The number of Christian schools in the US is decreasing. Why? Hard questions and answers are needed if this movement is to be sustained.

1. Why Have Christian
Schools Closed?
What can we Learn?
What can be done?
John W. Storey, Ed.D.
December 14, 2016 to ISM Consultants
The Closure of Conservative Christian
Schools in the Northeast USA since 2008

2. Why Have Conservative
Christian Schools
Closed?
What can we Learn?
What can be done?

3. Historical Background
02
03
04
01
Schools began as Christian
Government schools became the norm during the 1800’s
Christian schools as we know them began to increase from 1960-2000
In the last 15 years, more schools have closed than have opened

4. 268 closures in the Northeast between 2007–2015-number is low since we have
only tracked those schools which have been members of ACSI at one time.

5. There are factors outside of school control that have influenced these closures
Economic challenges (American economy, cost
of benefits…mainly health care)
02
Competition – home schooling, charter
schools, public school choices, higher
quality private schools
04
Population of school
age children,
01
Cultural shifts, malaise about the impact of these shifts
upon children 03

6. What were the factors within the schools control that may have led to their demise?
Lack of focus on mission, purpose and outcomes
Academic mediocrity -Lack of
intentionality in developing curricula
that led to the desired ends
Lack of a strategic plan, strategic financial
plan or developing one and allowing the
tyranny of the urgent to set it aside
Lack of a business model or
a flawed business model
Weak and/or flawed
governance structure
Lack of visionary
leadership
An approach to spiritual development
that communicated to students that
conformity to rules was more important
than spiritual growth

7. What are some common factors among these almost 300 schools?
Small
Majority were church sponsored
Only 2 were accredited
(both church-sponsored)
Hard revenue did not cover the cost to educate
The vast majority (of which I have
knowledge) used textbooks as
curricula (mainly so
called…Christian texts)
Teachers received low salaries
and benefits (if any) were
minimal

8. 02
01
What can be done now to make it more likely these schools will
stay open in the next 20 years and beyond?
• Take a critical look at your b
Develop governance that engages in governance not management
and has a strong commitment and understanding of mission,
Identify leadership with vision and the communication skills (interpersonal
and public, writing) to share with others in such a way that they buy into the
vision – create ownership. Intentionality in leadership succession is critical.
Work now toward accreditation….if accredited work toward
exemplary accreditation and use the new action research protocol
being developed.
Evaluate the school’s business model, engage in strategic planning
and strategic financial planning
03
04

9. • Accreditation by School Progress (ASP) September 2016 Edition
• Accreditation by School Progress (ASP) is a protocol for
reaccreditation using action research to engage the entire school
community in continuous improvement. The centerpiece of ASP is
a collaborative, school-wide project that blends educational
practice with research to impact student outcomes.

10. Questions I’ve asked school leaders and boards
regarding their sustainability
To what level is tuition
funding the mission?
Do you know the cost to educate?
Have you taken a look at
student discounts and why you
have them
What part do events and
sales have in meeting your
budget?
Are you developing cash
reserves, budgeting for
capital expenditures,
endowments,
Are you actively developing a donor
base that gives because they believe in
the mission of your school?
When is the last time you
held a capital campaign?
Do you offer need based financial aid? If so, how do
you determine the family aide?
Where does the $$$$come from?

11. Engage in strategic and strategic
financial planning. 01
Make resourcing the mission a
priority in your planning 02

12. 01
Curricular enhancements (study 21st century
school literature, ISM Stability Markers)
03
Your teachers are the key to making your
school strong – are you willing to release
ineffective faculty and those who may not be
mission appropriate for any reason? Focus on
hiring, induction and professional
development.
02 Faculty compensation
04
Facility enhancements (note –the first two are
MUCH more important)

13. 03
If you are a church-sponsored school, what are you doing to
develop a positive relationship with your church leaders and
congregation? When there is a change in leadership, are you
in a place to impact choices?
02
Is your school the best kept secret in town? If so, it is
nothing to brag about. Do you have a marketing plan?
Is this part of your annual budget?
01
If your board is resisting….do your homework and
make a strong case why things need a critical
look.