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MCS' 2009-2012 Three-Year Plan |
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Welcome to Morinville Christian School, a school that is committed to assisting children to grow spiritually, academically, and socially. We exist as am extension of the church and as a partner with the home. our purpose is to support and assist parents in bringing up their children "in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4b). In doing so, we have several general goals: developing the character toward the unconscious doing of right at all times, inspiriting children to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and encouraging them to love others as they love themselves (Mark 12:30-31). Our staff comprises committed Christians wholly devoted to the well-being and development of our students. We love our school, our staff, and the families that we are called to serve.
The Morinville Christian School education plan for the three years commencing September 1, 2009 was prepared under the direction of the board in accordance with responsibilities under the School Act. This education plan was developed in the context of the provincial government's business and fiscal plans. The board is committed to achieving the results laid out in the education plan.
Vision
Students will leave MCS equipped to face life situations with quality of character, personal integrity, high moral and academic standards, and an understanding of their call and purpose in the Kingdom of God to better serve mankind.
Students will understand that optimism, perseverance, and diligence are keys to overcoming challenges. They will gain the means and confidence to help themselves and others.
Students will have a solid knowledge in the areas of: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. They will also gain an appreciation for History, Literature, and the Arts.
Parents and school leadership will assist the school in deciding how to best use the available resources to enable students to meet and surpass provincial standards and expectations of learning. They will ensure that the focus on spending will continue to support and improve student learning.
The school will demonstrate that students are learning. Teachers will continue to improve and be well-prepared to help students meet performance standards and attain learning expectations. They have the freedom to teach and the desire to develop new skills, share in decision-making, and support each other.
Mission Statement
The mission of Morinville Christian School is to equip students with character, integrity, and the best education possible; to impart to them their importance in God's plan and to equip them to function as leaders in their community and as life-changers for their generation.
Mandate
Morinville Christian School is responsible to ensure that their students have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become self-reliant, responsible, caring, and contributing members of society.
Beliefs
The aim of Morinville Christian School is to provide an academic education within the context of the Christian faith and a thorough understanding of the Bible that declares that Christ is Lord of all.
We believe that God has a plan and purpose for each student.
Students are entitled to a safe, secure, and caring learning environment where each is regarded as an individual, respected, and valued.
Parents should have opportunities for meaningful involvement in important decisions about the children's education.
The success of students is the shared responsibility of students, teachers, parents, church, community, and government.
Resources and relevant decision-making should be located where education happens. Available resources can maintain and improve the quality of education for students if managed efficiently and innovatively.
Principles
Each student has his own aptitudes, gifts, and skill. The goal of the school is to provide every opportunity possible to help the students develop their skills and fulfill their potential in preparation for a life of service to God and to Mankind.
Education involves the transmission, refinement, and preservation common and higher values and ideals by means of reason, tradition, moral concern, reflection, and introspection.
Education reflects that all truth is God's truth, the general or natural revelation of God's revelation. Effective education fosters a life-long commitment to the pursuit of Truth.
An effective education will have a positive impact on the way students understand the world, how they live as citizens, family members, employers and employees, and how they serve others in the Kingdom of God.
Profiles, Issues, and Trends
Morinville Christian School is an Accredited Funded Private School which has operated an on-campus school and a home education division since 1985. Students are taught to take responsibility for their own learning, to proceed at the rate determined by their abilities, and to master their core subjects. Students are encouraged to perform with excellence in all areas of academics and extra-curricular activities.
We want our students to have the computer skills necessary to function in our technology-evolving world; thus so we are earmarking some of our Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI) funds for an Apple computer lab that will benefit both our on-campus students and our home education students.
Some AISI funds are set aside for enhancing all students' writing skill and skills in the fine arts area for on-campus students and home education students.
Due to our small school population, we usually have fewer than six students taking each of the Grade Three, Grade Six, or Grade Nine Provincial Achievement Tests (PAT). Because of privacy concerns, no results are shown when there are fewer than six students, six parents, or six staff taking an exam or survey.
Our school PAT test results can be misleading because of the small number of students as as well as those who are academically challenged. Our goal is to have all students perform to their maximum potential, which cannot always be determined by a standardized test.
We have a large number of home education students who have a cultural tradition of considering formal education over at age sixteen or grade eight. We encourage higher education and post-secondary education, but the wishes of parents need to by respected.
Due to very small numbers in our high school program, a few students moving out of province will be enough to skew the numbers to show a low high school completion rate as there is no tracking of whether the transferred students are actually attending school out-of-province or have indeed quit school. We have had a fewer than six students per year in our high school program for ten years. Some of the data involving high school came from combining the results of students from six or seven similar schools so the data is not a true reflection of our own school's results.
Private schools have the same accountability as public schools but are funded less. Teachers are paid less for the same work. We are fortunate to attract dedicated teachers and parents who sacrifice monetarily to provide a Christian education for the students.
Enrollment has grown steadily in the last few years and space has become an issue. We are renovating to be able to accommodate a few more students by soon we will have a waiting list. Unfortunately, Alberta Education does not fund capital projects for private schools. Morinville Christian Fellowship church has purchased land for a new building and will be providing space for our growing school, but the new facilities will not be completed for a few years. |
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Last Updated on Friday, 23 July 2010 00:15 |
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