Association of Christian Schools International

The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is a world-wide ministry with the goal of acting as an “enabler” for the evangelical Christian community of preschools, elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools. ACSI works to accomplish its mission by providing information, services, and products needed by 4,800 member schools in 95 countries. The combined student enrollment of these member schools now exceeds 1 million students.

Enrollment projections amongst independent schools in Washington show that non-denominational Christian schools are the fastest growing constituency. During the last school term, Christian schools enrolled more students than any other private school group in the state (nearly 30,000 of the 80,000 total). They already sponsor the most school buildings (140 of 500). A large percentage of those Christian schools are members of WFIS, and ASCI.

Evangelical Protestant Christian schools are counted among America’s oldest educational traditions. Early colonial settlement schools were often sponsored for the common good by the religious congregations of the community. These institutions coupled academic strength with a biblical world-view in education. Today, they serve not only as a solid link to the traditions of America’s past but as a key to the future. Examples of this same sponsorship are carried out today in our state in quality ACSI and WFIS member schools such as Cascade Christian in Puyallup, Seattle Christian, Life Christian in Tacoma and the Kings Schools in Shoreline and Bremerton.

ACSI schools maintain the long-standing tradition of placing the Bible at the center of the educational experience. Ross Hjelseth, Headmaster of Life Christian School and Academy in Tacoma says, “The Bible becomes the standard by which we educate and train the next generation.” He sums up his school philosophy with a quote from Noah Webster: “Education without the Bible is useless.”

ACSI began in 1978 as a result of the union of several Christian school associations throughout the United States and Canada. ACSI is organized as a nonprofit religious education association. It functions with its home office in Colorado Springs, CO as well as through ten regional offices in the United States and other regions throughout the world. In Washington, ACSI member schools are served through the Northwest Regional offices in Vancouver. These educational leaders help schools fulfill their aspirations and responsibilities. Each member school, however, retains its individual distinctive and operating independence.

ACSI provides a strong program of support services for a school membership. This growth in membership is indicative of the growth in the Christian school movement in our state as well. A quality WFIS member Christian school might very well be a top quality ACSI school!

For more information:

Roger Norrie, Director NW Region
10818 NE Coxley Dr., Ste. J
Vancouver, WA 98662
(360) 256-5860

Ken Smitherman, President ACSI
PO Box 35097
Colorado Springs, CO 80935
(719) 528-6906

-Contributed by Ross Hjelseth