School Board Application

Western Christian School equips students for a life of faith and learning by providing a Christ‐ centered educational experience highlighted by four key distinctives: academic excellence, nurturing community, enrichment opportunities, peace building & service.

Academic Excellence
Teach the Bible as the inspired word of God
Offer college/university preparatory, technological, practical arts, and fine arts courses
Prepare for a lifetime of learning by challenging students to develop analytical and critical thinking skills
Commit to help each student reach individual academic goals
Promote the value and contributions of all peoples and cultures in the classroom

Nurturing Community
Provide a holistic education focusing on the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical development and wellness of each student
Encourage, mentor, and disciple students to develop a personal relationship with Christ, recognizing the presence of the Spirit in daily life exemplified through gratitude, service, and stewardship
Encourage active participation within the school, church, and global community by helping students and families to form relationships of accountability and respect within our diverse community

Enrichment Opportunities
Provide opportunities for students to develop gifts and interests in athletics, art, drama, and music
Offer off‐campus educational and exploratory experiences
Encourage development of life‐long relationships among students and faculty/staff through worship, weekly small groups, and community activities
Establish connections to broader church institutions and agencies

Peace Building & Service
Model and teach the way of Christ in dealing with life issues, conflicts, and reconciliation
Provide opportunities for students to lead, serve, and share their faith journey within the school, church, and global community
Assist students in identifying and developing personal spiritual gifts and abilities
Promote an awareness and understanding of God’s creation by focusing on the care and stewardship of the earth

Western Christian School is an interdenominational Christian school for students grade K through grade 12. While there is diversity among our Board, faculty, and staff in non-essential matters, the essential, core beliefs of the Christian faith that the Board, faculty, and staff affirm are as follows:

There is One God who exists eternally as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
(Mark 12:29; Matt 28:18-19)

The full humanity and full deity of Jesus Christ
(John 1:1-2; Phil 2:5-8)

The Bible in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments is inspired by God and is inerrant in its original documents, fully reliable, trustworthy, and authoritative as our guide to faith and practice
(2 Tim 3:16)

The spiritual lostness of humanity
(Rom 3:10-19; Eph 2:1-3)

The substitutionary atonement and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ
(Is 53:4-5; 1 Cor 15:3-4)

Salvation is by grace alone through faith in the Person and work of Jesus Christ
(Acts 4:12; Eph 2:8-9)

We find salvation when we turn to God in sorrow for our sins and He forgives us, cleanses us spiritually, and adopts us into the family of His children
(Acts 2:37-39; Heb 10:11-18; 1 John 3:1)

The bodily return of Jesus Christ
(1 Thess 4:13-18)

Western Christian School is a partner with families and churches in teaching young people to become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ within a community of faith and learning. We believe that a biblical understanding of discipleship means using Christ as a model for what we do and how we live, including the willingness to embrace the teachings about loving our enemies, how we use our wealth, and sacrificing social status or position to serve others with humility. We believe that living according to the values of the kingdom of God will transform persons and their relationships with others, but will often place Christians in tension with the social systems within which they live. We believe the church is the mutually supporting community that enables believers to live faithfully and redemptively as followers of Christ.

Faith-based and Christ-centered, the liberal arts curriculum at WCS focuses on core content areas with added emphasis on biblical studies. Because Jesus teaches his followers to love others, our curriculum promotes a diverse world-view that gives value and dignity to people of all cultures, promoting human rights, justice, and equality for all. It is a goal that students’ education includes learning methods of constructive mediation, reconciliation, and transformation of conflicts. Healthy ecological principles are to be taught as students increase their awareness of environmental issues. The curriculum includes opportunities for students to develop leadership skills to serve their church and community.

Learning is a continuous, life-long process, resulting in changes in the behavior, attitudes, and abilities of all involved. WCS recognizes the need for students to learn how to learn: To set high personal standards, seek feedback, remain on task, persevere to attain goals, examine and analyze their own work, and build on strengths. Students are also taught how to apply prior knowledge, a variety of learning strategies, and time management skills to their learning. Ideally, a student’s basic physical needs for rest and good health should be met to maximize their learning potential. The classroom environment should be clean, orderly, and comfortable, and a place where all members treat themselves and each other with the highest regard. Students’ multiple intelligences and learning styles are important to the teacher and are best discovered through respectful relationships, dialogue, varied activities, and effective assessments.

The teacher’s role is to facilitate learning, not just dispense information. Effective teachers have high expectations that build a student’s self-worth while also encouraging, mentoring, and nurturing the soul of the student. The teachers and students set goals, yet recognize that the opportunities to learn are as important as the outcome.
Learning is more than the mere representation of facts—it is relevant and hands- on, includes application whenever possible, and always integrates faith in Jesus Christ. Seeking continuous growth, teachers study and use the best known teaching and assessment practices. Teachers look for ways to build connections between their students and the content for which they are passionate. Teachers understand the need for trust, support, care, communication, interaction, clear explanation, and encouragement. The inspiration and energy required for the role of a teacher comes from knowing one’s true self as created in the image of God. Such knowledge enables teachers to model the way of Christ as students discover their own gifts and discern God’s purpose in their life.

Classroom management principles are based on honor, respect, and care for all members of the classroom. Teachers establish clear guidelines for conduct to create a safe environment, free from emotional, physical, and spiritual danger. Teachers provide clear boundaries for roles and relationships, and when conflict occurs, restoring those relationships is of key importance. Flexible and reflective, teachers allow justice, mercy, and humility to lead as they interact with students.

“He has shown you…what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 (NIV)

While academic growth is important, Western Christian School values the whole person and seeks to promote growth in all areas. This comprehensive growth is made possible through a view of learning that integrates faith in Jesus Christ; a curriculum designed to increase spiritual, social, and environmental awareness; teaching practices that are sensitive to the students’ individual needs; and classroom management principles based on respect. The goal of Western Christian School is to provide a transformational and holistic education that inspires lifelong learning. Creating an environment of faith, social awareness, sensitivity to individual needs, and mutual respect, Western Christian School empowers students, developing future leaders and informed citizens that positively impact their churches, communities, and the world.

The professional policy guideline for all adult to student contact at Western Christian School is based specifically on this overriding principle: “If my behavior was known to my colleagues, would they very likely agree I acted in a way that was consistent with my duties as an educator and a caring professional.” This being said, all adult staff members and volunteers must refrain from all physical contact and verbal interaction that is sexual, coercive, or abusive in nature. Staff members and volunteers should provide a positive and healthy example of human interaction as it relates to caring adult professionals relating to students.

In compliance with Oregon Law, it is the responsibility of every adult to promptly report any inappropriate, (those actions a reasonable person would consider outside the intended instructional dimension), adult to child contact they might witness to any available administrator on the school grounds. In those cases where an adult might be reporting on an administrator, a board member should be contacted. Employees who violate our Adult to Student Policy are subject to immediate dismissal, and referred to the proper state or local authorities.

As an Board Memeber I recognize, understand and will strive to adopt a lifestyle that is in concert with these standards:

Recognition of and agreement to the Biblical standards for sexual and marital behavior. WCS recognizes the traditional Biblical view of marriage as between one man and one woman. That sexual intimacy is clearly and exclusively restricted to the marriage relationship. (Romans 1:24-32; 1 Tim. 5:4;Eph. 5:23; 1 Cor. 11:3) .

Recognition of and agreement to the precept and example of the Christian character and personal decorum, serving as a Christian role model (I Tim. 4:12) both in and out of school to pupils (Luke 6:40), and as an example to parents and faculty in judgment, conflict resolution (Matt. 18), dignity, and respect. I understand my duty to demonstrate those “Fruits of the Spirit” that reflect His glory and purpose for human conduct. Therefore, I will strive to exhibit those “fruits” in my interactions with others. (Gal. 5:13-25; Eph. 3:20)

Recognizing the personal need for, and the Biblical admonition to fellowship with other believers, I will faithfully attend and support a local Christian fellowship. (Heb. 10:25).

I further declare that with regard to my personal, moral and ethical character and conduct as of this date, I am not, nor have I been in the past, engaged in inappropriate conduct toward minors, nor do I have inclinations toward such conduct. Inappropriate conduct by an adult toward minors includes, but is not limited to, the following: sexual contact and verbal, physical or sexual abuse as defined by Scripture, or, where applicable, state law.

I further declare and agree that if, at any time during my service, I cannot hold true to the above and find myself out of harmony or sympathy, or in discord or disagreement with the philosophy, Christian role model standards, Mission Statement, Statement of Faith, Adult to Student Contact Policy, Board Policies or administration of the school, I will immediately make that fact known to the Administrator. Unless the lack of harmony, discord, or disagreement can be amicably resolved without publicity, I agree to voluntarily resign from employment or be subject to termination. Such cause, as used herein includes, but is not limited to, any conduct tending to reflect discredit upon the school or myself, or tending to seriously impair my continued usefulness as a Christian role model for the students of WCS.

I further acknowledge and agree that the statement is of my own free will as a condition for Board Service. By my signature, I declare that I currently meet and will continue to meet the moral and ethical standards of WCS.

I understand that consumer reports or investigative consumer reports, which may contain public record information, may be requested or made on me regarding criminal records. Further, I understand that you will be requesting information from various federal, state, local and other agencies which may contain information on my past activities.

I hereby authorize, without reservation, any party or agency contacted by the administration of Western Christian School to furnish the above information.

I have the right to make a request of Protect My Ministry (https://protectmyministry.com/) upon proper identification and the payment of any authorized fees, for the information in its files on me at the time of my request.