The Fairborn Paper

Scholars, politicians, academics and sociologists have studied education and education reform in the United States for decades. High profile figures like Geoffery Canada and Michelle Rhee have recently made national headlines along with the movie, “Waiting for Superman.” In many ways American Education is broken.  Keeping in line with our dynamic society, education reform has ebbed and flowed with the political and social demands of our American culture.  Looking back, have the reform issues improved education? Are our children being equipped with the tools they must have to be competitive? Is American education preparing our youth for college?   Did the No Child Left Behind Act, and other accountability measure like it, improve teaching, learning, studying and testing?  Do teacher’s unions help or hurt our nation’s academic performance? Are standardized test scores rising or are crucial pieces of a well-rounded curriculum being pushed to the wayside in order to focus on improving AYP? These and many others are questions education scholars research, theorize and case study, for answers. And how does this affect our happiness?

Does America owe us happiness?  Is this somehow part of the American dream we are guaranteed by our birth?  Or is happiness a responsibility, an obligation, a practice that we pursue in light of our values and the desire we have to serve our fellow man?  Does our belief about life and the role we are to play have anything do with what makes us happy and how we need to guide and train the next generation of children?  Does the end all determination about how strong our community is comes down to the metric of happiness?  

In light of the current national focus on education reform, and the emotional barometer of our community, I could not be more grateful for the education Emmanuel Christian Academy provides;  an education that is based solidly in the infallibility of Scripture and best practice principles.  A child’s education need not be effected by the rise and fall of American culture, political agendas and/or social pressures. The root structure of Christian Education provides a rock solid curriculum that prepares students for success in life and in eternity.  Emmanuel becomes an extension of home and church family;  a place where students are loved, encouraged, corrected, discipled, trained and educated in accordance with the absolute, unchanging Truth.  In addition to state standards, ECA provides an academic experience rich with arts, music, science, history and service.  An academic sacrifice is not a prerequisite for students to receive solid, Christian education in Springfield and surrounding areas.  Not only is our academic program first rate, but our athletic program is on the rise.  God is using our coaches to guide and direct kids beyond what is possible in a classroom setting!

Emmanuel Christian Academy’s mission is to partner with Christian families and provide a Bible-centered, quality educational program to equip, train, and disciple students to follow Christ and impact culture.  We intend to be excellent in the business of education.  As we pursue the right things in life, and are diligent to improve and grow thus having so much to offer others, I believe we will find deep joy, rich purposeful involvement, and at the end of the day, a lot of happiness!   I invite you to check us out and discover our philosophy behind the “pursuit of happiness.”   It’s worth it!  Emmanuel is just heading into our 16th open enrollment season.  We are hosting a series of five new student and family open houses and we would love to have you join us.   The open houses are here at the school on Sunday, January 29th from 2-4pm, January 29th, 2-4pm, Thursday, February 2nd from 5-7pm, Thursday, March 8th from 5-7pm, Tuesday, April 17th from 5-7pm and Thursday, May 17th from 5-7pm.