Mission Statement
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Billings Christian School Strategic Plan - July 2013 - Draft
Summary
Billings Christian School has very strong support from current families, staff, and some alumni. These families are extremely faithful to Billings Christian School due to the Christ-centered curriculum, strong academics, and the family environment. Our main challenge is lack of community awareness or misunderstood awareness. With the recent and projected growth in west Billings, Billings Christian School is located in a prime location. However, that location is shared with Cornerstone Community Church. This cause Billings Christian School to be overshadowed and causes confusion about our relation with CCC.
Our enrollment increased 37% this past year from an enrollment in 2011-12 of 132 to an enrollment in 2012-13 of 182. Enrollment for 2013-14 is anticipated to be at 215 (another 18% increase). These increases in enrollment have stretched our facilities capacity. We have low enrollment in some classes (5th & 6th grades have under 10 students) but some classes are reaching our limit of 20 students (1st, 2nd, and 10th ). As we expand elective offerings and add full-day Kindergarten options, we have limited options to add classroom space. Within the next two years, we will be in need of additional classrooms if we plan to continue to grow our enrollment and opportunities for our students.
We have begun a rebranding process to assist in our community awareness. The resulting image will be consistently communicated with current families, prospective families, churches, and staff. We will take this image to the public through targeted marketing. We will start a concerted effort to communicate with alumni during this process to develop a mailing list. Grandparents (contact information has been collected with online enrollment process) will also be a targeted group to build awareness and support for future facility needs.
Our students are our most important treasure. We will look for ways to give all students ways to excel at Billings Christian School. By expanding our elective options, we will be able to add opportunities to excel in art and music. Currently students have many opportunities to excel in athletics and academics. There will be also opportunities for our high school students to tutor elementary students. Community service opportunities will be expanded for our students.
With very low teacher turnover, our teachers are extremely loyal to Billings Christian School. Professional development training will be offered in an intentional manner and schedule. We increased our teachers base pay to $20,000 for the 2013-14 school year from $16,088. This new base pay will be 56% of our local school districts starting teachers salary. We plan to increase this base pay each year until we reach 70% of the public schools base.
Technology will be improved during 2013 in the classroom with improved internet connections, new smartboard installation, along with new laptops and printers for teachers. Our intent is to provide teachers sufficient training, technology, and support to exceptionally teach our children.
Each of these areas of growth opportunities will be approached through the lens of Christ. Prayerful guidance will be sought in all plans. Board members, administration, and committees will be utilized to maximize input and expertise within these groups.
Vision Statement
Grounded in Biblical truth and academic excellence, we teach, train, and mentor individuals for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service.
Mission Statement
Providing superior Christian education consistent with Biblical principles, we partner with families and their churches to equip students for a lifetime pursuit of excellence and integrity under the Lordship of Christ. Within a safe, loving, and enriching environment, students will discover their individual gifts and talents; develop intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and physically; and impact the world through their leadership, integrity, and Biblical worldview.
Core Values
Word of God is the standard from which we acknowledge absolute truth in developing all policies, programs, and services.
Achievement of excellence is our goal.
Rooted in Christ, we model a vibrant and dynamic personal relationship with Him.
Raising the bar to a much higher level than what society requires or values, we support and partner with parents and their churches in training and instructing children for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service.
Investing in the lives of others is our hallmark.
Ordinary is not in our vocabulary. Everyone is valued and uniquely created in the image of God.
Recognizing Gods presence and power, we strive for integrity, honesty, and transparency in our lives.
Spirit driven, we are called to serve others, give selflessly, and exemplify good stewardship in order to honor God and benefit others.
Statement of Faith
The School is not affiliated with any specific denomination. Our statement of faith subscribes to the following declaration of the National Association of Evangelicals:
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Uniqueness of Billings Christian School:
Only non-denominational Christian PreK-12 school in Billings
Only single campus Christian PreK-12 school in Billings
Individual class sizes limited at 20 students (average current class size is 13)
Core competencies:
Christ-centered PreK-12 education
Dedicated teachers
Challenging academics
Students seeking to serve
Families committed to Christian education
Serve all economic strata equally
Serve diverse faith denominations
Athletic opportunities for all students
Accredited through ACSI & AdvancED
Teachers certified through ACSI
Low teacher turnover
Strong donor support through annual fundraising event
Community service opportunities for students
Weaknesses
Lack of community awareness
Misinformation in community
No alumni communication
Lack of leadership opportunities for students
Lack of intentional interaction between high school & elementary students
Minimal professional development opportunities for teachers
Traffic increasing on Grand Ave. & increased enrollment increasing parking lot congestion
The school shares space with Cornerstone Community Church. The church building is much more visible than the school.
Threats
New Christian Montessori school a few blocks away
Plans for new public schools in this area of town
Opportunities
As of 2012, Billings (zip 59106)'s population is 12,341 people. Since 2000, this area has had a population growth of 57.43 percent.
Billings Christian School is located in a very visible location
Requests have come from families living in outlying areas to provide satellite campuses and/or bussing services
Where do we go from here?
Billings Christian School has made it a top priority to provide a top quality education to young people within Billings and the surrounding areas, as well as instilling Biblical principles a person can take with them throughout their life. In order to continue providing a superior Christian education in a loving environment some immediate goals were discussed and prioritized.
Expand opportunities for students to grow spiritually
music (choir, band, and orchestra)
community service
mentoring other students
out-of-community service through mission work
additional Bible classes
Expand educational opportunities for Jr. High/High School students
expand elective class options
recruit qualified teachers for additional classes as funding is available
guidance counselor
tutoring services available to students
Expand leadership opportunities for students
mentoring younger students
community service
out-of-community service through mission work
partner with organizations such as Business Professionals of America
Staff development
continued training
in area of current teaching
in new technology
spiritual development
leadership development
classroom management
in new areas of teaching (new electives)
Expand student services
full day preschool
before school care
after school program for Jr. High/High School
summer programs for all ages
bussing from outlying locations (downtown, hei
