For the Christian parent, the purpose of education is the same as every other aspect of life—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. God is Lord over education just as He is Lord over business, personal relationships, and every other aspect of life. A Christ-centered education does, indeed, yield professional opportunities and societal benefits, but they are by-products, not the primary objective.

One way to glorify God in education is to pursue academic excellence. The Scriptures teach that we are stewards of God's blessings and gifts, including our minds. [Matt. 25:14-28; Matt. 22:37; Rom. 12:2] The Scriptures also teach that we are to do everything to the best of our abilities "as unto the Lord." [Col. 3:23] It follows that we are under a duty to God to pursue academic excellence—to develop the minds He has given us to the fullest extent possible.

Another way we glorify God in education is by teaching every subject so that the full weight of God's relationship to it is understood and communicated to the student. The Scriptures say, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." [Prov. 1:7] No subject is fully understood until God's relationship to it also is grasped. The Scriptures command us to know God's Word and to teach it "diligently" to our children by talking of it throughout the day and posting it where it can be habitually read and studied. [Deut. 6:6-9]

Christian teachers model Christ to the students. This is critically important. The teachers take SMCS’s philosophy of education and make it a reality. They love each student as made in the image of God and love that student with his or her unique combination of gifts and abilities. They set before all of the students a godly example, teach and explain God’s Word and His world, pray with and for the students, and build the students up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Christian thought is integrated into a balanced curriculum—it is not just taught in Bible class. In science, students learn about God’s marvelous creation. In history, they see how the Fall and God’s plan of redemption play out. They see the order and precision of the universe in math. In language arts, they read and discuss classical works that teach sound moral lessons, express great and noble ideas, and display God’s creativity through words.

SMCS employs aspects of the education model pioneered by British educator Charlotte Mason. Some important principles of the Charlotte Mason approach to education are:

Children will best learn big and noble ideas, healthy relationships, proper treatment of parents/friends/others, and critical/imaginative/creative thinking by reading (or listening to) and then telling back and discussing great works of literature, including the Bible, in their original texts.

The discipline of developing good habits—especially habits of character—is a fundamental part of education.

Memorization of Scripture and poetry feeds the soul.

Learning is maximized when children spend time outdoors during and after school. The best way to teach children about God’s world and develop creativity and imagination is through hands-on study of the natural world—i.e. the natural world is an “outdoor laboratory.”

God is Lord of all creation and wisdom, divinely present in literature, history, math, the sonatas of Mozart, the brush strokes of Monet, and the order and beauty of the earth and the rest of the universe. The Holy Spirit of God alone guides us into all Truth.

If you would like to know more about the Charlotte Mason philosophy of education, we encourage you to read For the Children’s Sake, by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay, which explains Charlotte Mason’s philosophy and techniques and is required reading for all parents of SMCS students.

ABSOLUTLEY NOT. Making God's Word an integral part of education does not mean you get an inferior education, but a superior one. The Scriptures state repeatedly that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom and understanding. [See, e.g., Prov. 1:7; 9:10] A student who does not fear the Lord can never quite achieve his academic potential because his perception and judgment at some level is distorted. It follows then that spiritual training ought to be integrated with academic disciplines because the former enriches the latter; it does not compromise it. If the Scriptures are Truth, then their study cannot possibly detract from one's education.

The elementary school years are the most important in a child's intellectual and spiritual development. It is universally understood that children who, in elementary school, receive a solid foundation in reading, writing, math, science and history are equipped to excel during the remainder of their academic careers. What is often overlooked is that, during these same years, each child is learning and internalizing the values and beliefs that will shape and determine in large part his or her faith and character in adulthood. St. Ignatius Loyola said that if he had primary authority over a child during these formative years, the child would “think as I do forever.”

As Christians, we know that faith and character have eternal as well as temporal consequences for our children. Our greatest responsibility as Christian parents is to pass on our Christian faith and values to our children so that they develop their own personal relationship with Jesus. [Deut. 6:6-9; 2 Tim. 1:5]

All of the Board members and faculty at SMCS are well-educated and place a high value on academic achievement. The excellent record of our students on national achievement tests and their high acceptance rate at private middle and high schools are objective evidence that SMCS provides an outstanding education as measured by secular standards. Above all, however, we want our students to have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. [2 Tim. 3:14-17]

The money you spend on tuition for a Christian elementary education is an investment in your child’s eternal future. The reality of modern life is that school, sports, playtime, dinner, homework, and chores occupy about 98% of each day. It is more important than ever that our children be taught the Scriptures, Christian values and a Christian worldview during the best hours of the day—those 6-8 hours a day, 5 days a week that they are in school.

At SMCS, we use the Iowa Basic Skills Test as a measure of academic progress starting in the 3rd grade. Using a national achievement test allows us to measure our students’ progress against students from all states in both public and private schools. Furthermore, we do not base enrollment solely on a child’s intelligence, nor do we “teach to the test.” So test results reflect the quality of our regular curriculum and instruction.

Generally, SMCS students perform in the above average range, well above the national average. In grade equivalents (the grade in which the average student would have to be to do as well as our students), our 3rd graders usually average 2-3 years ahead. By 4th grade they usually average 3-5 years ahead, and by 5th grade they usually average 4-7 years ahead, with many testing post-high school.

SMCS students tend to exceed the average by a greater and greater margin with each year of education. That data supports our belief that the strong foundation they receive in reading, writing and math in Kindergarten through 2nd grade equips the students to accelerate achievement in 3rd through 5th grades and beyond.

After leaving SMCS, families have chosen four different routes, depending on the child and family needs: private Christian schools, private prep schools, public schools, or a form of homeschooling. Our students have attended Christian schools, prep schools, and public schools in Chattanooga and its greater area (such as Baylor, McCallie, GPS, Chattanooga Christian, Signal Mountain Christian Cooperative, and Signal Mountain Middle High School).

SMCS graduates continue to succeed academically, athletically & socially. Many of our students have become leaders in their churches and schools; have made Dean’s and Headmaster’s Lists; have been inducted into National Honor Societies; have won math, science, writing, art, music, and outstanding character awards at their next schools and at the State level; have created their own small businesses; are leading Bible studies, and continue to have a heart for missions and ministries. At least two of our graduates were National Merit semi-finalists.

From our discussions with admissions directors at private middle and high schools, it is clear that no particular elementary school has an "inside track" to admission. Students are accepted based upon what they bring to the school in terms of academics, character, leadership, and talent.

SMCS students have a very high acceptance rate at private secular and Christian middle and high schools. The feedback we have received from principals, admissions directors, and parents is that our students have an excellent academic foundation and are very well prepared to succeed academically at those institutions. Many of our students enter on an “honors” track. Also, we believe that part of the reason for their high acceptance rate is the confidence our students exhibit knowing who they are in Christ.

No. Although the vision and approach to education is Reformed, SMCS is a non-denominational Christian school that teaches core Christian beliefs as expressed in our Doctrinal Statement.