– Mission: Centered on providing a faith-based education, integrating Christian values with academic excellence.
– Values: Emphasizes the development of moral character, ethical decision-making, and spiritual growth alongside academic achievement.

– Mission: Typically focused on providing a well-rounded, secular education to all students.
– Values: Aims to promote civic responsibility, cultural awareness, and academic success without specific religious or moral guidance.

– Faith and Academics: Curriculum is designed to integrate Christian beliefs with STEM/STEAM subjects, teaching students to view scientific discovery and technological advancements through a biblical lens.
– Ethics in STEM/STEAM: Emphasizes the ethical implications of STEM/STEAM developments, encouraging students to apply their knowledge in ways that align with Christian principles.

– Secular Approach: Curriculum is based on state or national standards with a focus on academic achievement without religious integration.
– Ethics in STEM/STEAM: May cover ethical considerations, but typically from a secular perspective, without religious or moral frameworks guiding discussions.

– Character Formation: Strong emphasis on developing Christ-like character traits such as honesty, integrity, compassion, and service to others.
– Moral Instruction: Regular lessons on Christian morals and values, with an expectation that students will embody these principles in their daily lives.

– Character Education: May include character education programs, but these are generally secular, focusing on values like respect, responsibility, and citizenship.
– Moral Instruction: Moral education is often based on broader societal norms and legal standards, without religious overtones.

– STEM/STEAM Integration with Faith: STEM/STEAM curriculum is infused with discussions on how faith informs scientific inquiry and innovation.
– Project-Based Learning: Often incorporates service-oriented STEM/STEAM projects that reflect Christian teachings on stewardship and community service.

– STEM/STEAM Emphasis: Varies widely by district; some public schools may have strong STEM/STEAM programs, while others may offer more generalized education.
– Project-Based Learning: Focuses on problem-solving and innovation, often without the integration of ethical or faith-based considerations.

– Faith-Centered Environment: Daily activities, including prayers, devotions, and chapel services, create an environment where faith is central to all aspects of school life.
– Close-Knit Community: Smaller class sizes and a strong sense of community foster close relationships among students, teachers, and parents.

– Diverse Environment: Reflects a wide range of beliefs, cultures, and values, aiming to be inclusive and respectful of all backgrounds.
– Varied Class Sizes: Class sizes can vary greatly, with some schools having large student-teacher ratios that may impact individual attention.

– Partnership with Parents: High level of parental involvement is encouraged, with parents often playing a significant role in school activities, decision-making, and their children’s moral and spiritual development.

– Parental Involvement: Varies widely; some schools encourage active parental participation, while others may have less direct involvement. Involvement is generally focused on academic support and extracurricular activities.

– Publicly Funded: Funded by local, state, and federal taxes, which generally ensures a base level of resources but can result in significant disparities depending on the local tax base.

– Facilities and Technology: May have advanced facilities and technology, particularly in STEM/STEAM, but this can vary depending on the financial resources available.

– Publicly Funded: Funded by local, state, and federal taxes, which generally ensures a base level of resources but can result in significant disparities depending on the local tax base.

– Facilities and Technology: Varies greatly; some schools have state-of-the-art facilities, while others may struggle with outdated resources.

– Accreditation and Standards: Must meet state education standards, but also often adheres to additional accreditation requirements that align with their faith-based mission.
– Academic Freedom: Greater flexibility in curriculum design and teaching methods, allowing for the integration of faith and values.

– State Accountability: Required to meet state and federal education standards, with regular assessments to ensure compliance.
– Curriculum and Testing: Curriculum is often standardized across districts, with a strong emphasis on standardized testing for accountability.

– Behavioral Expectations: High expectations for behavior rooted in Christian morals, with an emphasis on respect, kindness, and responsibility.
– Discipline: Discipline policies often reflect Christian principles, including forgiveness and reconciliation, while maintaining high standards for student conduct.

– Behavioral Expectations: Standards are generally based on district policies, promoting respect, safety, and responsibility within a secular framework.
– Discipline: Discipline policies vary but are typically focused on maintaining order and safety, with a focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

– Faith-Based Guidance: College and career counseling often includes discussions on how students can continue to live out their faith in their future studies and careers, especially in STEM/STEAM fields.
– STEM/STEAM Career Focus: Strong emphasis on preparing students for STEM/STEAM careers, with guidance on integrating faith with professional aspirations.

– College and Career Readiness: Provides secular college and career counseling, often focused on achieving academic success and career goals.
– STEM/STEAM Career Focus: May offer strong STEM/STEAM programs and resources, but the focus is on preparing students for careers without specific consideration of faith or ethics.

– Faith-Integrated Activities: Extracurricular activities often include faith-based clubs, mission trips, and service projects, alongside STEM/STEAM-related clubs and competitions.
– Community Service: Emphasis on service as a core component of student life, with opportunities to serve both locally and globally in ways that reflect Christian values.

– Diverse Extracurriculars: Offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, typically focusing on academic, athletic, and artistic pursuits without religious integration.
– Community Service: May include community service opportunities, but these are generally secular and focused on civic responsibility.

– Christian Community: Typically serves a student body that shares Christian beliefs, though may include students from various denominations. Efforts to include diversity are framed within a Christian context.
– Inclusion: Focuses on inclusion within the framework of Christian teachings, emphasizing love, respect, and the inherent value of every individual as created in the image of God.

– Cultural Diversity: Public schools are often more diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic background.
– Inclusion: Public schools are required to be inclusive of all students, regardless of background, with programs to support diverse learning needs and cultural inclusivity.

– Daily Religious Education: Religious instruction is a core component, with Bible studies, theology classes, and regular chapel services.
– Integration with Academics: Religion is seamlessly integrated with academic subjects, particularly in discussions of ethics, creation, and purpose in STEM/STEAM.

– Secular Education: No religious instruction; the curriculum is strictly secular in accordance with the separation of church and state.
– Religious Accommodations: Students may practice their faith individually, but religious instruction or activities are not part of the official school program.

– Faith-Based Community: Strong sense of community centered around shared Christian beliefs, values, and practices.
– Cultural Events: School events often include religious observances, Christian holidays, and faith-based traditions.

– Cultural Pluralism: Schools reflect a diverse range of cultures, beliefs, and traditions, promoting respect for different perspectives.
– Secular Celebrations: Cultural events are generally secular, reflecting the diversity of the student body and community.

– Selective Admissions: Often has an admissions process that includes interviews, religious commitment, and academic readiness, with a focus on maintaining a Christian environment.
– Enrollment Fees: Requires tuition, though financial aid or scholarships may be available.

– Open Enrollment: Public schools are required to serve all students in their geographic area, regardless of background or beliefs.
– Free Education: Funded through taxes, public schools do not charge tuition, though there may be fees for certain programs or activities.