Mr. Scott Gibson, Superintendent 2303 Brookford Dr Toledo, OH 43614-4308 Document Generated On April 7, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Description of the School 2 School's Purpose 4 Notable Achievements and Areas of Improvement 7 Additional Information 9
Introduction Every school has its own story to tell. The context in which teaching and learning takes place influences the processes and procedures by which the school makes decisions around curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The context also impacts the way a school stays faithful to its vision. Many factors contribute to the overall narrative such as an identification of stakeholders, a description of stakeholder engagement, the trends and issues affecting the school, and the kinds of programs and services that a school implements to support student learning. The purpose of the Executive Summary (ES) is to provide a school with an opportunity to describe in narrative form the strengths and challenges it encounters. By doing so, the public and members of the school community will have a more complete picture of how the school perceives itself and the process of self-reflection for continuous improvement. This summary is structured for the school to reflect on how it provides teaching and learning on a day to day basis. Page 1
Description of the School Describe the school's size, community/communities, location, and changes it has experienced in the last three years. Include demographic information about the students, staff, and community at large. What unique features and challenges are associated with the community/communities the school serves? (TCS) is a Christ-centered, college preparatory, inter-denominational Christian day school that educates children in grades Preschool - 12. TCS is located in Northwestern Ohio at 2303 Brookford Drive, Toledo, Ohio 43614. In 2015-16, TCS celebrates 40 years of providing Bible-based Christian education. Our diversity and proud tradition is best described by our founders with the picture of a three legged stool being the family, the school, and the local church. From the beginning and through today, we believe in partnering with families and the local church to provide an outstanding Christian education. Through the lenses of academic excellence and spiritual formation we educate, disciple, and prepare students to follow Christ and impact culture. The Board of Trustees is a self-perpetuating board that establishes fiscal, operational, and educational policies that govern the school. The Superintendent serves as chief executive officer and reports to the board. The school is divided into two administrative divisions: lower school (Preschool-5) and a combination of middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). The senior leadership team consists of the directors of development, admissions, human resources, finance, curriculum director/lower school principal, and middle school/high school principal. The school adapts, refurbishes, and builds additional facilities to accommodate program changes. The Norm and Laura White Center gymnasium, Judkins Family Fitness Center, and a new roof for the entire building were all completed over the last 20 years. Our nurturing staff is 100% comprised of Christians who profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and are committed to serving Him through Christian education. Toledo Christian currently serves approximately 575 students representing 325 families who attend 90 different churches. Our students and families represent over 100 local churches and have the following demographics: Non-Caucasian families 23% (Ohio Demographic 2010 Census data: 17% Non-Caucasian families) Median Family Income $59,000 Families at Poverty level 9.5% Median value of homes $145,000 Families who own homes 70% TCS attracts Christian families predominately from an area within a 30 minute drive of their homes in communities that would be considered middle-class. Currently we have 110 (19%) students who are EdChoice or School Choice voucher recipients. The school does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, or national origin in the administration of its educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid policies, employment practices or other school- administered programs. The facilities that accommodate the instructional, co-curricular, and extracurricular programs include: 47 Classrooms Page 2
Media Center MS/HS Library LS Library 2 Computer Labs Health and Fitness Room Baseball and Soccer Fields Two Gymnasiums Lunch Room with Full Kitchen Toledo Christian Schools has been a member of and accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International since 1999. Toledo Christian is also a member of and accredited by the North Central Association as of January, 2006. Page 3
School's Purpose Provide the school's purpose statement and ancillary content such as mission, vision, values, and/or beliefs. Describe how the school embodies its purpose through its program offerings and expectations for students. Our purpose is quickly summed up in our Mission Statement. It states, Toledo Christian Schools, working with Christian families, provides a college preparatory Bible-centered educational program, to educate, disciple, and prepare students to follow Christ and impact culture. Our vision is for Toledo Christian to be the benchmark of excellence in Christ-centered education. Toledo Christian Schools endeavor to continually pursue academic excellence while providing an affordable quality education along with diversity and growth without compromising Christian principles. We desire that our students be Christ followers who are passionate about life-long learning, who understand the value of service, and see our world as a mission field. We desire to build an alumni organization that is strong and actively engaged in the present and future developments of Toledo Christian Schools. Together we can impact the culture by reaching out to the Christian community in the greater Toledo area and even in the world. The Vision 2020 Strategic Plan The strategic planning process began in the spring of 2013, concluding in May of 2014 with the presentation and approval from the school board. This process involved the school community, including members of the board, administration, faculty, staff, parents, former parents, former teachers, and students. "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14 Approved by the School Board in May of 2014, here are the plan highlights: - We will hire and retain the outstanding faculty and staff needed to achieve our mission and vision. - The faculty, using our integrated curriculum, will continuously improve the quality of our current program and complete the development and expansion of our high school academic offerings. - We will focus on further developing our Christ-centered culture, creating a vibrant school environment with exemplary academic, fine arts and athletics programs, and facilities. - Our growth plan will define the process for expanding facilities and enrollment. - Our comprehensive marketing plan will facilitate recruitment of students who will be successful in our school. - We will create the funding streams to ensure that Toledo Christian Schools remain accessible to all families. Educational Philosophy Our foundation is rooted and based upon biblical truth. The Bible is viewed as relevant to all facets of human knowledge and experience. It is an integrative priority within every aspect of the curriculum including extracurricular activities. (I Corinthians 3:10-11) We will combine formal classroom learning and strong biblical understanding while incorporating the student's personal faith and values. We will help students see that isolated knowledge is of limited use, but that integrated knowledge leads to wisdom, which can impact their lives and the world in which they live. (Proverbs 10:14) Page 4
We will create an atmosphere that is conducive to spiritual growth; encouraging students to participate in activities that promote a growing love, knowledge, and worship of God. In addition, all faculty, staff, and administration need to model a dynamic relationship with Christ before their students. (II Peter 3:18) We will be committed to excellence in carrying out our calling to educate the young people that God has placed in our care. This calling should not be taken lightly, but requires our best effort as we continually depend upon Christ. (James 3:1) We will assist students in moving beyond the mere acquisition of information, to the development of the student's ability to think critically, to reason analytically, to solve problems, and to express their thoughts clearly and effectively. Helping them to grow in discernment so that they might be able to reason deeply and develop a Christian life and worldview. (Proverbs 14:6; Proverbs 17:4) We will assist the student in understanding that the way in which we live out our faith is vitally important; breaking down the wall that enables us to proclaim one set of values while our actions display another. We will create a supportive atmosphere that allows us to challenge unhealthy attitudes, relationships, and behaviors that would inhibit each student's spiritual development. It is important that we communicate in a loving fashion that we are as concerned about their personal development as we are their intellectual development. (Galatians 6:1) We will emphasize character development. We will work in partnership with the Christian home and the local body of believers. (Proverbs 22:6) We will encourage the combination of faith, learning, and living, while seeking to develop the whole person into the mature believer. Paul writes in Ephesians 4:13, "Until we all attain the unity of the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Statement of Faith There is one God, who is infinitely perfect, existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is true God and true man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died upon the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice and all who believe in HIM in total surrender and commitment are justified on the grounds of His shed blood. He arose from the dead and will come again to establish His kingdom of righteousness and peace. The Holy Spirit is sent to indwell, guide, teach, empower the believer, and convince the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Word of God, the Old and New Testaments, inerrant as originally given, is inspired by God and is a complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men. Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God; he fell through disobedience, incurring thereby both physical and spiritual death. Salvation has been provided through Jesus Christ for all men; and those who repent and believe in Him are born again of the Holy Spirit, receive the gift of eternal life, and become the children of God. There shall be a resurrection of the just and unjust. Page 5
The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is certain. This is the believer's blessed hope and is a vital truth which is an incentive to holy living and faithful service. Marriage was instituted by God as the union of one man and one woman. The earthly relationship between a husband and wife is demonstrative of the spiritual relationship between Christ and His Church. Page 6
Notable Achievements and Areas of Improvement Describe the school's notable achievements and areas of improvement in the last three years. Additionally, describe areas for improvement that the school is striving to achieve in the next three years. Key Achievements: Aligning Vision - 2020 Strategic Plan Approved by the Board Reinforcing Mission Stabilized the Leadership Alumni Association established - Grant Sims, President State of the School in February A.L.I.C.E. Training for Staff and Parents Planning and Initial Implementation of the House Mentoring System Researching Modified Block Scheduling Ramped up the Professional Development for Teachers Internally implemented the 5 Non-Negotiable's - High Quality Instruction, Biblical Worldview, Databased Decisions, Collaboration and the Use of Technology as a Learning Accelerator Naming the Admissions Director - sole focus on Admissions Hiring of the Development Director Implemented the Core Leadership Team Areas of Strength: The board of trustees of Toledo Christian Schools is committed to preserving and supporting the mission of the school. The mission of the school and the best interests of students and their families drive the decisions made by senior leadership and faculty. The mission of the school and the board, administrators, faculty, and staff's unwavering commitment to the mission is a key component in attracting and retaining families to the school. Surveys, e-mails, and conversations in various settings such as coffees, steering committee meetings, and focus groups provide evidence that the mission - providing a Christ-centered, biblically integrated, college preparatory program of studies - is one of the strengths of the school valued by the school community. Parents and students appreciate faculty who are well-prepared academically, who are passionate about Christ and their calling to education, and who are supportive and caring. Toledo Christian provides an array of award-winning academic, athletic and fine arts, curricular and co-curricular programs that allow students to develop and showcase their God-given talents. Surveys indicate that Toledo Christian meets the needs of the whole child, fostering physical, social, spiritual, and intellectual growth. Areas of Improvement: Through the process of self-assessment, members of the school community have identified several areas of improvement. One of the school's challenges is to determine areas where each school division should retain its uniqueness and areas that should be more closely aligned so that there is continuity in policies, procedures, and programs. The goal is to retain three divisions but function as one school. Work Page 7
is already underway to develop and use two common instruments for teacher evaluation: one walk through document which is complete and one much more comprehensive document which will be used both formatively (to identify areas where growth is needed) and summatively (to measure progress). Team members also identified the need to develop a more formalized and systematic process for review and to bring several documents, mission, vision, strategic, and school improvement plans together so that the community understands the purpose and function of each document and how they complement and support each other. The school needs to more deliberately identify and consistently use current and pertinent data to monitor teacher effectiveness, to inform instruction, and to improve student achievement. School leadership believes that student achievement will be positively impacted by a robust plan of professional development which would include the recent implementation of the mentoring/buddy program and providing training to teachers new to the school in the school-wide and school division initiatives (e.g. biblical integration, Singapore Math, Readers and Writers Workshop, CAFÉ, Student-Led Conferences) that impact curriculum. As the school launches the plan to integrate technology as a tool for learning and assessing students across all areas of the curriculum, professional training and support will be an essential element for success. The school leaders realize that teachers need to more fully engage students by using instructional strategies in every unit that require students to collaborate, think critically, and reflect on learning. These strategies will require students to apply knowledge, to integrate content, and to practice skills using multiple disciplines. The planning stage has begun to formalize the collection of student profile data to assist creating an academic success plan for each student. Collection and analysis of data will help teachers partner with the parents to collaboratively plan for student academic success not only in subjects of weakness, but to further enhance subjects where the student has proven academic success. This deliberate strategic view of the whole child will further enhance our mission of educating, discipling, and preparing our students. Page 8
Additional Information Provide any additional information you would like to share with the public and community that were not prompted in the previous sections. During the past three years, Toledo Christian has embarked upon or expanded a number of initiatives touching every area of the school. In the area of curriculum, the school launched the implementation of Singapore Math in the lower school. Additionally, all other lower school teachers participated in professional development to prepare for the implementation. Parents learned about the change via announcements, back-to-school events, and a special curriculum night in the classrooms where they could learn how to help their students. We also added AP History and AP English in the high school and launched the honors curriculum for the middle school. In the fall of 2014 we launched the High School Mentor Program. This is a house system model of doing life together at TCS across the high school to foster community by encouraging interpersonal relationships, provide peer-to-peer mentorship, and leadership opportunities for all students while increasing the pastoral care of each student. House names represent the heroes of our faith: Enoch, Cornelius, Timothy, Joseph, David, Acts, Peter and Ruth. The houses are led by two senior captains and an academic advisor. They meet daily for 20 minutes. More than 85% of our students participate in athletics and/or the arts representing our school on the athletic fields, within our award winning band, on the theatre stage, or through artistic expression. At TCS, we work to develop whole human beings - academically, athletically, artistically, and spiritually. In our Fine Arts Department, we strive to bring glory to God in all that we do; thus, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of performance, creativity, and education. Our curriculum is designed for all students, regardless of talent and ambition, to develop an increased level of discernment and aesthetic sensitivity that enriches the soul. Whether our students are future fine arts majors, or simply take part in them as a hobby, we aim to create people who are life-long participators in and appreciators of the arts. In the spring of 2013 our band was recognized with a superior in Chicago at the ACSI Arts Festival. In the spring of 2014, we brought back the high school musical with the presentation of "Happy Days." TCS offers 19 high school and 10 junior high sports under the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Currently, 14 TC alumni are competing in sports at the college level. Toledo Christian is proud of the fact that a vast majority of our graduates gain admittance into colleges and universities. Over 90% of our graduates go on to higher learning and attend universities all over the United States. Page 9