Core Values
What draws people to CHA?
There are many externals which draw families to a Christian school, such as academic reputation, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, facilities, and others. While these externals tend to draw people to an institution, it is the internal or heart issues which sustain a long-term relationship and enrich lives.
Core values are values of the heart (Prov. 4:23). These values are internal and unseen but have primary effect on external behavior. It is on core values that Christian Heritage Academy desires to focus and use as a basis for all its academic, athletic, and activity standards.
Unpack each core value below and discover expected student outcomes.
God, the Supreme Being, is the ultimate authority in all matters. His Word (the Bible) reveals Who He is and His plan for man. Christ is the living word and further reveals God to man. The truths of God's Word are the basis for each subject taught at Christian Heritage Academy and for the school's Statement of Faith. Christian Heritage Academy values God's Word in the heart of the believer because the internalization of God's Word enables the Christian to live according to Biblical principles, develop wisdom, and serve God passionately.
The desired outcome is a student who
- Recognizes that the Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God.
- Honors God’s Word by knowing and obeying its truths.
- Reads, meditates on, and memorizes the Scriptures.
- Desires to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
- Applies biblical truths to all of life and living.
- Is equipped to defend the faith (apologetics).
Since the creation of man, institutions have been used by God to accomplish His will upon the earth, with the family and the church being the primary institutions through which He works. Training, nurturing, and disciplining of the child are the parents' primary responsibility. God commanded His people, "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Christian Heritage Academy understands that, as an institution, it exists to serve and assist the home and the church in the fulfillment of this commandment in the life of each student. Christian Heritage Academy values the importance of these two primary institutions and seeks to promote Biblical principles of family living and the position of the church in the life of each student.
The desired outcome is a student who
- Values the family unit as instituted by God in His Word.
- Values moral purity.
- Honors his parents and spiritual leaders.
- Expresses gratitude in all things.
- Has a heart to serve others in the home and in the local church.
- Seeks to restore the home and the practice of Christianity in America to their biblical foundation.
- Practices stewardship principles of time, ability, and money in the home and local church.
As a lamp illumines the surrounding darkness, so salvation transforms every aspect of our lives. The Scriptures tell us that "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." In his fallen state, man's conscience is carnally biased; man's character is selfishly flawed; and man's capacity for self-government is hindered by his own sinful desires. Once enlightened by the quickening work of Christ through the Holy Spirit, man is no longer in bondage to the desires of the flesh, and change begins to take place in his life. It is the work of the Spirit at the moment of the new birth that transforms man by changing his conscience, his capacity for self-government, and ultimately his character. Therefore, since salvation is the foundation for a truly transformed life, it is a primary goal of Christian Heritage Academy to make that message clear and to use every opportunity to share the Gospel message. Christian Heritage Academy values the Gospel message and its effect upon every aspect of an individual's life.
The desired outcome is a student who
- Has a growing personal relationship with God following his salvation experience.
- Maintains a clear conscience before God and man.
- Practices Christian self-government in every area of life and living.
- Demonstrates Christian character qualities such as personal responsibility, initiative, truthfulness, diligence, and orderliness.
A survey of history reveals that the children of American forefathers were encouraged to practice the elements of Christian scholarship, which included inquiry, discernment and vision. Accordingly, Christian Heritage Academy has re-established the distinct historic method of teaching Christian scholarship, namely the American Christian Philosophy of Education - The Principle Approach. Through the Principle Approach, a student is taught to honor God's Word, apply God's Word to his life, and ultimately demonstrate a Christian worldview. Christian Heritage Academy values the development of Christian scholarship--producing men and women who will exert Christian influence in the home, business, the professions, academia, and the arts.
The desired outcome is a student who
- Understands the body of knowledge which formed the basis of Western civilization (mathematics, science, history, literature, and the arts).
- Thinks critically and reasons Biblically.
- Values and strives for excellence in all areas of scholarship.
- Uses effectively the tools of scholarship (the 4Rs) to become a life-long learner.
- Practices good research skills.
- Reasons analytically from a Biblical point of view.
- Relates learning to all areas of life by solving problems from a Christian world view.
- Communicates learning by speaking persuasively and writing effectively (leaving an accurate written record).
- Is prepared to excel at higher levels of learning.
The theme of the Bible is the redemption of man. This theme unveils God's passion for the salvation of the lost. Therefore, Christian Heritage Academy values the propagation of the Gospel. Each student is instructed in his personal responsibility to spread the Gospel locally and around the world. Students and faculty are equipped and challenged to participate in both local and international missions. Believing that God established America with a distinct Gospel purpose, students are challenged to use their gifts and talents for the glory of God and the advancement of the kingdom of Christ throughout the world.
The desired outcome is a student who
- Understands that God loves the world and has already provided the only way for salvation - Jesus Christ.
- Understands America’s Gospel Purpose. America is the result of the work of the Gospel in individuals. God has provided America with all the liberties necessary for propagating the Gospel to the world. American Christians have a responsibility to use their liberties to propagate the Gospel.
- Desires to propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to men and women of all nationalities, people groups, and lifestyles.
- Has a heart to serve others in the community and the world as unto the Lord.
Americans have been given the precious heritage of three external liberties: religious, civil, and economic. These external liberties are the effects of spiritual liberty and liberty of conscience. As America has grown ignorant of the Biblical worldview of her forefathers, she also began to reject the Bible and God Himself. When God is rejected, men no longer have spiritual liberty and liberty of conscience. Therefore, the external liberties began to erode. Christian Heritage Academy values these liberties and accepts the challenge to rear generations that will help restore our republic to its Biblical foundation. The school accepts and claims Isaiah 58:12 both as a promise and a challenge: They that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; thou shalt be called, the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in.
The desired outcome is a student who
- Will commit himself to live out a Christian world view which is founded upon a love of the Scriptures, an understanding of and love for providential history, a knowledge of American Christian history, an understanding of our republican form of government.
- Will exert influence, leadership, and statesmanship in the restoration of society to its historic biblical foundation:
- in the home
- in the church
- in all other personal, cultural, and institutional aspects of society
- Will practice stewardship as he takes dominion of God’s creation for God’s glory and man’s good.
An excellent teacher is one who has demonstrated a mastery of his subject and is skilled in teaching. Thus he has become distinguished; his life and scholarship are a living textbook to students; and he has become an inspiration to those around him toward greater levels of achievement. Christian Heritage Academy highly values the work, contributions, and lives of its teachers. Each teacher is encouraged to continue in the process of mastering his subject by completing the requirements of the Master Teacher Program.
The desired outcome is a teacher who
- Lives out the core values and models all student outcomes.
- Possesses such a love for his subject that students are inspired to learn.
- Knows God has called him to the ministry of teaching.
- Submits himself to demands of the Principle Approach methodology.
- Works and communicates with parents, understanding that the school is to assist the home.
- Practices self-government in his own life and expects such in his own family and his classroom.
- Completes the daily demands of the ministry.
- Relates to students with dignity and respect, affirming their value and worth as individuals.