Kristie Tiegreen, senior, Veritas Christian School

Martin Blanchard, senior, Bishop Seabury Academy

Similar beliefs build sense of camaraderie

Kristie Tiegreen, senior, Veritas Christian School, 256 N. Mich.:

Reading, writing and arithmetic are necessary components of every school; so what makes a Christian school different from the rest?

First, the teachers are different. Although all teachers are concerned with the well-being of their students, teachers at Christian schools emphasize the fact that there is something more important to life than just obtaining knowledge. Throughout everything we learn, we are taught how God’s absolute authority and power has affected all we know. Teachers in Christian schools teach students to live all of life with an eternal perspective, while maintaining a personal relationship with Christ.

Second, the purpose is to unify. The mission of Veritas Christian School is “to provide a Christ-centered, biblically based education that nurtures the whole child. We are committed to educate the child spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically by applying the principles of the Holy Scriptures to every aspect of life.”

Third, the foundation of relationship between teachers and students is different. Students and teachers have the same foundation: Jesus is Lord, and he came to save us from our sins. This foundation helps us grow in unity. Rather than just feeling like a close bunch of friends, which we are, everyone knows that the people they spend large amounts of their time with also have common religious beliefs.

It is a major source of encouragement to attend a Christian school where my peers have the same foundation of beliefs and moral standards as I do. For me, attending a Christian school has helped make me who I am, and it has helped me establish who I want to become.

Setting fosters environment for discussion

Martin Blanchard, senior, Bishop Seabury Academy, 4120 Clinton Parkway:

In the minds of many people, the term “religious school” conjures up thoughts of khaki pants and sheltered children.

Granted, we do wear khakis at my school. But the belief that students who attend religiously affiliated institutions are “sheltered” is a misconception. In fact, students of religious schools are often less sheltered than other students in many respects.

Religious schools expose students to certain aspects of life that other schools do not. Issues pertaining to spirituality and personal beliefs that are normally deemed inappropriate to discuss in an academic setting are discussed openly in religious schools. And therein lies the primary advantage of attending a religious school. In an environment where they are free to express themselves spiritually, students are able to develop more wholly as human beings.

In my experience, contrary to popular opinion, some religious schools are very open to diverse ideology among students. At Bishop Seabury Academy, students and faculty alike not only tolerate the expression of spiritual beliefs, but they encourage it. Though my school is affiliated with the Episcopal church, its students hold a wide variety of beliefs, both religious and secular.

This willingness to explore aspects of oneself within a scholastic setting that are beyond the realm of academics extends into other facets of life as well. For example, extracurricular and humanitarian activities are greatly encouraged at Bishop Seabury, which helps to ensure that students receive a well-rounded education. Far from being sheltered, students who attend religious schools are exposed to an array of experiences. Through exposure to many beliefs and experiences, I have gained an appreciation for diversity, and I believe that I have grown as a human being because of that appreciation.