January 17th, 2010
Tyler Christian Heritage School is located off Dixie Drive close to the airport. The school is a non-profit ministry that was started by YWAM (Youth with a Mission) because they saw the need for children to learn biblical principles at the same time help them to be educated in a Christian way. Christian Heritage School is an amazing school that was pioneered in 1980 by Jim and Barbara Kilkenny. Jim and Barbara both had been teaching in public schools before starting Tyler Christian Heritage. They saw the need was great for truth being taught to the children, but more than them loving education, they love God and His word. In my opinion, they are truly heroes because they decided a long time ago to sacrifice their wants and needs so they could serve God and help spread the gospel of truth through a private school.
Their vision is to teach the children how to reason from God’s word and apply it to their everyday life. They offer kindergarten through 12Th grade. I myself went to the school for awhile and to be truthful I did not appreciate what was being taught because I was too immature and stubborn to realize the things that they were teaching me. I never once thought that there was a difference to what was being taught in private school and public school, not until I was older and left the school. When I entered the real world I regretted not taking education seriously and thinking that school was just boring. I now see that Christian Heritage School is a blessing. All the staff that tried to help me in school…didn’t do it for money but for the love of God. They make no money off teaching. They are doing it because they love education and see the importance of teaching based on godly principles. If I had to do it over, I would take every moment seriously and know that they truly care about my well being and the choices I make in life.
The staff knows that if they get you to reason from the truth you will know how to self govern and won’t need someone in life to tell you what to do. You will long to do what is right on your own if you can reason from the truth. The school provides a safe environment where children can learn about God, and all the subjects that He created. It might be a shock for some to realize that God was the originator of all the subjects that we now learn in school. Unfortunately, today in public schools they rob you of the truth that God was the creator of the universe and that without Him nothing exists. Christian Heritage teaches the right morals in life. The school also has many things to do with sports. The offer volleyball, basketball, soccer, tennis and track. They welcome home schooled children to come and play in any of the sport activities. The school is ready to work with your children and family, depending on your circumstances. They will always give people a chance and their heart is to not turn anyone away. Just like public school, Christian Heritage does have rules to go by to ensure the safety and well being of your children.
Some parents have always been worried whether their children would get a proper education. Many of the students that graduated from Christian Heritage School have gone on to pursue additional education in a junior college and eventually earn a bachelor degree. Going to Christian Heritage School won’t hinder your child from being the person they want to become or accomplishing their goals in life. It will only prepare them to be better equipped for life. So rest assured that if you choose to send your children to Christian Heritage that they would get an excellent education and make long lasting friendships.
Tags: 12th Grade, Biblical Principles, Choices, Christian Heritage School, Christian Heritage School Tyler Texas, Dixie Drive, Everyday Life, God And His Word, Godly Principles, Gospel Of Truth, Heroes, Kilkenny, Kindergarten, Long Time, Loving Education, Money, Private Christian Schools Tyler Texas, Private School, Profit Ministry, Real World, Taking Education, Youth With A Mission
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January 8th, 2010
At the beginning of the Summer I focused much of my writing attention on private schools and tutoring services in Tyler. One of the first schools I profiled was King’s Academy Christian School. Well, I have an amendment, or an addition to the piece I wrote in June. After five years sharing a facility with New Covenant Church on Shelley drive, the school has out grown that building, and is moving to a new location. King’s Academy will now be sharing a building with Trinity Baptist Church on Fourth Street in Tyler.
The school will retain its autonomy in terms of its government and denominational affiliation, (or lack thereof), but will partner with the church in order to share the cost of the facilities. The new location is beautiful, and will allow the school to continue to expand. The classes and programs offered by the school will not change too much immediately, but the staff hopes that the new digs will allow the school’s opportunities to grow along with the student body. Thankfully most of the faculty will be returning, so the Tyler schools immediate future continues to look bright.
King’s Academy in Tyler is enrolling now. Classes start on August twenty fourth, with open houses the proceeding week. To learn more about King’s see my earlier blog dated June seventeenth entitled “Something different in Education,” also located on this site. For even more information, call their office at (903)534-9992, or see the website at www.kacs.net. For more information on Trinity Baptist Church, call (903)593-3143 or visit their website at www.tbctyler.org. To learn more about New Covenant Church see their website at www.ncctyler.org.
Tags: Autonomy, Blog, Denominational Affiliation, Education, Immediate Future, Kings Academy, Kings Academy private christian school, New Covenant Church, New Digs, New Location, Open Houses, Private Christian Schools Tyler Texas, Private Schools, Proceeding, Shelley Drive, trinity baptist church, Tutoring Services, Tyler Texas Kings Academy, Tyler Texas private christian schools
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January 8th, 2010
The next school up for review on this site is the Brook Hill School. Since its founding in 1997, the institution has become highly regarded in Tyler most notably for its incredibly beautiful campus. Everything from the football field, library, basketball court, even a historical museum, is located on campus. But there is literary more to this school than meets the eye.
Located in Bullard, Brook Hill literally draws students from all over the world. It is considered a non-denominational Christian school, and it truly qualifies. The staff runs the gambit from Baptists to Catholics, and everything in between. The school takes a classical approach to education, meaning that there is a heavy focus on classes like logic, rhetoric, and language, all subjects considered to be traditional disciplines. There is no canned curriculum here. The goal is a prep-school quality education, something Brook Hill easily attains.
But academics aren’t the only focus. There is a healthy interest in Character as well. Weekly chapel services include various pastors and community leaders. It is the staff’s desire that the students develop Christ-like character, and graduate with an established Christian worldview so that they are prepared to meet a secular college environment.
With around 500 students, Brook Hill offers a full slate of extracurricular opportunities. Opportunities for travel include trips to Washington D.C. and across Texas. Sports teams include; baseball, basketball, football, soccer and others. There are also numerous school clubs available like: student government, drum line, writing and a number of others.
When you consider both size of the campus and the opportunities the school offers, its easy to see why Brook Hill is one of the pricier schools in the Tyler area. But remember, you tend to get what you pay for. For those more concerned with providing an excellent education for their children, and less concerned with the cost, this school is a great bet. It should definitely be considered come the fall.
Tags: Baseball Basketball, Basketball Court, Brook Hill School, Brookhill, Brookhill School, Brookhill Tyler Texas, Christian Character, Christian Worldview, Classical Approach, Classical Education, College Environment, Excellent Education, Extracurricular Opportunities, Field Library, Football Soccer, Next School, Prep School, Private Christian Schools Tyler Texas, Quality Education, School Clubs, School Quality, Texas Sports Teams, Traditional Disciplines, Tyler Area
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January 8th, 2010
Well the children are happy to be off for the summer, and the last thing on their minds is returning to school. But for the parents it’s a time to evaluate the educational opportunities coming this fall. One such opportunity is offered by East Texas Christian Academy.
E.T.C.A. has been in existence since 1979. The Tyler Christian school was designed to offer challenging academics combined with a safe Christian environment. A central component of student life at E.T.C.A. is the development of Christian character. The concept of good citizenship extends to all aspects of student life; treatment of fellow students, showing respect to adults, and being disciplined in one’s studies. The scriptures are studied in the classroom on a daily basis. There are also chapel services throughout the week.
In the classroom, the teacher student ratio is kept low so as to allow for greater individual attention. From kindergarten through eight grades, the school applies the “Core Knowledge curriculum.”The ninth through twelfth grade classes are academically challenging and focus on preparing the student for college. The usual core classes and electives are offered by the school.
Also taught, are “The Six Pillars of Christian Character.” They are defined as: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. The teachers are the schools most important assets. They lead the students and build their character by presenting them with a Christian example to follow.
For the students the school offers a variety of experiences. There are numerous travel opportunities, both across Texas, and across the country. The school also has an active, competitive athletic program. Tennis, soccer, basketball, swimming, baseball and track round out the department. Lastly there are a number of student clubs which meet on campus. They include: Student government, Drama club, a prayer group and a number of others.
With its emphasis on Christian character and on strong academics, E.T.C.A. has definitely been a blessing to many graduates in Tyler Texas, perhaps it can be a blessing your family too.
Tags: Central Component, Christian Academy, Christian Environment, Core Classes, Core Knowledge Curriculum, Daily Basis, Drama Club, East Texas, East Texas Christian Academy, Educational Opportunities, Electives, Empha, ETCA Tyler Texas, Fellow Students, Good Citizenship, Pillars Of Christian Character, Prayer Group, Private Christian Schools Tyler Texas, Returning To School, Soccer Basketball, Student Clubs, Teacher Student Ratio, Travel Opportunities, Tyler Texas Christian Schools
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January 8th, 2010
Christian Heritage School was founded in the early eighties by a group of missionaries from California. Originally the school was intended as a ministry to the children of the mission, but it soon grew into a ministry to the local community. For thirty years now C.H.S. has been educating East Texas young people. James Kilkenny has been the headmaster throughout that period. He and his staff are dedicated to Christian education.
C.H.S. follows the “Principle Approach” methodology, which places the Scriptures at the center of every subject. The curriculum borrows from the methods of early Americans. Students write in notebooks which in most cases, serve as their primary textbooks. The classroom teacher drives the student’s learning. He or she is considered a “living textbook.” Obviously this necessitates that the teacher’s role is a lifetime pursuit of learning.
Reasoning is also central to the schools approach. No multiple choice easy answer work here. The students are encouraged to reason logically rather than memorize. The school places a heavy emphasis on English and Writing. Those who complete the program, demonstrate great proficiency in writing and communication. History and government also take a central role. The school prides itself on its examination of original documents and founding principles. The students study not only the writings and beliefs of historical figures but their lives and character as well.
The student’s experience at C.H.S. is a positive one. The Tyler Texas school offers a fairly familiar class list with the addition of classes like Latin and Logic. With a student body that fluctuates between 150 and 200+ the student teacher ratio allows a lot of individual attention. The student teacher relationship is very important since the teachers are expected to model their faith and inspire a love of learning.
The athletic program provided an outlet for the competitive pursuits; and provides a sense of community to the families who attend the school. Soccer, Volleyball, basketball, track and tennis are among the sports offered.
Christian Heritage is located at the old Dixie School, some buildings of which were erected in the twenties and thirties. The campus has expanded over the years into the wonderful facility that can be seen today. A beautiful gymnasium, soccer field and playground make the school a great place to play.
Summer is not too early to be considering the 2009- 2010 school year. For the family concerned with strong academics, deep faith, and a rich traditional school experience, this institution is worth considering.
Tags: Christian Education, Christian Heritage School, Christian Heritage School Tyler Texas, CHS Tyler Texas, Classroom Teacher, Communication History, East Texas, Education C, Eighties, Founding Principles, Headmaster, James Kilkenny, Lifetime Pursuit, Local Community, Missionaries, Principle Approach, Private Christian Schools Tyler Texas, Proficiency, Student Teacher Relationship, Teacher Ratio, Texas Education, Thirty Years, Tyler Texas
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