of the direct control of local school
districts. Because they are tax-payer funded (no
tuition), most have waiting lists and they cannot use
religious curricula. Some Treasure-Valley
charter schools use the “Harbor Method” (Liberty, North
Star, and Hidden Springs, for example). The program’s
popularity has traditionally been in k-6. It relies on
structure, order, and special curricula. The class
sizes are reputed to be large—up to 30 students per
class. Of course, many charter schools are not Harbor
schools, so they vary widely in what they offer. Many
are specialty schools like Medical Arts or Fine Arts
schools. Since we believe education is the pursuit of
Truth, all of which is God’s truth, we do not believe it
is possible to truly educate in a Charter school
environment, where God is not allowed.
Magnet Schools—Magnet schools are public schools
governed by a local school district with a specific area
of focus. Their enrollment is usually not strictly
geographically dictated like conventional public
schools.
Our perspective:
Idaho public schools (conventional, magnet, and charter)
are heavily influenced by the No Child Left Behind
accountability program and the ISAT’s (Idaho Standard
Achievement Test). These produce a heavy focus on what
is tested—the basics of reading and math-- with few
other supplemental subjects. Because the system rewards
bringing all students up to minimal competency, schools
spend much of their time, effort, and resources on the
lowest performers. Consequently, average to above
average students receive less attention. The result can
be a narrow education lacking in well-rounded subjects
like literature, foreign language, logic, speech, and
art. It can also mean that your average to above
average student is not challenged by the work.
Our goal is to challenge our students to reach their
highest potential. This sounds obvious, but we think
you’ll find it is relatively rare in practice. We test
as well, but not for the same reasons. We use a testing
agency that has been in operation for over 80 years and
is known worldwide for its rigorous standardized testing
(the Educational
Records Bureau). The ERB serves many of the finest
preparatory schools in the country. The test combines
conventional “bubble sheet” questions with a hand
written essay. This allows parents to decide for
themselves if our results are satisfactory using a
reference that compares us to the best private and
public schools in the country and around the world, not just Idaho. Parents
also value the literature, language, history, science,
art, and music that we provide as part of our
curriculum. Finally and most importantly, our
Christian worldview curriculum and character emphasis
provides an environment where students are educated
holistically—not separated between the secular and the
Christian part of their lives. This is why our mission
is to unite faith and reason through classical Christian
education.
Non-Christian
Academic
Montessori—Generally for early elementary, the
Montessori philosophy of education allows students to
work at their own pace in more of an independent
setting. This modern form of education contrasts
with classical Christian education's more structured approach to learning in the
younger grades.
River Stone International School—An academic K-12 program based on the
International Baccalaureate system. You may want
to read our
page on the IBO. River Stone touts
strong academics, but does not follow a traditional
classical model as many eastern preparatory schools do.
River Stone is not Christian or religious.
Foothills School for the Arts—An academic program
with a more progressive (politically liberal) focus.
Again, Foothills is not Christian or religious.
Challenger School—A newcomer to the area,
Challenger is a regional chain school. It touts an
academic program, particularly for pre K-8. Again,
Challenger is not Christian or religious.
Most of these schools are expensive, for-profit
schools.
Our Perspective--
While these schools may be more rigorous and have
broader content than the public schools, they embrace
the modern educational paradigm. Classical education
has been the foundation of college preparatory schools
across the country for centuries. Schools like Phillips
Andover, Phillips Exeter, Boston Latin School, and
Stonybrook are examples of highly acclaimed classical
preparatory schools. We know of no system that has
a better record of producing academic excellence than
classical education.
Catholic schools
The Roman Catholic schools (St. Mary’s, St. Marks,
Sacred Heart, etc.) in this area are relatively similar
to public schools in curriculum and method, with religious content. St. Josephs
has an academic reputation and is a sought after school
in the area. Catholic schools in this area tend to be
less traditional (structured) than Catholic schools in
other parts of the country.
Bishop Kelly is the regional Roman Catholic
high school and has a reputation for sports and
academics.
Christian
Schools
K-12 Schools
Cole-Valley Christian Schools—The largest Christian
school in the valley provides a general education using
Christian curriculum. They also offer a similar
extracurricular experience as small-to-mid-sized public
schools. Cole-Valley is a ministry of Cole Christian
Church.
Nampa Christian School—Similar to Cole Valley, but with
a slightly larger sports program, Nampa Christian is one
of the older Christian schools in the area.
St. Ambrose Christian (grades 9-12)/ Foundations
Academy (grades k-8)—
Most people note our uniforms and academic
setting when they first visit the school. As a
classical Christian school, our methodology and content
is unique. Used in American schools until the early 20th
century and still in use in preparatory schools and
overseas, the classical system departs from modern
methods, but has years of demonstrated success. Why?
Primarily because it takes students further, faster, and
with more depth than other forms of education.
·
Our students demonstrate strong (well
above grade level) basic skills in reading, math,
and writing.
· Our extended curriculum in great art &
music, great literature & poetry, history, and Latin
builds on basic skills to develop well-educated
students.
· The Christian worldview element of our
method is integral to every class and subject.
· Our program offers many extended
options including chess, interscholastic sports,
intramural sports (house), martial arts, choir,
orchestra, and social events.
Other Christian
Schools
Seventh-Day Adventist—A system of SDA schools
provide foundational Christian education for primary
school. Secondary SDA schools are less prevalent. The
local SDA secondary school is Gem State Academy.
Calvary Chapel School—Focusing on elementary
education, this ministry of Calvary chapel provides
general education with Christian influence and content.
What
type of students are we looking for?
Our mission is to encourage maturity in students as we
unite faith and reason through classical Christian
education. To accomplish this, we depend on a solid
partnership with parents. We admit students on three
factors: Academic readiness, parental support, and
spiritual condition. Our ideal student is one who is
academically diligent, has parents who are involved in
his or her education, and who’s Christianity is real in
his or her life. This combination enables academic
excellence in students who realize that their work is
done solely to Glorify God.
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