WhyWCS? - Worthington Christian Schools

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y
h
WCS?
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A snapshot of our top 10 reason
s
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C
hristian education done well is not essentially
about getting graduates into good colleges,
although our students accomplish that. Neither is
it about having higher test scores than area schools, although
we accomplish that as well. The difference between a
Christian education and a secular education is not just a
quantitative one (i.e., knowing more information), but a
qualitative one (i.e., a different kind of education and
product).
1
Often as parents are considering joining the Worthington
Christian Schools (WCS) family, we are asked “Why choose
WCS over all of the other options available? Why WCS?” So we
asked our families and our students why they chose to become
a part of all that WCS has to offer, and we condensed all of
their answers into a “top 10” list — the top ten reasons your
children should attend WCS. Here they are:
Our academic program is the heart of WCS; our curriculum is
designed to challenge students to integrate their faith and
learning in all subject areas, with students performing very
well on state and national achievement tests.
WCS attempts to give parents an opportunity to partner with a
school that has an explicitly Christian approach to their
child’s education. Watching that partnership develop
maturing Christians with minds sharpened to think as
believers is what motivates the faculty at WCS.
2
WCS implements a rigorous K–12 academic program which
ranges from enrichment and intervention programs at the
elementary level to Advanced Placement classes, dual
credit college courses, and internship opportunities at the
high school level.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that WCS outscored all area
public schools, all other Christian schools and all but one
Catholic school in Ohio Graduation Test Results.
WCS follows foundational principles of instruction and
curriculum that flow from a biblical worldview,
recognizing that a student’s academic growth is a vital
component of his Christian discipleship.
We are fully accredited by the Association of Christian
Schools International (ACSI) and AdvancEd. By investing in
such accreditation processes, WCS ensures that our school is
always changing for the better, bringing a vigorous dynamic
into the school by engaging every staff member in the process
of organizational appraisal.
CEO Magazine’s report of Central Ohio Private School
enrollment ranks WC S second behind Columbus Academy
with a total enrollment of 919 students and a faculty of 75
teachers. At the elementary and middle school level, test
scores continue to be higher than both national and state
averages as well as higher than what our students’ aggregate
raw abilities would predict. This graph shows the median
percentile rank of WC students followed by the national
median percentile rank in each category.
Level
Grade 1
Grade 4
Grade 8
“C
Reading
78/50
84/50
80/50
Math
79/50
79/50
79/50
Social Studies
N/A
88/50
82/50
Science
N/A
80/50
78/50
hildren need to know God’s truth if they are
going to have any chance of success in life.”
– Dr. Glen Schultz
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The average composite ACT score for WCS students during
the 2011–12 year was 25.0 compared to the state average of
21.8.
Of the 82 students who took the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT)
last March:
OGT
Reading
Math Writing
Science
Proficiency
97%
92%
92%
99%
Social
Studies
95%
88% passed in all five tests compared to 70% at the State level.
We had one National Merit Scholar and two National Merit
Semifinalists among the members of the Class of 2012. WCS
has had many other students recognized by the National
Merit Scholarship program in past years. Out of 1.5 million
students taking the test, a Commended Scholar is in the top
50,000. A finalist qualifies among the top 15,000.
Seven of this year’s graduates entered the Honors&Scholars
Program at OSU, and members of the class of 2012 were
offered scholarships and grants based on academics and
service worth approximately $4.5 million over a four-year
period.
One student received a perfect score for each of five tests
taken at the ACSI Math Contest and our WCHS Math Team
earned first place at the ACSI Math Contest.
3
Over a dozen WCMS students developed their creative and
scientific thinking in the Science Olympiad, with multiple
teams placing at a regional competition in the spring.
Thirteen students received excellent ratings in a regional
Creative Writing Festival and an eighth-grader advanced to
the ACSI National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC where he
placed fourth.
WCS hires and retains highly qualified and recognized
faculty members who are committed to the development
of the whole child.
In the words of high school principal Dr. Buzz Inboden, there
are five essentials every teacher must possess:
l A worldview that is consistent with what we believe the
Bible teaches to be true.
l A connection with youth culture and an understanding of
the dynamics of communicating with students in the
current culture.
l An understanding of how our subject matter intersects with
actual-life experience.
l A robust educational background, and a suspicion that,
while a student, the teacher did not grasp the full picture
and therefore must continue to learn, reflect, refine and resynthesize. A teacher must never under-estimate his/her
ability to “get it wrong.” And one must dare not neglect the
power of personal biases that would cause one to “lose a
capacity for listening, for truly hearing others out and
granting the perspectives of others a provisional grace and
full-hearted understanding” (“Academic Virtues,” Harry C.
Payne, Williams College Alumni Review, 1996).
l A commitment to utilize technology in teaching and
learning, and at the same time value the cultivation of basic
knowledge, skills and habits that transcend any specific
discipline (i.e., note-taking, research skills, writing skills,
knowledge of current events, and familiarity with
breakthrough discoveries in other disciplines).
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Approximately 40 percent of our faculty members possess
post-graduate degrees. All faculty members are
certified/licensed by the Ohio Department of Education, and
all must earn additional certification from ACSI within three
years of being hired.
Our faculty has an average teaching experience of
approximately 12 years, 11 of which have been at WCS.
4
WCS continues to nurture an award-winning fine and
performing arts program that engages our students’ talents.
In an era where arts programs are
being cut at area schools, our arts
programs are a vibrant part of the
WCS experience. We offer
curricular and extra-curricular
programs in vocal music (K-12),
instrumental music (3-12) visual
arts (K-12), and dramatic arts (612), with regularly scheduled
field trips to local artisans’
studios and museums.
WCS course offerings vary from
Music Theory to Advanced
Placement Art. Our art
instructors vigorously facilitate
opportunities for competitive
college placements and
scholarships.
WCHS students were the
first individuals chosen
to serve as art interns at
the McConnell Art Center
where they plan and
execute all aspects of art
exhibits throughout the
2011–12 school year.
Our strings program is available for
students in grades 3 through 12. Our
middle school and high school both have
bands.
WCS helps to coordinate multiple
student-led art shows with displays in
both school and public venues. Multiple
annual drama productions, including
musicals, plays, studio shows, student-led
productions and dramas performed by
grades 6–12 are staples of WCS student life.
Community choir performances are also
annual events designed to further enhance
WCS arts programs.
Multiple highest honors are
awarded to our students by
the Ohio Music Education
Association in state choir
competitions and by ACSI
for individual student art
honors.
“H
ome to more than 340 students, art teachers with vision, innovation and drive, board members
who know the importance of the arts, and a plethora of parents who care, WCHS has the recipe
for success.”
– Martha Burton, Ohio Arts Council and McConnell Arts Center Board Member
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“W
hat would happen if the same people, with the same God, moved by the same Spirit, studied the
– Tom Burns, The Savior Speaks, WCHS Devotional Guide
same scripture at the same time?”
5
WCS has built up 17 interscholastic athletic programs in
middle and high school that foster teamwork, leadership and
servanthood.
The primary purpose of athletics at WCS is to glorify God. Coaches
are taught to be disciple-makers first and then instructors of their
sport. Our ultimate goal as we participate in athletics is to be
known as a school or team where God’s Word is faithfully applied
and is central in all we do.
We have athletic programs for our middle and high school students
in the following areas:
Boys
Baseball
Basketball
Football (MS 2012,
Golf
HS JV 2013, HS V 2014) Track & Field
Girls
Basketball
Softball
Cheerleading
Tennis
Bowling (club)
Soccer
Cross Country
Tennis
Cross Country
Track & Field
Soccer
Volleyball
WCS athletes have won four team state championships and several
state individual event championships.
With outstanding athletic facilities which have hosted not only our
own interscholastic events but many OHSAA district
tournaments, WCS is committed to developing physically fit
students who are able to overcome challenges, work together as a
team and practice the disciplines of their sport, all to God’s glory.
6
WCS hosts weekly chapels that provide a time of focused
discipleship and communal worship.
Chapel services are held weekly on each of our three campuses.
We have developed four “pillars” of community worship at WCS:
l We value TIME. We cannot truly save time, we can only spend
it, and with that in mind, we thank God by purposefully
planning every minute of our corporate experience.
l We value the BIBLE. God’s Word is central to every aspect of
Spiritual growth. Apart from the Scriptures, we are doomed to
wander away from God, not closer to Him.
l We value WORSHIP. Worship is a fundamental part of every
believer’s life and is an integral part of our chapel experience
at Worthington Christian.
l We value SERVICE. Christ considered loving others
imperative. Our driving passion is that the teaching and
worship at Worthington Christian would transform students
into givers — people who cannot help but share the hope of
Christ with a world that desperately needs His healing.
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7
WCS utilizes an outstanding web-based academic
management tool that provides real-time information for
parents and students on their academic progress and
status.
RenWeb is a fully-integrated web-based information system
which provides our parents finger-tip access to, among other
things:
•
•
•
•
Attendance Daily Grades Homework Missed
Assignments Progress Reports Report Cards
Teacher Websites Lesson Plans
•
RenWeb enhances
communication between
teachers, parents and
students and can be
accessed 24/7 from
anywhere there is
Internet access.
Utilizing this system
strengthens the WCS
community by
providing parents new
access to teachers and
classroom information
in real time, thus
eliminating surprises.
8
WCS provides
opportunities for
community
involvement and
ministry that are an
important component of the
school calendar.
•
activities that cover a large number of interests.
WCS’s annual Community Impact Day alone links
our students with over 40 local community
groups.
Our high school “We Care” Ministry Teams go out
into the community on a monthly basis to serve in
a variety of ways — working with groups
such as Lower Lights Ministries,
Harambee School, Worthington Food
Pantry and the Salvation Army among
many others.
Our students are also involved in their
local churches; our student body has a
presence in over 120 local churches,
some of which are highlighted on the
following page.
WCS students have many
opportunities to expand their
learning and growth through
participation in numerous student
“R
enWeb changed our lives! I have an A.D.D. son who doesn’t always remember what his assignments
are. RenWeb allows me to check daily to see what homework has been assigned and what tests are
coming up!”
–Parent RenWeb User
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WCS
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9
WCS maintains an environment small enough to allow
teachers to really know their students and where students
are able to develop life-long friendships. We are large
enough, though, to provide students with a variety of
programs that help them develop socially, academically,
and spiritually.
Our student body totals 935 students spread over three
campuses, and our teacher-student ratio is 14:1.
Students can choose from many activities to make the most
of their school experience — Speech and Debate Team, In the
Know Competition Team, ACT Bootcamp, Lego Robotics
Club, Photography Club, Ski Club, Drama Club, Praise and
Worship Teams, Spanish Club, Internship Academy, Driver’s
Training, Rube Goldberg Contest, Science Olympiad, and
many more.
Parents can become involved through prayer groups, theater
boosters, classroom and office volunteering, and Community
Impact Days.
“I
t was apparent that my WCS teachers REALLY cared for my academic, social and spiritual well-being, and
those relationships helped to make me that person who not only acknowledged the needs of others, but was
bold enough to act upon that knowledge.”
–Nicolle Bompart, WCS Alumnae and founder, Eyes Wide Open International
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10
WCS forges partnerships with parents based upon a shared
Christian vision for the growth of their children.
Christian parents are looking for a special type of teacher; one
we call the Living Curriculum. WCS parents understand our
teachers will have awesome responsibilities and
opportunities to shape their children’s lives.
The WCS teacher is a follower of Christ, trusted and respected
by students. Our faculty understands that modeling through
relationship is essential for growth in Christian character.
They believe the best education is one where parents and
teachers work together supporting students from both sides.
These individuals are life-long learners — never ceasing to
get better at the art and science of teaching.
WCS faculty members are motivated to motivate. They take
time with students one-on-one. To see a student end up
serving God, using his or her gifts clearly within the will of
God, provides an indescribable joy to the Living Curriculum
Teacher.
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WCS
WCS
WCS
Strategic Goals
will always be known as a school where God’s Word is faithfully taught and central in all we do.
will be known for its strength in student discipleship and for training faculty & staff in this vital area.
will be known as a vibrant school that demographically reflects the body of Christ among our faculty,
staff and student population.
WCS
will continue to craft positive new professional relationships with other ministries and organizations
in the greater Columbus area and beyond.
WCS
will continue to meet the growing and changing educational needs of our community and become
known as a Christian school of “increasing academic excellence”.
WCS
will become a statewide leader among Christian schools as a school which excels in the use of
technology as an instructional method, in student application & in curricular design.
WCS
WCS, sensing that our families will be best served by having an increased presence in northern
Franklin/southern Delaware Counties, has initiated the process of reviewing (previously established)
plans for the construction and funding of a new MS and HS facility — with the goal of establishing a
reasonable timeline for the start of a building program as finances allow.
WCS
will continue to develop and increase in the area of financial stability and become an emerging leader
in the paradigm shift regarding how Christian schools of the future will be funded.
WCS
will become a leader in providing services to other Christian schools & Christian school educators in
our region while continuing to be one of ACSI’s strongest supporting partners.
WCS
will begin the process of a thorough review (including needed improvements) in the areas of
curriculum development, instructional leadership and faculty/staff effectiveness.
Vision
Worthington Christian Schools will accomplish its mission through:
• Recruiting and developing an outstanding faculty.
• Offering excellent curricular and co-curricular programs.
• Establishing the importance of intellectual pursuit to Christian discipleship.
• Practicing genuine financial stewardship.
• Submitting to biblical authority.
• Promoting a genuine community within our students and their families.
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Mission
Worthington Christian Schools will develop in students
the mind of Christ as they engage in the intellectual, creative, and
physical pursuit of truth.
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Worthington Christian Middle School
and Kindergarten
8225 Worthington-Galena Rd.
Westerville, OH 43081
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WESTERVILLE
Powell
Rd.
Huntley Rd.
WORTHINGTON
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Kanawha Avenue
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I-71
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Worthington Christian High
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6670 Worthington-Galena Rd.
Worthington, OH 43085
614-431-8210
Worthington Christian
Elementary School
50 Westview Avenue
Columbus, OH 43214
614-431-8240
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Lisa Raikes, Director of Admissions
lraikes@worthingtonchristian.com
1-855-GO-TO-WCS
worthingtonchristian.com